 3 PARTS:  ATMOSPHERE  ATMOSPHERE (air)  HYDROSPHERE (water)  LITHOSPHERE (crust) Pic from: The Thin layer of LIFE on the Earth.

 Except for identical twins no two people are genetically alike .10 %of the human genome varies between people!!  DNA can be used in identifying human remains, providing evidence in criminal cases, and determining paternity

 Noncoding DNA – DNA that doesn’t code for a protein “junk” DNA  Polymorphism-variations in the length of “junk” DNA  VNTR- variable number tandem repeats-  number of repeats determines what is different in individuals & this is what forensic scientists look at in DNA profiling  Ex: CACACACACACA-can repeat a few times or many times

 1. Isolate the sample and make copies  2. Cut the DNA into shorter fragments that contain known VNTR’s  3. Sort the DNA by size (use gel electrophoresis)  4. Compare patterns of the unknown DNA sample to a known DNA sample

 Polymerase chain reaction – technique used to make copies of DNA fragments  You can make millions of copies 18mp.army.mil authorjenniferchase.com

 Restriction enzymes-bacterial proteins that recognize a specific sequence of DNA and cut the DNA in specific sequences biotechlearn.org.nz

 Fragments of DNA are studied using a technique called gel electrophoresis  Separates molecules according to size & electrical charge  The smaller fragments move faster and farther than the larger fragments en.wikipedia.org biology.arizona.edu

 Biologists use subtle genetic differences in DNA to identify each individual baronescience.info Accuracy: odds that 2 people will share the same DNA profile are about one in one billion!! DNA fingerprinting compares between 5-13 VNTR’s to produce a profile

 Genetic engineering-altering the genetic material of cells or organisms to allow them to make new substances  Clone – exact copy of DNA segment, cell, or complete organism  Plasmid – small rings of DNA found naturally in some bacterial cells  Vector – any agent, such as a plasmid or virus that can carry a DNA molecule from 1 organism to another

 Recombinant DNA – when DNA from 2 different organisms is joined To do this: Insert a gene for an enzyme or hormone into a genome of bacteria or another organism - the organism produces new proteins that it couldn’t before - examples include insulin and HGF

 A research effort to sequence all 3.3 billion nucleotides of the human genome  Determine locations of every gene on every chromosome!! bioinformaticonline.com

 identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA  determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA  store this information in databases  improve tools for data analysis  transfer related technologies to the private sector  address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project.

 There are about 8 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (places where individuals differ by only 1 nucleotide – used in DNA fingerprinting)

 Discovered specific genes responsible genes responsible for several genetic disorders  Researchers can improve diagnoses and treatments for more than 4,000 disorders

Medical Applications – gene therapy, cloning, vaccines B. Agricultural Applications – genetically modified crops C. Bioethics – the study of ethical issues related to DNA technology

 Gene Therapy – introducing a gene into a patients cell to treat a genetic disorder  Works best with disorders that result from the loss of a single protein  Ex. Cystic fibrosis, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Anemia Steps involved in gene therapy  1. Isolate the functional gene  2. Insert healthy gene into a viral vector  3. Introduce the recombinant virus to the patient

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 The glow in the dark cat is the result of a genetic experiment.  Researchers wanted to see if he was a transgenic cat – immune to FIV Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species.

 Began in the 1990’s with cloning whole organisms such as sheep and mice  Dolly was the first cloned mammal born in 1996  She suffered premature ageing and disease and died at 6 yrs old possibly from having short telomeres. randomworldofjen.blogspot.com

1. Egg has nucleus(with its DNA) removed 2. Cell from organism to be cloned, such as a skin cell, is collected. 3. Empty egg & whole skin cell are placed close together & electric shocked, which makes them fuse together. 4. The new cell contains DNA from only 1 cell (the skin cell, not the egg) & is grown It becomes a new baby.

 Develop new strains of plants called genetically modified (GM) crops  Increase the amount produced and improve nutrition  In Asia researchers added genes to rice to over come the iron deficiencies

The first commercially grown genetically modified food crop, a tomato, was made more resistant to rotting, by adding a gene Approved by FDA –decided it did not constitute a health hazard, and did not need special labeling. Calgene was allowed to release it into the market. Welcomed by consumers who purchased the fruit at two to five times the price of standard tomatoes. Company bought by Monsanto in Monsanto Company is a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation & is the world's leading producer of the herbicide Roundup. Monsanto is also by far the leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seed, holding 70%–100% market share for various crops.

Scientists introduced a new gene into milk cows that could get them to produce human milk Healthier alternative for formula?

 Flounder is a fish that can withstand icy cold temperatures.  Scientists took the gene in the fish that Produces an antifreeze & inserted it into a plasmid of a bacterium  The bacterium infected the strawberry & the flounder antifreeze gene entered the strawberry’s DNA  The new GM strawberry cells are grown Into new plants that have strawberries which make a protein that keeps the fruit from frost damage. floundergigging.co m

 Stop mosquito born diseases like malaria buy creating insects that are less infectious  Trying to get them released in the Key West to help eradicate dengue fever and the mosquitos that spread it

 In Israel scientists have discovered a way to make a more convenient type chicken – one that’s easier to process  Grows faster because it doesn’t have to use energy to create feathers  Only lives in warmer climates

 Is the food safe to eat?  Is the food harmful to the environment?  What are your thoughts on gene therapy?  Cloning of human embryos? Decisions must be made by both scientists and the public