Section 9: Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA

Question 1

Biotechnology

Answer 1

use of biological techniques to solve practical problems and produce more useful products.
- via this, discovery of restriction endonucleases in bacteria (endonuclease that cleaves DNA at specific sites)

Question 2

Genetically engineering bacteria

Answer 2

insert a set of DNA fragments that together make up the entire genome of the organism being studied into a population of e.coli. Each e.coli called DNA library because each cell contains a portion of total genome of the organism.
(below isn’t in study guide)
1. obtain DNA from organism of interest
2. cut DNA with restriction endonuclease (RE)
3. cut plasmid vector containing amplicillin gene with same RE
4. mix fragments from vector and DNA of interest to make recombinant DNA molecules
5. transform DNA into e.coli and select for cells that are ampicillin resistant

Question 3

Applications of genetically engineering bacteria

Answer 3

produce bacteria not normally produced
insulin is now mass produced in e.coli! cool! and HG hormone! Interferon, and factor VIII!
producing subunit vaccines (purified antigenic determinant that is separated from the disease causing organism)
replacement therapy: substitute less virulent microbes for virulent strains. (virulent meaning harmful)