Genetic Engineering

Question 1

Describe genetic engineering

Answer 1

Change to structure and characteristics of genes

Question 2

Describe process of adult cloning

Answer 2

• nucleus removed from unfertilised egg
• nucleus from adult cell of desired characteristic inserted into egg cell
• electric shock stimulates eggs to divide and form an embryo
• embryo contains same genetic info as desired adult cell
• when embryo developed into small ball of cells it’s inserted into womb of adult female

Question 3

Adv of animal cloning

Answer 3

Make copies of desired characteristics
Endangered animals can be saved

Question 4

Disadv of animal cloning

Answer 4

Reduce variation in species
Immoral
Can be wasteful
Expensive

Question 5

Describe process of embryo transplant

Answer 5

Cells are split apart from developing animal embryo before they become developed
= embryos then transplanted into host mothers/surrogate

Question 6

Describe plant cloning process (cuttings)

Answer 6

Cut part of the stem of the plant or sometimes a leaf
● Dip in hormone rooting powder to stimulate roots to develop
● Plant in damp compost
● The cutting will grow in to a whole new plant after a few weeks if kept in the right conditions!
= cheap and easy

Question 7

Describe plant cloning process (tissue culture)

Answer 7

enables thousands of new plants to be formed from just a tiny piece of plant tissue- ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION!
● However, conditions have to be sterile (ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE) and sterile agar and lots of nutrients are needed, so this process is more expensive than taking cuttings
● A small group of cells from part of the plant is used to grow identical new plants. This is important for preserving rare plant species.

Question 8

Adv of genetically modified plants

Answer 8

Produce higher yield
Improve disease resistance

Question 9

Describe GM procedure

Answer 9

Restriction enzymes isolate the gene of interest from an organism (e.g. person)
● Gene inserted into vector (e.g. plasmid)
● Recombinant plasmid inserted into required cells (e.g. bacteria, animal, plants, fungi)
● Genes transferred to cells at early stage of development (e.g. embryo)
● Organism grows to have the new desired characteristic of the other organisms