Genetic modification
Genetic modification
- Genetic modification means changing an organism's genetic material by removing, changing or inserting individual genes.
Practice
Genetic modification means:
Genetic modification directly changes the genetic material by removing, altering or inserting genes.
Making a human protein in bacteria (Supplement)
To make human insulin in bacteria:
- cut the human gene out with restriction enzymes, leaving sticky ends,
- cut open a bacterial plasmid with the same enzymes (matching sticky ends),
- join the gene into the plasmid with DNA ligase → a recombinant plasmid,
- put the plasmid into a bacterium,
- the bacteria multiply and express the gene, making the human protein.
Practice
Put the steps of making human insulin in bacteria in order.
Cut gene → cut plasmid → join with ligase → insert into bacterium → bacteria express the gene.
GM crops
- Genes can be put into crop plants to give:
- resistance to herbicides,
- resistance to insect pests,
- better food value.
- (Supplement) GM crops can give higher yields, but some worry about health, wild species and seed cost.
Practice
GM crops can be engineered for which benefits? (Choose all that apply.)
GM crops can resist herbicides or pests and have improved nutrition; plants do not move.
You've got it
Key idea
- genetic modification = removing, changing or inserting genes
- (Supplement) cut with restriction enzymes (sticky ends) → join into a plasmid with ligase → bacteria express the gene
- GM crops can resist herbicides or pests, or have better nutrition