Mutations and Genetic Engineering: Impacts and Applications

1. 4C. 2c Mutations and Genetic Engineering

2. Mutations • Mutation- the alteration or changing of an organism’s DNA. • Can be change in one base pair or the adding or deleting of large segments of DNA • Most mutations are fixed by the bodies enzymes so they have no effects on the cell, organism, or future generations. • If the mutated cell is a somatic (or body) cell daughter cells can be affected by the changed DNA, but the mutation is not passed on to offspring. • Aging process, or certain cancers

3. Mutations • If the is on a gamete the altered DNA will affect the offspring and other generations. • This results in genetic disorders - conditions that are brought on by one’s DNA and are passed from generation to generation. • Gene mutation- is when the mutation affects a single gene • Sickle cell disease is a mutation in a single base pair in the hemoglobin gene. Tay-Sachs disease, Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and albinism are all genetic disorders. • Chromosomal mutations – are ones that affect the entire chromosome • Nondisjunction- is an abnormal number of chromosomes usually happening in meiosis • Ex. Klienfelter’s syndrome in males Turner’s syndrome in females and Down syndrome. • Some mutations can be beneficial or help the organism evolve and grow in numbers.

4. Genetic Engineering • The understanding of genes and chromosomes enables us to manipulate genotypes and phenotypes of organisms instead of letting it happen naturally. • Genetic Engineering- process of replacing specific genes in an organism to get a desired trait expressed. • Happens when we take specific genes from one organism and place them into another • This can only happen when we know exactly where the genes for every trait are on chromosomes. • A gene map- shows relative location of each known gene on the chromosome

5. Genetic Engineering • Genome is all the genetic material in an organism. • The human genome project • Cloning an identical copy of a gene or organism is produced. Which can be used for transplants, saving endangered species, but could lead to genetic disorders. • Gene therapy- insertion of a normal gene into an absent or abnormal gene eliminating the disorder. This has had limited success. • Stem cells- used to replace tissue changed due to disease or damage.

6. Results of Genetic Engineering • Development of plants that are naturally bug resistant, higher in protein or spoil slower • Development of bigger, faster growing, and disease resistant animals. • Development of bacteria that produce human insulin or different hormones • Cure genetic disorders such as sickle cell, Tay-Sachs cystic fibrosis and others