Basics
Q: What is a transgenic plant?
A: A plant that contains DNA from another species
Q: What is the first step in creating a transgenic plant?
A: Identifying a useful gene
Q: What is Golden Rice?
A: Rice with added vitamin A (beta carotene)
A: To protect plants from insects
A: To prevent crop loss
Q: What is one health concern about GMOs?
A: Possible allergies
Q: What is the difference between GMO and transgenic plants?
A: Transgenic plants specifically contain DNA from another species
Q: What are two methods used to insert DNA into plant cells?
A: Gene gun and Agrobacterium
Q: Why was Golden Rice created?
A: To prevent vitamin A deficiency
Q: What is one benefit related to insects?
A: Resistance to insect damage
Q: What environmental risk is linked to GMOs?
A: Gene transfer to wild plants
Q: What is recombinant DNA?
A: DNA created by combining DNA from different sources
Q: What does the gene gun method do?
A: Shoots DNA into plant cells
Q: What is Bt cotton?
A: Cotton that produces a natural pesticide
Q: What is herbicide tolerance?
A: Ability to survive weed-killing chemicals
Q: What problem can occur with weeds?
A: They can become resistant
Q: What is gene cloning?
A: Copying a specific DNA segment using a host cell
Q: What is a drawback of the gene gun method?
A: DNA can be damaged or rearranged
Q: What organism provides the gene for Bt cotton?
A: Bacillus thuringiensis
Q: How do GMOs help farmers financially?
A: Reduce losses and increase yield
Q: What is an ethical concern about GMOs?
A: Changing natural DNA
Q: What is a vector in gene cloning?
A: A carrier (like a plasmid) used to transfer DNA
Q:"What is the drawback of the agrobacterium method?"
A:"It dosn't infect all important types of plants"
Q: What is the purpose of Bt crops?
A: To protect plants from insects
Q: How do GMOs help the environment?
A: Reduce need for pesticides
Q: What is one economic concern?
A: Companies controlling seeds