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29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What 4 things does sequencing the genome of a pathogen provide us with? |
The progress and source of an infection, any antibiotic resistant strains bacteria and regions in the genome that might be useful targets for drugs |
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What is DNA barcoding used for and how does it work? |
It can compare the genome of an organism to a standard individual of a species to see if they are related It analyses mutation rates and DNA that is common to all species that varies slightly between them e.g. mitochondrial or chloroplast DNA |
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What is proteomics? |
The study and amino acid sequencing of an organism's entire protein complement |
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How can one gene code for many different proteins? |
Splicesomes remove introns from pre-mRNA and join exons together in different ways forming different types of mRNA which codes for different proteins In protein modification, proteins can be shortened or lengthened after synthesis |
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What is synthetic biology? |
An area of research that involves the design and construction of complex biological organisms, pathways or products |
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What are 4 uses of synthetic biology? |
Genetic engineering Gene therapy The synthesis of a new organism Industrial uses such as enzymes |
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What is genetic engineering? |
When you isolate a desired Gene in one organism and cut it out using enzymes and transfer it to another organism via a vector such as a plasmid |
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What is transgenic? |
An organism that contains a gene from another organism |
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What are the two ways in which a gene is isolated? |
Restriction endonuclease cut the DNA at a specific sequence leaving a sticky end, making it easier to transfer Using the mRNA of a gene, reverse transcriptase produces a complementary strand of DNA |
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How is recombinant DNA formed in plasmids? |
Plasmids are cut using restriction endonucleases and the desired Gene is inserted and DNA ligase reform phosphodiester bonds between DNA strands |
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What happens once there is a hybrid plasmid (transformation)? |
Electroporation occurs where an electric current is applied to the membrane of the bacteria making it more porous and allowing plasmids to move in |
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How do we identify bacteria that have taken up the plasmid with the gene? |
The hybrid plasmid will have a gene that codes for antibiotic resistance so the antibiotic is applied to the bacteria and the bacteria that haven't taken the plasmids up will die
There also might be a marker Gene e.g. fluorescence, so if the Gene was inserted correctly the plasmid will not Fluoresce |
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What is an older method of ensuring bacteria take up the plasmids? |
Incubating bacteria in a calcium rich solution so they become more porous |
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How is electrofusion used? |
It is used to fuse 2 different plant cell membranes and nuclear membranes together to form a polyploid cell Cell wall needs to be broken down before using cellulase |
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Apart from the fusion of plant cells what else is electrofusion used for? |
The production of monoclonal antibodies which are used to identify pathogens in plants and animals |
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How do we genetically engineer plants? |
Bacteria can be used as vector to transfer the Gene into the DNA of a plant cell When these plant cells are exposed to an antibiotic only cells containing the plasmids survive and they form a callus from which a plant can grow |
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Why aren't there very many ethical issues surrounding genetic modification of microorganisms? |
Because they produce many useful substances, they don't have rights like animals and we have been safely using them for many years |
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Why can't pathogens be GM? |
Because it could make them more virulent or dangerous and can contribute to biological warfare |
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What is the case study of soya bean? |
GM soya beans produce Bt protein which are toxic to pests and they are resistant to herbicide But due a patent people can only grow seeds bought from the company within the year |
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What are 5 pros of GM crops? |
Extended shelf life prevents wastage Nutritional value can be increased Crops can grow in a wider range of conditions Disease and herbicide resistance can increase yield They can produce toxins to kill pests (DCNET) |
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What are 6 cons of using GM crops? |
Extended shelf life reduces demand for crops Economic exploitation If certain proteins are produced by the plant, people could be allergic If more herbicides are used, it will decrease biodiversity in the area Non-pest insects are killed by toxins Resistance to toxins or herbicides might arise |
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How are animals genetically modified and what are examples? |
A vector such as a virus carry genes to normal cells and can be used to transfer disease resistance such as when European pigs were injected with swine-fever resistant genes from African pigs |
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What are the ethical issues with pharming? |
It causes harm to the animal as animals are modified to have a disease but it produces many treatments as a result |
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What is pharming? |
When animals are genetically modified to have a certain disease and act as models for the development of new drugs |
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How can human proteins be produced from pharming? |
A gene is isolated and inserted into an egg cell/ embryo with a promoter sequence that only expresses the protein in mammary glands and this is transferred to the mother When the transgenic animals matures and gives birth, the milk produced is harvested containing the protein |
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What is somatic gene therapy? |
When a mutant allele is replaced with a healthy allele in affected somatic cells / body cells using viral vectors |
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What are the disadvantages of somatic gene therapy? |
It only provides a temporary cure as the cured cells will eventually die The faulty Gene is still passed to offspring |
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What is germ line cell gene therapy? |
When healthy genes are inserted into the egg or embryo after fertilization so the individual is born healthy Healthy genes are passed to the offspring |
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What are the disadvantages of germ line cell gene therapy? |
The risk concerns such as violation to embryo rights, there's no consent and any alterations are permanent |
