Reference no: EM131150325

Please answer the following questions in a 200-word response minimum. Try your best to reference the text I will message you privately for how to access the text book.

1. The structure of DNA is one factor which regulates gene expression (replication and transcription). Explain how the structure of DNA allows transcription to occur. Why is the configuration of DNA important for gene expression?

2. Based upon your assigned readings discuss the application of biotechnology and genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology, aka rDNA) for medical, environmental, legal, and pharmaceutical uses. What are the benefits and risks to our society?

3. The chemical compound dideoxycytidine is a nucleotide where the pentose sugar lacks --OH (hydroxyl) groups at both the 2' and the 3' carbon positions. Explain why this drug inhibits the elongation of a DNA chain.

(FOR BOTH 4 AND 5 FIND AN ARTICLE FOR THE role of natural selection in the theory of evolution)

4. Research the role of natural selection in the theory of evolution, find a peer reviewed article and explain what role natural selection plays in the theory of evolution and how this may affect the scientific community as well as you own personal beliefs from a biology standpoint.

5. Research the role of natural selection in the theory of evolution, find a peer reviewed article and explain what role natural selection plays in the theory of evolution and how this may affect the scientific community as well as you own personal beliefs from a biology standpoint.

Please participate (respond) to the classmate's answers with POSITIVE notable and educational input. (200 word minimum Reponses)

1. Jeff: The application of biotechnology and genetic engineering is definitely one that is both an interesting topic as well as a controversial topic. Using recumbent DNA involves removing DNA from one organism and inserting it into another organism. IN recent years, human DNA has been inserted into hosts organisms to produce products for the medical field ("Explore More", 2004). The products generated for the medical field including products like insulin and human growth hormone. The benefits of producing items like these (and there are many more) is that humans who could benefit from them will live longer more enriched lives. Can you imagine a world where diabetics did not have access to insulin? A Type I diabetes diagnosis would leave to death in a short period of time. However, even though these types of products are now taken for granted, many people take issue with using genetic engineering in other ways. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole issue and hope to gather a better understanding by reading your posts this week, but I do think that some practices could be risky or at least unethical.

Explore More. (2004). Retrieved from https://www.iptv.org/exploremore/ge/uses/use2_medical.cfm

2. Dawn: Each DNA molecule consists of two chains of nucleotides that connect to one another like a ladder. The whole molecule is twisted to form a double helix. The connections between the two strands are formed between the nucleotides (A, T, C, and G). A and T always bond to one another, as do C and G. During transcription, the two chains are "unzipped" or separated to allow mRNA to form. Transcription happens when the four bases of RNA (A, U, C, and G) bond to their DNA counterparts. This works exactly the same as it does between the two strands of DNA. The only difference is that since RNA does not have the T base, it uses U instead.

The reason that the ease and accuracy of this process is so important to genetic information is that without accurate copies of the DNA, proteins would either be improperly assembled or not at all. No organism could survive without the proper proteins.

3. Liberty: DNA technology and genetic engineering have greatly improved our chances of living longer. Life expectancy has increased dramatically with new drugs being created in the lab to treat different kinds of viruses and diseases. Vaccines are given to prevent certain life-threatening disease. Another benefit of genetic engineering is the increase in our food production. Scientist have created plants that are pest-resistant and double their original size. Since FDA has approved some of these drugs to be safe and effective, more pharmaceutical companies are trying to develop cheaper alternatives for the general public to buy. Although there are multiple advantages of genetic engineering, there are also concerns of how this going to affect us in the future. Over doing it can also lead to microorganisms being resistant to antibiotics.