Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is Genetic Engineering?

Answer 1

Genetic Engineering, aka Genetic Modification.

-It is the direct manipulation of the genes in an organism.

Question 2

How do you obtain a desired characteristic during gene modification?

Answer 2

Choose the relevant gene from a cell in one organism, and transfer it to a cell in another organism.

Question 3

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 3

A transgenic organism is an organism that received a gene from another organism.

Question 4

What is a GMO?

Answer 4

GMO = genetically modified organism

-It is an organism that has had its genetic material modified (e.g: deleting of a gene)

Question 5

Why is gene modification done?

Answer 5

-It is done to replace faulty or missing genes that cause disorders/diseases.

-It ensures that the correct protein is synthesized.

Question 6

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 6

A new DNA sequence that was formed as a result of genetic engineering.

Question 7

What are the steps in Genetic Modification?

Answer 7

-Identify the relevant gene

-Extract and cut out the gene using restriction and ligase enzymes.

-Vectors are needed to transfer a gene into a host cell.

-Gene becomes integrated into the organism’s genome.

-The correct protein is synthesised, and that desired trait is expressed in the phenotype.

Question 8

What is a vector?
(not like the one in physics or math :)

Answer 8

Vectors are living organisms that transmit diseases between individuals.

Question 9

What organisms can GMOs be?

Answer 9

They can be microbes/plants/animals.

Question 10

Genetic engineering and GMOs play a role in…?

Answer 10

-The synthesis of medical drugs
-Cloning
-Production of new crops
-Stem cell research.

Question 11

Give an example of genetic engineering in medicine.

Answer 11

The production of artificial hormones
(e.g: inulin)

Question 12

What is diabetes?

Answer 12

A disease where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body becomes resistant to insulin.

Question 13

What is the importance of insulin?

Answer 13

Insulin controls the glucose concentration in the blood.

Question 14

How can type 1 diabetes be treated?

Answer 14

Type 1 diabetes can be treated with daily insulin injections.

Question 15

Why is insulin no longer extracted from animals?

Answer 15

-It can only be extracted in small quantities and at a great cost from the pancreas of freshly slaughtered cattle and pigs.

-Animal insulin is not as effective as human insulin.

Question 16

How is human Insulin produced synthetically?

Answer 16

-DNA with the gene coding for the production of insulin is removed from healthy pancreas cells.

-Restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA into segments to isolate the specific gene.

Question 17

What is E.Coli?

Answer 17

It is the bacterium found in the human and animal intestines that is used to produce insulin.

Question 18

How is genetic Engineering utilized in Agriculture?

Answer 18

Genetic Engineering is utilized by farmers who use artificial selection to control reproduction, so that the next generation will have the most desirable traits.

Question 19

How are genetically modified crops produced?

Answer 19

1. Genes for desirable traits are identified.
2. Genes are artificially inserted by use of a gene gun or vectors.

Question 20

How does a gene gun work?

Answer 20

A gene gun shoots small pellets coated with the required DNA directly into isolated plant cells.

Question 21

Define Polyploidy:

Answer 21

A numerical change in the whole chromosome set.

Question 22

Define Aneuploidy:

Answer 22

A numerical change in part of the chromosome set.

Question 23

List advantages of polyploid plants:

Answer 23

-Large flowers
-Larger fruit
-Larger storage organs
-Larger seeds
-Seedless fruit

Question 24

Humans deliberately ___ ___ to form ___?

Answer 24

Humans deliberately manipulate chromosomes to form hybrids. (in plants)

(E.G: Manipulate plants to become polyploid.)

Question 25

List advantages of GMOs:

Answer 25

-Larger, better yields and stronger crops. -Cheaper - pesticide resistant. -Resistant to herbicides. -Improved crops. (quantity & quality) -Survive in unfavourable conditions. -Production of medicines using bacteria is more ethically acceptable.

Question 26

List disadvantages of GMOs:

Answer 26

-Negative effects on humans -> allergies -Decrease biodiversity -Undesirable effect -> pesticide-resistant gene accidentally incorporated into weed gene pool. -Cost of modified seed increases -> unaffordable -Cost of biotechnology is high due to the equipment -Ethical issues -Use of other chemicals on GMO-resistant crops, which are toxic to humans who eat them.

Question 27

What is Cloning?

Answer 27

When a genetically identical replica of a molecule, cell, or entire organism is created.

Question 28

List the different types of cloning:

Answer 28

-DNA cloning -Therapeutic cloning -Reproductive cloning

Question 29

What is step 1 of therapeutic cloning?

Answer 29

Somatic cell nucleus is removed and transferred into donor egg, which had its nucleus removed. (enucleated egg)

Question 30

What is step 2 of therapeutic cloning?

Answer 30

The egg is stimulated and starts to divide.

Question 31

What is step 3 of therapeutic cloning?

Answer 31

When it reaches the blastocyst phase, it is made up of embryonic stem cells, which can be harvested. -DOES NOT DEVELOP INTO A FOETUS

Question 32

List human stem cell applications:

Answer 32

-muscle cells -intestinal cells -blood cells -liver cells -cardiac cells -nerve cells

Question 33

How are spinal injuries treated?

Answer 33

-Treated with bone marrow extract containing stem cells, which are injected into the cerebrospinal fluid in spine.

Question 34

What happens to the stem cells once injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of the spine?

Answer 34

Stem cells divide to form more stem cells and differentiated cells.

Question 35

How is a future source of protein created? (related to stem cells)

Answer 35

Muscle cells are grown in tissue culture to form meat. (eww, humans eating muscle tissue...)

Question 36

List obstacles in stem cell research:

Answer 36

-Ethical issues around using "embryonic stem cells" (human stem cells) -Concerns around the control in nerve tissue: - More than one type of tissue must be replaced. - Stem cells could develop into bone/skin in the brain.

Question 37

What is reproductive cloning?

Answer 37

Reproductive cloning is to produce an animal with the same DNA as another animal.

Question 38

What are the two types of reproductive cloning?

Answer 38

-Embryonic splitting -> mechanically producing identical twins -Somatic nuclear transfer -> cells extracted from young embryos.

Question 39

What are the pros of cloning?

Answer 39

-It can help prevent extinction of a species. -It can increase food production. -It can treat injuries or develop new organs. (therapeutic cloning) -Synthesis of medications. (DNA cloning)

Question 40

What are the cons of cloning?

Answer 40

-The process is not entirely safe and accurate. -It is regarded as unethical; the probability of abuse is very high. -The offspring lack genetic uniqueness -> implications of natural selection.