B14.4 Genetic engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

Involves modifying the genetic material of an organism to include a new desirable characteristics

Question 2

How does genetic engineering happen?

Answer 2

Restriction enzyme is used to cut the plasmid from the required gene to get the desired gene
The gene is inserted into a vector using ligase - the vector is usually a plasmid or a virus
Vectors then is inserted back into the required cell which may be an animal or plant
Transgenic bacterium reproduces by binary fission

Question 3

What are GM crops?

Answer 3

Crops that have had their genes modified by genetic engineering techniques are known as genetically modified crops

Question 4

What are the uses of GM plants?

Answer 4

More resistant than usual to herbicides

means farmers can spray and kill weeds without damaging their crops - increases yield

Question 5

How can GM rice be created?

Answer 5

Chromosome of rice is cut using a restriction enzyme
Restriction enzymes cut a beta carotene gene from another organism
Ligase connects beta carotene into the chromosome of the plant
Gene inserted back into the rice

Question 6

How have GM rice plants been modified?

Answer 6

Withstand being covered in water for up to 3 crops - could save millions of lives

Question 7

What are the steps of genetic engineering(Overview)

Answer 7

Modifying organism’s genetic material
to produce a new, desirable characteristic
by cutting gene for desirable characteristic out of one organism and transferring it to genetic material of another

Question 8

Ways in which food crops have been modified to gain an advantage?

Answer 8

• Pest resistance – reducing crop vulnerability to pests and
increasing yield,
• Improved food value – changing crop composition to make crop
more nutritionally valuable,
• Flood resistance – reducing crop vulnerability to flooding and
protecting yield,
• Disease resistance – reducing crop vulnerability to common
diseases and increasing yield.