Download TOPIC 4.4 Genetic Engineering Worksheet

TOPIC 4.4: GENETIC ENGINEERING
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4.4.1: POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTIONS
1. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used where DNA samples are too
small to be useful.
a) State the purpose of PCR: why is it so useful?
b) Identify the cellular process which PCR mimics
c) Explain the role of a thermal cycler in PCR. What happens during the high
temperature cycle?
d) State the role of complementary base pairing in PCR
e) Explain why PCR is called a chain reaction
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4.4.1: GEL ELECTROPHORESIS AND DNA PROFILING
2. What is the technique of gel electrophoresis used fo
3. State the roles of the following components of gel electrophoresis
Restriction enzymes
Gel
Electric current
Fluorescent DNA markers
4. Annotate the image below to show how gel electrophoresis works, including
how the size of fragments affects their position on the gel.
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5. State two main uses of DNA profiling by gel electrophoresis
6. State some other names (synonyms) for DNA profiling
7. Use the gel electrophoresis results below to answer the following
questions:
In this case, a DNA sample was taken from a cigarette at a crime scene (in a no
smoking zone):
a) State the process used to amplify the small amounts of DNA collected at the
crime scene to a quantity adequate for identification by DNA proflining.
b) Deduce which criminal, Robb McCarr or Nick Allott, left their cigarette at the
crime scene. Explain your answer.
c) Draw bands to show where the standard fragments would be observed.
d) State the role of the standard fragment.
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e) Outline the evidence in the sample that suggests that Nick and Rob are
related.
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4.4.6: THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
Key resources:
This link is to the Wellcome Institute Sanger Centre’s Genome
website:http://www.yourgenome.org
This link is to the US Government National Human Genome Website:
http://www.genome.gov
1. What is the the Human Genome project? When did it begin, and when was the
‘first draft’ published?
2. Outline the aims of the Human Genome project
3. Look at some of the HGP resources on the websites above
Name other organisms which have had their genomes sequenced. What is the role
of E. Coli in the HGP?
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4. Outline how the HGP developed knowledge in the following fields:
Medicine
Pharmacogenomics
Bioinformatics
Evolutionary Research
Ethical, Legal and Social issues
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4.4.7 – 4.4.10: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are created using gene transfer.
1. Outline gene transfer
2. Explain how the universality of the genetic code is central to gene transfer
applications
3. Define transgenic organism
4. State the role of the following in gene transfer:
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Restriction enzymes
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E. Coli plasmids
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Ligase
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Vector
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5. Annotate the diagram below to outline the process of gene transfer
6. Explain how gene transfer is used in the industrial production of insulin
7. Outline the use of gene transfer techniques in gene therapy for the treatment of
SCID
What is SCID?
What is the prognosis for management of SCID through gene therapy>
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8. Outline how genetically modified sheep are used for the treatment of inherited
haemophilia due to Factor IX deficiency in humans
9. Give at least 3 examples of genetically modified (GM) plant crops, and the
effects of their new genes.
GM CROP
1. ‘Golden rice’
New properties
Advantages
2.
3.
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4.4.11 – 4.4.13: CLONING
1. Define clone
2. State three examples of naturally occurring clones
4. Dolly the sheep was produced by cloning using a differentiated nucleus
Use the Dolly resources:
The Official Roslin site: http://www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/public-interest/dolly-thesheep/
Utah Genetics Cloning site: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/
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Why was the differentiated nucleus taken from an udder cell?
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Suggest reasons why Dolly died ‘young’ from age-related diseases
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Outline the method used to clone Dolly
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4. Outline the difference between therapeutic cloning and reproductive
cloning
5. State four potential medical applications and benefits of therapeutic cloning
6. Discuss the ethical implications of therapeutic cloning in humans:
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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7. Suggest why reprogrammed IPS stem cells might mitigate the negative
perception of human therapeutic cloning:
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Define IPS cells
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Explain the process of producing IPS cells
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Explain the benefits of using IPS cells in medical research and treatment
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