Genetic Modification/Testing

Question 1

Why is it important for chemists and biologists to work together?

Answer 1

They can produce a new, powerful and safe herbicide that is not resistance to plants.

Question 2

What is the problems associated with producing insulin from a pig?

Answer 2

• religious groups think pigs are unclean and object to coming in contact with humans
• others say animals have the same rights as humans.

Question 3

What are the scientific problems associated with producing insulin?

Answer 3

• it has to be purified very carefully
• by taking a human gene and inserting it into the bacterium E.coli
• could be a shortage of pig insulin.

Question 4

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 4

Is the process where is combines DNA from different sources.

Question 5

What is a vector?

Answer 5

Used to transport a gene from one organism to another:

• plasmids
• viruses.

Question 6

What are plasmids?

Answer 6

Circular DNA molecules, modified with a useful gene and inserted into another microorganism where the gene is expressed.

Question 7

What is a virus?

Answer 7

They are microorganisms which can cause diseases: certain types are able to inject DNA directly into another cell: cell duplicates the DNA from the virus as if it was its own genetic material.

Question 8

What do vectors behave like?

Answer 8

Viruses are being tested as a way to deliver a gene that can cute cystic fibrosis: gene is code for production of a proton: controls how fluid passes across a cell membrane.

Question 9

Recombinant DNA:

Answer 9

1) find, isolate, cut out, enzyme multiply
2) copies mixed with plasmids, open up, gene is inserted, close up and multiply by enzymes
3) plasmids inserted into bacteria or plant cell, gene is expressed when modified cell develops.

Question 10

What can a field of wheat be reduced by?

Answer 10

A yield of crops can be reduced by anything from 35%-70%.

Question 11

Genetic testing:

Answer 11

1) make probe that matches gene
2) attach fluorescent chemical to DNA probe
3) mix white blood cells with probe and leave for a time on microscope slide for probe and genes in cells to match up
4) view cells under a microscope and expose to UV light: if probe has matched gene in test, it glows.

Question 12

What is a genetic probe?

Answer 12

Is when enzymes build a length of DNA that matches with the target gene: they ‘recognise’ each other.