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TITLE OF VIDEO:
Power of Genes
VIDEO COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
1. How have the genes of the original single-cell ancestor been passed on to living things for 4
billion years?
2. Why is DNA called the “silent witness” to a crime?
3. When scientists cloned Dolly, what process did they use to reverse the specialized adult
cell instructions?
4. What is the benefit of putting a human gene into a cow's DNA?
5. What does the phrase “twins are the clones that walk among us” mean?
6. Why are genetic twins who have been separated at birth almost perfect genetic subjects to
study?
7. How is the present-day gene sequencing a type of “scientific gold rush?”
8. How will gene therapy someday offer people an increase in life span?
DiscoverySchool.com
http://www.discoveryschool.com
Copyright 2001 Discovery.com.
Teachers may reproduce copies of these materials for classroom use only. See next page for answers.
Power of Genes
VIDEO COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. How have the genes of the original single-cell ancestor been passed on to living things for 4
billion years?
By the continual division and replication of the original ancestor's DNA molecule, the ancestor's
genes are now a part of every living thing on the planet.
2. Why is DNA called the “silent witness” to a crime?
Any trace of a person, such as hair, skin, blood, or saliva, contains their DNA code, which can be
definitive evidence of their presence at a crime scene.
3. When scientists cloned Dolly, what process did they use to reverse the specialized adult
cell instructions?
Scientists put the cell into hibernation by starving it of nutrients, thus causing the cell to revert to a
state that was capable of creating life.
4. What is the benefit of putting a human gene into a cow's DNA?
A cow with human genes in its DNA can produce milk with human protein, which is then used as
medicine to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
5. What does the phrase “twins are the clones that walk among us” mean?
Identical twins have identical DNA, just as a clone's DNA is an exact copy of the original living
being's DNA.
6. Why are genetic twins who have been separated at birth almost perfect genetic subjects to
study?
Since twins who are separated at birth grow up in different environments, scientists can isolate
which behaviors are caused by genes and which behaviors are caused by the environment in which
people are raised.
7. How is the present-day gene sequencing a type of “scientific gold rush?”
There is much gene information to analyze, and scientists are rushing to discover the many gene
sequences that have a medical use and therefore the potential for generating large financial returns.
8. How will gene therapy someday offer people an increase in life span?
Some fatal diseases are caused by mutations in our genes. If disease-causing genes are isolated and
treated, life spans may be extended.
DiscoverySchool.com
http://www.discoveryschool.com
Copyright 2001 Discovery.com.
Teachers may reproduce copies of these materials for classroom use only.