Biotechnology review

List 3-4 practical applications of DNA technology

-cloning -vaccines -GMOs

describe how human insulin would be produced by bacteria the purpose of producing mass quantities of insulin for diabetics

1. Isolate Gene The gene for producing HUMAN insulin protein is isolated. The gene is part of the DNA in a human chromosome. The gene can be isolated and then copied so that many insulin genes are available to work with. 2. Prepare Target DNA In 1973, two scientists named Boyer and Cohen developed a way to take DNA from one organism and put it in the DNA of bacterium. This process is called recombinant DNA technology. First, a circular piece of DNA called a plasmid is removed from a bacterial cell. Special proteins are used to cut the plasmid ring open. 3. Insert DNA into Plasmid With the plasmid ring open, the gene for insulin is inserted into the plasmid ring and the ring is closed. The human insulin gene is now recombined with the bacterial DNA plasmid. 4. Insert Plasmid back into cell The bacterial DNA now contains the human insulin gene and is inserted into a bacteria. Scientists use very small needle syringes to move the recombined plasmid through the bacterial cell membrane. 5. Plasmid multiply Many plasmids with the insulin gene are inserted into many bacterial cells. The cells need nutrients in order to grow, divide, and live. While they live, the bacterial cell processes turn on the gene for human insulin and the insulin is produced in the cell. When the bacterial cells reproduce by dividing, the human insulin gene is also reproduced in the newly created cells. 6. Target Cells Reproduce Human insulin protein molecules produced by bacteria are gathered and purified. The process of purifying and producing cow and pig insulin has been greatly reduced or eliminated. 7. Cells Produce Proteins Millions of people with diabetes now take human insulin produced by bacteria or yeast (biosynthetic insulin) that is genetically compatible with their bodies, just like the perfect insulin produced naturally in your body.

What is a bacterial plasmid?

A plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA.

describe how gel electrophoresis works in producing a genetic fingerprint

DNA from two different individuals is cut with restriction enzymes and loaded in agarose gel. When the gel is subject into an electric current shorter fragments migrate through the gel faster than the larger fragments.DNA is then transferred to filter paper to make it single stranded the DNA is then probed. Theradioactiveprobeshowsuponphotographic film. Differentindividualshavedifferentpatternsofbands.

What are GMOs and prose and cons of GMOs

GMO foods are genetically modified organisms that have had new genes from other organisms added to their existing genes. Cons are allergic reactions and antibiotic resistance. Pros are insect resistance and increase food supply.

What is it meant by recombinant DNA

It is joining two DNA molecules from different species that can be inserted into a host organism

How are restriction enzymes used as a molecular scissors in biotechnology?

Scientists can use restriction enzymes to cut a single gene from a larger piece of DNA. By recognizing a sequence in viral DNA and cutting the DNA molecule, restriction enzymes inhibit, or restrict, viral infections of bacteria.

How is a plasmid used in making recombinant DNA?

The plasmid can be put ino the medium the bacteria are in and a chemical is added to make the bacteria take up the plasmid. Then as the bacteria multiply so too does the remcombinant DNA in the plasmid.

What are sticky ends in reference to restriction enzymes?

a single-stranded end of DNA or RNA having a nucleotide base sequence complementary to that of another strand, enabling the two strands to be connected by base pairing

What are restriction enzymes?

an enzyme produced chiefly by certain bacteria, having the property of cleaving DNA molecules at or near a specific sequence of bases.

How is it that DNA can move through a gelatin substance such as agarose?

based on the same principle of size and charge based fragment separation. This separation is facilitated by the negative charge present on the DNA fragments due to the release of positive hydrogen ions from the phosphate groups that constitute the 'backbone' of the molecule

Draw a picture

http://www.mrothery.co.uk/images/Image244.gif

Why are sticky ends important in producing recombinant DNA?

without the sticky ends it would be mich harder to get the dna back together