Artificial Selection and Genetic Engineering Unit 3

(1) The diagram shows DNA. The spot labeled Z shows a place where a genetic engineer could use a “chemical scissors” to cut the DNA. Why might a genetic engineer want to cut DNA?

• to insert a gene from a bacterium that will make a protein for use as a drug

• to create a new organism through selective breeding

• to study and learn more about what makes up DNA

• to create a model of DNA

(2) As scientists consider different diseases for treatment with genetic engineering, which of these diseases is most likely a good candidate for gene therapy?

• a disease caused by an infectious parasite

• a disease caused by the inheritance of several recessive alleles

• a disease caused by a mutation in a single gene in the genome

• a disease influenced by several different lifestyle and behavioral factors

(3) Which is NOT an accurate statement about the ways humans influence the traits of populations?

• Both artificial selection and genetic engineering allow humans to influence populations.

• Both artificial selection and genetic engineering can introduce new genes not already existing in the population.

• Artificial selection increases desired traits in a population through breeding

• Genetic engineering can be more precise and faster than artificial selection.

(4) Biologists commonly use knockout animals in scientific research. What are knockout animals?

• animals that have been used in research for many generations

• animals that are infected with different diseases

• animals that can easily be produced in large numbers

• animals in which a gene has been deleted from the genome

(5) Insulin, a drug used to treat diabetes, can be produced cheaply and reliably in bacteria. What strategy would scientists use to produce insulin in bacteria?

• Insert the insulin gene onto a plasmid, and introduce the plasmid into bacteria.

• Synthesize messenger RNA, and introduce the message into bacteria.

• Use artificial selection to culture only those bacteria that express insulin.

• Cause mutations in the bacteria until a coding sequence for insulin is found in its genome.

(6) Which of these is a technique required for gene therapy?

• fertilization of an egg by a sperm cell

• finding a DNA sequence in bacteria

• production of modified proteins in bacteria

• finding a virus that can deliver a gene

(7) Which of these is a possible negative effect of genetic engineering technology?

• increased yields in food crops that require less water

• the spread of pesticide resistance genes through wild populations

• cures for diseases that were previously untreatable

• production of medicines from bacteria

(8) Which of these is true for both natural and artificial selection?

• They both require human involvement to choose the most desirable traits.

• They both result in certain alleles showing up more than others

• They both involve the extinction of unfit species.

• They both occur randomly and spontaneously.

(9) What is the advantage of using genetically modified mammals to produce desirable proteins in their milk?

• It is easy to genetically modify mammals.

• It is difficult to isolate the desirable proteins

• Genetic modification of mammals raises a few ethical concerns

• Milk production is a natural process, so there are few negative impacts on the mammals

(10) A scientist identifies a pest resistance gene in a tomato plant to prevents beetles from eating the plant’s leaves. She wants to transfer this gene to a rice plant to improve crop yields. Why is artificial selection not an appropriate strategy for this goal?

• Rice plants and tomato plants do not have the same pests.

• The tomato plant contains toxic genes for rice plants.

• The rice from such a cross would taste like tomatoes.

• A rice plant and a tomato plant cannot crossbreed.