B6 Gene Technologies

Question 1

DNA ligase

Answer 1

joins plasmid DNA an the useful gene together

Question 2

Restriction enzyme

Answer 2

breaks bonds between nucleotides to cut DNA of organism

Question 3

Examples of genetic engineering in body cells

Answer 3

gene therapy for those with cystic fibrosis to reduce symptoms of condition. Reduced need for regular medication.

Question 4

Examples of genetic engineering in stem cells

Answer 4

GM bone marrow to create red blood cells that could produce haemoglobin with a shape that is ale to better transport oxygen. Aims to provide longer-term cure.

Question 5

Examples of genetic engineering in gametes

Answer 5

Currently illegal in UK due to concerns over long-term negative outcomes. Every cell of a body of a person that grow from a GM gamete would have the therapeutic gene.

Question 6

Embryonic stem cells

Answer 6

can give rise to any cell type. However, cells lose this ability as an animal matures.

Question 7

Function of a stem cell

Answer 7

can differentiate to specialised cells or self- renew

Question 8

Risks of treatment with stem cells

Answer 8

• an increased risk of cancer developing

- rejection by the immune system, because the transplanted cells are identified as foreign.

Question 9

Benefits of stem cell treatment examples

Answer 9

• treating diabetes by replacing insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas
• treating burns by replacing damaged skin tissue
• replacing neurones damaged by spinal cord injury
• replacing cells in the heart damaged by a heart attack.

Question 10

benefits of iPSC treatment

Answer 10

• the treatment of conditions in place of the more controversial embryonic stem cells
• stem cells produced from a patient’s own body cells should not be rejected as foreign
• learning more about specific diseases by culturing cells from a patient in the laboratory and then inducing them to differentiate into a specific cell type which can be studied, e.g. brain cells cultured to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease which affects the brain
• testing the effectiveness of drugs in cell culture before they are used in a patient.

Question 11

Inbreeding can result in…

Answer 11

reduction in genetic variation in the animal population can reduce the population’s ability to adapt to a changing environment