Grade 11A
Name:______________________________ Class: _________________
Active reading 11A – Biological basics of inheritance
Topic 1:
The human genome project
What is the human genome project?
Recall that a genome is the complete set of genetic
material (DNA) in an organism or species. Genomics is
the study of genomes. Genomics often involves
comparing genes within and between species. To do
this, scientists sequence genomes. Sequencing a
genome means identifying every DNA base pair that
makes up the genome. This collection of DNA base
pairs is called a sequence.
The human genome has billions of DNA base pairs. The human genome project
was an international effort to sequence the human genome. A draft of the
sequence was completed in 2003. Scientists were surprised and excited by what
the sequence showed:
 Humans have only about 25,000 genes. Scientists had expected to find
around 120,000 genes.
 Less than 2% of human DNA codes for proteins. The rest of the DNA
consists of introns or is unexplained.
 Humans have many of the genes as other species.
 The DNA sequence of all humans is very similar. The genome of any two
people is 99.9% identical.
How do scientists use genomic information?
The human genome includes much information. Scientists use gene technologies
to obtain and apply this information. Gene technologies allow scientists to find
Grade 11A
Name:______________________________ Class: _________________
genes, copy genes, and turn the expression of genes on and off. They also enable
scientists to do genetic engineering that moves genes between organisms.
Genomic information and gene technologies have many applications in human
healthcare and society. They can be used to diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases,
and to identify people.
Diagnosing and preventing disease
A microarray is a gene technology that can show when genes in a genome are
active. Certain patterns of gene activity displayed by a microarray can indicate
diseases. Vaccines are often used to prevent diseases. Genomic information
enables new and safer vaccines to be produced through genetic engineering.
Treating disease
When a mutated gene cannot make a specific protein, it can cause a genetic
disorder. This type of disorder can be treated by supplying the missing protein.
Some drug companies genetically engineer organisms to produce human proteins
for treatment use.
Gene therapy is a treatment that supplies a functional gene to replace a mutated
one. Pharmacogenomics is a new field in which scientists make drugs based on
genomic information. Scientists in this field may eventually develop drugs for a
person’s genetic profile.
Identifying individuals
Although the DNA sequence of all humans is very similar, each person (except
identical twins) has some sequence that is completely unique. The unique regions
of a person’s genome can be used to make a pattern of DNA bands called a DNA
fingerprint. DNA fingerprints are often used to identify criminals and dead bodies.
What are the remaining questions about the human genome?
The table below summarizes remaining questions about the human genome and
how scientists are answering them.
Grade 11A
Name:______________________________ Class: _________________
Questions
How do our genes interact?
How unique are we?
Can genetics help us live longer?
How do we deal with ethical issues?
How scientist are answering the question
Scientists are studying how the proteins
made from one gene affect other genes.
Scientists are comparing the human
genome with genomes of other organisms
Scientists are learning about how genes
are involved in diseases
Scientists are discussing who should own
genetic information and how it should be
used
Key words
Genomics
microarray
Genome
vaccines
Sequence
Mutated gene
Genetic engineering
Gene therapy
A. Write one or more sentences to answer the following questions
1. Explain what was the goal of the human genome project?
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2. What percentage of DNA in the human genome does not code for proteins?
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3. Explain how can a genome be used to identify a person if the DNA
sequence of any two people is 99.9% identical?
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Grade 11A
Name:______________________________ Class: _________________
4. Name three general ways that human genomics can be applied to
healthcare.
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5. Calculate about how many fewer genes do humans have than scientists
expected?
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6. Describe how can a microarray be used to diagnose a disease?
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B. Fill in the graphic organizer
Microarray
Gene therapy
How are they different?
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Grade 11A
Name:______________________________ Class: _________________
C. Draw a line to complete each sentence.
1. A genome
 means every DNA base pair is
identified
2. Sequencing
 A technology that enables to move
genes between organisms
3. Genetic engineering
 is the complete set of genetic material
in an organism
4. DNA fingerprint
 A pattern of DNA characteristics that is
unique
D. Circle the letter of the phrase that best answers the question.
1. The human genome project was completed in …
a.
b.
c.
d.
Year 2000
Year 2010
Year 2003
Year 2012
2. Which of the following is FALSE regarding gene therapy?
a. Gene therapy replaces faulty genes with functional genes.
b. Gene therapy is widely used in Europe with great success.
c. Gene therapy could be used to treat the genetic diseases caused by a
defect in a single gene.
d. Gene therapy may be effective in the treatment of cancer.
Grade 11A
Name:______________________________ Class: _________________
3. What is the purpose of the Human Genome Project?
a.
b.
c.
d.
to mass produce important sequences of DNA
to archive everyone's DNA fingerprint
to identify the sequence of human DNA
to develop an "ideal" genetic code
E. Use the internet to search on the ethical issues of the Human Genome
Project? And how do you think they can be solved?