Starter quiz
- What is the name of the molecule that contains the genetic code in all organisms ?
- lipids
- proteins
- RNA
- DNA ✓
-
- __________ are long, thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins, found in the nucleus of cells.
- Cells
- Chromosomes ✓
- Genes
- Nuclei
-
- __________ is a section of DNA carrying the genetic code that provides the instructions for a feature or process.
- An amino acid
- A gene ✓
- A nucleotide
- A protein
-
- What are the building blocks (monomers) for DNA?
- nucleotides ✓
- amino acids
- proteins
- lipids
-
- Proteins are long chains of ...
- amino acids. ✓
- carbohydrates.
- lipids.
- nucleotides.
-
- Where is the DNA found in prokaryotic cells?
- in the nucleus
- in the cell wall
- in the vacuole
- in the cytoplasm ✓
-
Exit quiz
- What is the main goal of genetic engineering?
- to eliminate undesirable characteristics
- to increase genetic diversity
- to introduce desirable characteristics ✓
- to randomly change DNA
-
- What is a potential risk of genetically modified crops?
- native species outcompeting GM organisms
- crops with an increased nutritional value being grown
- GM genes being transferred to other organisms in the wild ✓
- crops that are resistant to pests being grown
-
- What is one ethical consideration in genetic engineering?
- the complexity of the process
- the cost of genetic engineering
- the speed of genetic modifications
- whether it is right to modify the genetic material of living organisms ✓
-
- What is one benefit of producing bacteria that can produce insulin?
- an increased pest resistance in crops
- an increased crop yield
- an improved diabetes treatment ✓
- improved food security
-
- Put the main steps involved in genetic engineering in the correct order.
- 1⇔using a restriction enzyme to isolate a desirable gene
- 2⇔using a ligase enzyme to insert the desirable gene into a vector
- 3⇔using a vector to insert the desirable gene into the target cells
- 4⇔selecting cells that have taken up the desirable gene
- 5⇔growing genetically modified organisms from selected cells
- Which enzyme is used to join vector DNA and desirable gene DNA together at the 'sticky ends'?
- a ligase enzyme ✓
- a restriction enzyme
- a polymerase enzyme
- a reverse transcriptase enzyme
-
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Genetic engineering involves modifying the genome of an organism by adding DNA from another organism.
- The aim of genetic engineering is to introduce a desirable characteristic.
- Examples of genetically engineering crop plants and bacteria to benefit humans.
- Benefits must be weighed against risks and ethical issues.
- The main steps in the process of genetic engineering.
Common misconception
Over-estimating the risks of genetic engineering and genetically modified (GM) organisms.
The lesson explores the need to weigh up possible benefits, risks and ethical questions when making decisions about genetic engineering.
Keywords
Gene - a section of DNA carrying the genetic code that provides the instructions for a feature or process
Genetic engineering - the process of introducing a gene from one organism into the genome of another organism
Risk - the chance that an outcome (usually a negative one) will occur
Ethical question - a question about whether something is right or wrong
Vector - a plasmid or virus used to introduce a gene from one organism into the genome of another organism
+