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Genetically Modified Plants 🌿
- This involves cutting a plasmid from a bacterium such as Agrobacterium and joining the desired gene to the plasmid using ligase enzymes.
- This plasmid is then introduced to some leaf discs from the plant to be modified using a liquid solution.
- They are then cultivated on a nutrient medium (micropropagation).
- The plantlets will then grow into whole plants, containing the foreign gene.
👍 Advantages of Modifying Plants:
- Increased resistance to a range of pests and pathogens
- Increased heat and drought tolerance
- Increased salt tolerance
- A better balance of nutrients
- Increases yield and food production to satisfy the growing demand.
👎 Disadvantages of Modifying Plants:
- Transgenic products may be harmful to some – new proteins may cause allergies.
- The transgenes may spread uncontrollably into other species.
- It may cause the emergence of pest, insect, or microbial resistance due to natural variation.
- A new gene may disrupt normal gene function and cause cancer.
- The gene may be taken up by non-target organisms and grant them resistance to things.
Genetically Modified Animals 🐾
In I/GCSE Biology, this is done by using the restriction enzyme to cut out the required gene. This gene is then injected into the egg nucleus and the egg is put into a surrogate mother.
👎Disadvantages of Genetic Modification:
- could alter food chains/webs
- Lack of control on gene transfer
- GM crops could take over ecosystems
- Might carry pathogens or cause harmful effects on health
That's the end of the topic!
Drafted by Joey (Biology)