National 5 Biology | Unit 1 | Key Area 5: Genetic Engineering

Diabetes is a disease whereby insulin is not made by the _____ because the _____ _____ is not being used.

Pancreas; insulin gene

The hormone insulin is an example of a human _____. The gene needed to build insulin is present in _____ cell, but is only used in certain cells of the _____.

Protein; every; pancreas

Insulin must be administered by injection because it would be digested to _____ _____ in the gut if taken by mouth.

Amino acids

What are the advantages provided by using genetically engineered insulin? (3 points)

\-It is pure human insulin (correct amino acid sequence)

\-Human insulin functions better than insulin taken from other animals (allergy responses, etc)

\-Large quantities of insulin can be produced quickly and cheaper (after the initial development costs).

Insulin used to treat diabetics is made inside bacteria cells. Explain the 5 main stages of genetically engineering a bacterial cell to produce a human protein such as insulin:

1. Identifying the section of DNA that contains the required gene from the source chromosome ie. identifying exactly where the insulin gene is in the human genome.

2. Extracting the required gene ie. cutting the insulin gene out of the human chromosome using enzymes.

3. Inserting the required gene into a vector (in this case, inserting the human insulin gene into a plasmid which has been removed from a bacterium).

4. Inserting the plasmid into a host cell (ie. putting the plasmid into a different host cell as the original will be damaged).

5. Growing the transformed bacterium so that it produces the required substance. They multiply by growing in a fermenter.

Cells are contructed mainly from _____.

Proteins

The _____ of cells is controlled by other proteins (enzymes and hormones).

Metabolism

Conjugation is the process by which one _____ transfers genetic material to another through direct contact. A conjugation pilus pulls the recipient cell towards the donor cell. Their _____ _____ fuse and so _____ can be transferred through pores.

Bacterium; outer membranes; DNA