INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC ENGINEERING

Gene expression is:

• the presence of a gene in DNA

• the production of a polypeptide by "reading" its gene

• the demolition of a protein

Gene expression is achieved through TWO cellular processes:

• transcription

• central dogma

• mutations

• translation

Genetic engineering is a branch of biotechnology that uses molecular biology tools to change an organism's DNA and traits.

What's the translation of the word "engineering"?

Genetic engineering is a branch of biotechnology that uses molecular biology tools to change an organism's DNA and traits.

What's the translation of the word "biotechnology"?

Genetic engineering is a branch of biotechnology that uses molecular biology tools to change an organism's DNA and traits.

What's the meaning of the word "biotechnology"?

• applying technological methods to modify an organism

• applying technological methods to produce molecules

• making technologies with biomolecules

How does altering an organism's DNA change its traits?

• Changing the DNA alters the rate of transcription, which is responsible for the traits exhibited by an organism.

• Changing the DNA alters the proteins that are produced, which are responsible for the traits exhibited by an organism.

• Changing the DNA alters the total number of nucleotides that are present in an organism, which is what is responsible for the traits it exhibits.

Genetic engineering is often used to insert DNA from one organism into another. An organism with an added gene or a modified gene is called:

• Genetically-modified organism (GMO)

• Mutant

• OGM