Chapter 2.5

• Genetic information is changed by adding new genes
• Bacteria have DNA in chromosomes, but they also have separate rings of DNA called plasmids
• Gene splicing uses enzymes to cut the Plasmid and insert the gene
• Steps to Gene Splicing:

  1. Plasmid removed from bacterium
  2. Plasmids cut using enzyme
  3. DNA removed from human cell
  4. DNA cut using enzyme to isolate a gene
  5. Human gene is inserted
  6. Plasmid placed back inside bacterium
  7. Bacteria divide via mitosis
• Gene testing can tell if people are carrying a disease that can be passed onto children
• DNA profiling obtains a unique pattern of DNA that can be used for identification purposes. e.g finding a suspect, finding biological parents
• DNA profiles are read when regions of an individuals STR (bases that repeat) are identified. The size of repeats are unique, so a person can be found
• Gene therapy is where a normal gene replaces a defective gene. However, finding a gene that doesn't affect other genes is hard
• STEM cells can treat illness and injury as it can become one of the 200 cells in the body
• STEM cells are found in embryos. However, it is considered unethical
• Cancer is when cells undergo uncontrolled mitosis, resulting in tumours
• Cancer is caused by one or more mutations in the DNA of the cell
• Cells can break away from tumours and spread throughout the body through the Lymphatic system
• In chemotherapy, fast-growing cells are killed, therefore eliminating the cancer. However, it kills fast-growing, important cells like hair