10.

8- Recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA (rDNA) is defined as the DNA that results from moving a section of DNA from its
normal location and inserting it into DNA at another site. This new site can be within the DNA of the
same organism or a different organism. Recombinant DNA can occur naturally or it can occur by
using biotechnology.

Activity 1: Identify which of the following situations involve recombinant DNA.

Does this situation

involve
Situation
recombinant DNA?
(yes/no)

An egg cell forms with a chromosomal mutation that involves ..

translocation of part of chromosome 21 onto chromosome 14.

b) A person is sitting in the Sun and some of their skin cells have point
mutations occur due to their exposure to ultra-violet radiation. l..
-- - - -
c) Genetic engineers have inserted a spider gene for silk production
into the bacterial genome off. coli, creating transgenic bacteria. ..

d) A virus infects a cell and inserts its viral genome into the host cell's
DNA to allow viral protein production. ..
------- ---
e) DNA replication is occurring in a cell prior to mitosis (cell division)
and an error is made causing one base substitution to occur. nn

Activity 2: Multiple-choice questions

1. Which part of meiosis is an example of 3. Which of these organisms' genomes features

natural recombinant DNA formation? recombinant DNA due to genetic engineering?
a) Separation of homologous chromosomes a) Starbuck-II, the clone of Starbuck
b) Separate of sister chromatids b) Golden Rice
c) Crossing over between sister chromatids c) Mendel's pea plants
d) Formation of a haploid gamete d) Selectively bred dogs

2. Which reproductive technology relies on 4. Which of these mutations involves the

biotechnology creating recombinant DNA? formation of recombinant DNA?
a) Artificial pollination a) A base deletion
b) Artificial insemination b) A base substitution
c) Whole organism cloning c) A chromosome translocation
d) Transgenic organisms d) A missing chromosome

Module 6: Genetic Change 166 © Blitzing Publications

Activity 3: Fill in the blanks

•desired • eel • engineering • foreign • genes • growth • methods • microinjection

• nucleus • organism • pasting • rapidly • recombinant • regulators • structure • virus

Transgenic organisms contain _________ DNA (rDNA). A transgenic _______ is

created using genetic (GE) to insert one or more foreign _____ into an
organism's genome. This gives ______ traits to the transgenic organism, e.g. AquaBounty's
GE salmon has recombinant DNA featuring the ______ hormone gene from another salmon
species, as well as recombinant DNA featuring gene regulators from an ___ species. The goal of
this GE is to make the salmon grow more ______ to help meet human food demands.
The insertion of ______ genes into an organism is possible as the DNA in all organisms has
the same molecular-------� featuring the same bases. It is important when inserting
recombinant DNA that appropriate gene ________ are included, or the desired gene will
not be transcribed.
Three different ______ of inserting recombinant DNA include:
1. Using a as a vector to insert DNA into a host cell.
2. 'Cutting and ' the DNA from the
Cell being directly
original organism into a bacterial plasmid. injected with DNA'-----._
3. Injecting DNA directly into the cell ______ of
the host organism, e.g. using a gene gun to blast the
Sharp
/
gene into the nucleus, or using a sharp micropipette
micropipette
to perform ___________ (to insert DNA) Blunt micropipette
(to hold cell in place)
Activity 4: Quick questions

a) What does rDNA stand for? Recombinant DNA

b) What does GE stand for? ________________________

_
c) What feature of DNA allows it to be transferred between organisms? __________

d) What are the sources of the recombinant DNA in AquaBounty salmon? __________

e) Why is it important to include gene regulators when inserting recombinant DNA?

f) Identify two different tools that can be used to inject DNA directly into a cell nucleus?

g) What can be used as a vector to insert DNA into a host cell? ______________
h) What type of organism can have DNA from another
organism 'cut and pasted' into one of its plasmids? A transgenic organism

© Blitzing Publications 167 Module 6: Genetic Change