Applications of genetic engineering Flashcards
List the three organisms that you have studied that can undergo genetic engineering
Plants
Animals
Micro-organisms
Give an example of an application of genetic engineering using plants
Weed-killer-resistant crops
Give an example of an application of genetic engineering using animals
Sheep which produce a protein to treat emphysema
Give an example of an application of genetic engineering using micro-organisms
Bacteria which can make insulin
Describe weed-killer-resistant crops as an application of genetic engineering
(2)
These are crops which have bacterial genes added to them which make them resistant to particular weed-killers or herbicides
This means that when the herbicide is sprayed on the crop it will kill the weeds but not kill the transgenic plants
What is added to plants to make them resistant to particular weed-killers or herbicides?
Bacterial genes which make them resistant to the particular herbicide
What is the advantage of weed-killer-resistant crops?
This means that crops can be sprayed with a herbicide without being killed but the weeds are killed
Describe sheep which produce a protein to treat emphysema as an application of genetic engineering
(4)
Some people have a faulty gene that means they cannot produce a protective protein in their lungs
This leads to the collapse of the alveoli, in a condition known as emphysema
A working human gene for this protein known as AAT has been inserted into sheep DNA.
The sheep can then produce the protein in their milk
What is emphysema?
This is where a human has a faulty gene which prevents them from producing a protective protein in their lungs which leads to the collapse of the alveoli
What is the faulty gene which results in emphysema called?
AAT
How does inserting the gene which codes for AAT into a sheep’s DNA benefit those with emphysema?
By drinking a sheep’s milk which contains the gene for AAT the effects of emphysema is reduced
Describe bacteria which make insulin as an application of genetic engineering
The insertion of the gene for human insulin into a bacterium called E.coli
The bacterium then produces large quantities of insulin which can be used by diabetics who cannot produce insulin in their bodies on their own
Insulin is produced by what bacterium by genetic engineering?
E.coli
Why is the production of insulin by genetically engineered E.coli bacterium so vital?
As type 1 diabetic require synthetic insulin as they cannot produce it in their bodies naturally.
Before E.coli could be genetically engineered to produce insulin diabetics had to rely on animal insulin to which many people were allergic to
