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Chapter 3 • Lesson 15
Genetic Engineering
ified organism • restriction enzym ney
Terms • biotechnology • genetic engineering • genetically in
• recombinant DNA • plasmid • genome • DNA fingerprinting • gel
electrophoresis
Getting the
idea
of
biotechnology.
ILISTS Work with biological structures and processes in the field of biotechno Biotechnology is the use
of organisms, their cells, and their cells' components to develop new products or
processes. For example, scientists work with genes to alter traits of organisms.
Biotechnology has advanced the fields of medicine, industry. agriculture, and crime solving.
Genetic Engineering Recall that the genetic code is the same for all
organisms. The same nucleotide sequena in the DNA of a bacterium, a tree, and
a human will result in the same amino acid. This common code allows
scientists to carry out genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the
manipulation of a cell's genetic material to produce organisms with desired
features Sections of DNA from an organism of one species are transferred to the
DNA of an organism of a different species. An organism whose genes have been
altered in this way is called a genetically modified organism (GMO).
Genetic engineers have altered the genes of bacteria and yeasts to produce
medicines used to treat human diseases. They have modified lab animals to
make it easier to study cancer and other diseases. They have improved some
crops to make them more nourishing. They have modified other plants to be more
resistant to damage from frost. insect pests, diseases, and herbicides.
Recall that an organism's DNA consists of one or more long molecules of bonded pairs of
nucleotides. Scientists use proteins called restriction enzymes to cut the
DNA into more manageable pieces. Restriction enzymes are classified by the
specific locations on the DNA strand at which they operate. These locations
are called restriction sites. Scientists can use restriction enzymes to
isolate specific sections of DNA.
any part of this book is prohibited by law. © Triumph Learning, LLC
Recombinant DNA When DNA from one organism is inserted into the DNA of another
organism, the new DNA that results is called recombinant DNA. Recombinant DNA
is often formed by transferring a portion of DNA from a complex organism into a
simpler organism. For example, scientists may insert a human gene into a
bacterium. Recall that most of the DNA in prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria, is
in a single chromosome in the cytoplasm. Some of their DNA is also in the form of a
separate ring-shaped struct the cytoplasm called a plasmid. Plasmids can make
copies of themselves within cells
11
0
To form recombinant DNA, biotech
NA, biotechnologists use a restriction enzyme to isolate a specific urleotide
sequence from the DNA of a more complex organism. Next, they lo from a bacterium and
use the same res
complex organism. Next, they remove the plasmid
ne restriction enzyme to cut the plasmid. They insert the gene of the more complex
organism between the split ends of the plasmid, which returns to its ring shape.
Then the modified plasmid is put back inside the bacterium.
Bacteria reproduce asexually by binary fission. Binary fission is similar to mitosis,
except that no Lolai are involved. Before reproducing, a bacterium makes a copy of IIS DNA.
Qucing, a bacterium makes a copy of its DNA. This includes the plasmid. If the
plasmid includes recombinant DNA, the offspring will also have the recombinant
DNA. The diagram below shows an example of the production of recombinant
DNA. The nocterium used is a common type called E. coli.
Selected gene DNA from human celli
Engineered E. coli
Plasmid
\Inserted DNA
Reproduced
E. coli
0-0-0-OS
Removed plasmid
Cut
E. coli
plasmid
Recombinant
DNA
This technique is used to make bacteria that produce the hormone insulin. The
insulin can be used to treat people with some forms of diabetes. Diabetes is a
disease in which the body cannot produce enough insulin on its own. To make
recombinant DNA for this process, an insulin production gene is isolated from
human DNA using a restriction enzyme. The gene is then inserted into bacterial
DNA using the same restriction enzyme. The bacterium divides, producing more
bacteria with this gene. This process allows large quantities of insulin to be
produced quickly and inexpensively.
Recombinant DNA has also been used to change the traits of animals and
plants. For example, goats have been modified to produce milk containing a
desired protein. The protein can be extracted
to treat people whose
blood clots too easily. Some genetically modified sheep produce a
protein that is used to treat emphysema, a respiratory disease. An example of a
genetically engineered plant is Bt corn. This corn has a gene from a bacterium
(Bacillus thuringiensis) that produces a natural pesticide. Bt corn makes the
same pesticide, which protects the plant from an insect called the corn borer.
Scientists have used a similar technique to modify cotton plants. The genetically altered
plants are resistant to worms that attack cotton buds. This resistance increases the
cotton yield and enables farmers to use fewer chemical pesticides.
111
Recombinant DNA has many other current or p other fields. Use a library or the Internet
to 10 into other organisms. Focus on a particular that is not used in this lesson.
medicine, and
scientists transfer Select an example
A has many other current or potential applications in agriculture, medicine
r the Internet to research the different typ
CCO
e modified organism.
Describe the characteristics of the specific genre
of the specific gene and the trait it offers to the modified oroo ate the particular
problem that the modified organism is created to
created to solve. Be sure to include
oth the organism that donates the gene and the organisme
donates the gene and the organism that receives this gene.
Scientific advances may be followed by unexpected problems. For example,
Bt-modified cotton plants successfully kill off many pests. In some parts of the
world, this allows other unaffected insects to thrive. As a result, some
farmers must use more pesticides on Bt cotton than they would
have used on less-expensive, natural cotton plants. Does the
recombinant DNA you researched have any known or potential
problems? Explain.
Use what you have learned to evaluate the claim that the positive
uses of the recombinant DNA you studied outweigh possible
negative outcomes.
law. ©
112
Chapter 3: Heredity-Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Lesson 15: Genetic Engineering DNA Fingerprinting No
two person's fingerprints are
prints are exactly the same. Similarly, with the exception of identical
twins, no two people have the san individual. (Even identical
twins may
sanne genome. A genome is the complete DNA sequence of an
lives.) The same is true of other ani
Small differences in their DNA sequence during their
Almals. This knowledge has led to a technology known as
DNA among individuals.
Of DNA segments to determine relationships
rinting. DNA fingerprinting compares images of DNA segm
fingerprinting. DNA
segments. The
to create a DNA fingerprint, restriction enzymes are used to cut a DNA
molecule Into ments. The segments are placed in a tray of gelatin. Next, an
electric current
In a tray of gelatin. Next, an electric current is passed from one end of
the tray to the other. DNA m
ONA molecules have a negative charge. So, when the segments
are placed near the negatively charged end of the tray they move
toward the positively charged end. The segments move through the
gel at different rates based on their lengths, with smaller segments
moving faster than larger segments. This technique, called gel
electrophoresis, separates the segments by length.
Finally, a dye is added to the gelatin to make details of the DNA segments more
disung
MIS of the DNA segments more distinguishable. The resulting pattern
of bands is called a DNA fingerprint. The locations of these bands on
the del correspond to the lengths of specific DNA segments. Each
individual has a characteristic DNA fingerprint. The photo below shows DNA
fingerprints of various family members.
A
.
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'
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.
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.
DNA fingerprints have many uses. For example, biologists use DNA
fingerprints to determine how closely related different organisms are
to each other. The more similar the DNA fingerprints are, the
closer the relationship is between the organisms. Biologists also use
this technique to identify and catalog endangered species. Applied to
humans, DNA fingerprinting can be used to identify a child's mother or
father.
O ni
.
.
.
IL
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113
legal questions,
Forensics is the use of science and technology to investigace
epartments and attorneys use DNA fingerprinting as a form of forensic data. For example,
technicians may collect blood. skin, or other samples from a come scene. Using this
e, they make DNA fingerprints. Investigators can compare these DNA fingerprints those of
someone suspected of the crime.
Many human diseases are caused by a specific external factor such as a virus,
Tungus, or bacteria. Other diseases are genetic. Do research in a library or on
the Internet to summa in a short paragraph how DNA fingerprinting
is used to diagnose certain genetic illnesses,
Some genetic illnesses are hereditary, or passed down through
generations. How would you expect researchers to use DNA
fingerprinting to determine if an illness within a family was genetic?
Speculate briefly how genetic engineering may one day be used to
eliminate such illnesses.
114 • Chapter 3: Heredity-Inheritance and
Variation of Traits
Lesson 15: Genetic
Engineering
.
Lesson
Review
..
.
Which feature of bacteria makes them useful in genetic
engineering?
A. lack of a nucleus
B. one large
chromosome C.
replicating plasmids
D. free-floating
ribosomes
How does the process of gel electrophoresis
produce DNA fingerprints: A. An electric current
causes segments of DNA to move at different rates. B. An
electric current cuts a DNA strand into segments of various
lengths. C.
An electric current sorts DNA nucleotides
according to their bases. D. An electric current supplies
a charge to uncharged segments of DNA.
Which statement describes how restriction enzymes are used in making
recombinant DNA: A. A restriction enzyme connects linear DNA
molecules into ring shapes. B. A restriction enzyme replaces a
nucleotide sequence in a DNA molecule. C.
A restriction enzyme
separates the strands of a DNA molecule. D. A restriction
enzyme cuts a DNA molecule at a specific nucleotide
sequence.
Nc
Which of these genes would be most useful for farmers to
have transferred into cells of their crops? A. a gene that decreases
the effectiveness of herbicides against predatory insects B.
a gene
that decreases the frequency with which fertilizers must
be applied C. a gene that increases the amount of
sunlight required to carry out photosynthesis D. a gene
that increases the amount of nutrients a crop provides
to a feeding insect
-
-
crease
nou
ease
115
