What are the main steps in producing human insulin using genetically engineered bacteria?
Insert a human insulin gene into bacteria; the bacteria express it to produce insulin, which is collected, purified and checked.
AQA GCSE Biology - Foundation (8461) · 4.7.5.4
Revise AQA GCSE Biology - Foundation (8461) specification point 4.7.5.4, Role of biotechnology, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
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What are the main steps in producing human insulin using genetically engineered bacteria?
Insert a human insulin gene into bacteria; the bacteria express it to produce insulin, which is collected, purified and checked.
When diabetes is treated with insulin from genetically engineered bacteria, are the patient's cells genetically modified?
No. The bacteria, not the patient's cells, are modified.
What is the advantage of genetically engineered bacteria in terms of insulin supply?
They can produce insulin in large quantities.
What source of insulin can be avoided by using genetically engineered bacteria?
Insulin extracted from animal organs.
Why must insulin produced by genetically engineered bacteria be purified and checked before use?
Contamination or impurities could harm patients.
What is genetic modification?
Changing an organism’s genetic material by removing, changing or inserting individual genes.
What two effects can changing an organism’s genes have?
It can alter its characteristics or enable it to produce a desired protein.
How can bacteria be made to produce human proteins?
By inserting human genes into the bacteria.
What three benefits can genes inserted into crop plants confer?
What is a genetically modified (GM) crop?
A crop whose genes have been modified to give it desired characteristics.
What four kinds of desired characteristic can GM crops have?
Resistance to disease, insect attack or herbicides, or production of larger or better-quality fruits.
How can desired characteristics affect GM crop production?
They can reduce crop losses or improve production; GM crops generally have increased yields.
How can changes in herbicide use associated with GM crops affect wildlife?
They can affect wild plants and the insects that depend on them.
What human health concern do some people raise about eating GM crops?
They question whether the health effects have been fully explored.
Does concern about a possible harmful effect of GM crops establish that harm occurs?
No. A concern about a possible effect does not by itself establish harm.