Download Biology: Genetic Technology questions

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Biology: Genetic Technology questions
1. Selective breeding has been used for at least 2,000 years. What job (career) do you think the first
breeders had?
2. Besides being gross, marrying close relatives is illegal in the United States. Since rare recessive genes
control most deadly diseases, explain how this law helps protect the health of future generations.
3. Mutts (non purebred) dogs from an animal shelter often make great pets because they generally live long,
healthy lives. What would a geneticist call a “mutt” and how would they explain its health.
4. Compare and contrast selective breeding and genetic engineering.
5. DNA must be cut to change its genes. But DNA is way too small to cut even with a laser. What is used
to cut DNA?
6. What is a transgenic organism?
7. Both mechanical and biological types of DNA vectors are useful. What is the benefit of each?
8. How is reproductive cloning achieved? (list as steps).
9. Why is reproductive cloning being mostly abandoned by genetic researchers?
10. List and defend two current or future uses of recombinant DNA/transgenic organisms that you think will
benefit the world’s populations the most. Why do you think so? (think global, not just Southington!)
11. How many genes are believed to be in the entire human genome?
12. How is it possible that the number of genes is far less than the 100,000 proteins known in humans?
13. How much of the human genome codes for proteins?
a. What is the non-coding part called and what is its possible function?
14. What discovery/invention allowed the human genome project and most of the current research into the
molecular basis of genetics to be possible?
15. To some people, DNA is not a reliable source of evidence in a crime. Yet almost everybody agrees that
fingerprints (the old-fashioned fingerprints) are good crime evidence. Explain why this thought makes
no sense, based on what you know about DNA and what it controls.