Technology & Biology

Artificial Life?

In 2008, scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute in Rockville, Maryland, produced a synthetic genome with more than half a million DNA base pairs. It may not be long before artificial cells containing similar genomes can be grown in the laboratory. How? First a complete DNA molecule, containing the minimum set of the genetic information needed to keep a cell alive, is produced in the laboratory. Then, that molecule is inserted into a living cell to replace the cell's DNA. The result is a cell whose genome is entirely synthetic. Scientists hope this technique can help them design cells for specific purposes, like capturing solar energy or manufacturing biofuels.

WRITING

How could ethical and societal factors affect the production of synthetic organisms? If you were a scientist working on the latest breakthroughs, how would you address those issues? Describe your ideas in an essay.

A photograph of Daniel G. Gibson and a series of micrographsd

Am illustration representing the synthesis of a Genome.

▴ Synthesizing a Genome

One way to synthesize life is to replace a cell's genome with an artificial DNA molecule. As a result, cell division may produce a daughter cell containing only the human-made genome.

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Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
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