All flashcards topics

Genetic ModificationEdexcel GCSE Biology: Flashcards

Card 1 of 150 of 15 known

Question

What is selective breeding?

Tap or press Space to reveal

Tap card or press Space to flip

See all 15 cards
What is selective breeding?
Choosing organisms with desired traits and breeding over generations.
Two impacts on domesticated animals?
Higher milk/meat yield, docile temperament.
Define tissue culture.
Growing cells/plants from a tissue sample in sterile nutrient medium.
Advantage of tissue culture?
Produces many identical disease-free plants quickly, year-round.
Define genetic engineering.
Modifying an organism's genome by introducing a gene from another organism.
Role of restriction enzymes?
Cut DNA at specific sequences, producing sticky ends.
What is a sticky end?
Unpaired complementary base sequence at a cut DNA end.
Role of ligase?
Joins sticky ends together, sealing the gene into the vector.
What is a vector?
A carrier (plasmid/virus) transferring a gene into a target organism.
How is Bt used in GM crops?
Bt gene inserted gives crops their own insecticidal toxin (insect resistance).
Disadvantage of GM crops?
Risk of gene spreading to wild populations via cross-pollination.
Define biological control.
Using a natural predator/parasite to control a pest population.
Risk of fertiliser use?
Leaching into waterways causing eutrophication.
Medical use of genetic engineering?
Producing human insulin from GM bacteria.
Ethical concern about genetic engineering?
Moral/religious objections or unknown long-term effects.