genetic engineering Flashcards
(16 cards)
central dogma of biology
DNA → RNA → Proteins
Genetic engineering can be used to
produce a desired protein rapidly.
Food with desired traits
Medicine
Genetic engineering involves cutting DNA strands with
restriction enzymes
Restriction enzymes are found in the immune systems of bacteria. how many are identified
There are about 1500
restriction enzymes
identified so far.
Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites.
E.g., EcoR1 cuts DNA at CTTAA-G.
Restriction enzymes cut each strand of the DNA molecule,
one from left to right, and the other from right to left.
Once restriction enzymes
finish their cutting,
they leave sticky ends
Genetic engineering involves the use of
cloning vectors
A cloning vector is
a carrier that is used to clone a gene
The most common cloning vector is
a plasmid (a ring of DNA found
in bacteria).
The plasmid is cut with the same restriction enzyme as the donor organism,
leaving the same sticky ends.
The donor gene is inserted into the plasmid. what happens next
DNA ligase “glues” the sticky ends, It is now called a recombinant DNA.
The recombinant DNA is returned into the bacterium. what is the bacterium called
The bacterium is called a transgenic organism.
It divides, each time making a copy of the donor gene. what does the donor gene code for
The donor gene codes for the desired protein.
making transgenic crops
Genetically modified with new genes for desirable traits useful to humans (more food, resistance to pesticides, taste better, drought resistant).
genetic engineering process
- plasmid(cloning vector) 2. restriction enzyme 3. donor gene 4. sticky ends 5. DNA ligase 6. recombinant 7. transgenic organism
