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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of using a restriction enzyme in genetic engineering?
Which step follows ligation in the genetic engineering process described?
What type of DNA is produced when the insulin gene is joined with plasmid DNA?
How do bacteria contribute to the production of human insulin in genetic engineering?
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What is the significance of breaking down the species barrier in genetic engineering?
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What is one application of genetic engineering in plants?
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What role does DNA ligase play in the process of genetic engineering?
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Why is it beneficial to insert a human gene into sheep for protein production?
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Study Notes
Genetic Engineering
- Genetic engineering allows scientists to manipulate and alter genes.
- Genes from different species can be combined, breaking the species barrier.
- Human genes can be inserted into bacteria and animals.
- Bacterial genes can be inserted into plants.
Insulin Production with Bacteria
- Isolation: The gene responsible for human insulin production is called the target gene. It is located on a human chromosome and needs to be isolated.
- Cutting: A restriction enzyme is used to cut DNA at specific base pair sequences. This enzyme cuts both the human chromosome containing the insulin gene and a bacterial plasmid.
- Ligation: The isolated insulin gene and the cut plasmid are mixed. DNA ligase joins the foreign DNA (insulin gene) into the plasmid, creating recombinant DNA.
- Transformation: The recombinant DNA is introduced into bacteria.
- Expression: The bacteria are cultured, producing genetically identical copies (clones). These bacteria produce human insulin.
Applications of Genetic Engineering
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Plant:
- Weedkiller-resistant crops: A bacterial gene for herbicide resistance is inserted into crop plants, allowing them to survive while weeds are killed.
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Animal:
- Sheep producing emphysema treatment: A human gene for the AAT protein, which treats emphysema, is inserted into sheep DNA. These sheep then produce the protein in their milk.
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Microorganisms:
- Bacteria producing insulin: The gene for human insulin is inserted into bacteria, which then produce human insulin for use by diabetics. This eliminates the risk of antibody formation from using pig insulin.
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Description
This quiz explores the concepts of genetic engineering, focusing on the manipulation of genes and the process of insulin production using bacteria. Key steps include gene isolation, cutting with restriction enzymes, ligation, and transformation. Test your knowledge on how recombinant DNA technology is applied in real-world applications like insulin production.
