Cambridge AS & A Level Biology
19.1Principles of genetic technology
Principles of genetic technology in Cambridge AS & A Level Biology: what the syllabus expects you to know, the learning objectives and how to practise.
Subtopic61 practice questions3 lessons
Learning objectives
What the syllabus expects you to be able to do.
- 19.1.1Define recombinant DNA.
- 19.1.2Explain genetic engineering as deliberate manipulation of genetic material, which may involve transferring a gene so it is expressed.
- 19.1.3Explain that genes for transfer may be extracted, made from mRNA or synthesised from nucleotides.
- 19.1.4Explain the roles of restriction endonucleases, DNA ligase, plasmids, DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase.
- 19.1.5Explain why a promoter may be transferred with the gene.
- 19.1.6Explain how marker genes for fluorescent products confirm gene expression.
- 19.1.7Explain gene editing as insertion, deletion or replacement of DNA at specific sites.
- 19.1.8Describe and explain PCR, including the role of Taq polymerase.
- 19.1.9Describe and explain gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments.
- 19.1.10Outline how microarrays are used to analyse genomes and detect mRNA.
- 19.1.11Outline the benefits of sequence and protein-structure databases.
Lessons
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DNA microarrays and bioinformatics databases
30 min
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PCR, gel electrophoresis and genetic fingerprinting
45 min
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Recombinant DNA and the tools of genetic engineering
45 min
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Sample question
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