Senior

High
School
   
    
     
    
  

Earth and Life Science
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 4: How Genes Work and How Genetic Engineering is Used to Produce
Novel Products
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Published by the Department of Education, Division of Palawan

School Division Superintendent:
Natividad P. Bayubay, CESO VI
Assistant Schools Division Superintendents:
Rufino B. Foz
Arnaldo G. Ventura

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Sheila Mae P. Ulzoron

Editor: Jenny Loren Mendoza-Echanes
Illustrator: Harold D. Garcellano

Management Team: Aurelia B. Marquez

Rodgie S. Demalinao
Rosalyn C. Gadiano

Printed in the Philippines, by ________________________

Department of Education – MIMAROPA Region – Division of Palawan

Office Address: PEO Road, Barangay Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City

Telephone: (048) 433-6392
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Website: www.depedpalawan.com

ii
   

   

    
  
    
    

iii
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to
understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each
SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if
you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better
understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer
the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each
activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how
they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and
tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.

iv
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature and scope of Earth and Life Science. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow
the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module focuses on the lesson:

 Lesson 1 – How genes work
 Lesson 2 – How genetic engineering is used to produce novel products.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Explain how genes work.

2. Describe the process of genetic engineering.
3. Explain how genetically modified organisms was produced (GMOs).
4. Evaluate the benefits and risks of using GMOs.

What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following best describes a gene?

a. it is a segment of DNA that encodes a unique protein that performs a
specialized function of the cell.
b. it is the building block of proteins in the cell.
c. characterize as the segment of RNA that decodes the proteins to be used
by the cell.
d. it is a portion of DNA that is incapable of mutation and self-replication.

2. Which of the following cannot undergo genetic engineering?

a. Rocks b. Bacteria c. Plants d. Animals

3. Which component in the nucleus of a cell that codes and stores genetic
information?
a. DNA b. chromosomes c. ATP D. nucleoplasm

1
4. Which of the following states the disadvantage of Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs)?
a. it makes agricultural practices much safer.
b. it reduces the risks of depletion.
c. it can create an extended life.
d. it can lead to more birth defects.

5. What genetic engineering process involves DNA strands which are cut into
fragments?
a. Recombinant DNA c. DNA sequencing
b. Restriction enzymes d. Polymerase Chain Reaction

6. Which of the following is NOT a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)?

a. Bt Corn c. Glow in the dark fish
b. Rotten tomatoes d. Golden rice

7. Which of the following refers to the different forms of genes representing a

certain trait?
a. allele b. chromosome c. hybrid d. locus

8. What is considered the blueprint of an individual?

a. DNA b. chromosomes c. ATP d.
nucleoplasm

9. DNA occurs in nature as macromolecules composed of smaller building

blocks. What do we call those small building blocks?
a. pyrimidine c. purines
b. nucleotides d. monomers

10. Which of the following is NOT considered as uses of biotechnology?

a. use of wrappers to make chairs, tables and other furniture.
b. use of organism such as bacteria to protect the environment
c. use of DNA for the production of materials for diagnostics and research.
d. use of living cells to make products such as pharmaceuticals, food, and
beverages.

11. Which of the following best describes a Genetically Modified Organism?

a. a living organism whose genetic material has been synthetically
manipulated.
b. the organism whose DNA has been transcribed.
c. it is an organism that were transformed totally as new organism through
biotechnology.
d. the organism whose genes were destructed and replaced.

12. The following are the purposes of genetic engineering, EXCEPT?

a. repairing a genetic defect
c. enhancing an effect already natural to that organism
b. decreasing resistance to disease or external damage
d. getting a micro- organism to produce human insulin for diabetes.

2
 13. Which of the following terms is NOT associated to genetic engineering?
a. modification c. destruction
b. manipulation d. biotechnology

14. What is genetic engineering?

a. it involves transcription and translation.
b. a process of altering the genes, which you find in all living things.
c. a method that scientists use to produce a genetic copy of another
individual.
d. none of the above.

15. The following are the processes of genetic engineering, EXCEPT?

a. identify an organism that contains a desirable gene
b. extract the entire DNA from the organism.
c. remove this gene from the rest of the DNA through restriction enzymes.
d. insert the old gene to an existing organism’s DNA.

Lesson

1 How Genes Work

What is a gene? A gene is a segment of DNA that encodes a unique protein

that performs a specialized function in the cell. It is a functional unit of heredity. A
gene is capable of storing information and capable of self-replication and can
undergo mutations.

Genes acts as instructions to make molecules called proteins. In humans,

genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. Every
person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. Most genes are
the same in all people, but a small number of genes (less than 1 parent of the total)
are slightly different between people. Alleles are forms of the same gene with small
differences in their sequence of DNA bases.

DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is found within the nucleus of
every cell. Nucleotide is the building block of DNA. It is made up of four bases
(Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine), five carbon sugar (deoxyribose) and
phosphate group. DNA, a hereditary material in humans and almost all other
organisms are found in every cell of a person’s body. Most DNA is located in the cell
nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be
found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

3
 What’s In

Activity 1.1: Arrange Me!

Directions: Organize the jumbled letters. Describe each term briefly.

E N G E S

N I M O R A G S

O M G

A N D

F I O D I T O M A N I C

What’s New

Activity 1.2 ‘’Describe Me!’’

Directions: Complete the concept map below by adding words or phrases that
describe the word ‘’ Genetic Engineering.

Genetic
Engineering

4
 What is It

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the process in which genetic material is transferred

from one organism to another. It involves the transfer of genes or parts of DNA from
one organism to another. Organisms whose genes are altered or modified for specific
purposes are called transgenic organisms.

How DNA is used in Genetic Engineering?

Genetic engineering is the direct altering of an organism’s genome. This is

achieved through manipulation of the DNA. Doing this is possible because DNA is like
a universal language; DNA for all organisms is made up of the same nucleotide
building blocks. Thus, it is possible for genes from one organism to be read by
another organism. Since, DNA contains the gens to build certain proteins by
changing the DNA sequence, engineers are able to provide a new gene for a cell/
organism to create a different protein. The new instructions may supplement the old
instructions such that an extra trait is exhibited, or they may completely replace the
old instructions such that a trait is changed.

Genetic Engineering Technique

The process for genetic engineering begins the same for any organism being modified

1. Identify an organism that contains a desirable gene.

2. Extract the entire DNA from the organism.
3. Remove this gene from the rest of the DNA. One way to do this is by
using a restriction enzyme. These enzymes search for specific
nucleotides sequences where they will ‘’cut’’ the DNA by breaking the
bonds at this location.
4. Insert the new gene to an existing organism’s DNA. This may be
achieved through a number of different processes.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic

material has been synthetically manipulated in a laboratory through genetic
engineering. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant,
animal, bacterial and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional
cross breeding methods. Practically, all commercial GMO are engineered to
withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite
biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer
increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition or any other consumer
benefit.

5
 GMO DESCRIPTION PICTURE
Golden Rice Rice modified with daffodil
genes to have more beta-
carotene, which the body
converts to Vitamin A

Flavr Savr Tomatoes Tomatoes modified by the

removal of genes responsible for
the softening of fruit, meaning
the tomatoes spoil more slowly

Bt Corn Corn modified with a bacterial

insecticide gene so that it
produces insect toxins within
its cells, protecting it from pest
species
Aqua Advantage Salmon modified with growth
Salmon hormone regulating genes in
order to grow to market sizes in
significantly less time.

Glow in the Dark Animals modified with genes for

Animals fluorescent proteins will glow in
the dark- this novel feature
serves no practical purpose.

Other Genetic Engineering Processes

Biotechnology is the use of biological techniques and engineered organisms
to make products or plants and animals that have desired traits. In order to carry on
this technology, it employs different processes such as:

 Restriction Enzymes which is the cutting of the DNA strands into fragments.
It is basically used to create DNA fragments with sticky ends or blunt ends
that can join with other DNA fragments.

 Gel Electrophoresis separates DNA fragments by size. It is used to study DNA

fragments of various sizes.

 Gene Cloning is the production of the large numbers of identical recombinant

DNA molecules. It is used to create large amounts of recombinant DNA to be
used in genetically engineered organism.

 DNA Sequencing is used to identify the DNA sequence of cloned recombinant

DNA molecule to further study. It is used to identify errors in the DNA
sequences to predict the function of a particular gene and to compare to other
genes with similar sequences from different organisms.

6
  Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) makes copies of specific regions of
sequenced DNA. It is used to copy DNA for any scientific investigation
including forensic analysis and medical testing.

What’s More

Activity 1.3: You Fill Me Up!

Directions: Complete the table below by giving the function and applications of the
tools/ processes of Genetic Engineering.

GENETIC ENGINEERING

Tool/Processes Function Applications

Restriction
enzymes
Ex. EcoR

Gel
Electrophoresis

Recombinant
DNA
Technology

Gene cloning

DNA sequencing

Polymerase
Chain Reaction
(PCR)

7
 What I Have Learned

Activity 1.4: Answer Me!

Directions: Summarize what you have learned from the lesson by answering the
following questions.

1. What is genetic engineering?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the process of genetic engineering through Recombinant DNA technology.

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Activity 1.5: Meet my imaginary GMO!

Directions: Let your imagination work! Consider yourself as one of the Genetic
Engineers. Using your drawing materials, illustrate a Genetically Modified Organism
(GMO) that you would like to produce. Emphasize the unique features of this creature
and the benefits it would give to mankind.

8
Rubrics for Activity: Meet my Imaginary GMO!
RUBRICS

Category 4 3 2 1
The poster clearly The poster clearly The poster The poster does
communicates the communicates indirectly not sufficiently
Presentation main idea and some of the communicates the communicate any
strongly promotes important ideas idea and hardly idea that can
awareness. and slightly promotes promote
promotes awareness. awareness.
awareness.
All of the graphics Most of the The graphics were The graphics
used on the graphics used on made by the were not made by
Creativity poster reflect an the poster reflect student but were the student.
and exceptional degree student ingenuity copied from the
Originality of student in their creation. designs or ideas of
ingenuity in their others.
creation.
All graphics in the Most graphics in Some graphics in The graphics in
Accuracy and poster are the poster are the poster are the poster are
relevance accurate and accurate and accurate and neither accurate
related to the related to the related to the nor related to the
topic. topic. topic. topic.
The poster All required Few required Required
includes all elements are elements are elements are
Required required elements included. included. missing.
Element as well as
additional
information.

Additional Activities

Activity 1.4: ‘’ Metacognition for stating knowledge’’

Directions: Complete the sentences based on your learnings about the topic.

My chosen word is ___________________________________

I know that I know
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
First, I know
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
In addition, I know
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Finally, I know
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Now you know something that I know
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

9
 Lesson How Genetic Engineering is
2 used to Produce Novel
Products
The history of Genetic Engineering can be traced back in 1953 when James
Watson discovered the structure of DNA, after which scientists were able to
understand and changed the structure. The idea of Genetic Engineering is something
that we associate with the 20th century. No one knew that genes were actually the
mechanism of Heredity until the middle of the 20th century. The direct modification
of genes for some purpose did not even start until the 1970s but it is worth noting
that human beings have been, in some ways, influencing the genetics of organisms
for a long time.

With genetic engineering, it becomes possible to create plants that can resist
herbicides while they grow. It also becomes possible to create new threats to our food
supply or personal health because viruses and bacteria continue to adapt to the
changes that are produced through this process.

What’s In

Activity 2.1: Fill me in!

Direction: Fill in the KWL Chart with the needed information based on your
previous lesson.
TOPIC: How the Earth’s history can be interpreted from the geologic time scale?

WHAT I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I LEARNED

10
 What’s New

Activity 2.2: Spot the GMO!

Directions: Identify the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the following
pictures by choosing the letter that corresponds to it. Elaborate your answer.

A B A B

1.__________________________________ 2.__________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
________________ _______________

What is It

What are the uses of Genetic Engineering?

The purposes of doing genetic engineering are many. These include:

 Repairing a genetic ‘’defect’’ (as with the current early trials of gene therapy in
humans)
 Enhancing an effect already natural to that organism (e.g. to increase its
growth rate)
 Increasing resistance to disease or external damage (e.g. crops-blight, cold or
drought)
 Getting a micro-organism to produce human insulin for diabetics or a sheep
to produce a human blood-clotting protein in her milk, in both cases a
transgenic method

11
  Getting a tomato to ripen without going squashy –this can be done simply by
taking one of its own genes, turning its ‘’pattern’’ upside down and putting it
back again.

Advantages of Genetic Engineering

 It allows for a faster growth rate.

 It can create an extended life
 Specific traits can be developed
 New products can be created
 Greater yields can be produced
 Risks to the local water supply are reduced
 It is a scientific practice that has been in place for millennia

Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering

 The nutritional value of foods can be less

 Pathogens adapt to the new genetic profiles
 There can be negative side effects that are unexpected
 The amount of diversity developed can be less favorable
 Copyrighted genetic engineering can have costly consequences
 This knowledge and technology can be easily abused

What’s More

Activity 2.3: Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering

Directions: List three (3)) advantages and three (3) disadvantages of Genetic
Engineering. Explain why it is advantageous and disadvantageous.

Advantages Explanation
1.

2.

3.

Disadvantages Explanation
1.

2.

3.

12
 What I Have Learned

Activity 2. 4: Fact or Bluff

Directions: Read the following statements. Write Fact if the statement if correct and
Bluff if the statement is incorrect. Write your answer on your answer
sheet.

___________1.Genetic engineering is the process of replication of the genetic

information of an organism.
___________2. Increasing resistance to disease or external damage is one of the
purpose of genetic engineering.
___________3. Materials like rocks can undergo modification through genetic
engineering.
___________4. Through genetic engineering external damage of cell can be prevented.
___________5. Getting a micro-organism to produce human insulin for diabetics or a
sheep to produce a human blood-clotting protein in her milk, in both
cases a transgenic method.

What I Can Do
Activity 2.5: What will I do?
Directions: Read the following statements and answer the question. Write your
answer on your answer sheet.

1. What would you do in the following situations?

SITUATIONS MY ACTION
1. You are the leader of a developing
nation. Hunger is a problem among your
citizens: the salty coastal wetlands of
your country can’t support the growth of
needed crops, and your slow economy
can’t support importing enough food for
everyone. A biotechnology company has
genetically modified a rice plant that can
thrive in salt water, providing your
nation with the opportunity to feed its
citizens while bolstering its company.
What will you do?

13
 2. You are a tomato farmer whose crops
are threatened by a persistent species of
beetle. Each year, you spend large sums
of money for pesticides to protect your
crops. A biotechnology company
introduces a new strain of tomato plant
that produces a natural pesticide,
making it resistant to the beetle. By
switching to this new strain, you could
avoid both the beetle and the chemical
pesticides traditionally needed to fight
it. What will be your action?

Assessment
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. What is a Genetically Modified Organism?

a. a living organism whose genetic material has been synthetically
manipulated.
b. the organism whose DNA has been transcribed.
c. it is an organism that were transformed totally as new organism through
biotechnology.
d. the organism whose genes were destructed and replaced.

2. Which among the following statements is NOT a purpose of genetic

engineering?
a. repairing a genetic defect
c. enhancing an effect already natural to that organism
b. decreasing resistance to disease or external damage
d. getting a micro- organism to produce human insulin for diabetes.

3. The following words are associated to Genetic Engineering, EXCEPT?

a. modification c. destruction
b. manipulation d. biotechnology

4. Which of the following BEST describes Genetic Engineering?

a. it involves transcription and translation.
b. a process of altering the genes, which you find in all living things.
c. a method that scientists used to produce a genetic copy of another
individual.
d. none of the above.

14
 5. Which of the following is NOT a process of genetic engineering?
a. identify an organism that contains a desirable gene
b. extract the entire DNA from the organism.
c. remove this gene from the rest of the DNA through restriction enzymes.
d. insert the old gene to the same existing organism’s DNA.

6. Mr. Reyes is a farmer who complains about the effects of genetic engineering.
What is most likely his concern?
a. greater yields are produced
b. risks to the local water supply are reduced.
c. there can be negative side effects to his crops.
d. the alteration allows for a faster growth rate.

7. Which of the following is NOT a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)?

a. Bt Corn c. Glow in the dark fish
b. Rotten tomatoes d. Golden rice

8. What do we call to the GMO modified with daffodil genes to have more beta
carotene which the body converts into Vitamin A?
a. Bt Corn c. Glow in the dark fish
b. Aqua Advantage Salmon d. Golden rice

9. Why Bt corn is modified with a bacterial insecticide gene?

a. to have more beta carotene which is good for the body.
b. to produce insect toxins within the cell to protect it from pest species.
c. to help grow the organism ready for market sizes production.
d. to delay the ripening process of the corn.

10. What genetic engineering process involves DNA strands which are cut
into fragments?
a. Recombinant DNA c. DNA sequencing
b. Restriction enzymes d. Polymerase Chain Reaction

II. MODIFIED TRUE or FALSE

Directions: Write T if the statement is correct; otherwise, if it is wrong replace the

underlined word/s to make the statement correct.

________________ 11. Genetic engineering allows for a faster growth rate.

________________ 12. Gel Electrophoresis separates the DNA fragments by size. It is
used to study DNA fragments of various sizes.
________________ 13. Bacteria can undergo the process of genetic engineering.
________________ 14. Golden corn is modified with insect toxins to protect from pest.
________________ 15. Biotechnology is used to replicate the genes of an organism.

15
 Additional Activities

Directions: Conduct an interview with your neighbour, community leader and

Barangay Captain and ask them about the genetically modified organism
(GMO) that they were able to use or encounter.

16
 17
What I have
Learned
(Lesson 2)
1. Fact
Assessment 2. Fact
3. Bluff
1. A 4. Fact
2. B 5. Fact
3. C
4. B
5. D
6. C What’s More (Lesson 1)
7. B
8. D
9. B
10.B
11.T
12.T
13.T
14.Bt Corn
15.Modify/
Enhance
What I Know
1. A
2. A
3. A
4. D
5. B
6. B
7. A What's In (Lesson What's New
8. A 1) (Lesson 2)
9. B 1. GENES 1. A
10.A 2. ORGANISM 2. A
11.A 3. GMO * Students
12.B 4. DNA explanations may vary
13.C 5. MODIFICATION
14.B * Students
15.D explanations may vary
Answer Key
References

Genetic Engineering and the World Today, accessed date: May 31, 2020,
https://prezi.com/fdx8b8igze26/comparison-and-contrast-of-the-earth-
venus-and-mars?
SHS Earth and Life Science Teaching Guide
Earth and Life Science for Senior High School, Educational Resources Corporation
https://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2012/04/13/epigenetics-does-not-mean

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-molecular-
genetics/hs-biotechnology/v/introduction-to-genetic-engineering
https://www.bnl.gov/physics/events/past.php\

https://kapitolyohs.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/module-2-basic-science-
processes.pdf

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SDO Palawan

Curriculum Implementation Division Office

2nd Floor DepEd Palawan Building
Telephone no. (048) 433-3292

Learning Resources Management Section

LRMS Building, PEO Compound
Telephone No. (048) 434-0099

18