genetic manipulation Flashcards
what do modern cloning methods include
tissue culture, embryo transplants and adult cell cloning
what is tissue culture
using small groups of cells from part of a plant
what are embryo transplants
splitting apart cells from a developing animal embryo before they become specialised, then transplanting the identical embryos into host mothers
what is adult cell cloning
the nucleus is removed from an unfertilised egg cell and the nucleus from an adult body cell, eg a skin cell, is inserted into the egg cell. An electric shock then acts as the catalyst for the egg cell to begin to divide to form embryo cells. These embryo cells contain the same genetic information as the adult skin cell. When the embryo has developed into a ball of cells, it is inserted into the womb of an adult female to continue its development.
what happens in genetic engineering
In genetic engineering, genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ and transferred to cells of other organisms:
- enzymes are used to isolate the required gene
- this gene is inserted into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus
- the vector is used to insert the gene into the required cells.
how can crops be genetically modified
Genes can also be transferred to the cells of animals, plants or microorganisms at an early stage in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.
what do genetically modified crops include
ones that are resistant to insect attacks or to herbicides.
what do genetically modified crops generally show
increased yields
what do concerns about GM crops include
Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects, and uncertainty about the effects of eating GM crops on human health.