8
Biotechnology Activity Sheet
Quarter 2 – MELC 4
Week 4
Manipulation of Genetic Material
REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS
Biotechnology
Activity Sheet No. 4 - Manipulation of Genetic Material
First Edition, 2020
Published in the Philippines
By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.
This Learning Activity Sheet is developed by DepEd Region 6 – Western Visayas.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this learning resource may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical without written permission
from the DepEd Regional Office 6 – Western Visayas.
Development Team of Activity Sheet
Writers: Stephanie N. Sanonte and Rhoda M. Erdao
Illustrators: Felizardo S. Valdez III
Layout Artist: Felizardo S. Valdez III
Editor: Zaldy M. Tondo
Division Management Team:
Roel F. Bermejo
Nordy D. Siason Jr.
Lilibeth T. Estoque
Azucena T. Falales
Ruben S. Libutaque
Gilbet D. Solidum
Lilibeth Larupay
Corazon C. Alarcon
Zaldy M. Tondo
Regional Management Team:
Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma
Josilyn S. Solana
Elena P. Gonzaga
Donald T. Genine
Rovel R. Salcedo
Moonyeen C. Rivera
Anita S. Gubalane
Minda L. Soldevilla
Daisy L. Lopez
Joseph M. Pagalaran
Introductory Message
Welcome to Biotechnology!
The Learning Activity Sheet is a product of the collaborative efforts of
the Schools Division of Iloilo and DepEd Regional Office VI - Western Visayas
through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD). This is
developed to guide the learning facilitators (teachers, parents, and responsible
adults) in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Basic
Education Curriculum.
The Learning Activity Sheet is self-directed instructional materials
aimed to guide the learners in accomplishing activities at their own pace and
time using the contextualized resources in the community. This will also
assist the learners in acquiring the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and
attitudes for productivity and employment.
For learning facilitator:
The Biotechnology Activity Sheet will help you facilitate the teaching-
learning activities specified in each Most Essential Learning Competency
(MELC) with minimal or no face-to-face encounter between you and learner.
This will be made available to the learners with the references/links to ease
the independent learning.
For the learner:
The Biotechnology Activity Sheet is developed to help you continue
learning even if you are not in school. This learning material provides you with
meaningful and engaging activities for independent learning. Being an active
learner, carefully read and understand the instructions then perform the
activities and answer the assessments. This will be returned to your facilitator
on the agreed schedule.
Name of Learner:
Grade and Section: Date:
BIOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITY SHEET No. 4
Manipulation of the Genetic Material
I. Learning Competency
Discuss how the genetic materials of organisms are manipulated.
II. Background Information for Learners
Biotechnology is the use of methods to manipulate the genetic material
(nucleic acid) of living organisms or cells to supply novel compounds or to
perform new functions. It has been used also for improving livestock and
crops since the start of agriculture through selective breeding.
The first applications of this technology are in medicine (to produce
vaccines and antibiotics) and in agriculture (for the genetic modification of
crops). Through biotechnology, there have been many industrial applications,
like fermentation, treatment of oil spills, production of biofuels, and
household applications like the utilization of enzymes in detergent.
In this learning activity, you will learn more about how the genetic
materials of organisms are manipulated.
III. Activity Proper
To understand better the basic techniques working with nucleic acids
as to the genetic material of an organism, always remember that it is a
macromolecule that are made from nucleotides (a sugar, a phosphate, and a
nitrogenous base). The phosphate groups on these molecules each has a
negative charge. An entire set of DNA molecules within the nucleus of
eukaryotic cell is known as the genome. DNA has two complementary strands
linked by hydrogen bonds between the paired bases. Unlike DNA in eukaryotic
cells, RNA being a single stranded molecule leave the nucleus. Messenger RNA
(mRNA) is analyzed most frequently because it represents the protein-coding
genes that are being expressed within the cell.
What is the difference between RNA and DNA?
Summary of Differences Between DNA and RNA
Comparison DNA RNA
Name DeoxyriboNucleic Acid RiboNucleic Acid
Structural Features DNA is a double- RNA usually is a single-
stranded molecule strand helix consisting of
consisting of a long shorter chains of
chain of nucleotides. nucleotides.
Functions DNA is responsible for RNA directly codes for
storing and transferring amino acids and acts as a
genetic information messenger between DNA
and ribosomes to make
proteins.
Base pairing DNA uses the bases RNA uses adenine, uracil,
adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
cytosine, and guanine Uracil differs from thymine
in that it lacks a methyl
group on its ring.
Sugar composition DNA contains the sugar RNA contains the sugar
deoxyribose ribose
Manipulating the Genetic Materials
To modify the genetic material of living organisms or cells,
biotechnologists must be able to extract, manipulate, and analyze nucleic
acids.
ISOLATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS
Figure 1: This diagram shows the basic method used for the extraction of
DNA.
The DNA must first be extracted from cells. Most nucleic acid extraction
techniques involve steps to break open the cell, and then the use of
enzymatic reactions to destroy all undesired macromolecules.
Cells are broken open using a detergent solution containing buffering
compounds. To prevent degradation and contamination, macromolecules
such as proteins and RNA are inactivated using enzymes.
The DNA is then brought out of solution using alcohol resulting to DNA,
because it is made up of long polymers, forms a gelatinous mass.
Like DNA extraction, RNA extraction involves the use of various buffers
and enzymes to inactivate other macromolecules and preserve only the
RNA.
GEL ELECTROPHORESIS
Figure 2: Shown are DNA
fragments from six samples run
on a gel, stained with a
fluorescent dye and viewed
under UV light. (credit: modification of
work by James Jacob, Tompkins Cortland
Community College)
Nucleic acids are negatively charged ions at neutral or alkaline pH in an aqueous
environment, they can be moved by an electric field.
Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules based
on size and charge.
The nucleic acids can be separated as whole chromosomes or as fragments then
they are loaded into a slot at one end of a gel matrix, an electric current is applied,
and negatively charged molecules are pulled toward the opposite end of the gel
(the end with the positive electrode).
Smaller molecules move through the pores in the gel faster than larger molecules;
this difference in the rate of migration separates the fragments based on size.
The nucleic acids in a gel matrix are invisible until they are stained with a
compound that allows them to be seen, such as a dye. Distinct fragments of
nucleic acids appear as bands at specific distances from the top of the gel (the
negative electrode end) that are based on their size.
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
Figure 3: Polymerase chain
reaction, or PCR, is used to
produce many copies of a
specific sequence of DNA
using a special form of DNA
polymerase.
DNA analysis often requires focusing on one or more specific regions of the
genome.
It also frequently involves situations in which only one or a few copies of a
DNA molecule are available for further analysis. These amounts are
insufficient for most procedures, such as gel electrophoresis. Polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to rapidly increase the number of
copies of specific regions of DNA for further analyses.
PCR uses a special form of DNA polymerase, the enzyme that replicates DNA,
and other short nucleotide sequences called primers that base pair to a
specific portion of the DNA being replicated.
PCR is used for many purposes in laboratories which include:
1) the identification of the owner of a DNA sample left at a crime scene
2) paternity analysis
3) the comparison of small amounts of ancient DNA with modern organisms
and 4) determining the sequence of nucleotides in a specific region.
Activity 1: Manipulating Nucleic Acid
Directions. Read and understand each statement, write PCR if it
describes Polymerase Chain Reaction, GE if it describes Gel Electrophoresis
and IN if it describes Isolation of Nucleic Acids before each number.
1. RNA extraction involves the use of various buffers and enzymes to
inactivate other macromolecules and preserve only the RNA.
2. It uses a special form of DNA polymerase, the enzyme that replicates
DNA.
3. To study or manipulate nucleic acids, the DNA must first be extracted
from cells.
4. Nucleic acids are negatively charged ions at neutral or alkaline pH in
an aqueous environment, they can be moved by an electric field.
5. It is used for many purposes in laboratories that includes the
identification of the owner of a DNA sample left at a crime scene, paternity
analysis, Etc.
6. The nucleic acids can be separated as whole chromosomes or as
fragments then they are loaded into a slot at one end of a gel matrix and an
electric current is applied.
7. Nucleic acid extraction techniques involve steps to break open the cell,
and then the use of enzymatic reactions to destroy all undesired
macromolecules.
8. A technique used to rapidly increase the number of copies of specific
regions of DNA for further analyses.
9. Cells are broken open using a detergent solution containing buffering
compounds.
10. The nucleic acids in a gel matrix are invisible until they are stained
with a compound that allows them to be seen, such as a dye.
Summary
Nucleic acids can be isolated/extracted from cells for the purpose of
further analysis by breaking open the cells and enzymatically
destroying all other major macromolecules.
Fragmented or whole chromosomes can be separated based on size by
gel electrophoresis.
Short stretches of DNA can be amplified by PCR.
DNA can be cut (and subsequently re-spliced together) using restriction
enzymes.
The molecular and cellular techniques of biotechnology allow
researchers to genetically engineer organisms, modifying them to
achieve desirable traits.
Activity 2. Non-GMO to GMO
Direction: Choose ONE non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO)
from the the given pictures below and modify them. Discuss how their genetic
materials are manipulated to achieve the desirable trait/s that you want.
Corn Cow
Pig Rice
IV. Reflection
Complete the statements below.
I understand
I don’t understand
I need more information about
VI. Links and/or Other References
https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/mhccbiology102/chapter/manipulatin
g-genetic-material/
https://www.thoughtco.com/dna-versus-rna-
608191#:~:text=DNA%20is%20a%20double%2Dstranded,while%20RNA%20
is%20not%20stable.&text=DNA%20and%20RNA%20base%20pairing,uracil
%2C%20cytosine%2C%20and%20guanine.
https://www.google.com/search?q=pig&rlz=1C1OKWM_enPH921PH921&sx
srf=ALeKk01vkI1I70TwCihJdNf5PMNYURgnw:1611937018160&source=lnm
s&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhjviqxcHuAhWrzYsBHRHqC6kQ_AUoAX
oECBIQAw
https://www.google.com/search?q=corn&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiF9Perxc
HuAhXVzIsBHaLsAccQ2cCegQIABAA&oq=corn&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIHCAA
QsQMQQzIHCAAQsQMQQzIECAAQQzIHCAAQsQMQQzIHCAAQsQMQQzIEC
AAQQzIFCAAQsQMyBQgAELEDMgUIABCxAzIFCAAQsQM6BAgjECdQtc4KW
MLUCmCB5QpoAHAAeACAAcABiAHWBJIBAzAuNJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13a
XotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=_DQUYIWGD9WZr7wPotmHuAw&rlz=1C1O
KWM_enPH921PH921#imgrc=A98E7JLsH9GLDM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dairy_cattle
https://morningchores.com/growing-upland-rice/
