Genetic Engineering

Answer the questions in the space provided.

 Genetic Engineering

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Part 1: Pre-Activity Questions

1. What part of a eukaryotic organism contains all the information needed for it
to function?

nucleus

2. When genes are expressed, what is the final product made?

protein

3. Why are proteins important?

They build the body tissues

Part 2: Investigating Genetic Engineering

1. After exploring the general steps involved in creating a GMO plant. Use the
information collected from the three steps to fill in the table.

Purpose of Technique to Technique to

Target organism transferring the Donor isolate the isolate the gene of
gene organism DNA interest
(Step 1) (Step 2) (Step 3)
Creating insect- Bacillus Cell Lysis Restriction Enzyme
Corn plant resistant crop thuringiensis

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2. The gene of interest has to be carried and delivered to the nucleus of cells in
the target organism.

a. Write the numbers to correctly label the figure.

___1___ donor organism

___4___ target organism

___3___ the gene of interest that

codes for a desired trait

___2___donor DNA that contains

the gene of interest

b. Use the diagram. Summarize the general steps used to create a

genetically modified plant.

1. Choose a host cell and a desired gene

2. Restriction enzyme will cut the vector that’s inside the host
cell
3. DNA ligase – glues the desired gene into the vector

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 Genetic Engineering

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3. Read the statements below. Indicate whether each statement is True or

False.

Statement True or False

Genetic engineering can be used to insert genes from one True
organism into another organism.
In the practice of genetic engineering, scientists directly False
manipulate genes.
Scientists have not been able to use genetic engineering to False
protect food crops against fungi, insects, and other harmful
agents.

4. The new gene to be inserted into the cells of the plant is called exogenous
DNA. “Exo” in exogenous means “outside.” Provide a proper definition for
exogenous DNA.

DNA originating outside the organism of concern or study.

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 Genetic Engineering

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Part 3: Explain the Phenomenon

In the activity, you learned about the

general steps involved in creating a
GMO plant.

What is the difference between the

two varieties of corn?

Answer the question by writing a

claim.

Note! While working through the lesson, you will return to this page to write your
evidence, revisit your claim, and explain your reasoning.

CER Chart
(Claims, Evidence, Reasoning)

Write your claim below.

A claim is a statement that answers a question.
Left corn: eaten by insects
Right corn: have not been eaten by insects

Write your evidence below.

The evidence is the data used to support the claim.
Left corn: susceptible to insects
Right corn: resistant to insects

Write your reasoning below.

The reasoning is the explanation of “why and how” the evidence supports the
claim.
Left corn: does not have the resistance trait because they did not insert the
desired trait that resist the insects
Right corn: has the resistance trait because they inserted the desired trait that

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 Genetic Engineering

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resist the insects

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