Genetic Technology
I.
Gene Therapy
Go to learn.genetics.utah.edu. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and
click on “Gene Therapy.” Then click on “What is Gene Therapy?” Answer the
following questions.
1) In one sentence, describe how gene therapy works?
2) What is the purpose of the vector in gene therapy?
3) What types of conditions are good candidates for gene therapy?
4) Explain why Cystic Fibrosis would be a good candidate for gene
therapy.
Go back to the “Gene Therapy” section and click on “Gene Delivery: Tools of
the Trade.” Scroll down a little and read the sections on gene delivery, viral
vectors, and non-viral vectors.
5) What four things must a successful vector be able to do?
6) What are three advantages and three drawbacks of using viral
vectors?
7) What’s an advantage of using plasmids instead of viruses?
8) Figure out which vector would work best to treat Cystic Fibrosis in
the Gene Therapy Case Study. Describe why this vector works best.
II. Cloning
Go back to the learn.genetics.utah.edu homepage. Click on “Cloning.” Then
click on “What is Cloning?” Answer the following questions.
9) What is a clone?
10) How does Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) differ from the
natural way of producing an embryo?
Go back to the “Cloning” page. Click on “Click and Clone.”
11) Complete the interactive virtual lab and describe the six steps of
somatic cell nuclear transfer.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
III. Stem Cells
Go back to the learn.genetics.utah.edu homepage. Click on “Stem Cells.”
Then click on “Go, Go Stem Cells.”
Click on “Brain Cell Niche.” Answer the following questions.
12) What do neurons do?
13) What two regions of the brain continue to produce new neurons?
14) What activates the stem cells?
15) What transforms the stem cell into a neuron?
16) Why are stem cells called into action?
Click on “Blood Cell Niche.” Answer the following questions.
17) Where are blood cells produced?
18) What protein does the mature red blood cell produce? How many
does each cell contain?
19) How long do red cells live in the blood stream?
20)List three cell types found in the blood and briefly describe their
jobs.
IV. Diseases
Go back to the learn.genetics.utah.edu homepage. Click on “Family Health
History.” For each of the following diseases, describe how it is caused
(genes? Environment? Both?), and what you can do to reduce your risk.
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Cancer
If you finish early, explore any other interesting sections on this website!