Students will write a 4-page review (double spaced, Times new Roman 12 font) on an organic reaction and it application in biological systems.
My instructor said it doesn’t have to be a complicated reaction, just something simple. I’m wanting to do something that’s involved with how GMO’s are made, but I’m having a hard time finding something. Just looking for some ideas, anything would help.
To find an organic reaction related to how GMOs are made, you can start by understanding the basic principles behind genetic engineering and the role of organic reactions in this field. Genetic engineering involves modifying the genetic material (DNA) of an organism to introduce desired traits or characteristics. This is typically achieved by either adding, modifying, or removing certain genes.
One common method of genetic engineering is the use of recombinant DNA technology, which involves cutting and joining DNA fragments from different sources. This process usually requires the use of enzymes called restriction enzymes and DNA ligases, which are examples of organic reactions.
Here are a few specific organic reactions you could explore in your review related to GMOs:
1. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR is a widely used technique in genetic engineering that allows for the amplification of specific regions of DNA. This reaction involves the use of a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme, primers, and nucleotides, and it enables scientists to create multiple copies of a specific DNA sequence for further analysis or manipulation.
2. Transformation: In genetic engineering, transformation refers to the process by which foreign DNA is introduced into a host organism, such as bacteria or plants. This is typically done using a vector, which can be an organic molecule (e.g., plasmids) or a viral particle. The process may involve the use of organic reactions, such as ligations, to join the foreign DNA with the vector.
3. Gene Knockout: Gene knockout is a technique used to study the function of specific genes. It involves inactivating or "knocking out" a target gene through the introduction of a modified DNA sequence that interferes with gene expression. This can be achieved using organic reactions like the synthesis of modified DNA sequences, such as antisense oligonucleotides.
4. RNA Interference (RNAi): RNAi is a biological process that regulates the expression of genes. It involves the introduction of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence specific target genes. The production of siRNAs can be achieved by organic reactions, such as the enzymatic cleavage of longer double-stranded RNA molecules into shorter siRNA fragments.
You can further research these reactions and their specific applications in genetic engineering and GMO production. Additionally, it would be helpful to consult scientific journals, databases, or textbooks focusing on genetic engineering and GMO technology to gather more information and references for your review.