Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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4.4 Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Top resources to use for this section:
Class page: http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com/bis-ib-diploma-programme-biology/04-genetics-andgenetic-engineering/genetic-engineering-and-biotechnology/
Learn.Genetics @ Utah (great simulations and animations): http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Human Genome Project: http://www.genome.gov/10001772 and
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
BioEthics Education Project: http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/index.php
1. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used where DNA samples are too small to be useful.
a. What is the purpose of PCR in labs and investigations?
b. Which cellular process does it mimic?
c. What is the role of high temperatures in PCR?
d. What is the role of complementary base pairing in PCR?
e. Why is it called a chain reaction?
2. State two main uses of DNA profiling by electrophoresis.
3. State some other names for DNA profiling.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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4. State the roles of the following components of gel electrophoresis:
a. Restriction enzymes
b. Gel
c. Electric current
d. Fluorescent DNA markers
5. Annotate the image below to outline briefly how gel electrophoresis works.
6. Use the gel electrophoresis results below to answer these questions.
In this case, a DNA sample was taken from a cigarette found at a crime scene.
a. Deduce Which criminal, Rob McCarr or Nick Allott, left their dribbly cigarette-end at the crime
scene. Explain your answer.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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b. Outline the evidence in the DNA profile that suggests Nick and Rob are related.
Further research:
What are the ethical issues associated with a criminal suspect DNA database?
How might a DNA sample database impact the rights of the innocent? Is this a fair price to pay for
potentially more rapid resolution of criminal cases such as rape?
7. This father thinks that the second child is not his – he looks too different from him!
He has seen the mother and the mailman chatting and is suspicious. He stole some hair from all
family members and swabbed a cup the mailman used and ran a gel electrophoresis to confirm
his suspicions.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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8. .
9. Describe the Human Genome Project.
10. Outline the goals of the HGP (http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/187.0.html ).
11. Look at some of the HGP resources at http://www.genome.gov/25019885
a. Describe the role of E. coli in the HGP.
b. Explain how differently-coloured nucleotides were used in sequencing the genes.
c. Explain why the information collected was stored in public databases.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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12. Outline how the HGP developed knowledge in the following fields:
Evolutionary research
Medicine
Bioinformatics
Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI)?
13. Read this: http: //www.badscience.net/2010/04/i-patent-your-ass-and-your-leg-and-yournostril/
a. Outline the case of the patented BRCA1 gene.
b. Discuss the ethical issues associated with patenting genes.
14. Outline gene transfer.
15. Explain how the universality of the genetic code is central to gene transfer applications.
16. Define transgenic organism.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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17. State the role of the following in gene transfer:
Restriction enzymes
E. coli plasmids
Ligase
Vector
18. Annotate the diagram below to outline the process of gene transfer:
19. Outline how the Human Genome Project can allow gene transfer technology to develop more
rapidly.
20. Explain how gene transfer is used in industrial production of insulin.
21. Outline the use of gene transfer in gene therapy to treat SCID.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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a. SCID is…
b. Gene therapy can treat SCID by…
22. Further research: find out about one more successful use of gene therapy in human medicine.
23. Give three examples of genetically modified (GM) plant crops and the effects of their new
genes.
New properties
Advantages
‘Golden Rice’
24. Outline how genetically modified sheep can help hemophiliacs.
25. Discuss the benefits and potential dangers of one type of genetic modification used in
agriculture. Why are some groups protesting GM (genetically modified) foods or crops?
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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26. Define clone.
27. Give three examples of naturally occurring clones.
28. Dolly the Sheep was produced by cloning using a differentiated nucleus.
a. Define differentiated nucleus.
b. Explain why the differentiated nucleus taken from an udder cell.
c. Suggest one reason why Dolly died younger than normal, but of age-related illnesses.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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29. Outline the method used to clone Dolly the Sheep.
30. Distinguish between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning.
31. State some of the medical applications and benefits of therapeutic cloning.
32. Discuss the ethical considerations of therapeutic cloning in humans.
Essential Biology 04.4: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (HL)
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33. Explain how stem-cell reprogramming (IPS cells) might mitigate the negative opinions of human
therapeutic cloning.
Source: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7180/full/451858a.html
a. Define iPS stem cells.
b. Outline the process for reprogramming the cells.
c. Explain the benefits of using iPS cells in medicine and research.
d. State some of the obstacles to be overcome when using iPS stem cells.