Gene Technology

Question 1

How are microbes involved in genetic engineering and manipulation?

Answer 1

-restriction enzymes were produced by bacteria
-adding DNA to prokaryotes is easy = mass production of proteins + medicines

Question 2

What is gene therapy?

Answer 2

-using various mechanisms to alter a persons genetic material to treat or cure diseases

Question 3

What are the most commonly used vectors?

Answer 3

-viruses
-they have mechanisms needed to recognise cells + deliver the genetic material into them

Question 4

What have gene therapies been tested?

Answer 4

-on somatic body cells
-changes in genetic material are targeted to specific cells

Question 5

What are the two types of somatic gene therapy?

Answer 5

1. ex vivo
2. in vivo

Question 6

What is ex vivo?

Answer 6

-the new gene is inserted via a virus vector into the cell outside the body
-blood or bone marrow cells are extracted + exposed to virus which inserts the gene into these cells

Question 7

What is in vivo?

Answer 7

-new gene is inserted via a vector into cells inside the body

Question 8

What is the process of ex vivo and in vivo ?

Answer 8

1. adult stem cells removed
2. virus vector is altered to contain desired gene
3. patients cell are altered after exposure to virus - then grown in a lab
4. transgenic cells
5. injected into body

Question 9

Is gene therapy in somatic cells permanent?

Answer 9

-no
-but in germ cells it is

Question 10

What is somatic gene therapy?

Answer 10

-faulty body cells replaced
-allele introduced to target cells
-temporary

Question 11

What is termine therapy?

Answer 11

-allele introduced to embryonic cells
-gamete DNA altered
-offspring won’t inherit faulty allele
-permanent