1.5 Genetic Engineering

What are natural ways that genetic information can be transferred between cells?

Fertilisation passed between bacteria in plasmids by viruses.

What do we call the artificial transfer of genetic material between cells?

Genetic engineering.

What do we call the organism from where the genetic material is taken?

Donor.

What do we call the organism where the genetic information is placed?

Recipient.

What does having additional genes allow the organism to do?

Make additional proteins.

What is used to remove genes from a chromosome?

Restriction enzymes / endonucleases.

What type of organism is usually used in genetic engineering?

Bacteria.

Why are bacteria often used in genetic engineering?

Fast to reproduce and have plasmids.

Where in the bacteria is the donor gene placed?

Plasmid.

What is the function of the plasmid in genetic engineering?

Transfers genetic information into the recipient organism - vector.

How do we describe the recipient cell once it has the transferred genetic material?

Genetically modified or transformed.

Give an example of a protein produced by genetic engineering for medical use.

Insulin to treat diabetes.

Give an example of proteins produced by genetic engineering for domestic use.

Digestive enzymes for use in biological washing powders.

What is a concern of people about genetic engineering?

Long term effects are unknown.

What is a second concern of people about genetic engineering?

Altered genes may find their way into other species with unknown consequences.

What is a gene?

A section of DNA that codes for the production of one protein.