Gene technology Flashcards

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1
Q

Give an example of a drug made by genetically modified organisms

A

Human insulin

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2
Q

Give an example of how drugs can be produced using genetically modified organisms

A

-Bacteria used to produce human insulin
-Working human insulin gene inserted into bacterial plasmids which are taken up by bacteria, then transcribed and translated to produce insuline

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3
Q

What is a transgenic organism?

A

An organism that contains recombinant DNA

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4
Q

What is recombinant DNA?

A

DNA that is from more than one organism.

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5
Q

What is needed to make recombinant DNA?

A

DNA consisting of the desired gene, restriction endonuclease enzymes, plasmid, and DNA ligase.

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6
Q

Describe the role of restriction endonuclease enzyme in making recombinant DNA

A

To recongise and cut sections of DNA on either side of the desired gene, isolating it.

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7
Q

Describe the role of DNA ligase in making recombinant DNA

A

Forms phosphodiester linkages between two strands of DNA, making one new one.

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8
Q

What is a vector?

A

Something used to transfer the desired gene into another organism.

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9
Q

What is used as the vector to move the desired gene into other organisms?

A

Plasmids

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10
Q

Why do we use plasmids as vectors?

A

They’re small and easy to use

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11
Q

Explain how isolated DNA is placed into the plasmid

A

-The plasmid and desired gene are cut by the same restriction endonuclease enzyme creating complementary sticky ends
-Desired gene is amplified using PCR
-Base pairing between complementary sticky ends takes place (hydrogen bonds formed)
-Sealed with DNA ligase to create phosphodiester linkages

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12
Q

What are sticky ends?

A

Small sections of unpaired and overhanging bases at the end of a DNA fragment.

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13
Q

How is recombinant DNA inserted into bacterial cells?

A

Electroporation is used to stimulate bacterial cells to take up transformed plasmids.

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14
Q

Explain how electroporation facilitates bacterial cells to take up the transformed plasmid

A

A small electric current is applied to bacterial membranes so the membrane becomes porous and plasmids move into the cell.
This is achieved using calcium salts and rapid t° increase from 0 t 40°C

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15
Q

What is the function of marker genes?

A

They help identify which bacteria has successfully taken up the plasmid.

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16
Q

How would you check if a plasmid has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene?

A

If it has successfully taken up the gene then the bacteria will be antibiotic resistant.
If grown on antibiotic media, only the bacteria which have successfully transformed will survive.

17
Q

Outline the two types of gene therapy.

A

Germ line therapy - inserting recombinant DNA by modifying fertilised egg cells. Banned in humans.
Somatic cell - replacing only mutant body cells with healthy adult body cells is allowed.

18
Q

How can recombinant DNA be inserted into host cells?

A

Viruses, microinjection, microprojectile, and liposome wrapping.

19
Q

What is the function of the microarray?

A

It determines which genes are expressed within the cells of an organism.

20
Q

Define bioinformatics

A

Developing of software and computing tools to collect and analyse complex biological data such as genetic codes.

21
Q

What is the function of bioinformatics?

A

Build and store databases of genomes and gene sequences of thousands of organisms.
Used to compare genetic relationships between species and within species.

22
Q

What are the benefits of GM?

A

Higher crop yield, nutritional value, and pest resistance.
Less pesticide spraying
Crops grow in more adverse conditions
Can make medication and treatments quickly and cheaply e.g. human insulin
Can produce large quantities of enzymes cheaply.

23
Q

What are the risks of GM?

A

Can lead to monoculture, reduce biodiversity
Pests may become resistant to pesticide in GM crops
Transferred gene may spread to wild population causing problems like superweeds
GM of humans is unethical
Companies could seek profit of it further and limit use of technology that could save lives.