first half

• genetic modification were employed to eliminate inferior traits, combine superior traits, or to attempt to improve an existing trait.
• This is the nature of genetic engineering —to directly manipulate the genes of organisms in the laboratory so they will manifest a wide array of traits. The resulting organisms are then called genetically modified organisms or GMOs, and gene manipulation is accomplished through recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology.
• who produced the first transgenic organism?

  Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer (1972)
• An organism that has foreign genes incorporated in its genome

  -transgenic organism
• the first transgenic organism

  -Escherichia coli
• The first transgenic animal was a mouse, and this was made by Rudolf Jaenisch in 1974 by introducing a foreign gene in a mouse embryo
• the first human protein produced in genetically modified bacteria: somatostatin
• who genetically modified tobacco to become resistant to herbicide: Bevan, Flavell, Chilton
• what is said to be the blueprint of life?

  -DNA
• specific instructions in cells are present in the form of DNA fragments called genes, they are the most valuable resource in genetic engineering
• genes are expressed as proteins that serve as phenotypic determiners
• What is the first step to genetic engineering

  -Identify the gene of interest
• where does the foreign gene in Bt corn come from?

  -Bacillus thuringiensis
• the Bt toxin from B. thuringiensis was used as a component used in pesticides.
• B. thuringiensis has the ability to kill insects becuase of its cry1Ab gene that produces cry protein, an alternative for the Bt toxin
• the most important resource in isolating the gene of interest from the source of organism is the restriction endonucleases
• Werner Arber pioneered the use of restriction enzymes in bacterial cells
• Gel electrophoresis is performed to separate the DNA molecules according to their length
• A probe is either a DNA or RNA sequence that is used to locate the gene of interest because they are complementary
• a radioactive chemical tag is added to the probe to easily locate the DNA segment of interest
• Microprojectile bombardment shots DNA-coated gold or tungsten particles at high velocity to the cells of plants
• Electroporation is the method performed by subjecting the host cell to short electrical bursts to allow the entry of DNA into the cells
• The bacterial plasmid is used as the vector in genetic engineering
• Genetic mosaic is an individual with somatic cells that not genetically identical.
• Insulin was the first product of rDNA technology to be made available commercially.
• Gel electrophoresis is performed to separate the DNA molecules according to their length
• Golden rice produces and stores beta-carotene in the endosperm of its grains to address vitamin A deficiency problems
• FLAVR SAVR tomatoes are GM crops with an extended shelf-life by suppressing the expression of the enzyme polygalacturonase.
• Biopharmining is the term used to refer to this practice of producing and harvesting proteins from bioreactors
• Aquaculture also has its application of recombinant DNA technology in the form of the GM salmon.
• This GM salmon, which was officially named the AquAdvantage salmon , grows at a greater rate than its normal Atlantic salmon counterpart.
• The genetic modification has been achieved by introducing the growth hormone gene of Chinook salmon into the Atlantic salmon genome and promoter gene from ocean pout
• Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, and their metabolic pathways to degrade or remove environmental contaminants
• The Phanerozoic eon means "visible life" that was constructed through rock units that bear abundant fossils.
• The Precambrian eon represents the period betweeen the birth of the planet and the appearance of life forms.
• The Phanerozoic Eon is divided into three eras: Paleozoic-age of invertebrates, Mesozoic-age of reptiles, and Cenozoic-age of mammals
• Tertiary is the time of mammals diversity, and quaternary is the time of human evolution
• The theory of spontaneous generation states that the idea that life comes from lifeless or nonliving material through a mysterious process.
• Abiogenesis is the process by which life emerges naturally from inanimate or nonliving materials; a theory introduced by Anaximander
• The theory of panspermia or exogenesis suggest that building blocks of life came from another planet. ex: comets colliding with Earth