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Flashcards · Biology · Variation and Evolution

Genetic Engineering

16 cards

  1. What is genetic engineering?

    Modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic.

  2. What are GM crops?

    Crops that have had their genes modified.

  3. Name two characteristics given to GM crops.

    Resistance to insect attack and resistance to herbicides.

  4. What effect do GM crops generally have on yield?

    They generally show increased yields.

  5. Which useful substance do genetically engineered bacteria make?

    Human insulin.

  6. Why is human insulin made by bacteria useful?

    It treats people with diabetes.

  7. Give one concern about GM crops and wildlife.

    They could affect the populations of wild flowers and insects.

  8. Give one concern about GM crops and health.

    The effects of eating them on human health have not been fully explored.

  9. Name one area of medical research using genetic modification.

    Overcoming some inherited disorders.

  10. Why do some people object to genetic engineering?

    They believe it is wrong to change the genes of living organisms.

  11. How is genetic engineering different from selective breeding?

    It can use genes from a different species, and works in a single generation.

  12. What are enzymes used for in genetic engineering? (Higher tier)

    To isolate the required gene.

  13. What is a vector? (Higher tier)

    A carrier, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus, that inserts the gene into the cells.

  14. When are genes transferred to animals and plants? (Higher tier)

    At an early stage of development, so they develop with the desired characteristics.

  15. What is a plasmid? (Higher tier)

    A small ring of DNA in a bacterial cell, used as a vector.

  16. Four panels showing a gene being cut out, put in a plasmid, put in a bacterium and the bacteria multiplying, with no labels. Describe what is happening at each of the four stages. (Higher tier)

    1 Enzymes cut the human insulin gene from the DNA. 2 The gene is inserted into a plasmid, the vector. 3 The vector carries the gene into a bacterium. 4 The bacteria divide and make human insulin.