Biotechnology

• What is mycoprotein?

  A high-protein meat substitute made of fungi that are cultured industrially
• How are microorganisms cultured industrially?

  Grown in controlled conditions in large vats
• Which fungus is used to make mycoprotein?

  Fusarium
• How can bacteria be genetically engineered to produce humans insulin?

  • Plasmid removed from bacterium
  • Insulin gene cut out of human chromosome using restriction enzyme
  • Plasmid cut open using the same restriction enzyme allowing the insulin gene to be inserted successfully
  • Ligase is added which joins the gene and plasmid to produce recombinant DNA
  • Recombinant DNA is inserted into bacterium
  • Bacterium is grown in vat under controlled conditions and millions of bacteria that produce insulin are harvested and purified
• What is a plasmid?

  A loop of DNA
• What is a Restriction enzyme?

  An enzyme that recognises specific DNA sequences and cuts the DNA at these points which leaves one of the DNA strands with unpaired bases- a 'sticky end'
• Why can the plasmid and insulin gene join together?

  Because the same restriction enzyme cut them both leaving them with the complimentary 'sticky ends'
• What is Ligase?

  An enzyme
• What are GM crops?

  Genetically modified crops
• What weather can GM crops be engingeered to withstand?

  Drought
• What are the uses for genetically modifying crops?

  • Grow better in harsh conditions
  • Better nutritional value
• What is an example of a GM crop?

  Golden Rice
• How does Golden Rice have greater nutritional value?

  Produces a chemical that is converted into vitamin A in the body
• Why do people argue GM crops won't help lack of food?

  • Some go hungry as they can't afford food
  • Fears countries will become dependant on companies that produce GM crops
  • Poor soil could be the reason for crop failure, GM crops won't survive either