Mod 4 GENERIC ENGINEERING AND THE USES OF GMO Lecture Notes Students
Mod 4 GENERIC ENGINEERING AND THE USES OF GMO Lecture Notes Students
Learning Competencies:
1. Describe the process of genetic engineering. (S11/12LT-11ej-17)
2. Evaluate the benefits and risks of GMOs. (SII/12LT-IIej-19)
Animal Reproduction
In sexual reproduction, the genetic material of two individuals are combined to produce
genetically diverse offspring that differ from their parents. There are ways of asexual
reproduction namely, fission, budding, fragmentation, parthenogenesis and hermaphroditism.
Fertilization is the fusion of a sperm and an egg. This can occur either inside (internal
fertilization) or outside (external fertilization) the body of the female. Humans provide an
example of the former, whereas frog reproduction is an example of the latter.
Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering is the process of adding the foreign DNA to the genome of an
organism. The target of adding one or more DNA is to have one or more traits that are not
found in a certain organism. On the other hand, it can also be a process of physically removing
genes from one organism and transfers the gene(s) for one or a few traits into another gene.
To understand how genetic engineering works, we must understand the following concept:
DNA
DNA is a molecule found in the nucleus of every body cell and is made up of 4 subunits
represented by the letters which is spell out as A, T, C and G. As cited by Bruce, Albert (2000).
The order of these sub-units in the DNA stands holds a code of information for the cell. The
genetic coding uses 4 letters to spell out the instructions sequence so how to make the
proteins organisms will need to grow and live. Small segments of DNA are called genes. Each
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gene holds the instruction on how to produce a single protein. Each organism may have a
thousand of genes. The set of all genes in an organism is called a genome.
They can be part of structures (such as cell wall, organelles, tissues etc.)
They can regulate reactions that take place in the cell or they can serve as enzymes which
speed up reaction.
Everything you see in an organism is either made of proteins or the result of protein
actions.
DNA is a universal language, which means that genetic code is the same thing in all
organisms.
When a gene for a desirable trait is taken from one organism and inserted into another, it
gives the recipient organism the ability to express the trait encoded by that gene.
Analytical Engineering is the research branch of genetic engineering in which virtual genetic
models are created using computer software.
Chemical genetic engineering can be called the main level of applied genetic
engineering since it deals with separating, classifying and graphing genes to prepare
them for applied genetic engineering activities and experiments.
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are assigned to individual chromosomes and therefore, a genetic map is created
after the complete DNA sequencing of a subject is done.
Genetic mapping is very important to understanding the disease-gene link and this
understanding lays the foundation of various genes.
In studying genetic interactions helps researchers understand exactly what set and
combination of genes would produce a particular phenotype or set of morphological,
physiological and behavioral characteristics.
Gene coding deals with studying and experimenting with amino acid sequences of
DNA and RNA. It is needed to understand the heredity trends and characteristics of
a subject. This can help in understanding the bases, possibilities and conditions of
undesirable hereditary characteristics, defects and disease in a bid to come out with
medical solutions for the same.
Some scientists involved in the field of genetic research have been moving toward
the goal of being able to change DNA.
Even birth defects could be almost totally taken out if doctors were able to
change Childs genes before birth. This process could also be adapted to cure
hereditary diseases and prevent them from passing to the future generations.It could
also allow people with family histories of diseases, such as cancer, to "fix" their genetic
sequence to the disease.
Other way that genetic engineering could affect people lives is its application to
genetically modified plants and animals which are used as food.
In addition, genetic engineering might allow the creation of better tasting, or more
nutritious foods in the market.
Genetic Engineering likewise can improve the health of society tremendously. Today
genetic engineering is used in the fight against problems such as diabetes and several
more illnesses.
Human chromosome can be inserted to the plasmid of bacterial plasmid for insulin
reproduction following these steps:
1. They use an enzyme to cut the insulin gene out of the chromosome
5. The genetic engineers encourage the bacteria to accept the genetically modified
plasmids. Bacteria with the insulin gene are then multiplied.
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Uses of Genetically Modified Organisms
- GMOs will continue to developed and help farmers with their crops and to produce
safer, more consistent medicines and vaccines.
- Some GMO plants are resistant to contain herbicides making weed control easier and
more efficient. This allows for less tillage and less soil erosion.
- It creates internal defense in the plant that repels particular insect that would destroy the
crop. This means less insecticide application available. In addition, genetic engineering
might allow the creation of better tasting, or more nutritious foods in the market.
Genetic engineering likewise can improve the health of society tremendously. Today genetic
engineering is used in the fight against problems such as diabetes and several more illnesses.
Learner’s Reflection
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Parent’s / Guaradian’s Signiture over Printed Name Date
Reference:
Cadsi,R.D.,Lang-akan,P.B.(2020). Animal Reproduction. Learner’s Module in Earth and Life Science. DepEd
CAR: Learning Resource Management and Development System.