GM Medicines Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is a GM medicine?

A GM medicine is a drug made using organisms whose genes have been changed.

What does 'GM' stand for in GM medicines?

'GM' stands for genetically modified.

How are bacteria used to make a GM medicine, in simple steps?

A human gene is put into a plasmid, the plasmid goes into bacteria, and the bacteria make the human protein.

Why are bacteria useful for making GM medicines?

Bacteria grow quickly in large tanks, so they can make lots of useful protein cheaply.

Which GM medicine is used to treat type 1 diabetes?

GM human insulin is used to treat people with type 1 diabetes.

Why is GM human insulin often preferred to insulin from pigs or cows?

GM human insulin is identical to our own insulin and can reduce side effects and religious concerns.

Name one protein medicine, made by GM cells, and say what it treats.

GM cells can make blood clotting factors, which are used to treat haemophilia.

What is a plasmid used for when making a GM medicine?

A plasmid is a small circle of DNA that carries the new gene into bacteria.

Why must a protein made by GM microbes be purified before use?

It must be purified to remove bacteria and other substances so the medicine is safe.

How can GM medicines help people with inherited disorders?

GM medicines can replace a missing or faulty protein, helping reduce symptoms of the disorder.

Give one possible risk or concern about GM medicines.

Some people worry GM organisms might escape or that long-term effects of GM medicines are not fully known.

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