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13.33 PastPaper.marks(a) Describe the steps involved in using genetic engineering to produce human insulin from bacteria. [6 marks]
(b) Explain why bacteria are useful organisms for genetic modification. [4 marks]
(c) State one other medical product made by genetically modified bacteria and its purpose. [3.33 marks]
(b) Explain why bacteria are useful organisms for genetic modification. [4 marks]
(c) State one other medical product made by genetically modified bacteria and its purpose. [3.33 marks]
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PastPaper.workedSolution
(a) The gene for human insulin is identified and cut out of human DNA using a restriction enzyme, leaving sticky ends. A plasmid is extracted from a bacterium and cut open using the same restriction enzyme, which ensures complementary sticky ends. The human insulin gene is inserted into the cut plasmid and joined using the enzyme DNA ligase to form a recombinant plasmid. This recombinant plasmid is inserted back into a bacterium (host cell). The transgenic bacteria are grown in a fermenter, where they multiply rapidly and produce human insulin, which is then extracted and purified.
(b) Bacteria are highly useful for genetic modification because they have rapid reproduction rates, meaning large quantities of the product can be made quickly. They possess plasmids which are easy to extract, manipulate, and re-insert. They have simple nutritional requirements, and there are fewer ethical concerns compared to using animals. Also, they share the same universal genetic code, allowing them to translate human genes.
(c) Human growth hormone (HGH) is another medical product made by genetically modified bacteria. It is used to treat growth disorders/deficiencies in children.
(b) Bacteria are highly useful for genetic modification because they have rapid reproduction rates, meaning large quantities of the product can be made quickly. They possess plasmids which are easy to extract, manipulate, and re-insert. They have simple nutritional requirements, and there are fewer ethical concerns compared to using animals. Also, they share the same universal genetic code, allowing them to translate human genes.
(c) Human growth hormone (HGH) is another medical product made by genetically modified bacteria. It is used to treat growth disorders/deficiencies in children.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Part (a): Max 6 marks
- Identify and cut out human insulin gene using a restriction enzyme (1)
- Leaves sticky ends (1)
- Cut bacterial plasmid open with the same restriction enzyme (1)
- Ensures complementary sticky ends (1)
- Join human insulin gene and plasmid using DNA ligase (1)
- Form recombinant plasmid (1)
- Insert plasmid back into bacterium (1)
- Grow transgenic bacteria in a fermenter to produce insulin (1)
Part (b): Max 4 marks
- Rapid reproduction rate (1)
- Presence of plasmids which are easy to manipulate/transfer (1)
- No/few ethical concerns (compared to animals) (1)
- Simple nutritional requirements / cheap to culture (1)
- Universal genetic code allows translation of human genes (1)
Part (c): Max 3.33 marks
- Named medical product (e.g., human growth hormone / factor VIII / hepatitis B vaccine) (1.33)
- Correct purpose (e.g., treatment of growth deficiency / haemophilia / prevention of hepatitis B infection) (2)
- Identify and cut out human insulin gene using a restriction enzyme (1)
- Leaves sticky ends (1)
- Cut bacterial plasmid open with the same restriction enzyme (1)
- Ensures complementary sticky ends (1)
- Join human insulin gene and plasmid using DNA ligase (1)
- Form recombinant plasmid (1)
- Insert plasmid back into bacterium (1)
- Grow transgenic bacteria in a fermenter to produce insulin (1)
Part (b): Max 4 marks
- Rapid reproduction rate (1)
- Presence of plasmids which are easy to manipulate/transfer (1)
- No/few ethical concerns (compared to animals) (1)
- Simple nutritional requirements / cheap to culture (1)
- Universal genetic code allows translation of human genes (1)
Part (c): Max 3.33 marks
- Named medical product (e.g., human growth hormone / factor VIII / hepatitis B vaccine) (1.33)
- Correct purpose (e.g., treatment of growth deficiency / haemophilia / prevention of hepatitis B infection) (2)