GCSE Biology (AQA)

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Genetic Engineering Process

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Inheritance, Variation and Evolution Variation and Evolution

Genetic Engineering Process

2:49 Genetic Engineering and Use in Medicine
Spec 4.6.2.4
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  • Genetic engineering involves multiple steps, starting with selecting a cell containing a desired gene.
  • The process typically uses a human cell and a bacterium to transfer the gene.
  • Desired genes can come from various sources including plant cells, animal cells, or microorganisms.
  • Step one involves using enzymes to isolate the required gene from the chromosome.
  • In step two, the isolated gene is inserted into a vector, usually a plasmid or virus.
  • A plasmid, a circular loop of DNA, acts as the vector carrying the desired gene.
  • Step three involves using the vector to insert the gene into the required cells, which could be bacterial, animal, plant, or microorganism cells.
  • The modified cell reproduces to create more cells containing the desired gene.
  • Genes are added at an early stage of cell development to ensure all cells in the organism have the desired characteristics.
  • For example, modifying a plant cell early to be disease-resistant ensures all cells in the grown plant have this trait.
  • Modifying a cell in a mature plant would only affect a section of the plant, not the whole.
  • Understanding the purpose of early-stage gene addition is crucial for exams, as it ensures the entire organism develops with the desired characteristics.

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