What is genetic engineering, Biology

Assignment Help:

Q. What is genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering, It is also known as molecular cloning or gene cloning, is artificial recombination of nucleic acid molecules in a test tube; their insertion into a virus, bacterial plasmid or other vector system; and subsequent incorporation of chimeric molecules into a host organism in which they are capable of continued propagation. Construction of such molecules hasalso been called gene manipulation since it usually involves production of novel genetic combinations by biochemical means. Genetic engineering techniques include cell fusion and the use of recombinant DNA or gene-splicing. In cell fusiontough outer membranes of sperm and egg cells are removed by enzymes, and then fragile cells are mixed and combined with aid of chemicals or viruses. Result may be the creation of a new life form from two species (a chimera). RecombinantDNA techniques transfer a specific genetic activity from one organism to the subsequent through the use of bacterial plasmids (small circular pieces of DNA lying outside the main bacterial chromosome) and enzymes, like restriction endonucleases (that cut the DNA strands); reverse transcriptase (that makes a DNA strand from an RNAstrand); DNA ligase (that joins DNA strands together); and Taq polymerase (that can make a double-strand DNA molecule from a single-strand "primer" molecule). Recombinant DNA process begins with the isolation and fragmentation of suitable DNA strands. After these fragments are combined with vectors, they are carried into bacterial cells, where DNA fragments are "spliced" on to plasmid DNA which has been opened up. These hybrid plasmids are then mixed with host cells to form transformed cells. Because only some of the transformed cells will exhibit desired characteristic or gene activity, transformed cells are separated and grown individually in cultures. This methodology has been successful in producing large quantities of hormones (like insulin) for biotechnology industry. However it is more difficult to transform plant and animal cells. Yet technique exists to make plants resistant to diseases and to make animals grow larger. As genetic engineering interferes withprocesses of heredity and can change genetic structure of our own species, there is much concern over ethical ramifications of such power, and possible health and ecological consequences of creation of these bacterial forms.


Related Discussions:- What is genetic engineering

Eating foods with high sweetness, Why would a tongue not detect mild sweetn...

Why would a tongue not detect mild sweetness after eating foods with high sweetness? This happens due to of the "desensitization" of sensory receptors on the sensory cells of y

Ethological isolation, Members belonging to different species refrain from ...

Members belonging to different species refrain from mating because of the behavioural differences between them. Such behavioural differences usually centre around specific courtshi

Explain endocarditis, Explain Endocarditis The risk of endocarditis is ...

Explain Endocarditis The risk of endocarditis is considered high in patients with last bacterial endocarditis, prosthetic heart valves, complex cyanotic congenital heart diseas

Salt glands in birds and reptiles, Salt Glands in Birds and Reptiles M...

Salt Glands in Birds and Reptiles Marine reptiles for example, iguanas, estuarine sea turtles, crocodiles, sea snakes and marine birds like the marine teleosts do not produce

Explain hydraulic formula, Q. Explain Hydraulic Formula? This relates t...

Q. Explain Hydraulic Formula? This relates to pressure gradient and velocity of flow: V2 = (Cv)2 2gh or V = (Cv) 2gh Wherein, V = velocity of flow Cv = coefficient

Biochemistry pathway of normal and cancer cell, Biochemistry pathway of nor...

Biochemistry pathway of normal and cancer cell Normal cells will separate within the presence of a chemical signal like as "growth factor" (GF). Other molecular signals

Poultry and duck diseases-avian encephalomyelitis, Avian encephalomyelitis ...

Avian encephalomyelitis This is an acute infectious disease of birds (3 weeks old), which is caused by a member of the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae. Epid

Respiration, lesson plan practical requirements

lesson plan practical requirements

Echinodermata - regeneration in invertebrates, Echinodermata - Regeneration...

Echinodermata - Regeneration in Invertebrates Asteroids (starfishes), ophiuroids (brittle stars) and crinoids (sea lilies) can reproduce their lost arms and although parts of

Mutual interrelationship among individuals of a community, Mutual interrela...

Mutual interrelationship among individuals of a community Mutual interrelationship includes all the direct and indirect effects that organisms have upon each other. The three r

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd