Describe the process of genetic engineering
- removing a gene from an organism
- inserting it into another organism
- the gene works in the new organism
What can bacteria be genetically engineered to produce?
Insulin, human growth hormone
What can a persons DNA be used to produce?
A DNA fingerprint
What can a DNA fingerprint be used to identify?
A person because a person’s DNA is unique
What is a transgenic organism?
The new type of organism produced by genetic engineering
Describe the main stages in genetic engineering
- identification of a desired gene in one organism
- removal of gene from DNA
- cutting open the DNA in another organism
- inserting the new gene into the DNA
- gene works in transgenic organism
- transgenic organism can be cloned to produce identical copies
What is the cutting and inserting of DNA achieved using?
Enzymes
What are restriction enzymes?
Used to cut open DNA to leave sticky ends
What are ligase enzymes?
Used to rejoin DNA strands
What are plasmids?
The bacterial DNA loop
Describe how bacteria can be used in genetic engineering to produce human insulin
- the gene for producing human insulin is cut out of human DNA
- a loop of bacterial DNA is cut open
- the insulin gene is inserted into the loop
- the loop is inserted into a bacterium
- the bacteria are then able to produce insulin
- transgenic bacteria are cultured using cloning
- large quantities of insulin are harvested
Explain how plasmids can be taken up by bacteria and can be used as vectors in genetic engineering
The bacterial loops of DNA exist in the cytoplasm of the bacterial cell. These plasmids can be taken up by bacteria and used as vectors in genetic engineering.
What technique is used to check that the new gene has been correctly transferred?
Assaying
Describe the arguments for and against the storage of DNA fingerprints
- invasion of privacy especially if DNA samples are taken from those committing minor offence or even members of the general public
- have been many examples of crimes committed decades ago that has been solved by re-opening the case and using DNA fingerprinting technology
Describe the stages in the production of a DNA fingerprint
- extraction of DNA from sample
- fragmentation of DNA using restriction enzymes
- separation using electrophoresis
- visualising pattern using a radioactive probe
Describe genetic engineering
Altering the genetic code of an organism by inserting genes
