Genetic modification
- Created by: superlouasaur
- Created on: 06-05-15 16:47
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- Genetic modifiction
- Transfer of genes
- The organism with the transferred gene will then produce a protein using instructions in that gene
- The protein can be made even though the gene came from another organism because all organisms use the same genetic code
- Genetic modification is where a gene from one organism is transferred to another
- Stages
- 1.) first the gene that's responsible for producing the desirable protein is isolated- its position on the source DNA is identified
- 2.) The useful gene is then replicated to create lots of copes
- 3.) Each gene is joined to a vector- a carrier for the gene which makes it easier to insert into a new cells- plasmids and viruses are often used as vectors
- 4.) Vectors containing the useful gene are transferred into new cells e.g. bacterial cells
- 5.) Not all of the new cells will be modified, e.g. the vector might not have been transferred properly
- 6.) The last stage is to select (identify) the individuals that have been successfully modified
- Applications
- Making medicines
- Genetically modified bacteria have been used to make medicines cheaply, quickly and in large quantities.
- 1.) insulin is a hormone that's used to treat Type 1 diabetes
- 2.) The gene for human insulin production can be transferred into bacteria
- 3.) The bacteria are grown in a fermenter, and the human insulin is simply extracted as it's produced
- 4.)This means that the insulin made by the bacteria is exactly the same as human insulin, so there's less chance of patients having an allergic reaction to it.
- Making crops Herbicide resistant
- 1.) some plants have natural resistance to things like herbicides (weed killers)
- 2.) Cut out the gene responsible and stick it into any plants we want to protect
- 3.) Herbicide- resistant crops are useful to farmers because they can use a really effective weedkiller without damaging their produce
- 4.) However, herbicide- resistant crops can be more expensive than normal crops. Some people are worried that the gene might be transferred into wild plants (e.g. weeds) making them hard to kill
- 5.) Herbicide- resistant crops could encourage the use of weedkillers. This could reduce biodiversity, and it's possible the weed killers could pollute water systems or get into food chains
- Making medicines
- Transfer of genes
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