Botany Chapter 15 & 16 : Genetics

Chapter 15

1. Explain and give an example of how differential activation of genes controls how a cell forms or functions.

2. Explain the 3 mechanisms involved in the protection of plant genes. Does this protective system differ in plants relative to animals? explain why/why not.

3. Explain how a "degenerate" genetic code is a form of DNA protection b) If the genetic code is universal then why do plants and animals share only approximately 50% of their genes in common? how did the other 50% evolve?

4. According to your text, how do hormones turn on genes? how many different pathways exist to hormone -> gene activation. b. What is the role of kinases? ( we saw them active in the stomatal opening hormonal regulation)

5. Using diagrams, explain how' protein levels' in plants is controlled. Give several mechanisms that may be induced when a hormone 'fits' into its receptor.

6. In some detail explain the methods used to isolate a specific plant protein, for example one involved as a storage product.

7. Explain how a gene that makes a wild plant drought tolerant can be incorporated into the genome of a non-tolerant species. Does the species have to be the same?

8. Using information from both the text and video we watch, try to develop a holistic view of gene engineering in plants and give the multitude of pros and cons associated with the techniques. B. Give 2 examples for your pro listing and 2 for your con listing. C. Should plant engineering be regulated - is so by whom?

9. Read the section how viruses evolved - then continue through the plant responses to viral infections. Can plants recover from a viral infection? how do they move through plants, given there is no circulatory system? Why are typical plant defense mechanisms ( chemicals) usually not viable methods in plant defense? What are ti plasmids? What is Agrobacterium tumefasciens and how is it used by researchers?

Chapter 16.

1. Using diagrams, explain how transposon mutagenisis techniques can be used to identify genes of concern? Explain how transposons are formed.

2. How does maternal inheritance in plants work? B. Explain how variegated plants or cacti with weird stalks are formed.

3. How are polyploid plants formed? explain 2 ways.

4. Given that half of all plant species are polyploid, what benefits accrue to being polyploidy? b. How do polyploids convert back to "diploid" state? c. Why aren't animals generally polyploid?