Part 5 - Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

It is the transfer of DNA between cells by bacterial plasmids to produce a genetically modified (GM) organism

Question 2

What are the stages of genetic engineering?

Answer 2

• identify section of DNA that contains required gene from source chromosome
• extract required gene
• extract plasmid from bacterial cell
• insert required gene into bacterial plasmid
• insert plasmid into host bacterial cell to produce a genetically modified organism

Question 3

Genetic engineering

Answer 3

Human cell: Bacterium:

Sliced up chromosome Plasmid
| |
\ Isolated plasmid
gene responsible for |
controlling formation Cut with enzyme
of insulin \ /
gene inserted into plasmid
|
suitable bacterium
|
plasmid with gene inserted in bacterium
|
duplicates
|
production of insulin

Question 4

How do viruses invade cells?

Answer 4

By inserting their genetic material first

Question 5

Why are organisms genetically modified?

Answer 5

In order to give them a combination of genes (genotype) that will result in them having desirable physical characteristics (phenotype)

Question 6

Examples of ways to use genetic engineering

Answer 6

Golden rice
Papaya
Less toxic rapeseed oil
Blight resistant potatoes
Bird resistance to bird flu
Insulin/human growth hormone