B6 - Genetic Engineering

Question 1

Genetic engineering definition

Answer 1

Changing the genetic material of an organism by transferring a gene from one organism to another.

Question 2

Advantages of GM in crops

Answer 2

• Can easily make crops with desirable characteristics
• Pest resistance
• Herbicide resistance
• Higher yield
• Improved nutritional value

Question 3

Disadvantages

Answer 3

• Don’t know future risks/no evidence to support it
• Out-competition - plants could out-compete other plants and change the ecosystem
• Reduces biodiversity
• Ethical issues
• Can affect wild plants/insects

Question 4

How to make human insulin (6)

Answer 4

1. Cut the human insulin gene out of the human DNA cell using restrictor enzymes
2. Cut out a section of a bacterial plasmid using the same enzymes
3. Transfer the human insulin gene into the bacterial plasmid (vector)
4. Place the plasmid back into the bacterial cell using DNA ligase and allow for it to undergo mitosis
5. Lots of bacterial cells with the human insulin gene will be produced
6. Harvest and purify the human insulin ready for human use/diabetes treatment

Question 5

What do restirction enzymes do?

Answer 5

Cut DNA at specific sequences of bases.

Question 6

What does DNA ligase do?

Answer 6

Joins DNA fragments together.

Question 7

What does a plasmid act as in the genetic modification the creation of human insulin?

Answer 7

A vector

Question 8

What is the vector in the process of making human insulin?

Answer 8

A plasmid

Question 9

Why are bacteria used in genetic engineering?

Answer 9

They reproduce quickly and can produce large amounts of protein.