Human Trait Technologies - Middle School Life Science

1. What is cloning (asexual reproduction technology) used to do?

   Make a genetically identical copy of an organism. Produces offspring without sexual reproduction or genetic variation.

2. What is in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a technology related to inheritance?

   Fertilizing eggs outside the body to help produce offspring. Allows control over which egg and sperm combine.

3. What is inbreeding in selective breeding?

   Breeding closely related organisms to increase specific inherited traits. Concentrates desired genes but may increase harmful recessive traits.

4. What is embryo transfer and how can it support selective breeding programs?

   Placing an embryo into a surrogate to spread desirable genetics. One female can carry embryos from superior genetics.

5. Which option creates genetically identical offspring: cloning or hybridization?

   Cloning. Cloning copies DNA exactly while hybridization combines different DNA.

6. Which option is a technology that changes DNA directly: selective breeding or CRISPR?

   CRISPR. CRISPR edits genes while selective breeding only chooses existing traits.

7. What is selective breeding as a technology humans use to influence inherited traits?

   Choosing parents with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits. Humans control mating to pass on specific characteristics.

8. What technology inserts a gene from one species into another to change traits?

   Transgenic genetic engineering (gene transfer between species). Breaks species barriers to create new trait combinations.

9. What is artificial selection (in genetics) and how does it influence trait inheritance?

   Human-directed selection that increases desired inherited traits in a population. Humans choose which organisms reproduce over many generations.

10. Identify the technology: breeding two high-milk cows together to increase milk yield in calves.

    Selective breeding (artificial selection). Traditional breeding selects existing traits without gene modification.

11. What is gene therapy intended to do?

    Treat disease by adding, replacing, or repairing genes in body cells. Corrects genetic defects at the molecular level.

12. Identify the technology: inserting a bacterial gene into corn to resist insect pests.

    Genetic engineering (transgenic GMO). Cross-species gene transfer creates pest-resistant crops.

13. What is cloning (asexual reproduction technology) and what does it produce genetically?

    Making a genetically identical copy of an organism. Creates offspring with identical DNA to the parent.

14. Which option is used to produce many identical plants quickly: tissue culture or hybridization?

    Tissue culture. Tissue culture clones plants while hybridization mixes traits.

15. What is in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a reproductive technology?

    Fertilizing an egg outside the body and implanting the embryo. Combines egg and sperm in a lab when natural conception fails.

16. Identify the technology: producing many identical plants from one plant's cells in a lab.

    Tissue culture (micropropagation). Growing clones from single cells preserves exact genetics.

17. What is artificial insemination as a breeding technology?

    Placing sperm into a female to produce offspring from chosen parents. Allows breeding without natural mating between animals.

18. What is genetic engineering in the context of changing inherited traits?

    Directly altering an organism's DNA to change inherited traits. Scientists use tools to modify genetic code.

19. What is a DNA test commonly used for when studying inherited traits?

    Identifying specific genes or alleles an organism carries. Reveals genetic makeup to predict inherited characteristics.

20. Which option is a technology to influence inheritance: vaccination or selective breeding?

    Selective breeding. Vaccination prevents disease; breeding changes genetics.

21. What is inbreeding and why is it used to influence trait inheritance?

    Breeding close relatives to fix specific traits in a line. Increases trait consistency but can cause genetic problems.

22. What is a gene therapy approach intended to do at the genetic level?

    Add, replace, or repair genes to treat a genetic disorder. Introduces functional genes to fix inherited diseases.

23. What is crossbreeding and what is its purpose in changing inherited traits?

    Breeding two different varieties to combine desired traits in offspring. Mating organisms from different breeds creates hybrid vigor.

24. What technology is used to insert a gene into a plant to create a GMO?

    Genetic engineering (gene insertion using recombinant DNA methods). Scientists use bacteria or viruses as gene delivery vehicles.

25. What is tissue culture (micropropagation) and how does it affect inherited traits?

    Growing new plants from cells to produce clones with the same traits. Each plantlet is a genetic copy of the original.

26. Which option directly changes DNA: artificial selection or gene editing (CRISPR)?

    Gene editing (CRISPR). CRISPR cuts DNA; selection just chooses existing traits.

27. What is artificial insemination and how can it influence inherited traits in animals?

    Placing sperm into a female to use selected males for breeding. Allows breeding without physical mating of animals.

28. What is recombinant DNA technology?

    Combining DNA from different sources to create new genetic combinations. Scientists splice genes from multiple organisms together.

29. What is CRISPR used for in trait inheritance technology?

    Precisely editing DNA to add, remove, or change specific genes. Acts like molecular scissors to cut and modify DNA sequences.

30. What is hybridization in agriculture as a tool to influence inheritance?

    Crossing genetically different parents to produce a hybrid with desired traits. Combines best traits from two parent varieties.

31. What is embryo selection intended to do in assisted reproduction?

    Choose an embryo with desired genetic traits before implantation. Screens embryos for genetic diseases or preferred traits.

32. What is hybridization in plant or animal breeding?

    Crossing two different varieties to combine desired traits in offspring. Creates offspring with mixed traits from both parent varieties.

33. What is gene editing (such as CRISPR) used for in influencing inheritance?

    Precisely changing DNA sequences to alter inherited traits. CRISPR acts like molecular scissors to cut and edit genes.

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