P2 5c genetic modification Flashcards

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1
Q

what is genetic engineering?

A

the modification of genes in plants

- either by removal or insertion

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2
Q

what are the advantages of genetic modification?

A
  • increase the growth speed
  • resistance to pests
  • added minerals and vitamins that can help low income countries
  • makes crop have a longer shelf life (less waste)
  • cosmetic reasons
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3
Q

what are the disadvantages of genetic modification?

A
  • allergies can be trigged in some people

- the toxins from the disease resistance plants can make consumers resistant to it.

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4
Q

how does genetic modification happen?

A
  • a foreign gene is taken out of the genome by an enzyme (restriction enzymes)
  • the DNA is cut at an angle (overhanging section on either side) this means some bases are exposed
  • they then want to find a partner to match, they are called sticky ends
  • a virus is used as a vector (without the infection part) that will inject the gene into the organism
  • the organism will read the DNA and then it will make the protein etc
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5
Q

what is transgenics?

A

when an organism has a foreign gene inserted into its genome it is a called transgenic organism

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6
Q

what is the enzyme that cuts DNA?

A

restriction enzymes

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7
Q

what happens to some of the bases when the gene is cut?

A

they become sticky ends that want to find another partner that they match to

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8
Q

how do you genetically modify bacteria to produce human insulin?

A
  • the gene for insulin production is located within a human chromosome
  • restriction enzymes are used to isolate or cut out the human insulin gene, leaving it with sticky ends
  • a bacterial plasmid is cut by the same restriction enzyme leaving it with corresponding sticky ends
  • the plasmid and the isolated human insulin gene are joined together by DNA ligase enzyme
  • its then inserted into a bacterial cell
  • when the bacteria reproduce the plasmids are copied, they will all express the human insulin gene and make the protein
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9
Q

why are bacteria useful for genetic engineering purposes?

A
  • contain the same genetic code as the organisms we are taking genes from, so they can read it and produce the same proteins
  • no ethical concerns over their manipulation and growth
  • presence of plasmids separate from the main bacterial chromosome makes them easy to remove and manipulate
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10
Q

what are the advantages of GM crops?

A
  • reduced use of chemicals
  • better for the environment
  • cheaper
  • increased yields from crops, as they are not competing with weeds
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11
Q

what are the disadvantages of GM crops?

A
  • increased costs of seeds, so smaller poorer farmers can’t compete
  • increased dependency on certain chemicals
  • risk of inserted genes being transferred to wild plants by pollinations, reducing usefulness (eg if weeds gain the gene)
  • reduced biodiversity
  • plants may not grow as well
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