Question

Which one of the following is a transgenic organism?
a. Holly sheep and Tomato
b. Dolly sheep and Subabul
c. Molly sheep and Banana
d. Bt cotton and Tomato (Flavr Savr)

Answer 1

Hint: Transgenic organisms are genetically modified organisms(GMO), these are the organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to get the unique ability to that organism such as disease resistance. The formation of genetically modified organisms is a multi-step process. Genetic engineer isolates the gene that they wish to insert into the host organism. Gene can be taken from the cell or artificially produced.

Complete answer:
- First, genetically modified tomatoes are flavored. It is the first commercially grown transgenic food to be approved for human consumption by the USA.
- The transgenic tomato was created by inserting an E. coli gene and the FLAVR SAVR gene into plasmids that were inserted into a group of tomato cells in a growth medium containing an antibiotic.
- When the gene was established in the cell, it produces a substance that gives the cell resistance to the antibiotics.
- Bt cotton is a transgenic organism. It is a genetically modified organism(GMO) cotton variety that produces an insecticide to bollworm.
- A toxic gene from the bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis was inserted into cotton plants by the scientists to create a caterpillar-resistant variety.
- Dolly sheep and Molly sheep are the first transgenic sheep.
- Subabul is a tree whose leaves are used to make biscuits that are used to feed cattle to increase their milk yields.
- Banana is not a transgenic organism.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
- Transgenic organisms have various uses.
- They are used in medicines to produce hormones that treat diseases, to produce insulin, inject vaccines into foods to avoid the difficulty of administering shots.
- Bacteria are usually used to reproduce and grow desired genes. Because bacteria can reproduce and grow quickly and can also be controlled quite easily in the laboratory.
- Transgenic animals such as rats or mice are used by researchers to find a new treatment.

Note: Transgenic organisms are the organisms whose genome has been altered or changed by the transfer of a gene or genes from another species or breed. Transgenic animals are used by the researchers as models to study diseases and find a new treatment. Genetic modification of mice occurs to produce natural human antibodies for use as therapeutics. Transgenic animals are better varieties of organisms. This is done by inserting a desired gene of interest into a host organism.