General Biology 2: Genetic Engineering Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of gene pharming in transgenic animals?

To produce larger animals for agricultural purposes

To create animals with enhanced physical traits

To produce pharmaceutical products for therapeutic and diagnostic uses (correct)

To investigate the genetic makeup of endangered species

What is a significant challenge associated with animal cloning?

Animal cloning has a high success rate

Cloned animals have higher genetic diversity

Most clones do not survive their early stages of life (correct)

Cloning requires less research funding than traditional breeding

Which animal was the first successfully cloned organism?

A sheep known as 'Dolly' (correct)

A pig named 'Sow'

A cow named 'Luna'

A goat known as 'Dolly'

How are bioengineered animals used in research?

To study the genetics of human diseases (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main applications of transgenic animals?

Generating pharmaceutical products (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of recombinant DNA technology?

To clone a specific gene for analysis or protein production (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of restriction enzymes in recombinant DNA technology?

To cut DNA molecules at specific regions (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of DNA ligase in recombinant DNA technology?

To form strong bonds between DNA fragments (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the recombinant DNA process?

Synthetic mRNA (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of plasmids makes them suitable vectors for genetic engineering?

They can replicate independently inside bacterial cells (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do sticky ends facilitate the process of recombinant DNA technology?

They allow complementary DNA fragments to bind together (D) Signup and view all the answers

What technique is used to produce millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of introducing foreign DNA into an organism?

The organism may become transgenic (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of BT GMOs on hornworms?

They are toxic to hornworms. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is glyphosate primarily used for in agriculture?

Killing actively growing plants and weeds. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What key nutrient deficiency does the production of Golden Rice aim to address?

Vitamin A deficiency. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What method was used to improve the nutritional value of Golden Rice?

Isolating genes from a daffodil flower. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following GM foods is noted for its improved taste?

Flavr Savr Tomato. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did genetic engineers achieve with crops resistant to glyphosate?

They allowed crops to thrive despite herbicide application. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main safety concerns regarding GM foods?

They might cause allergic reactions in humans. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What significant hurdle do herbicides like glyphosate present to crops?

They can stop crops from producing essential amino acids. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential risk associated with Bt corn as mentioned?

Potential harm to Monarch butterfly larvae (D) Signup and view all the answers

What strategy do farmers employ to manage pest resistance when planting Bt crops?

Planting a mixture of 20% non-Bt crops with Bt crops (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern regarding gene flow from GM crops?

Pollen transfer leading to hybridization (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of gene splicing?

To insert specific genes into the genome of a different organism (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is terminator technology designed to prevent?

Genetic contamination from GM crops (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can transgenic organisms be formed according to the principles of molecular cloning?

By combining any two unrelated DNA molecules with complementary sticky ends (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of terminator technology?

It is not 100% effective in rendering GM crops sterile. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What benefit does introducing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene provide to cotton plants?

It allows cotton to produce proteins toxic to specific insect pests (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are genetically modified plants developed that are resistant to drought?

To ensure survival in changing environmental conditions (A) Signup and view all the answers

How can a lack of genetic diversity impact agriculture?

It may contribute to agricultural problems. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern about the interaction of GM crops with non-GM crops?

Potential cross-pollination resulting in unwanted traits (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of genetically modified plants mentioned?

Resistance to diseases caused by viruses (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role do sticky ends play in molecular cloning?

They facilitate the binding of DNA fragments from different sources (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is biodiversity important in agriculture?

It enhances the stability and resilience of ecosystems. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of having plants that are resistant to insect pests?

They reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of using 40% of chemical pesticides on cotton plants?

It leads to environmental pollution and health risks (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Biology 2, Quarter 3, Week 1: Genetic Engineering

This subject enhances understanding of biology principles, focusing on heredity, variation, organism diversity, structure, function, and evolution.
Genetic engineering is the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA molecules to modify organisms.
Classical breeding involves mating or breeding selected organisms with desirable traits.
- Example: breeding fruit with bigger and sweeter fruit.
- Example: breeding dogs for specific traits.
Recombinant DNA technology introduces new traits, enhances existing ones, or alters trait expression in an organism.
Steps in classical breeding:
- Determine significant traits.
- Select exemplary parents.
- Choose best offspring.
- Repeat the process.
Steps in creating recombinant DNA:
- Isolate plasmid DNA and DNA containing gene of interest.
- Insert gene into plasmid.
- Put plasmid into bacterial cell
- Cells cloned with desired gene
- Identify desired clone
- Get copies of gene and protein
Steps in creating recombinant DNA (alternative):
- Cutting or cleaving DNA and plasmid by "restriction enzyme".
- Inserting gene of interest into the open plasmid by "DNA ligase".
- Insert recombinant plasmid back into bacterial cell.
- Isolate copies of the gene for insertion into other organisms.
Examples of genetically modified plants:
- Bt corn: resistant to corn borer disease
- Bt eggplant: resistant to eggplant fruit and shoot borer.
- Golden rice: enhanced beta-carotene (Vitamin A precursor) content
Other genetic engineering applications:
- Human insulin production
Key concepts:
- DNA carries genetic information in all living things.
- RNA is a single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis.
- Enzymes are protein molecules that catalyze biochemical reactions.
Gene splicing: Inserting specific genes into another organism's genome, allowing the organism to express new traits.
Plants with pest resistance: Genetically modified plants are made resistant to insects.
Plants with herbicide resistance: Some plants are now resistant to herbicides, especially glyphosate.
Plants with improved nutritional values: Golden rice is an example of a plant with improved vitamin A content.
Genetically modified foods: Crop plants created using genetic engineering techniques for human or animal consumption.
Potential risks of consuming GM foods: Potential unknown environmental hazards.
Potential harm to other organisms: Monarch butterflies, example of potential indirect harm.
Eliciting resistance: Developing resistance to insects and herbicides.
Disrupting (or affecting) gene flow: The potential for introduced genes to spread, possibly reducing genetic diversity.
Terminator technology: Seed sterilization to prevent unwanted genetic dispersal.

Additional Details

Gene pharming: Producing pharmaceutical products in transgenic animals.
Animal Cloning: Process involved in bioengineered animals.
Steps for creating recombinant DNA (alternative 2):
- Isolate DNA from two sources
- Cut both DNAs by the “restriction enzyme”.
- Combine the DNAs and seal using "DNA ligase”.
- Transfer the recombinant DNA plasmid into the bacterial cell
- Isolation and insertion to other organisms to confer the desired trait

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Description

Explore the fundamental principles of genetic engineering as part of General Biology 2, Quarter 3, Week 1. This quiz covers the methods of classical breeding and recombinant DNA technology, shedding light on heredity, variation, and organism diversity. Test your understanding of how these processes modify organisms and enhance desirable traits.