Biotechnology Principles and Processes: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Once the gene goes in, the medicine is ready.”

Ask together

How would you separate insulin from the cells that made it?

What’s true

Making a usable medicine also requires controlled production and purification.

If your child says… “The bigger DNA piece travels farther.”

Ask together

Which piece would pass through small pores more easily?

What’s true

Smaller DNA fragments pass through the gel’s pores more easily.

If your child says… “Getting inside is enough for a plasmid to copy.”

Ask together

Where would copying start if ori were missing?

What’s true

A plasmid needs an origin of replication to copy independently in its host.

If your child says… “DNA-digesting enzymes can keep working during extraction.”

Ask together

What target would remain if its DNA were chopped up?

What’s true

Uncontrolled DNA digestion can destroy the target before it is isolated.

If your child says… “PCR copies DNA without primers.”

Ask together

Which starting ends would polymerase extend if both primers were absent?

What’s true

Polymerase needs primers to begin copying the selected region.

If your child says… “Surviving the antibiotic proves the new gene is inside.”

Ask together

What allows bacteria with an empty plasmid to survive here?

What’s true

An empty vector can provide the same antibiotic resistance.

If your child says… “A bioreactor is just a bigger flask.”

Ask together

Which parts of this tank would an ordinary flask lack?

What’s true

Large cultures need monitoring and control throughout production.

If your child says… “The liquid from the culture is already medicine.”

Ask together

What remains mixed with the product after these cells are removed?

What’s true

Culture liquid also contains cells, unused nutrients and waste.