gen bio q1

• Genetic engineering


  The direct modification of an organism's genome, which is the list of specific traits (genes) stored in the DNA
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)


  Organisms created by genetic engineering
• Genome


  The entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell
• Knockout


  The use of genetic engineering to inactivate or remove one or more specific genes from an organism
• Classical breeding


  • Combining the features of the same species
  • Hybrid is the term used for their offspring
• Recombinant DNA technology


  • Involves using enzymes and various laboratory techniques to manipulate and isolate DNA segments of interest
• Created first genetically modified bacteria


  1973
• Created GM mice


  1974
• First commercial development of GMOs (insulin-producing bacteria)


  1982
• Began to sell genetically modified food (Flavr-Savr)


  1994
• Began to sell GMOs as pets (Glofish)


  2003
• GMO process


  1. Inserting new genetic material randomly or in targeted locations

  2. Direct replacement of genes (recombination)

  3. Removal of genes

  4. Mutation of existing genes
• Gene


  A sequence of DNA on a chromosome that codes for one protein
• DNA modification


  1. DNA is extracted from cells

  2. DNA is cut into smaller pieces with restriction enzymes

  3. Cut DNA sequence is combined with DNA of another organism

  4. Recombinant DNA is placed inside a living cell
• Recombinant DNA


  DNA that comes from 2 sources
• Gene splicing


  The process that allows scientists to attach pieces of DNA segments to the DNA of other organisms
• Steps in creating recombinant DNA

  1. Isolation of plasmid DNA and DNA containing gene of interest

  2. Gene inserted into plasmid

  3. Plasmid put into a bacterial cell

  4. Cells cloned with gene of interest
• Genetic engineering examples


  • Spider goat web-producing goat
  • Glow-in-the dark cats
  • Venomous cabbage
  • Fishy tomatoes & strawberries
• GMO bacteria


  • Bacteria are the most common GMOs because their simple structure permits easy manipulation of their DNA
  • Used to produce hydrocarbons (plastics and fuels)
• Transgenic bacteria


  Bacteria with a gene inserted, so they produce things humans need
• Other genetic engineering examples

  • Banana vaccine
  • Venomous cabbage
• Reasons to genetically modify crops

  • Insect resistant
  • Herbicide resistant
  • Drought/freeze resistant
  • Disease resistant
  • Higher yield
  • Faster growth
  • Improved nutrition
  • Longer shelf life
• GMO concerns


  • Risk to human health; unsafe to eat
  • Harm to the environment and wildlife
  • Increased pesticide and herbicide use
  • Farmers' health
  • Seed and pollen drift
• Biotechniques


  • Designer Babies
  • GMOs
  • Gene therapy
  • Medical Improvements
• Biolistics


  A technique where a "gene gun" is used to fire DNA-coated pellets on plant tissues
• Geologic time scale


  Divides Earth's history based on major past events
• Structure of the geologic time scale

  • Eon
  • Era
  • Period
  • Epoch
• Precambrian eons


  • Hadean
  • Archean
  • Proterozoic
• Earth's age is believed to be 4.6 billion years
• Phanerozoic eras


  • Paleozoic
  • Mesozoic
  • Cenozoic
• Paleozoic periods


  • Cambrian
  • Ordovician
  • Silurian
  • Devonian
  • Carboniferous
  • Permian
• The Burgess Shale is an important fossil site from the Paleozoic era
• Mesozoic periods


  • Triassic
  • Jurassic
  • Cretaceous
• Cenozoic periods


  • Paleogene
  • Neogene
• Gymnosperms (non-flowering, naked seed) appear and become the dominant plant
• Age of Reptiles
• Mesozoic era - Reptiles rise, dinosaurs dominate, and shelled eggs help to protect offspring
• Some reptiles take to the sky (birds)
• Some reptiles return to the ocean but keep their air lungs
• The most famous mass extinction in the world occurs at the end of the Cretaceous