Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF CANDON CITY
Candon City, Ilocos Sur

GENERAL BIOLOGY 2
Quarter 3 – Week 1 – Module 1
Prepared by: Elsa B. Biswelan

Lesson
Genetic Engineering
1
I. OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe genetic engineering.
2. Outline the processes involved in genetic engineering. (STEM_BIO11/12-IIIa-b-6).

II. GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. How do we describe genetic engineering?
2. How do we outline the processes involved in genetic engineering?

III. DISCUSSION

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.

In a simple perspective, genetic engineering is the process of manually transferring

genetic information from one organism to another. But when one thinks of the processes in
genetic engineering, they are more likely to picture a complicated science that involves altering
the very building blocks of life.

Genetic engineering is accomplished in three basic steps. These are (1) The isolation of
DNA fragments from a donor organism; (2) The insertion of an isolated donor DNA fragment
into a vector genome and (3) The growth of a recombinant vector in an appropriate host. (See
illustration in the example)

The Process of 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

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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 the desired phenotype.

One of the most amazing things about life on earth which we often take for granted is
that all life uses the same DNA code to store its information and create proteins. Because all
of life uses the same DNA code, we are now able to combine DNA from one species with
another to produce proteins in new and different ways which are revolutionizing science and
medicine. The bacterial plasmids which you already know about are often very crucial for these
genetic engineering techniques. There are several steps in the process of genetic engineering.
Scientists follow a step-by-step process to alter the DNA of an organism.

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 the desired phenotype.
As shown in Figure 2, The first stage of the process is to identify the section of DNA that
contains the required gene from the source chromosome. In the second stage, extract the
required gene. In the third stage, the bacterial plasmid is removed from the bacterial cell and
cut open using enzymes. In the fourth stage, insert plasmid into the host cell and sealed using
enzymes. The fifth stage, grow transformed cells to produce a genetically modified organism
(GMO).

IV. EXAMPLES:

https://images.app.goo.gl/MhHEuYajesop8u1c6
Figure 1. The basic processes in genetic engineering.

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 Source: http://www.kicsforum.net/docsweb/images/Basics-Genetic-Modification-2.jpg

Figure 2. The process to alter the DNA of an organism.

IV. GENERALIZATION
Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using
biotechnology. It covers different kinds of technologies used to alter the genomes that including
the insertion of genes from other individual either the same or from different species that aims
to produce or improve products.

V. EXERCISES:
Activity 1
DIRECTIONS: Arrange in sequence the process of genetic engineering from first to last by
writing 1 – 5 on the box provided before each stage. Write your answers on a
a separate sheet of paper.
1. The modified plasmid is inserted into the host bacterial cell to produce a genetically
modified organism.
2. The bacterial plasmid is removed from the bacterial cell and cut open using enzymes.

3. The identified gene is extracted from the chromosome using enzymes.

4. The required gene is inserted into the bacterial plasmid and sealed using enzymes.

5. The section of DNA that contains the required gene is identified.

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Activity 2
DIRECTIONS: Study the figures below. Choose and write the correct process of genetic
engineering inside the box. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

* Multiplying the plasmid in bacteria

* Identification of the gene interest
* Removal of plasmid from bacterial cell
* Required gene is inserted into a bacterial plasmid
* Identified gene is extracted from the chromosome

https://images.app.goo.gl/MhHEuYajesop8u1c6

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 Lesson
The Application of
2 recombinant DNA
I. OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
2. Discuss the application of recombinant DNA (STEM_BIO11/12-la-c-2)

II. GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. How can we describe recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?
2. How can we describe the application of recombinant DNA?

III. DISCUSSION

Recombinant DNA is widely used in biotechnology, medicine, and research. Today,

recombinant proteins and other products that result from the use of DNA technology are found
in essentially every western pharmacy, physician or veterinarian office, medical testing
laboratory, and biological research laboratory. In addition, organisms that have been
manipulated using recombinant DNA technology, as well as products derived from those
organisms, have found their way into many farms, supermarkets, home medicine cabinets, and
even pet shops, such as those that sell Glo Fish and other genetically modified animals.

Recombinant DNA technology refers to the joining together of DNA molecules from two
different species that are inserted into a host organism to produce new genetic combinations
that are of value to science, medicine, agriculture, and industry.

Recombinant DNA (rDNA), on the other hand, is the general name for a piece of DNA
that has been created by the combination of at least two strands.

They are DNA molecules formed by laboratory methods of genetic recombination (such
as molecular cloning) to bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating
sequences that would not otherwise be found in the genome.

Application of Recombinant DNA technology

❖ Recombinant DNA is widely used in biotechnology, medicine, and research.

❖ The most common application of recombinant DNA is in basic research, in which the
technology is important to most current work in the biological and biomedical sciences.
❖ Recombinant DNA is used to identify, map, and sequence genes, and to determine their
function.

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 ❖ Recombinant proteins are widely used as reagents in laboratory experiments and to
generate antibody probes for examining protein synthesis within cells and organisms.
❖ Many additional practical applications of recombinant DNA are found in industry, food
production, human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and bioengineering.
❖ DNA technology is also used to detect the presence of HIV in a person.
❖ Application of recombinant DNA technology in Agriculture, new varieties of plants are
always needed. – For example, diseases are continually arising in new forms which can
attack previously resistant crops. Plant breeders need to be one step ahead of the
pathogens and prepare new resistant varieties for release. (See Figure in the example)

Many different traits 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

Insulin Insertion of Bt-toxin Corn / Production of corn plants with

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

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IV. EXAMPLES:
Application of Recombinant Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

V. GENERALIZATION
Recombinant DNA is widely used in biotechnology, medicine, and research.
Recombinant DNA is used to identify, map, and sequence genes, and to determine their
function. rDNA probes are employed in analyzing gene expression within individual cells, and
throughout the tissues of whole organisms. Genetic engineering technology is used to improve
in the field of science, medicine, agriculture, and industry.

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VI. EXERCISES:
Activity 1
DIRECTIONS: Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is NOT a tool in recombinant DNA technology?

A. Enzymes
B. Host organisms
C. Restriction enzymes
D. Vectors

2. Which of the following processes is where genes are inserted into the genome of a
different organism?
A. Cloning
B. Gene splicing
C. Gel electrophoresis
D. Selective breeding

3. Which is a commonly used host organism in recombinant DNA?

A. Bacteria
B. Cells
C. Plasmid
D. Vectors

4. Which of the following does NOT perform to produce recombinant DNA?

A. Selection of the perfect enzymes
B. Removal of the genetic sequences of an organism.
C. Selection of the perfect vector with which the gene must be integrated
D. Insertion of the genetic sequences into other sequences of another organism
5. Which among the choices below is used for improving human health conditions by
producing vaccines and pharmaceuticals?
A. Cloning
B. Gene splicing
C. Selective breeding
D. Recombinant DNA technology
Activity 2
DIRECTIONS: Below are some of the arguments about the use of Genetically modified
organisms or transgenic organisms (GMOs). From your perspective, briefly
answer the following questions in not more than 4 sentences.

1. Among the cited examples of transgenic or Genetic Modified Organism (GMO) which
do you think is the most beneficial?
2. If you are a farmer, would you take the chance of growing corn that is pest resistant?
Why or why not?
3. Considering the knowledge gained in genetic engineering, would you try to
patronize GMO fruits and vegetables? Why or why not?

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 4. What is your view of creating or altering genes of an organism about natural creation
by God? Explain your answer.
5. Is genetic engineering morally permissible or not?

VII. REFERENCES:
Greenaway, P.J. (2008). Basic Steps in Genetic Engineering.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207238008737419

National 5 Biology. Unit 1 Cell Biology Chapter 6.

https://sites.google.com/a/edubuzz.org/nat5biopl/unit-1-cell-biology/6-genetic-
engineering

The Basics of Genetic Engineering (The Process of Genetic Engineering).

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

VIII. ANSWER KEY:

5. D
4. B
3. A
2. B
Answers May vary 1. C
Activity 2 Activity 1
Lesson 2
5. 1
4. 4
3. 2
2 3
Answers May Vary 1. 4
Activity 2 Activity 1
Lesson 1

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