Unit 2 Genetic Control Of Metabolism

Question 1

List the features of a bacterial cell?

Answer 1

Cytoplasm
Circular chromosome (DNA)
Cell membrane
Capsule
Cell wall
Plasmid
Ribosome
Flagellum

Question 2

List the features of a yeast cell?

Answer 2

Cytoplasm
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Vacuole
Mitochondria
Ribosomes

Question 3

It’s a bacterial cell eukaryotic a prokaryotic and how do you know?

Answer 3

A bacterial cell is prokaryotic as it has no nucleus

Question 4

Is are yeast cell eukaryotic or prokaryotic and how do you know?

Answer 4

Are yeast cell is eukaryotic as it has a nucleus ‘true nucleus’

Question 5

Explain why we might want to genetically controls metabolism of a micro organism?

Answer 5

There is “wild type” which is the natural form of a micro organism which has some desirable traits but also lacks others
Genetic stability
Ability to grow on low-cost nutrients
Ability to vastly over produce the target compound
Ability to allow easy harvesting of the product

Question 6

Define A mutation

Answer 6

A mutation is the change in structure or amount of an organism genome

Question 7

Define mutagenesis

Answer 7

Mutagenesis is the creation of mutations

Question 8

Name three mutagenic agents

Answer 8

UV light
Other radiation e.g. x-rays, gamma rays
Mutagenic chemicals

Question 9

How do you scientist study the effects of a mutation on a specific gene?

Answer 9

Scientists can use site specific mutagenes to study the effect of mutations on a gene

Question 10

What is recombinant DNA technology?

Answer 10

Recumbent DNA technology involves the transfer of Gene sequences from one organism to another

Question 11

What is a restriction endonuclease and what does it do?

Answer 11

I restriction endonuclease is it enzyme extracted from bacteria
It is used to cut DNA fragments and to Cleeve open the bacterial plasmid to receive it

Question 12

What is DNA ligase and what does it do?

Answer 12

DNA ligase is an enzyme which is a sticky ends together

It is used to seal DNA fragments into bacterial plasmid the form of recombinant plasmid containing a recombinant DNA

Question 13

Name two types of Vectors which can carry genetic materials?

Answer 13

Recombinant plasmids

Artificial chromosomes

Question 14

When our artificial chromosomes useful?

Answer 14

They are useful as vectors to carry foreign genetic material

Question 15

What are the five main features of a plasmid which make it an effective vector?

Answer 15

A Safety gene
A marker gene
An origin of replication
A regulatory sequence 
A restriction site

Question 16

What is the job of the restriction site?

Answer 16

Is the site is a sequence of DNA where a restriction endonuclease enzyme cuts the plasmid open for inserting the gene

Question 17

What is the job of the origin of replication?

Answer 17

The origin of replication allows for self replication of the plasmid when it is put into the bacterial cell

Question 18

What is the job of the regulatory sequence?

Answer 18

Regular Tory sequence controls gene expression

Question 19

What is the job of the selectable marker gene?

Answer 19

E.g. antibiotic resistance Gene to allow the scientist to check whether the plasmid has been successfully transferred to the cell-if yes, the cell will survive exposure to the antibiotic- if no, the cell will die

Question 20

What is the job of a safety Gene?

Answer 20

Safety Gene are often also inserted to prevent the survival of a micro organism and external environments

Question 21

What is the difference between you eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA?

Answer 21

Eukaryotic DNA contains cells which have a nucleus

Prokaryotic DNA cells do not have a nucleus

Question 22

Why can we not always clone and express a eukaryotic Gene in a prokaryotic organisms?

Answer 22

As it may result in an inactive/incorrectly folded polypeptide

Question 23

What micro organisms do we use instead of prokaryotic organisms?

Answer 23

Active animal/ plant proteins