Fill the blank    New genes can arise during evolution through: (i) exonshuffling, which can alter the domain structure of proteins;(ii) duplication and divergence that generates gene families;and (iii)_______ mutations in intergenic DNA sequences.

What additional biological questions can be answered if one has the complete sequence of an organisms genome as compared with the sequences of individual genes?

Although it is well known that X-rays cause mutations, they are routinely used to diagnose medical problems, including potential tumors, broken bones, and dental cavities. Why is this done? What precautions need to be taken?

We each carry 20,000 genes in our genome. Genes can be patented, and over 6,000 human genes have been patented. Do you think that companies or individuals should be able to patent human genes? Why or why not?

How many nucleotides does the human genome contain?

If you were offered the chance to have the genome of your newborn sequenced at a cost of 1,000, would you do so?

Improving the nutritional value of food has long been one of the goals in agricultural genetics. Crossing different strains of plants and animals followed by generations of artificial selection have yielded some successes, including the development of high-protein maize. The use of gene transfer biotechnology has led to other advances, including the creation of nutritionally enhanced rice to combat vitamin A deficiency and blindness. Researchers are now turning their attention to the nutritional enhancement of animals that are used as food. Scientists are now turning their attention to using gene transfer technology to nutritionally enhance animal foods. Recently, biotechnology was used to produce a sheep with increased amounts of an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the development of the nervous system and, in adults, reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Once a small number of transgenic animals have been produced, they can be bred by conventional methods to establish a source of nutritionally enhanced meat and milk. The use of biotechnology is presenting consumers with many new choices, which will become more common in the future. Increasingly, we will all have to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of such decisions. How would you explain your decision to eat nutritionally enhanced meat from animals modified by biotechnology?

Improving the nutritional value of food has long been one of the goals in agricultural genetics. Crossing different strains of plants and animals followed by generations of artificial selection have yielded some successes, including the development of high-protein maize. The use of gene transfer biotechnology has led to other advances, including the creation of nutritionally enhanced rice to combat vitamin A deficiency and blindness. Researchers are now turning their attention to the nutritional enhancement of animals that are used as food. Scientists are now turning their attention to using gene transfer technology to nutritionally enhance animal foods. Recently, biotechnology was used to produce a sheep with increased amounts of an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays an important role in the development of the nervous system and, in adults, reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Once a small number of transgenic animals have been produced, they can be bred by conventional methods to establish a source of nutritionally enhanced meat and milk. The use of biotechnology is presenting consumers with many new choices, which will become more common in the future. Increasingly, we will all have to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of such decisions. On the other hand, how would you explain your preference for meat from animals without higher levels of beneficial fatty acids?

A set of cells that host various DNA fragments collectively representing an organisms entire set of genetic information is called a _______ . a. genome c. genomic library b. clone d. GMO

The Joneses were referred to a clinical geneticist because their 6-month-old daughter was failing to grow adequately and was having recurrent infections. The geneticist took a detailed family history (which was uninformative) and a medical history of their daughter. He discovered that their daughter had a history of a constant cough and wheeze that was becoming progressively worse, had difficulty gaining weight (failure to thrive), and had an extensive history of yeast infection (thrush) in her mouth. The geneticist did a simple blood test to check their daughters white blood count and determined that she had severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The geneticist explained that SCID is an immune deficiency that causes a marked susceptibility to infections. The defining characteristic is usually a severe defect in both the T- and B-lymphocyte systems. This results in one or more infections within the first few months of life that are serious and may even be life-threatening. Based on the family history, it was possible that their daughter had inherited a mutant allele from each of them and therefore was homozygous for a gene that causes SCID. If so, each time the Joneses had a child, there would be a 25% chance that the child would have SCID. Prenatal testing is available to determine whether the developing fetus has SCID. If the Joneses want to be certain that their next child will not have SCID, what types of reproductive options do you think they have?