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Questions and Answers

What is genetic engineering?

The method of cloning cells without altering DNA

The process of naturally occurring mutations

The process of manually adding new DNA to an organism (correct)

The natural process of evolution

What are restriction enzymes used for in genetic engineering?

To reinforce the DNA double helix structure

To enhance cell membrane permeability

To replicate DNA across generations

To cleave DNA at specific sites (correct)

What does the term 'transgenic' refer to?

Organisms that have unchanged genetic material

Organisms that have been genetically modified with DNA from another species (correct)

Organisms that reproduce solely through cloning

Organisms that can naturally evolve

Which of the following is a technique used in genetic engineering?

Cloning to make genetic copies Signup and view all the answers

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

An organism that has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering Signup and view all the answers

Which of these describes the role of DNA?

It is the molecule that stores the genetic instructions for life Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the cloning of Dolly the sheep?

She was cloned using an adult somatic cell Signup and view all the answers

What was the innovation behind the glow-in-the-dark tobacco plant?

It was created by introducing firefly genes to tobacco DNA Signup and view all the answers

What are organisms created by genetic engineering commonly called?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of plasmids in genetic engineering?

To carry specific genes into host cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of restriction enzymes in genetic engineering?

To cut plasmid and foreign DNA Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of DNA makes it crucial for genetic engineering?

Its genetic code is universal among all organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a use of genetic engineering in medical applications?

Producing vaccines Signup and view all the answers

What is recombinant DNA?

DNA made from two different organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a genetically modified organism in agriculture?

Pigs engineered for faster growth Signup and view all the answers

What benefit does genetic engineering provide to livestock?

It can lead to higher production of milk. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Genetic Engineering Overview

Genetic engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism, also known as genetic modification.
This involves technology that modifies genetic information in a plant, animal or human to produce a specific trait or characteristic.
Organisms created through genetic engineering are called genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Key Terms

Restriction enzyme (restriction endonuclease): A protein produced by bacteria that cuts DNA at specific sites along the molecule.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO): A plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology.
Transgenic: An organism or cell whose genome has been altered by introducing one or more foreign DNA sequences from another species artificially. This is done in a laboratory for research purposes.
Protein: Primary components of living cells, built from amino acids.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): A molecule found in every cell nucleus, composed of four subunits represented by the letters A, T, G, and C.
Recombination: The process of inserting a new gene into a bacterial DNA plasmid.
Biotechnology: The use of biology to solve problems and create useful products.
Cloning: A technique for creating exact genetic copies of living things. Dolly the sheep was the first cloned mammal (1996), a Scottish scientific accomplishment requiring 276 attempts.

DNA's Role in Genetic Engineering

DNA acts as a universal language, as the genetic code is the same in all organisms. This similarity is crucial to genetic engineering's success.

Examples of GMOs

Glow-in-the-dark mice: Using compounds to create proteins that make them glow like fireflies, potentially useful for vaccines or cancer therapies.
Tobacco plants: Modified with a firefly gene to produce glowing traits.
Modern crops: Modern corn and carrots have evolved from earlier forms (teocinte and wild carrot), indicating successful genetic modification over time. Tomato domestication dates back to 500 BC in Mexico.
Pest-resistant cabbage: Developed using genes that program scorpion poison; modified to kill caterpillars without harming humans.
Oil-eating bacteria: Organisms genetically modified to consume oil spills.
Drought-resistant seeds: Modified crops, like those resistant to freezing temperatures and/or producing better yield for paper production.
Strawberries with antifreeze: Introducing genes to prevent freezing-related damage.
Featherless chickens: Adapted to warmer climates.
Less-flatulent cows: Developed to produce less methane.
Goats that produce spider silk: Modified to produce spider silk proteins in their milk, potentially applicable in various products from ligaments to parachutes.
Tadpoles that fluoresce: Created to detect pollution readily and cheaply.

Uses of Genetic Engineering

Insulin production: Used to treat diabetes, formerly produced from pigs and cows.
Growth hormone: For dwarfism treatment, developed through genetic engineering.
Vaccine production: Genetically engineered methods used to produce vaccines.
Disease-resistant plants: Engineering plants, like tomatoes, to resist disease.
Faster-growing livestock (pigs, cows, fish): Modified to develop faster and grow more quickly.

Plasmids/Viruses as Vectors

Plasmids (circular DNA in bacteria) are often used as vectors to carry recombinant DNA. They are capable of self-replication, useful to transmit genes into host cells.
Viruses are other vectors that accomplish similar tasks.