genetic modification genetic engineering

Restriction enzymes are used in genetic modification to cut specific DNA sequences, allowing for the isolation of genes. These enzymes cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences, resulting in fragments with sticky ends.

DNA ligase plays a critical role in genetic modification by forming the bonds between adjacent DNA fragments. This enzyme seals the gaps in DNA molecules, joining the fragments together to form a continuous strand of DNA.

The two enzymes are restriction enzyme and DNA ligase.

Genetic modification is the process by which scientists alter genetic material by introducing new genes or altering existing ones to give desirable characteristics.

Recombinant DNA is DNA taken from two different organisms combined into one strand.

Plasmids and viruses help move DNA between cells. Plasmids work in bacteria and yeast, while viruses work in human cells or bacteria.

A vector takes up pieces of recombinant DNA and then inserts this DNA into other cells.

They carry DNA into cells. Plasmids carry DNA into bacteria or yeast by passing into the cell through the cell membrane. Viruses carry DNA into human cells or bacteria. Viruses can inject DNA through the membrane into bacterial the cell without entering the cell itself.

Bacteria make copies of the modified recombinant DNA inside them as they reproduce by asexual reproduction. This passes on the recombinant DNA to their offspring.

Once bacteria have been genetically modified to contain the correct gene, they are able to reproduce quickly and synthesise large quantities of the specific protein required.

The gene for human insulin is extracted from human DNA using restriction enzymes which cut the DNA at each end of the required gene sequence.

True. ** The same restriction enzyme is used to cut the human gene and the plasmid to make sure they have the same complementary DNA bases on their sticky ends** to allow the sticky ends to bond together.

In order to mass produce insulin from genetically modified bacteria the bacteria are grown in fermenters and the insulin product is extracted and purified.

False. All the DNA in the bacteria is copied and passed onto offspring during asexual reproduction, including any recombinant DNA.

The conditions inside a fermenter can be regulated to ensure optimum growth conditions for the bacteria. This will maximise the yield of insulin that is collected.

GM crops, or genetically modified crops, are crop plants that have been genetically altered with DNA from another organism to possess certain desirable traits, such as insect resistance.

Modifying crop plants to be herbicide-resistant ensures that when herbicide is used, only weeds are killed, not the crop plants.

GM crops raise concerns about their impact on wildflower and insect populations due to possible transfer of genetic modifications through breeding and increased herbicide/pesticide use. There are concerns that consuming GM crops may be a danger to human health, e.g. unknown allergies.

False. ** Some feel that the health effects of consuming GM crops have not** been thoroughly investigated.

Growing genetically modified crops may have many benefits to the farmer including:

A transgenic organism contains DNA from more than one species due to genetic modification.

False. Transgenic means the transfer of genetic material from one species to a different species.