Photo AI
A US company has recently released what is believed to be the first designer transgenic pet - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 5 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 5
A US company has recently released what is believed to be the first designer transgenic pet. The 'Glofish' is derived from the zebra fish, which is normally silver w... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A US company has recently released what is believed to be the first designer transgenic pet - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 5 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
What feature of the genetic code makes it possible for a gene to be transferred from one species to another and to be expressed in the second species?
Answer
The genetic code is universal, meaning that the codons in mRNA code for the same amino acids regardless of the species. This allows genes from different organisms to be expressed similarly when transferred.
Step 2
What steps are required, within the zebra fish cells, for the sea coral gene to be expressed?
Answer
The steps required involve the following:
- Transcription: The DNA of the sea coral gene is transcribed in the nucleus to form mRNA.
- Translation: The mRNA then travels to the cytoplasm where it is translated at ribosomes into a polypeptide/protein, leading to the expression of the gene.
Step 3
Predict the chance of survival of the Glofish if it were released into the natural environment of the zebra fish. Explain your answer.
Answer
The survival of the Glofish is likely to be low in the natural environment of the zebra fish. While the fish might be less noticeable to predators due to its glowing feature, it may be seen as a target due to its unusual coloration. Additionally, competition with native species for resources could further decrease their chances of survival.