By: Sobiga
Vyravanathan
Consideration 1: Can I Genetically Transform an Organism?
Which Organism?
1) To genetically transform an entire organism, you must
insert the new gene into every cell in the organism. Which organism is better
suited for total genetic transformation- one composed of many cells, or one
composed of a single cell?
An organism composed of a single cell would be best suited
for total genetic transformation. This is because an organism with one cell
only needs to take the new gene into one cell which is more efficient and
faster than inserting the gene into every organism.
2) Scientists often want to know if the genetically
transformed organism can pass its mew traits on to its offspring and future
generations. To get this information, which would be a better candidate for
your investigation, an organism in which new generation develops and reproduces
quickly, or one which does this more slowly?
The better candidate would be the organism in which the new
generation develops and reproduces quickly. This is because the quicker the
organism reproduces, the scientist can see if the trait was actually passed on
to the next generation or if modifications need to be made.
3) Safety is another important consideration in choosing an
experimental organism. What traits or characteristics should the organism have
(or not have) to be sure it will not harm you or the environment?
The organism should not be antibiotic resistant because if
it were antibiotic resistant, and the scientist were infected, antibiotics
could not be used to treat the disease. Also the organism should not be UV
resistant because UV is sometimes used to kill the organism. The organism should
not release poisonous, toxic, virulent, and pathogenic substances to the air
especially if these things would make you sick or would cause bodily harm to
you. When interacting with plants or animals, this organism should not transmit
a disease to the plants or animals. You also want an organism that can be
contained in a lab environment that will not leave its position.
4) Based on the above considerations, which would be the
best choice for a genetic transformation: a bacterium, earthworm, fish, or
mouse? Describe your reasoning.
A bacterium would be the best choice for a genetic
transformation because bacteria are single celled which makes it best suitable
to find results quickly and efficiently. A bacterium can be kept in a lab in
small lab equipment and will not contaminate the air. Most bacteria are not virulent.
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| Bacteria Retrieved from http://www.newhealthguide.org/images/19999893/image001.jpg |
Consideration 2: How Can I Tell If Cells Have Been
Genetically Transformed?
1) Describe how you could use two LB/agar plates, some E. coli
and some ampicillin to determine how E. Coli cells are affected by ampicillin.
The two LB/agar plates will be have the same amount of E.
coli on them. The difference is that one LB plate will have only agar while the
other LB plate has both agar and ampicillin. The LB plate with agar and ampicillin
will have more colonies than the one with agar only if the ampicillin
positively affected the E. coli. The LB plate with agar and ampicillin will
have less colonies than the one with agar only if the ampicillin negatively
affected the E. coli. If both the plates have the same amount of E. coli, it is
clear that ampicillin had a neutral effect on E. coli.
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| Structure of Ampicillin Retrieved from http://www.nawipro.de/images/stories/nawipro/Antibiotika/ampicillin1.jpg |
2) What would you expect your experimental results to
indicate about the effect of ampicillin on the E. coli cells?
I would expect my experimental results to indicate that the bacteria
were killed by ampicillin as that is the function of an antibiotic. I would be
shocked to see colonies of bacteria living because that would mean the bacteria
is resistant to ampicillin.
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