1) What is a protein 'domain or 'motif', and how might DNA sequence homology
reveal these protein structures? 2) How do you create a "knock-out" mutant and how does this allow us to determine
gene/protein function? 3) What is placed on a genome chip? How might we use such a chip to resolve
differences in gene expression between normal and malignant cells? 4) Resolve this paradox: humans and chimps share 98% coding gene sequence homology,
but are dramatically different in morphology and behavior. How can this be,
if we are made of the same stuff? 5) There are several difficulties with making human insulin in E. coli.
The two major ones are the presence of introns in the eukaryotic gene, and the
post-translational modifications that are made to the polypeptide product (proinsulin)
to make functional insulin. Explain how these two difficulties were overcome. 6) Two of the most commonly used "genetica modifications" to crops
is the insertion of an herbicide resistance gene and the insertion of an "insecticide"
gene. Describe how either gene is inserted. 7) How does the overuse of Bt-corn or Bt-cotton in a field affect the evolution
of resistance and the long-term utility of these gm plants? 8) What is the basic goal, and methodology, of gene therapy? 9) It seems so simple - correct a gene. Why are the effects sometimes unpredictable? 10) How might this cautionary tale apply to GMO's? In other words, if we change
one gene so that a new protein is produced that exerts "effect A",
how might it cause other effects, too? Think back to what influences the effect
of a gene. 11) With the advent of genome sequencing, the federal government passed the
"Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act" (GINA) in 2008. What
does it protect against? In what cases does it NOT protect against genetic discrimination? 12) The ability to screen the genome of embryos before they are implanted in
the uterus allows us to modify genes and select embryos based on genotype. What
new ethical questions does this raise? Recombinant DNA Technology II