Introduction to Super Scientists
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What is a primary goal of transgenic research?

  • To understand the role of genetics in mouse diseases.
  • To study the function of healthy genes in all organisms.
  • To breed mice with human-like characteristics for testing.
  • To develop better treatments for human diseases. (correct)

    • Which of the following diseases are scientists trying to study using laboratory mice?

  • Cancer and Alzheimer's disease (correct)
  • Ebola and malaria
  • Diabetes and arthritis
  • Influenza and chickenpox

    • Where is the genetic material modified in laboratory mice for transgenic research?

  • In the cytoplasm
  • In the chromosomes (correct)
  • In the mitochondria
  • In the ribosomes

    • Why do scientists create 'unhealthy' genes in laboratory mice?

    <p>To understand how 'good' genes function. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do laboratory mice play in discovering treatments for human diseases?

    <p>They serve as models to study the development of human-like diseases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be achieved by transferring genes from one organism to laboratory mice?

    <p>Producing mice that develop human-like diseases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do scientists use laboratory mice to explore genetics and heredity related to human disease?

    <p>By transferring healthy or unhealthy genes to mice (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what is a key question scientists are trying to answer with the help of laboratory mice?

    <p>Why does one member of a family get a disease and another does not? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of Dr. Carol Macleod's research as a geneticist?

    <p>Investigating how genes relate to cancer. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does genetics, as a branch of biology, primarily deal with?

    <p>The study of heredity and variations in living things. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of chromosomes within a cell?

    <p>To store and transmit genetic information (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of DNA?

    <p>It provides the code for proteins needed by cells. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two primary sources from which an individual inherits chromosomes?

    <p>Mother and father (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the implication of a missing, incomplete, damaged, or duplicated gene?

    <p>It can lead to diseases or illnesses. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is deoxyribonucleic acid, most commonly known as DNA?

    <p>A chemical containing the 'secret code' information for living things (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many genes are contained within each of your cells, according to the content provided?

    <p>Approximately 100,000 genes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can external factors impact disease susceptibility?

    <p>They can increase the risk of illness when combined with genetic factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of proteins as described in the text?

    <p>To help keep the body healthy and sustain life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are laboratory mice frequently used in genetic studies?

    <p>Because they allow scientists to learn gene function. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The content uses the analogy that DNA structure is similar to what?

    <p>A twisted ladder. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'inherited' mean in the context of genetics discussed in the text?

    <p>Passed down from one family member to the next. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of the Human Genome Project?

    <p>To identify and 'map' of all the human genes on chromosomes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the passage, what is one way better treatments are being devised to prevent or cure illness?

    <p>Using gene replacement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Approximately what percentage of animals used in research are rodents?

    <p>95 percent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one primary goal of genetic research?

    <p>To reduce suffering related to inherited disorders (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant role of laboratory mice in genetic research according to the provided text?

    <p>To act as a model for understanding complex human traits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concern is raised about the potential of genetic research?

    <p>That it might be going 'too far' ethically (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason mice are considered good models for transgenic research?

    <p>Mice are mammals with organs that function similarly to humans, and 80% similar DNA. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action is planned for the adult transgenic mice within the context of the research?

    <p>They will be bred with non-transgenic mice of the same breed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Approximately how many inherited disorders may be identified using genetic science methods?

    <p>Around 4,000 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key benefit of mice having a short gestation period in transgenic research?

    <p>It allows researchers to quickly observe multiple generations of mice in a shorter amount of time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to have a 'control' group in transgenic mouse research?

    <p>To provide a comparison group to see if any effects are directly related to the added transgene. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is explicitly NOT considered a purpose of the genetics research mentioned in the text?

    <p>To make one group better than another (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a role of a Genetics Laboratory Technician according to the text?

    <p>To assist in the genetic laboratory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are scientists able to determine if a specific gene is contributing to a disease?

    <p>By studying transgenic mice family trees and their genetic testing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is mouse size considered beneficial for transgenic research?

    <p>Small size means they are cheap to keep in large numbers, and they require less lab space. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of professional directly uses information from genetic research to treat patients?

    <p>A Clinical Geneticist (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of transgenic research, what does "transgene" typically refer to?

    <p>A gene that has been introduced into the genome of an organism e.g a mouse. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When do female mice typically begin to reproduce, according to the text?

    <p>Four weeks after birth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do scientists use a hypothesis, in transgenic research?

    <p>To have a hunch or idea they can test, similar to a detective trying to solve a case. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of DNA?

    <p>To provide the genetic code and produce proteins for the body. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes a segment of DNA that controls a hereditary characteristic?

    <p>Gene (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of 'Gene Knockout' Therapy?

    <p>To study the effects of a disease model by replacing healthy genes with defective ones. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Within a cell, which structure acts as the control center?

    <p>Nucleus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered a 'trait' in the context of genetics?

    <p>A characteristic passed on from parents to offspring. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'transgene'?

    <p>A gene that has been transferred to another organism. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Human Genome Project's main objective?

    <p>To understand the function of all human genes and their contribution to disease. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'hypothesis' in the context of scientific inquiry?

    <p>A tentative explanation for an observation that can be tested. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Super Scientists

    • This booklet explores how mice are vital to scientific research, particularly in understanding disease.
    • Mice share genetic similarities with humans – approximately 80% similar DNA structure.
    • Mice are frequently used in research because of their close biological similarities and a relatively short lifespan.

    Transgenic Research

    • Scientists use transgenic research to transfer "healthy" and "unhealthy" genes from one organism to another.
    • This is done in mice to study human-like diseases and conditions.
    • Genes are added to the DNA of mice in order to study diseases such as human cancers, Alzheimer's, or asthma.
    • The scientists use "knock-out" therapy which involves the removal of a healthy gene. This is used to study these diseases.

    Mice as Models

    • Mice are valuable research models due to their short gestation period and quick reproduction
    • Mice live about 2 years and 4 weeks, which allows for observing multiple generations.
    • The close biological proximity to humans makes the mouse an ideal subject.
    • Mice are easy to care for and to keep in a lab setting.

    Genetics

    • Genetics is the study of heredity and differences in living organisms.
    • Genes are units of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), organized in precise order and they control certain traits.
    • Humans have approximately 100,000 genes.
    • Humans contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
    • DNA is the chemical code for nearly all inherited traits.
    • Cells are the body's building blocks, composed of chromosomes which hold DNA.

    Future of Genetic Research

    • Scientists believe that genetic research will have significant impact on treating diseases.
    • Ethical questions about genetic research will continue to arise as advances are made.
    • The goal of genetic research is to reduce suffering, not to enhance traits.

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    Super Scientists: How Mice Help Solve Disease PDF

    Description

    Explore the crucial role of mice in scientific research, especially in understanding human diseases. Discover how transgenic research and genetic similarities enable the study of conditions like cancer and Alzheimer's. This quiz highlights the significance of mice as valuable research models.

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