Lecture 28: DNA technology

Question 1

Why do we genetically modify Strawberries?

Answer 1

Produce protein to resist freezing

Question 2

What are the fears surrounding GMOs?

Answer 2

Crops with modified genes could pass new genes to wild populations

Introduction to new allergens into foods

Reduce genetic diversity

Question 3

Genetic engineering

Answer 3

Direct manipulation of genes for practical purposes

Question 4

To compare ancestry, what can be compared?

Answer 4

1) Single nucleotide polymorphisms - variant regions of DNA
2) Y chromosomes in males
3) Mitochondrial DNA that is only inherited from the mother and codes 37 genes

Question 5

Limitations of health information from genomics and why

Answer 5

Genes do not tell the whole story; environmental factors are just as important. Having the gene does not mean you will develop the disease

Question 6

What does past research say about safety of GMOs?

Answer 6

No scientific evidence of special health and environmental risks according to US national academies of science, engineering, and medicine

Question 7

Major findings of the Human genome project

Answer 7

1) 3 billion base pairs make up 22,500 protein coding genes
2) Majority of DNA was “non-coding DNA” - gene control sequences, segmental duplications
3) Less than 10% of protein families specific to vertebrates

Question 8

Why do we genetically modify Rice

Answer 8

Saltwater resistant gene to grow in water 3x saltier than the ocean

Genes from other plants to produce vitamin A

Question 9

Biotechnology

Answer 9

Manipulation/use of organisms to make products such as the addition of yeast to recipes to make bread, beer, wine, and selective breeding of livestock and plants

Question 10

Recombinant DNA

Answer 10

Combination of DNA from two different sources GMOs

Question 11

What are the applications of the human genome project

Answer 11

1. Identifying connections between genes and disease
2. Investigating origins of genes
3. Understanding human evolution
4. Tracking ancestry in human populations

Question 12

Why do we genetically modify Corn?

Answer 12

Resists infestation by insects

Question 13

Why do we genetically modify potatoes?

Answer 13

Produced cholera proteins to create edible vaccine

Question 14

What are GMOs?

Answer 14

Genetically modified organisms; combination from two different sources

Question 15

Genomics

Answer 15

Study of whole genomes