General Biology 2

Quarter 3, Module 1
Genetic Engineering
General Biology 1
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3, Module 1: Genetic Engineering
First Edition, 2020

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General Biology 2
Quarter 3 – Module 1:
Genetic Engineering
Introductory Message

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 What I Need To Know

To survive, man has successfully domesticated selected plants and animals.

He has taken an active part in choosing desired traits of plants and animals. Traits
that were considered valuable (i.e. high fruit yield; high milk production, etc.) were
sought out and propagated. The processes involved may include classical breeding
practices such as controlled pollination of plants, and the mating of animals with
desired traits. In today’s modern science, molecular biology techniques are being
employed in the insertion and expression of proteins in different organisms for
various purposes.

In this module you will deal with concepts and activities that will help you
understand what genetic engineering is and what are the processes involved
modern genetic engineering techniques. The activities will also let you discuss
examples of products from recombinant DNA technology.

In this module, you are expected to:

1. Outline the processes involved in genetic engineering;
2. Discuss the applications of recombinant DNA; and
3. Explain the impact of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) on society.

What I Know

I. Directions: Identify if the following statement as:

A. true B. False C. Partially true D. Partially false

1) A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by ligation enzymes (LEs).

2) Genetic engineering is the process of using recombinant DNA (rDNA)

technology to alter the genetic makeup of an organism.

3) Genetic engineering is sometimes called genetic combination.

4) The first step in making recombinant DNA is removing DNA from the cell
nucleus.

5) After ligation, the recombinant plasmid would be transferred into a host cell
that would carry out replication to make huge copies of the recombined
plasmid.

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 6) Heat Shock Treatment is a process used to transfer plasmid DNA into plants.

7) Recombinant DNA technology is playing a vital role in improving health

conditions by developing new vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

8) Genetic engineering has wide applications in solving the environmental

issues.

9) Human Insulin is a product of genetic engineering.

10) Biolistic is commonly used for insertion of genes into mammalian cells.

II. Directions: Identify if the following statement as:

A. Food & Agriculture B. Medicine C. Environment & Industry

11) Energy applications

12) Production of antibiotics.

13) Gene Therapy

14) Development of transgenic plants.

15) Development of root nodules in cereal crops.

What’s In

Insulin is a protein that helps the body regulate the use of sugar. The
pancreas of a person who has diabetes may not make insulin. Until the 1980s, a
person with diabetes had to take artificial insulin that was extracted from the body
of a pig. But there were problems associated with using nonhuman insulin. Now
human insulin can be made in a laboratory. Bacterial cells can be genetically
modified so that they have the gene for producing human insulin. As these
modified bacteria grow, they produce human insulin. This protein can be purified
and supplied to diabetics. The production of human insulin resulted from Genetic
Engineering.

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 What’s New

ACTIVITY 1. Directions: Analyze the picture below and fill column 1 with the
correct number. Then, write the correct sequence on the blanks provided.

2 1

4 3

The process for making Recombinant DNA.

Source: https://www.ck12.org/book/human-biology-genetics/section/10.1/

Column A Column B
Scientist cut open the plasmid.
Scientists remove plasmid DNA from a bacterium
A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes
(REs)
The cut ends of the plasmid DNA will be attached (ligation) to the
of the gene of interest (e.g., from animal or human) to form a new
loop of plasmid DNA, called recombinant DNA.
DNA is removed from the cell nucleus.

1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________

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 What is It

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the process of using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology

to alter the genetic makeup of an organism. Traditionally, humans have
manipulated genomes indirectly by controlling breeding and selecting offspring with
desired traits. Genetic engineering involves the direct manipulation of one or more
genes. Most often, a gene from another species is added to an organism's genome to
give it a desired phenotype.

Genetic engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process of

altering the DNA in an organism’s genome. This may mean changing one base pair
(A-T or C-G), deleting a whole region of DNA, or introducing an additional copy of a
gene. It may also mean extracting DNA from another organism’s genome and
combining it with the DNA of that individual. Genetic engineering is used by
scientists to enhance or modify the characteristics of an individual organism.
Genetic engineering can be applied to any organism, from a virus to a sheep. For
example, genetic engineering can be used to produce plants that have a higher
nutritional value or can tolerate exposure to herbicides.

Genetic engineering comprises multiple techniques for the intentional

manipulation of genetic material (primarily deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA) to alter,
repair, or enhance form or function. The modification of traits may involve:

• introduction of new traits into an organism

• enhancement of a present trait by increasing the expression of the desired
gene.
• enhancement of a present trait by disrupting the inhibition of the desired
genes’ expression.

How does genetic engineering work?

To help explain the process of genetic engineering we have taken the

example of insulin, a protein that helps regulate the sugar levels in our blood.

Normally insulin is produced in the pancreas, but in people with type 1

diabetes? there is a problem with insulin production. People with diabetes therefore
must inject insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Genetic engineering has
been used to produce a type of insulin, very similar to our own, from yeast and
bacteria like E. coli. This genetically modified insulin, ‘Humulin’ was licensed for
human use in 1982.

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Above image Source:
https://www.whatisbiotechnology.org/asset
s/images/science/pages/rdna.jpg

Left Image Source:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/52/23/1c/52231c812a7a22
ae2efd38a83a73cf05.gif

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The Process of Genetic Engineering

The process of genetic engineering is not a simple task, it requires complex

machinery and innovative minds. Since farming began, humans have been
selectively breeding different plants, doing so provided more food and better food
for all. This process is genetic engineering in much simpler terms than we think of
it today.

Now, when one thinks of genetic engineering, they are more likely to picture
a complicated science which involves altering the very building blocks of life. The
are several steps in the process of genetic engineering. Scientists follow a step-by-
step process to alter the DNA of an organism.

The process for making recombinant DNA follows:

Source: https://www.ck12.org/book/human-biology-genetics/section/10.1/

Steps:
1. DNA is removed from the cell nucleus.
2. Scientists remove plasmid DNA from s bacterium.
3. A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes (REs)
4. Scientist cut open the plasmid.

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 5. The cut ends of the plasmid DNA will be attached (ligation) to the of the gene
of interest (e.g. from animal or human) to form a new loop of plasmid DNA,
called recombinant DNA.
6. After ligation, the recombinant plasmid would be transferred into a host cell
that would carry out replication to make huge copies of the recombined
plasmid.
7. Selection process to screen which cells contain the gene of interest.
8. Sequencing of the gene to find out the primary structure of the protein.

Source:http://biotechnologyfarishak.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/9/5/23954250/761970_orig.jpg

Scientists use special containers that have all the nutrients these bacterial
cells need to grow and reproduce as quickly as possible. After the bacterial cells
grow and divide many times and produce all the proteins coded by the plasmid
DNA, the scientists open the cells and remove the proteins needed, such as insulin.

There are different ways in which these plasmids may be introduced into
host organisms.

1. Biolistic
In this technique, a “gene gun” is used to fire DNA-coated pellets on
plant tissues. Cells that survive the bombardment and can take up the
expression plasmid coated pellets and acquire the ability to express the
designed protein. This method is commonly used in plants.

2. Plasmid insertion by Heat Shock Treatment

Heat Shock Treatment is a process used to transfer plasmid DNA into
bacteria. The target cells are pre-treated before the procedure to increase the
pore sizes of their plasma membranes. This pretreatment (usually with
CaCl2) is said to make the cells “competent” for accepting the plasmid DNA.

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 After the cells are made competent, they are incubated with the desired
plasmid at about 4°C for about 30min. The plasmids concentrate near the
cells during this time. Afterwards, a “Heat Shock” is done on the plasmid-cell
solution by incubating it at 42°C for 1 minute then back to 4°C for 2
minutes. The rapid rise and drop of temperature are believed to increase and
decrease the pore sizes in the membrane. The plasmid DNA near the
membrane surface is taken into the cells by this process. The cells that took
up the plasmids acquire new traits and are said to be “transformed”.

3. Electroporation
This technique follows a similar methodology as Heat Shock
Treatment, but the expansion of the membrane pores is done through an
electric “shock”. This method is commonly used for insertion of genes into
mammalian cells.

Applications of Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) has many uses in the society of today, from
research and biotechnology to the medicine stocked on the shelves of pharmacies.
The ability to manipulate the creation of DNA with technology has proven to be
useful in various applications.

There are many different traits that can be introduced to organisms to

change their properties. The following table shows examples of modified traits using
cloned genes and their applications:

MODIFIED GENE RECIPIENT APPLICATION

TRAIT MODIFICATION ORGANISM (FIELD)
Insulin Insertion of Human (Medicine) Production of Human
Bacteria
Production Insulin Gene Insulin in Bacteria
Insertion of (Agriculture) Production of corn plants
Pest
Bt-toxin Corn / Maize with increased
Resistance
gene resistance to corn boxer
(Agriculture)
Disruption of a gene Production of plants with fruits that
Delayed for a ripening have delayed ripening fruits. These
Ripening enzyme (e.g. Tomato plant fruits will
polygalacturonase) survive longer transport time, allowing
their delivery to further locations (i.e.
export deliveries)
(Industry)
Enhance large scale production of
chymosin. This enzyme serves as a
Chymosin substitute for rennet in the
Insertion of a gene
Production coagulation of milk. Rennet must be
for Bacteria
harvested from calves. The large-scale
chymosin
production of this enzyme in bacteria
provides an abundant supply of this
important component for the cheese
production industry.

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 1. Food and Agriculture
Genetic engineering can be used to produce plants that have a higher
nutritional value or can tolerate exposure to herbicides. Particularly, in
agriculture, the genetically modified plants have augmented resistance to
harmful agents, enhanced product yield, and shown increased adaptability
for better survival. Genetic engineering has several potential applications in
crop improvement, such as:
• Distant Hybridization
• Development of Transgenic Plants
• Development of Root Nodules in Cereal Crops
• Development of C4 Plants.

2. Medicine
Recombinant DNA technology is playing a vital role in improving
health conditions by developing new vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
• Production of Antibiotics
• Production of Hormone Insulin
• Development of Vaccines and Recombinant Hormones
• Production of Interferon
• Production of Enzymes
• Gene Therapy
• Solution of Disputed Parentage
• Investigation of the Drug Metabolism
• Production of Antibodies
• Diagnosis of Disease and Their Derivatives
• Production of Transgenic Animals

The following table shows some medically useful recombinant products and their
applications:

Source:https://www.biologydiscussion.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/clip_image002146.jpg

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 3. Environment & Industry Applications
Genetic engineering has wide applications in solving the
environmental issues especially with:
• Phytoremediation and Plant Resistance Development
• Energy Applications

In industries, recombinant DNA technique will help in the production

of chemical compounds of commercial importance, improvement of existing
fermentation processes and production of proteins from wastes. This can be
achieved by developing more efficient strains of microorganisms. Specially
developed microorganisms may be used even to clean up the pollutants.
Thus, biotechnology, especially recombinant DNA technology has many
useful applications in crop improvement, medicines, and industry.

What’s More

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms that have had
their genes altered in some way. GMOs can be animals or bacteria, but most often
they are crops like corn or potatoes that have been tweaked in a lab to increase the
amount or quality of food they produce. GMOs, short for genetically modified
organisms, are subject to a lot of controversy. There are many advantages of GMO
crops, but some groups have raised concerns that GMOs may have negative health
effects.

ACTIVITY 2. Directions: List down the impact (pros and cons) of Genetically
Modified Organisms to our society.

PROS CONS

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 What I Have Learned

ACTIVITY 3: Directions: Fill in the blanks with words to complete the paragraph.

Genetic engineering is the process of using 1. (rDNA)

technology to alter the genetic makeup of an organism. Scientists follow a step-by-
step process to alter the 2. of an organism. The process for making
recombinant DNA follows. First, DNA is removed from the cell 3. .
Scientists remove plasmid DNA from a bacterium. A gene is cut or cleaved from
DNA strand by 4. (REs). Scientist cut open the 5. . The
cut ends of the plasmid DNA will be attached (ligation) to the of the 6.
(e.g., from animal or human) to form a new loop of plasmid DNA, called
recombinant DNA. After ligation, the recombinant plasmid would be transferred
into a host cell that would carry out 7. to make huge copies of the
recombined plasmid. Selection process to screen which cells contain the gene of
interest. Sequencing of the gene to find out the primary structure of the protein.
There are different ways in which these plasmids may be introduced into host
organisms: 8. , Plasmid insertion by 9. and
Electroporation. Recombinant DNA (rDNA) has many uses in the society of today,
from research and biotechnology to the medicine stocked on the shelves of
pharmacies. The ability to manipulate the creation of DNA with technology has
proven to be useful in various applications including in the fields of Food and
Agriculture, 10. , Environment, and Industry.

What I Can Do
Activity 4. Directions: Think of a plant or a genetic condition that might be
improved through DNA technology. Write a paragraph describing the improvements
you might make. Also discuss some of the risks that might be involved in this
genetic engineering project.

___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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 Assessment

Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.

1. The modification of traits may involve the following, except _______________.

A. introduction of new traits into an organism
B. prevention of expression of desired traits.
C. enhancement of a present trait by increasing the expression of the
desired gene.
D. enhancement of a present trait by disrupting the inhibition of the desired
genes’ expression.

2. What enzyme cuts or cleaves a gene DNA strand?

A. Catalytic enzyme C. Ligation Enzymes
B. Anabolic Enzyme D. Restriction Enzymes

3. The following are existing products of genetic engineering, except:

A. Human Insulin C. Designer Babies
B. Vaccines D. Transgenic Plants

4. Which of the followings methods is commonly used for insertion of genes

into mammalian cells?
A. Electroporation C. Plasmid Insertion
B. Gene Gun D. Biolistic

5. What happens after ligation of plasmid DNA and gene of interest?

A. Scientists remove plasmid DNA from s bacterium.
B. A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes (REs)
C. Scientist cut open the plasmid.
D. The recombinant plasmid would be transferred into a host cell that would
carry out replication to make huge copies of the recombined plasmid.

6. What happens after DNA is removed from the cell nucleus?

A. Scientists remove plasmid DNA from s bacterium.
B. A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes (REs)
C. Scientist cut open the plasmid.
D. The recombinant plasmid would be transferred into a host cell that would
carry out replication to make huge copies of the recombined plasmid.

7. What should occur before Scientist cut open the plasmid.?

A. Scientists remove plasmid DNA from s bacterium.
B. A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes (REs)
C. Scientist cut open the plasmid.
D. The recombinant plasmid would be transferred into a host cell that would
carry out replication to make huge copies of the recombined plasmid.
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 8. Which of the following is an application of recombinant DNA to the field of
industry?
A. Insulin Production in Bacteria
B. Pest Resistance in Corn
C. Delayed Ripening in Tomato plant
D. Chymosin Production in bacteria for milk production

9. The following are application of recombinant DNA to the field of food and
industry, except:
A. Distant Hybridization
B. Development of Transgenic Plants
C. Phytoremediation and Plant Resistance Development
D. Development of Root Nodules in Cereal Crops

10. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms that have had
their genes altered in some way.
A. True C. Partially True
B. False D. Partially False
Choices For Numbers 11-15:
A. Food & Agriculture B. Medicine C. Environment & Industry

11. Development of transgenic plants.

12. Phytoremediation and Plant Resistance Development
13. Production of enzymes.
14. Distant Hybridization
15. Production of Interferon

Additional Activities

Directions: Pick one big idea from this unit and design a way to share that idea
with someone who is not in your science class. You might choose a parent since
many of the things you studied were not known when your parents went to school.
You might choose a younger person in your school or a sibling. Explain the idea
with a cartoon, poster, infographic, or story. Choose only one.

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 14
What’s New
4 Scientist cut open the plasmid.
2 Scientists remove plasmid DNA from a bacterium
3 A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes (REs)
The cut ends of the plasmid DNA will be attached (ligation) to the of the gene of
5 interest (e.g., from animal or human) to form a new loop of plasmid DNA, called
recombinant DNA.
1 DNA is removed from the cell nucleus.
1. DNA is removed from the cell nucleus.
2. Scientists remove plasmid DNA from s bacterium.
3. A gene is cut or cleaved from DNA strand by restriction enzymes (REs)
4. Scientist cut open the plasmid.
5. The cut ends of the plasmid DNA will be attached (ligation) to the of the gene of interest (e.g.
from animal or human) to form a new loop of plasmid DNA, called recombinant DNA.
What I Can Do-Answers may vary.
What’s More- Answers may vary.
Additional Activities - Answers may vary. Teacher may use their own rubrics for grading.
What I Have Learned: What I Know Assessment:
1. Recombinant DNA 1. B 1. B
2. DNA 2. A 2. D
3. nucleus 3. B 3. C
4. restriction enzymes 4. A 4. A
5. plasmid 5. A 5. D
6. gene of interest 6. B 6. A
7. replication 7. A 7. B
8. Biolistic 8. A 8. D
9. Heat Shock Treatment 9. A 9. C
10. Medicine 10. B 10. A
11. C 11. A
12. B 12. C
13. B 13. B
14. A 14. A
15. A 15. B
Answer Key
References:
Ebook:
General Biology 2 Teaching Guide

Links:

Application of Recombinant DNA (n.d.) retrieved from

https://www.biologydiscussion.com/dna/recombinant-dna-
technology/applications-of-recombinant-dna-technology-3-
applications/15650

Genetic Engineering (2014) retrieved from

https://www.ck12.org/book/human-biology-genetics/section/10.1/

Khan, S., Ullah, M. W., Siddique, R., Nabi, G., Manan, S., Yousaf, M., & Hou, H.
(2016). Role of Recombinant DNA Technology to Improve Life. International
journal of genomics, 2016, 2405954.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2405954

Recombinant DNA (n.d.) retrieved from

https://www.whatisbiotechnology.org/index.php/science/summary/rdna

Recombinant DNA Applications (n.d.) retrieved from

https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Recombinant-DNA-
Applications.aspx

The Basics of Genetic Engineering (n.d.) retrieved from

https://sites.psu.edu/english202geneticengineering/genetic-
engineering/how-it-works/

What is genetic engineering? (n.d.) retrieved from

https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-genetic-engineering

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Department of Education – Region VII- City of Naga Division

Office Address: Ecology Center, West Poblacion, City of Naga Cebu

Telefax: (032) 3454776
E-mail Address: city.naga@deped.gov.ph