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Section Q: Genetic Engineering (Genetic Engineering of Insulin (Advantages…
Section Q: Genetic Engineering
Enzymes in genetic engineering
1)
restriction enzymes
recognise specific sequences of DNA and
cut the DNA
at these points.
2)
Ligase enzymes
are used to join two pieces of DNA together.
3)
Two different bits
of DNA stuck together are known as
Recombinant DNA
What is genetic engeneering
the removal of a gene from one organism and is inserted into the DNA of another organism so the gene is expressed
The other organisms do not need to be of the same species as all organisms use the same genetic code
The recipient organism will make the protein for which the gene codes
Bacteria cell:
Genetic Engineering of Insulin
A vector is something that's used to transfer DNA into a cell. there are two sorts :
plasmids
(from a bacteria cell)
and
viruses
.
the purpose is to transfer the gene that codes for the production of insulin from a human cell into a bacteria cell
The DNA is isolated from the human cells and the gene for insulin is cut out using a
Restriction Enzyme
A plasmid is cut wither the
same restriction enzyme
The DNA gene and the cut plasmid are mixed and combine to form
Recombinant DNA
. to make the combination permanent, the enzyme
DNA Ligase
is used to join the ends
The plasmid acts as a
Vector
to carry the insulin gene into the bacteria cell.
The bacteria divides (by binary fission) every 20 minutes. All new cells have the insulin gee and can make insulin protein.
Advantages
large amounts can be produced more rapidly
the insulin produced is identical to human insulin so less likely to cause allergic reaction
it overrides ethical concerns from vegetarians and others (used to use pig or cow insulin)
Disadvantages
antibiotic resistant gene that could be transferred to other bacteria or human pathogens
insulin producing bacteria can be grown in large numbers in a fermenter to produce insulin for people with diabetes
Genetically modified plants
Crops can be genetically modified to increase food production (by making then resistant to insects or herbicides)
Bt maize
bt- a bacterium that produces a protein which kills insects
the gene that codes for the production of insecticide has been isolated and transferred (using a vector) into maize cells
the cells containing the recombinant DNA can be cloned by micropropagation to make many transgenic maize plants. the plants make the protein that is toxic to isects in their leaves. insects eating the leaves wll be killed
Advantages
increase the yield
only kills insects eating plants
reducing use of non-specific insecticides
disadvantages
the gene could be transferred to wild reletives
possible allergic reactions to new protein in diets
