Biotechnology: Gene Technology and Vaccines

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Questions and Answers

What are some traditional applications of biotechnology?

Animal breeding, brewing beer with yeast, and cheese making with bacteria.

What is biotechnology?

The use of biology in industrial processes such as agriculture, brewing, and drug development.

What is gene editing?

The alteration of an organism's genetic material.

What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering. Signup and view all the answers

Genetically modified foods in Australia can be sold as fresh food.

False Signup and view all the answers

In Australia, food containing ___ per cent or more GM ingredients must be labelled.

1 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following GM products have been approved for use in Australia?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is CRISPR/Cas9?

A gene editing technology that allows for targeted modification of DNA. Signup and view all the answers

What are bacterial plasmids and how are they used in genetic engineering?

Bacterial plasmids are small circular DNA molecules that replicate independently from the chromosome and are used to insert new genetic information into existing cells. Signup and view all the answers

How is DNA isolated using restriction enzymes?

Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences, allowing the isolation of desired DNA segments. Signup and view all the answers

What is DNA cloning?

DNA cloning is the process of making multiple identical copies of a specific DNA sequence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describe characteristics of plasmids? (Select all that apply)

Non-chromosomal Signup and view all the answers

What is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

PCR is a technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence quickly and precisely. Signup and view all the answers

PCR can replace the cloning of DNA in cells.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is nucleic acid hybridisation?

Nucleic acid hybridisation is the base-pairing of one strand of nucleic acid to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of DNA ligases in genetic engineering?

DNA ligases are enzymes that join together digested DNA fragments. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of biology in industrial processes.
Traditional examples include animal breeding, brewing, and cheesemaking.
Biotechnology also refers to the production and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Gene Technology

Modern biotechnology includes the use of gene technology
Gene technology involves moving genetic material between species, removing (or silencing) genes within an organism, or modifying genes within an organism.
An example of gene technology is silencing a viral gene in prawns to prevent infection.
Another example is increasing nicotine production in tobacco plants.
Gene technology can be used for selective breeding.
Farmers have bred Brassica Oleracea into six cultivars to achieve a diverse range of vegetables.

Generating Covid-19 Vaccines

Two types of COVID-19 vaccines have been developed: adenovirus vector vaccines and mRNA vector vaccines.

Gene Editing

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a gene editing tool.
CRISPR is a natural defense mechanism in some bacteria.
CRISPR/Cas9 is used to modify genes in a variety of applications, including human health.

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

In Australia, GM ingredients are typically found in processed foods.
Australian law requires food containing 1% or more GM ingredients to be labelled.
Approved GM products in Australia include corn, safflower, canola, soybean, sugarbeet, cotton, rice, and potato.
These GM crops have been modified to be insect resistant, herbicide tolerant, or both.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) assesses the safety of all GM food products available in Australia.

DNA Tools

Multiple DNA-based tools have been developed, including amplification, cutting and inserting DNA, allowing genetic engineering.
Bacterial plasmids are small circular DNA molecules found in bacteria, replicating independently from the bacterial chromosome.
These plasmids can be taken up from the environment and vary in size.
DNA sequencing and cloning were facilitated by the discovery of the DNA molecule's structure and its complementary strands.
DNA technology is used in research, medicine, and industry for purposes such as producing drugs, bioremediation, and studying diseases.
Nucleic acid hybridization is crucial for DNA technology, based on the base-pairing between DNA and RNA.
Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of genes for practical purposes, modifying existing cells by inserting new genetic information.
DNA cloning involves making multiple identical copies of a gene or DNA segment using bacteria, often Escherichia coli.
DNA cloning helps separate specific DNA sequences from long strands, addressing the challenge of studying a single gene amongst thousands.
The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a fast and specific method for amplifying small amounts of DNA, even partially degraded sequences.
PCR can amplify DNA from various sources, including ancient specimens (e.g., woolly mammoths), crime scene samples, and single embryonic cells.
While PCR is efficient, it lacks the proofreading mechanisms of cells, potentially introducing errors that can also be amplified.
Therefore, PCR is a valuable tool in cloning but not a replacement for cloning within cells.
Primers in PCR can be used to add restriction sites flanking the target DNA sequence.
DNA ligases, used for joining Okazaki fragments in DNA replication, can be used to ligate digested DNA fragments.
A PCR reaction requires a template DNA strand, primers, DNA polymerase, and nucleotides (dNTPs).

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

PCR is a rapid and highly specific technique for amplifying tiny amounts of DNA, even if partially degraded.
It can be used to amplify DNA from a wide range of sources, including ancient specimens, trace samples from crime scenes, and single embryonic cells.
PCR relies on a specific set of components:
- Template DNA: The original DNA molecule containing the target sequence to be amplified.
- Primers: Short, single-stranded DNA sequences complementary to the ends of the target sequence.
- DNA Polymerase: An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands using the template and primers.
- Nucleotides (dNTPs): The building blocks of DNA, providing the necessary components for DNA synthesis.
The process of PCR involves cycles of heating and cooling, allowing for the separation of DNA strands, primer annealing, and DNA synthesis.
Each PCR cycle doubles the amount of target DNA, resulting in exponential amplification.
This process is highly specific because the primers only bind to the target sequence, ensuring selective amplification.

Applications of PCR

PCR has numerous applications in diverse fields, including:
- Research: Studying gene expression, analyzing genetic variation, identifying disease genes.
- Forensics: Identifying individuals from minimal DNA samples, analyzing crime scene evidence.
- Medicine: Diagnosing genetic disorders, monitoring viral infections, developing personalized therapies.
- Agriculture: Breeding improved crops, detecting pathogens in crops and livestock.
- Archaeology and Anthropology: Examining ancient DNA, tracing human migration patterns.
PCR is a powerful tool for amplifying specific DNA sequences, enabling numerous applications in various scientific disciplines.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of biotechnology, including traditional practices like animal breeding and modern gene technology. This quiz covers gene editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, the production of GMOs, and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Test your knowledge on these critical advancements in the field of biotechnology.