13.4 Genetic engineering

Question 1

Genetic engineering def

Answer 1

A process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic

Question 2

Example of genetic engineering

Answer 2

• Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to diseases or to produce bigger better fruits
• bacterial cells have been genetically engineered to produce useful substances such as human insulin to treat diabetes

Question 3

What happens in genetic engineering

Answer 3

Genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ and transferred to cells of other organisms

Question 4

Describe the main steps in the process of genetic engineering

Answer 4

• enzymes are used to isolate the required gene
• this gene is inserted into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus
• the vector is used to insert the gene into the required cells
• genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants or microorganisms at an early stage in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics

Question 5

Where are the genes for genetic engineering inserted into animals, microorganisms or plants

Answer 5

• in animals the egg or very early embryo
• in plants into the meristem cells which are then used to produce identical clones of the genetically modified plant