# Describe how bacteria are genetically engineered to produce human insulin.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 21.1 Biotechnology and genetic modification · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The gene coding for insulin is cut from human DNA using restriction enzymes
2. The same restriction enzymes are used to cut open a bacterial plasmid, leaving complementary sticky ends
3. The insulin gene is inserted into the plasmid and joined using DNA ligase to form a recombinant plasmid
4. The recombinant plasmid is inserted into a bacterium, which reproduces to produce large quantities of human insulin

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