Unit 4 - Gene Regulation + Biotechnology

Question 1

What are the 3 goals of biotechnology?

Answer 1

–Better understand inheritance & gene expression
–Better understanding & treatment of diseases
– Generate economic benefits, including
• improved plants and animals for agriculture
• efficient production of valuable biomolecules

Question 2

What is Recombinant DNA? What’s the other term for it?

Answer 2

Involves the transfer of genetic material between organisms of the same/different species.
AKA Genetic Engineering

Question 3

What are the 5 steps of the Recombinant DNA process?

basic explanation

Answer 3

1. Isolation of DNA having desired gene
2. Isolate desired vector DNA
3. Incorporate foreign DNA into vector DNA
4. Isolate vector with desired gene
5. Clone the vector

Question 4

When does DNA Recombination occur naturally?

Answer 4

Sexual reproduction, Bacterial transformation, Viral transfer of DNA.

Question 5

What does Recombinant DNA produce?

Answer 5

Transgenic organisms

Question 6

What are the 5 steps of the Recombinant DNA process?

DETAILED explanation

Answer 6

1. Isolation of DNA having desired gene
   • Use a specific Restriction enzyme to cut up the desired DNA (p.246)
   • Produces “sticky ends” that allow for DNA to be inserted by complimentary base pairing
2. Isolate desired vector DNA
   • Usually plasmid DNA form a bacterium or viral DNA
   • Use the same restriction enzyme so as to produce complimentary ends (p.246-247)
3. Incorporate foreign DNA into vector DNA
   • Due to complimentary “sticky ends” the vector DNA will pick up the foreign DNA (p.247)
4. Isolate vector with desired gene
   • Search for vector with desired gene (p.248-249)
5. Clone the vector
   • Allow the vector with the desired gene to reproduce resulting in many copies

Question 7

What does RFLP stand for?

Answer 7

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms

Question 8

What is a RFLP?

Answer 8

DNA fragments

Question 9

What does the mapping of RFLP’s using gel electrophoresis allow us to do?

Answer 9

Find the desired gene which can then be cloned using the Polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR).

Question 10

What is a DNA probe?

Answer 10

Radioactively labelled single stranded DNA formed by complimentary base pairing with the isolated gene

Question 11

What are DNA probes used for?

Answer 11

Used to find the same gene in other organisms

Question 12

Name 3 applications of Genetic Engineering

Answer 12

1. DNA Probes
2. Agriculture (quantity, quality of crops, pests/stress resistance, crops with therapeutic properties)
3. Forensics (DNA fingerprinting)

Question 13

What are the 3 risks of Genetic Engineering?

Answer 13

1. Recombinant organisms could replace natural organisms and alter the ecosystem
2. Production of hazardous organisms
3. Production of hazardous pathogens that are difficult to fight.