Biotechnology

Vocabulary Match the following terms with its description. Gel Electrophoresis A technique that separates DNA fragments by size using electricity, this helps compare DNA samples. Selective Breeding an organism is chosen and bred for a specific trait(s) Genetic Engineering Changing the DNA of an organism to give it new traits; Ex: used to make crops resistant to pests or to produce insulin in bacteria. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) A method used to make millions of copies of a DNA segment so it can be studied or tested A baby shows signs of a rare disorder, so doctors use a method that copies a section of the baby’s DNA millions of times to check for mutations. The process allows them to analyze just one tiny part of the gene that may be causing the problem. Identifying the mutation helps them decide the best treatment. This technique helps diagnose diseases using just a small sample of cells.What biotechnology is being used in the scenario above? Gel electrophoresis PCR Genetic engineering Why would a doctor want to look at a baby’s DNA when trying to find a disease? To see if the baby’s DNA has a mutation that could cause the disease. To find out what foods the baby will like in the future. To see if the baby has been exposed to germs recently. On a research farm, corn plants have been altered so their DNA includes a gene from a bacteria that protects them from insect damage. Scientists used special enzymes to cut and insert the new gene into the plant’s DNA. The modified corn can now grow without needing pesticides. These crops are tested for safety before being sold to farmers.What biotechnology is being used in the scenario above? Gel electrophoresis PCR Genetic engineering How can changing the DNA of crops help them survive better in the environment? It turns the crops into wild plants that don’t need farming. It makes the crops grow in complete darkness. It can give the crops traits like insect resistance or drought tolerance. Which of these would be considered a genetically engineered organism? A tomato plant that has had a gene from a jellyfish added to make it glow. A cow that produces milk after eating healthy grass. A sunflower that grows tall because it gets a lot of sunlight. A lab technician places a nasal swab sample into a machine that makes millions of copies of any viral genetic material it finds. The process uses heating and cooling steps to unzip and replicate the virus’s RNA, which helps doctors detect the virus even if it’s in very small amounts. Within hours, the test gives a clear positive or negative result. This method is often used during viral outbreaks to quickly identify infections.What biotechnology is being used in the scenario above? Gel electrophoresis PCR Genetic engineering Which statement describes why scientists need to make more copies of the virus’s DNA before they can know if someone is infected? Because the virus needs to be made stronger before testing will work. Because viruses are very small, and making more copies helps scientists detect them more easily. Because copying the virus’s DNA makes it easier to kill them with medicine. At a hospital lab, a patient's DNA is cut into pieces and loaded into a gel with an electric charge. The pieces separate into a pattern that shows whether there is a mutation linked to a certain type of cancer. Doctors use this pattern to choose a treatment designed for the patient’s specific genetic makeup. This is part of personalized medicine.What biotechnology is being used in the scenario above? Gel electrophoresis PCR Genetic engineering How can looking at a patient’s DNA help doctors choose the right treatment? It can tell doctors what the patient’s favorite foods are, which can influence treatment choices. It can determine how tall the patient will grow, which helps doctors predict recovery times. It can identify specific mutations or genetic markers that suggest which treatment will be most effective. In a lab, scientists transfer a glowing gene from jellyfish into tomato plants to study how genes are turned on in different parts of the plant. Using tiny tools, they cut the jellyfish DNA and attach it to the plant’s DNA. Under UV light, the glowing parts show which cells are using the gene. This helps scientists learn how genes are expressed, which could lead to better disease detection, improved crop resilience, and even more sustainable farming practices. Additionally, glowing plants could offer eco-friendly alternatives for lighting or enhance research into plant biology.What biotechnology is being used in the scenario above? Gel electrophoresis PCR Genetic engineering What can scientists learn by adding a glowing gene to a plant? How to make the plant glow brighter by changing its environment. How genes are activated in different parts of the plant, helping scientists understand gene expression. How to grow plants without water by using glowing genes.