Practice Questions

1.What is meant by genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering is the process of modifying the genome of an organism by inserting a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic.

2.Describe how a gene is transferred into bacteria using genetic engineering.

The required gene is cut out of donor DNA using a restriction enzyme

A plasmid is removed from a bacterial cell

The plasmid is cut open using the same enzyme

The gene is inserted into the plasmid and joined using DNA ligase (forming recombinant DNA)

The plasmid is put back into the bacterium (vector transfers the gene)

The bacteria multiply and may produce the desired protein

3.What useful substance is produced by genetically engineered bacteria to treat diabetes?

Insulin