Genetic engineering

• What is the basic idea behind genetic engineering?

  To move genes for desirable characteristics
• How does genetic engineering affect the host organism?

  It leads to a change in the host's genome
• What is used to transfer DNA in genetic engineering?

  A vector
• What role do restriction enzymes play in genetic engineering?

  They isolate the required gene from the chromosome
• What do restriction enzymes cut DNA at?

  A specific base sequence
• What is typically used as a vector in genetic engineering?

  A plasmid from a bacterial cell
• Why is the plasmid cut with the same restriction enzymes?

  To create the same sticky ends
• What do the sticky ends on the plasmids do?

  They stick with the ones on the gene
• What enzyme is used to join the gene and the plasmid together?

  DNA ligase
• What happens after the vector is transferred back into the bacterial host cells?

  The host cells become transgenic
• What does it mean for host cells to be transgenic?

  They have a gene from another organism
• The benefits of using genetic engineering in agriculture are:

  • cotton- to increase the crop yield from the same area of land.
  • corn- to produce toxins that kill insects. this makes the plant more resistance to pests, so smaller amounts of pesticides are needed
  • bacteria- to produce medical drugs such as insulin, or drugs to treat diseases in domesticated animals.
• From which animals was insulin obtained before genetic engineering?

  Pigs and cattle
• Why was there an increased need for insulin?

  Due to an increase in diabetics
• What are the advantages of genetically engineered insulin?

  • Not limited by animal slaughter
  • Large quantities produced quickly
  • No risk of transferring infections
  • More effective than animal insulin
  • No ethical issues with animal use
• What is the first step in producing genetically engineered insulin?

  The insulin gene is removed from human DNA
• What are restriction enzymes used for in genetic engineering?

  To cut DNA at specific locations
• What is a plasmid?

  A loop of bacterial DNA
• How is the plasmid prepared for inserting the insulin gene?

  It is cut open using restriction enzymes
• What happens when the human insulin gene is mixed with the plasmid?

  The human gene is inserted into the plasmid
• What enzyme is used to repair the cut surfaces of DNA?

  DNA ligase
• What are transgenic bacteria?

  Bacteria with DNA from another organism
• What is the role of marker genes in genetic engineering?

  To ensure the desired gene is incorporated
• What types of marker genes are commonly used?

  Antibiotic resistance genes and GFP
• How do antibiotic resistance genes help in confirming gene incorporation?

  Bacteria survive in the corresponding antibiotic
• What does it indicate if bacteria fluoresce after adding the GFP gene?

  The desired gene has been successfully incorporated
• How does the process of inserting the insulin gene into bacteria differ from traditional insulin extraction?

  It allows for rapid, ethical production without animals