Another example of a genetically altered organism is the 'Flavr Savr' tomato. This tomato variety is genetically engineered to ripen and soften more slowly in order to increase its shelf-life.
The new gene is inserted into the tomato DNA alongside the normal gene that causes softening. The inserted gene prevents production of the softening enzyme beta polygalacturonase, which is coded for by the softening gene.
Parts of the base sequences for the mRNA produced during transcription of the softening gene and the inserted gene are shown below.Â
Softening gene mRNA         …AAUCGGAAU…
Inserted gene mRNA          …UUAGCCUUA…
Suggest how the inserted gene reduces the production of the softening enzyme.