Treating Diseases

Chp 8

recombinant DNA technology

artificial modification of DNA

restriction enzyme

cuts DNA at a specific sequence of bases (recognition site)

straight cut

produced when restriction enzyme cuts DNA so it ends in a base pair, produces blunt ends

staggered cut

produced when restriction enzyme cuts DNA, results in fragments of unpaired nucleotides, sticky ends

DNA ligase

enzyme that joins together sections of DNA

vector

DNA molecule used to transfer DNA into a host cell, usually plasmids or bacteriophages

steps of recombinant DNA technology

• identify the desired gene

• use restriction enzyme to cut DNA of the gene

• use same restriction enzyme to cut DNA of vector

• add desired gene to vector

• use DNA ligase to join the two sections of DNA

recombinant vaccines explain

gene for virus isolated and added to plasmid, introduced into host cell to divide, used for vaccine

diabetes mellitus

high blood glucose level, type 1 and 2

type 1 diabetes

immune system attacks beta cells of pancreatic islets that produce insulin. regular insulin injections

type 2 diabetes

lifestyle disease, cells do not respond to insulin

hyperthyroidism

thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine. higher metabolic rate

treatment of hyperthyroidism

drugs that block iodine use by thyroid gland, surgery to remove some of gland. less thyroxine will be produced

hypothyroidism

thyroid gland produces too little thyroxine. usually due to not enough iodine in diet that makes up T3 and T4

hypothyroidism treatment

more iodine in diet, thyroxine tablets

gene therapy

treating underlying cause of disease by identifying faulty genes and replace with healthy ones

gene therapy- type 1 diabetes

use vectors to introduce insulin gene into alpha cells so they can produce insulin

cystic fibrosis

single gene disorder, produces thick mucus by mucous glands, affects lungs and pancreas

Huntington’s disease

single gene disorder, neurons become damaged, causing physical, mental and emotional changes

cell replacement therapy

replacing damaged cells with healthy ones. possibility for diseases of nervous system by replacing dying neurons (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s)

tissue engineering

restore healthy tissue or organs by growing on a scaffold