1. Key Area: 2 Therapeutic uses of cells
Unit 1: Cell Biology

2. Genetic Engineering What is genetic engineering? What is it used for?
Cell Biology
National 4 Biology
Metabolism and Survival

3. Genetic Engineering
Watch the following clip on genetic engineering and answer the following questions.
1. What 3 things are produced by genetically
modifying microbes?
2. Name the first organisms to be genetically
modified and when this was done?
3. What does insulin normally do? What
condition arises from not making insulin?
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Cell Biology
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4. Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering means the manipulation of organisms to make useful products and it has broad applications.
Genetic engineering has applications in medicine, research, industry and agriculture.
It can be used on a wide range of plants, animals and microorganisms.
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5. Genetic Engineering
In medicine, genetic engineering has been used to mass produce insulin, human growth hormone, human albumin, vaccines and many other drugs.
In research, organisms are genetically engineered to discover the functions of certain genes.
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6. Genetic Engineering
Industrial applications include transforming microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast with a gene coding for a useful protein.
Mass quantities of the protein can be produced by growing the transformed organism in bioreactors using fermentation, then purifying the protein.
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7. Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is used in agriculture to create genetically modified crops or genetically modified organisms.
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8. Genetically Modified
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is one that has been generated through genetic engineering.
The first GMOs were bacteria in 1973.
GM mice were generated in 1974.
Insulin producing bacteria were commercialised in 1982.
Genetically modified food has been sold since 1994
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9. The process of Genetic Engineering
The normal activities of a bacterium are controlled by its single chromosome and small rings of genes called plasmids.
In genetic engineering, pieces of chromosomes from a different organism can be inserted into a plasmid.
This allows the bacteria to make a new substance.
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10. The process of Genetic Engineering
Collect the diagram and complete the labels.
Collect the cut out sheet and put the stages of genetic engineering in the correct order.
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11. The process of Genetic Engineering
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12. Uses of bacteria
One of the most common organisms used in genetic modification are bacteria.
Bacteria are useful as they are relatively simple to modify, they grow and multiple easily and can quickly produce lots of a particular protein or product.
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13. Uses of genetic engineering
Genetic engineering is used for the production of substances which used to be both expensive and difficult to produce.
Examples are:
Insulin for the control of diabetes
Antibiotics such as penicillin
Vaccines for the control of disease
Enzymes for laundry detergents
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14. Uses of genetic engineering
Genetic engineering produces organisms which have genotypes that are best suited for a particular function.
Genotype – this is the particular combination of genes expressed by an organism.
In the past man has used selective breeding to achieve organisms which have genotypes that are best suited for a particular function
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15. Uses of genetic engineering
Genetic engineering has several advantages over selective breeding.
Particular useful characteristics can be selected.
The selection may be quicker.
A desirable characteristic can be transferred from one species to another.
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16. Uses of genetic engineering
As well as bacteria, plants and animals can also be genetically modified. It is therefore possible to genetically modify people.
Genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, could possibly be cured this way.
Genetic engineering could even be used to change physical appearance, metabolism and improve memory and intelligence.
These uses though are of lower priority to researchers and limited to science fiction.
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17. Issues of genetic engineering
There are dangers associated with genetic engineering since it creates completely new strains of bacteria.
It could be possible to create bacteria which are harmful to animal or plant life.
e.g. the gene that gives some plants resistance to weed killers may ‘jump’ to weeds
Or the gene carried by viruses into humans may be inserted in the wrong place and cause cancers
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18. Diabetes
347 million people worldwide have diabetes (WHO figures for Sep 2012)
Accounts for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year worldwide
Can cause blindness, kidney failure, need for amputation, birth defects
Is a risk factor in Heart Disease.
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19. Diabetes - indicators High levels of blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
presence of glucose in the urine (glycosuria)
increased urinary fluid loss (polyuria)
High levels of ketone bodies in blood
wasting of body mass (due to fat catabolism)
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20. Diabetes – Task 1 Using the following slide:
Make a table or mind-map to make notes on the two types of diabetes; Type 1 and Type 2
Try to add no more than 5 key facts on each type and keep the information short and easy to understand!
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21. Diabetes – Type 1 Used to be known as insulin dependent diabetes
Caused by destruction of the pancreas’ insulin-producing β-cells
This causes insulin deficiency
Most frequently emerges in childhood (under 20, average 12 years old) but can present itself at any age
Shows a strong genetic component
Probably triggered by an autoimmune response to something in the environment (e.g. a virus) that destroys the β-cells’ ability to synthesise insulin
Patients have an abnormality in glucose homeostasis (i.e. they cannot regulate blood sugar levels)
Treated with insulin
Symptoms can be relatively severe
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22. Diabetes – Type 2
Typically arise because of insulin resistance (body tissues require greater than normal insulin for glucose regulation)
Despite sufficient insulin production, adequate glucose does not enter the cells
The target cells for insulin appear to have a deficiency of insulin receptors
So not enough glucose is taken up into cells such as muscle or liver
Blood glucose levels increase to abnormally high levels
The pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin
Eventually the β-cells become worn out and insulin production decreases
Diabetes has developed
Generally occurs among overweight, not very mobile, middle-aged (over 40) individuals with a family history of diabetes – increasing in younger people now!
Sometimes needs to be treated with insulin but often not
Symptoms can be relatively moderate
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23. Stem Cells
Stem cells are the sites of production of specialised cells in animals
They have the potential to become different types of cell.
Stem cells are involved in growth and repair.
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24. Stem Cells
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25. Stem Cells Your teacher will show you a presentation.
You must take notes from it on stem cells.
Ask if you need to see it more than once.
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26. Growing organs
Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body.
The demand for organs for transplant far outstrips supply in the UK.
This means that some patients will not receive an organ in time
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27. Growing organs
In the race to solve the organ shortage, xenotransplantation has taken place.
This is the replacing of a human organ with an animal one.
Pigs could potentially provide all the organs that are required.
Their organs are the right size and they are already bred in large numbers.
Heart valves from pigs and insulin extracted from their pancreas have already been used widely.
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28. Growing organs
Why are whole organ transplants using pig organs not currently offered?
What problems could there be?
Human immune system doesn’t like the presence of pig organs and will reject them, concerns over spread of animal diseases to humans.
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29. Growing organs
Much research is now going in to the use of human stem cells and other organ cells in growing specific organs.
Currently windpipes have been grown and used.
Bladders and kidney are currently being grown and the hope is that many more organs will follow.
Cell Biology
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