manipulating genes

Question 1

why do people use selective breeding

Answer 1

• food crops from wild plants

- domesticated animals from wild animals

Question 2

what are the steps for selective breeding

Answer 2

1) choose parents that best show desirable characteristics
2) breed them together
3) from offspring, breed those with the desired characteristics
4) continue for many generations

Question 3

what does ‘inbreeding’ mean

Answer 3

some breeds are prone to a disease or inherited defects

Question 4

what is genetic engineering

Answer 4

changing the characteristics of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism

Question 5

steps of genetic engineering

Answer 5

1) enzymes are used to isolate the required gene
2) this gene is inserted into a vector, e.g. a virus
3) vector is then used to insert gene into required cells

Question 6

what happens to cells if genes are put into the cells of animals or plants at the egg of embryo stage?

Answer 6

-all cells in organism will get the new gene

Question 7

plant crops have been genetically engineered to:

Answer 7

-be resistant to diseases, insects or herbicide attack
-produce bigger, better fruits
GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM)

Question 8

why are come people concerned about GM crops

Answer 8

the effects on human health if consumed