Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 17: Problem 10

The introduction of genes into plants is a common practice that has generated not only a host of genetically modified foodstuffs, but also significant worldwide controversy. Interestingly, a tumor-inducing plasmid is often used to produce genetically modified plants. Is the use of a tumor-inducing plasmid the source of such controversy?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: No, the use of tumor-inducing plasmids in genetically modified plant production is a technical aspect of the genetic engineering process. Most of the concerns surrounding GMOs are related to their broader health, environmental, socio-economic, and ethical implications. The tumor-causing genes in these plasmids are removed before their use in GMO production, so the use of a tumor-inducing plasmid is not the primary source of controversy, but rather a component of the overall conversation surrounding GMOs.

Step by step solution

01

1. What is a plasmid?

A plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA, separate from the main chromosomal DNA, that can replicate independently in bacteria cells. Plasmids often carry genes that confer advantageous properties to the bacteria, such as resistance to antibiotics. Plasmids can be transferred between bacteria through a process called "horizontal gene transfer." In genetic engineering, plasmids are often used as vectors to introduce foreign genes into an organism.
02

2. What are tumor-inducing plasmids?

Tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmids are a specific type of plasmid found in some bacteria, such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens. These plasmids can transfer a portion of their DNA, the T-DNA, into the genome of plant cells. The introduction of T-DNA into plant cells can lead to the production of tumors, known as crown galls. Scientists discovered that they could replace the tumor-causing genes in the T-DNA with foreign genes, providing a method to introduce desired traits into plants.
03

3. Role of tumor-inducing plasmids in genetically modified plants

Genetically modified plants are often created using Ti plasmids as vectors to introduce foreign genes into the plant genome. The tumor-causing genes are removed, and the desired genes are inserted into the T-DNA region of the Ti plasmid. The genetically engineered Ti plasmid is then introduced into Agrobacterium, which transfers the T-DNA (carrying the foreign genes) into the plant genome.
04

4. Common concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

The controversy surrounding GMOs often stems from concerns related to health, environmental impacts, socio-economic issues, and ethical considerations. Some of the prominent concerns include: potential for allergenicity or toxicity in novel proteins, gene flow to non-GM crops or wild relatives, development of resistant pests or weeds, dependency on multinational corporations, and the idea of "tampering with nature."
05

5. Is the use of tumor-inducing plasmids the source of the controversy?

The use of tumor-inducing plasmids in genetically modified plant production is a technical aspect of the genetic engineering process. While the term "tumor-inducing" might raise initial concerns, it is important to note that the actual tumor-causing genes are removed before their use in GMO production. Most of the concerns surrounding GMOs are related to their broader health, environmental, socio-economic, and ethical implications. Thus, the use of a tumor-inducing plasmid is not the primary source of controversy, but rather a component of the overall conversation surrounding GMOs.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

One complication of making a transgenic animal is that the transgene may integrate at random into the coding region, or the regulatory region, of an endogenous gene. What might be the consequences of such random integrations? How might this complicate genetic analysis of the transgene?

What roles do restriction enzymes, vectors, and host cells play in recombinant DNA studies? What role does DNA ligase perform in a DNA cloning experiment? How does the action of DNA ligase differ from the function of restriction enzymes?

If you performed a PCR experiment starting with only one copy of double- stranded DNA, approximately how many DNA molecules would be present in the reaction tube after 15 cycles of amplification?

List the steps involved in screening a genomic library. What must be known before starting such a procedure? What are the potential problems with such a procedure, and how can they be overcome or minimized?

What are the advantages of using a restriction enzyme whose recognition site is relatively rare? When would you use such enzymes?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Cellular Energetics

Read Explanation

Ecological Levels

Read Explanation

Biology Experiments

Read Explanation

Cell Communication

Read Explanation

Biological Organisms

Read Explanation

Biological Structures

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free