Genetic Alteration & GMOs Quiz - PDF

LESSON 3. Genetic Alteration GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORAGNISMS VERSUS GENES ECOSYSTEM - Element of heredity - carry the information that determines the traits Biodiversity Loss - First observed by Gregor Me...

LESSON 3. Genetic Alteration GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORAGNISMS VERSUS GENES ECOSYSTEM - Element of heredity - carry the information that determines the traits Biodiversity Loss - First observed by Gregor Mendel in 1865. Negative impact on insects and other species GENES Ex. the expansion of GM herbicide-tolerant corn and - Genes are passed from parents to offspring and soy, which are twinned with herbicides, has destroyed contain the information needed to specify traits. much of the habitat of the monarch butterfly in North Chromosomes America - contains a single, long DNA molecule, only a portion of Pleiotropy which corresponds to a single gene. one gene influences two or more seemingly unrelated phenotypic (observable) traits Humans have approximately 20,000 genes arranged on Ex. unpredicted appearance of a new form of the protein their chromosomes. which is known as allergen GENE ALTERATION - the process of modification of genetic makeup of any living organisms - selective breeding of plants, animals and other living organisms. Genetic engineering - a process that uses laboratorybased technologies to alter the DNA makeup of an organism. Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen first successful genetically engineered (GE) organism in 1973 Possible risks of Genetically Engineered Organisms antibiotic resistance from one strain of bacteria into another Gene flow Rudolf Jaenisch and Beatrice Mintz ✓ modified genes from GM crops may spread to wild Introduced foreign DNA into mouse embryo relatives or non-GMO plants that can occur through processes like cross-pollination or hybridization Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic ✓ leading to unintended ecological consequences such Repeats (CRISPR) as the development of "superweeds" or the spread of - a technology that research scientists use to selectively resistance traits modify the DNA of living organisms Impact on Non-Target Species ✓ may harm non-target organisms ✓ Long-term exposure to such toxins might reduce biodiversity by decreasing populations of these beneficial organisms Soil and Water Quality ✓ GM crops designed for herbicide tolerance could impact soil health and water quality. ✓ may lead to chemical runoff, which can contaminate local water supplies and affect aquatic ecosystems ✓ herbicide application can alter soil microbial communities, potentially impacting nutrient cycling and overall soil fertility  Lesson 4. Changes in Life Cycle of Vectors or Resistance in Pests and Weeds Pathogen ✓ Pests and weeds can develop resistance to genetically engineered traits ✓ herbicide-resistant crops can lead to the emergence of superweeds that are resistant to commonly used herbicides ✓ This can result in increased herbicide use or the need for stronger chemicals, which could have further environmental and health implications Biodiversity loss ✓ Widespread cultivation of GM crops in monoculture systems reduces genetic diversity and can make ecosystems more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and Vectors environmental stresses - Organisms that are capable of transmitting infectious ✓ GM crops could potentially displace native plant disease pathogens species, especially if they have an ecological advantage Ex. Mosquito and ticks due to traits like pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. Ecosystem Services ✓ If GM crops negatively impact pollinators or soil microorganisms, the ecosystem functions that rely on these organisms (e.g., pollination for fruits or nutrient cycling in soil) could be disrupted. ✓ Changes to these services can have cascading effects on both natural ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Antibiotic Resistance ✓ eating these foods could reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics to fight disease when these antibiotics are taken with meals ✓ the resistance genes could be transferred to human or animal pathogens, making them impervious to antibiotics. Production of New Toxins ✓ Plants contain inactive pathways leading to toxic substances. Addition of new genetic material through genetic engineering could reactivate these inactive pathways or otherwise increase the levels of toxic substances within the plants The life cycle of pathogens depends on the transmission of it from one host to another. In order for a disease to develop, a pathogen must be present and successfully invade a host tissues and cells. The chain of events involved in disease development includes inoculation, penetration, infection, incubation, reproduction, and survival. Lesson 5. Changing Species Composition Species Composition - refers to the total number of different living organisms within a given ecosystem Species Diversity - Refers to variation among species. - High species diversity is healthier compared to low species diversity High Biodiversity - Ensures health and food security - Helps fight disease - Benefits Business - Provides Livelihoods - Protects us Effects of Biodiversity Loss 1. can have significant direct human health impacts if ecosystem services are no longer adequate to meet social needs. Ex. Significant medical and pharmacological discoveries are made through greater understanding of the earth's biodiversity. Loss in biodiversity may limit discovery of potential treatments for many diseases and health problems. 2. changes in ecosystem services affect livelihoods, income, local migration and, on occasion, may even cause political conflict. 3. reduces or eliminates the food resources and living space for most species. Species that cannot migrate are often wiped out. 4. may outcompete native species for food and habitat, which triggers population declines in native species. Invasive species may arrive in new areas through natural migration or through human introduction. 5. results in some species being depleted to very low numbers and others being driven to extinction. Human activities are disturbing both the structure and functions of ecosystems and altering native biodiversity. Such disturbances reduce the abundance of some organisms, cause population growth in others, modify the interactions among organisms, and alter the interactions between organisms and their physical and chemical environments.