TOPIC 6: GENE TECHNOLOGIES Flashcards
Stages of gene transfer
1) The useful gene of the DNA of an organism is cut using a restriction enzyme
2) it leaves one of the DNA strands with unpaired bases (sticky ends)
3) the bacterial plasmid DNA is cut using the same restriction enzyme (complementary to sticky ends)
4) the useful gene and the plasmid are mixed together with ligase and joins them together
5) It creates a recombinant plasmid that is inserted into the bacteria
6) the bacteria replicates and expresses the gene
Examples of genetic engineering
hormones: insulin to treat diabetes
antibiotics: penicillin
blood clotting: factor VIII to treat haemophilia
Benefits and Risks of using Genetic Engineering in Medicine
Benefits: production of medicine, vaccine, reduces spread of disease
Risks: unknown long-term consequences, ethical objections on animals
Characteristics of Stem Cells
- undifferentiated
- ability to divide themselves
- they can specialise into any body cell
embryonic cell
they can give rise to any type of cell
As cell mature….
they lose their ability to divide (they stop dividing and die)
Where can you find stem cells
bone marrow, embryonic
Medical Applications of Stem Cells
Selective Breeding
animals with desirable characteristics are bred together. This process is repeated over many generations.
example of genetic engineering
the production of penicillin