The process of genetic engineering - Higher
The main steps of genetic engineering:
- Enzymes are used to isolate the required The basic unit of genetic material inherited from our parents. A gene is a section of DNA which controls part of a cell's chemistry - particularly protein production., this gene is inserted into a The way in which genetic material is transferred from a donor to a recipient e.g. plasmids and artificial chromosomes. , which is usually a bacterial The small circular genetic material present in bacterial cells and used in DNA recombinant technology. or a virus.
- The vector inserts the gene into required cells.
- The genes are transferred to animal, plant or microorganism cells, during early development. This allows them to develop with the desired characteristics.
This diagram shows how the genetic engineering of the insulin works: