CHAPTERS 5.11 TO 5.13BIOTECHNOLOGY

Ms. Doshi

Introduction to Biotechnology

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFxznM9TRFY

Biotechnology

Biotechnology- to change organisms, cells, and other molecules to achieve practical benefitsgenetic engineering-change an organism’s genetic material by adding, deleting or transplanting genes from one organism to anotherBiotechnology involves genetic engineering.

Five Tools of Biotechnology

Not all tools are used in Biotechnology applications-some use only 1 or few of these.

CHOP=CUTAMPLIFY=MAKE MOREINSERT=INSERTGROW=GROWIDENTIFY=IDENTIFY

CHOP DNAUse Restriction Enzymes to chop DNA

Restriction Enzymesrecognize specific DNA sequencesthe sequence depends on the type of restriction enzyme usedcut DNA into small pieces

AMPLIFY DNA

PCR is used to make more of the same DNA, when you only have a small amount of it.

Used in crime scene processing if DNA is found at the scene.

INSERT DNA1. Isolate gene of interest using

restriction enzyme (RE)

2. Using same RE, cut plasmid.

3. Plasmid DNA and gene of interest join together.

4. Put plasmid (with gene of interest) back in bacteria or virus to be replicated.

5. Now, you have created a transgenic organism (an organism with DNA from a different species).

GROW: Creating a gene library

Create a collection of cloned DNA.

IDENTIFY: Use a DNA probe

1. Break double stranded DNA into single stranded DNA

2. Add radioactive probe (a short piece of DNA that is complimentary to the gene of interest)

3. DNA binds to gene of interest and glows with radioactivity.

Questions

1. Define biotechnology.2. Define genetic engineering.3. What are the 5 tools of biotechnology?4. How do you chop DNA?5. How do you amplify DNA?6. How do you insert DNA?7. How do you identify DNA?8. How do you grow DNA?

GMOsIn the past, to create the best product, farmers had to wait many generations. Now, farmers use recombinant DNA technology to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs).Recombinant DNA technology is when DNA is combined from 2 or more sources into a product.

Vitamin A in Golden RiceLow Vitamin A leads to BLINDNESSLow Vitamin A in children in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.Diet in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa includes rice. Vitamin A comes from Beta-CaroteneSolution: Add Beta-Carotene genes to rice and make ‘golden rice’.Add 2 genes from daffodils and 1 gene from bacteria to white rice DNA.

Genetically Modified Crops in the USA

Why are many crops genetically modified in the USA?

1. Many plants have insecticides genetically engineered into them.

2. Many plants have herbicide-resistance genes engineered into them.

Both reduce the cost of making food and reduce loss of topsoil to erosion.

Bt CornBacillus thuringiensis (Bt)These bacteria produce spores containing crystals that are poisonous to insects but harmless to crop plants and to people. The Bt crystal gene is put in plants to kill caterpillars.

Bigger SalmonA transgenic Atlantic salmon has been created. It carries a growth hormone gene from a Chinook salmon and a region of DNA from an Ocean Pout that is an “on” switch, allowing transcription of the growth hormone. The salmon tastes the same as the original Atlantic salmon and reaches its full size in 18 months.

Fears and Risks of GMOsOrganisms that we want to kill may become invincible. -In Canada, pesticide-resistant Canola plants are growing out of control. Organisms that we don’t want to kill may be killed inadvertently. -Monarch butterflies can be killed from Bt pollen that land on milkweed plants. Genetically modified crops are not tested or regulated adequately. -not sure of new risksEating genetically modified foods is dangerous. -In the 1990s, a gene from Brazilian nuts was put in soybeans. As a result, people became allergic to soybeans. Production of these soybeans stopped.Loss of genetic diversity among crop plants is risky. -This can make crops vulnerable to environmental changes or pests. Example: The potato famine. Hidden costs may reduce the financial advantages of genetically modified crops. -Need to buy new seeds for each generation of crops.

Questions1. What is a GMO?2. What is DNA Recombinant Technology?3. What genes are used to make Vitamin A in Golden Rice?4. What percent of corn is genetically modified?5. What percent of soybeans are genetically modified?6. What percent of cotton is genetically modified?7. Why are many crops genetically modified in the USA?8. What is Bt corn?9. What does Bt do?10. Where do the genes come from in the transgenic Atlantic

Salmon?

Any Questions?Any Answers?

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