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The development of recombinant DNA technology is, in biological terms a very recent discovery. It was founded in 1973 by Cohen and Boyer, the first two scientists to successfully transplant a section of DNA from one bacterium and insert it into another using restriction enzymes, creating the first transgenic organism1. As with every biological discovery […]

Across time, people have altered plants and animals to meet their requirements using artificial selection by selectively breeding organisms with preferred characteristics. In modern times, recombinant DNA technology has significantly enhanced the capacity for genetic manipulation, such as genetically modifying microorganisms and plants. Scientists can create new strains with desired qualities by inserting human genes […]

The term Limpet is a common name used for many different types of saltwater or freshwater snails that have a simple shell which is conical in shape, and coiled in appearance(1). The majority of this species are commonly found attached strongly to rocks or other hard surfaces such as pebbles and sand on exposed rocky […]

Deoxyribonucleic acid or its commonly known name DNA – is a molecule that contains our genes. It forms part of a chromosome and is only found inside the nucleus of a cell. Our DNA consists of units called nucleotides. Each consists of a 5-carbon sugar, deoxiyribose, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base – adenine […]

There are two essential substances found inside bacterial cells required before the process can begin. Present in the cytoplasm of a bacterial cell are a number of small circular pieces of DNA known as plasmids. Also present within the bacterial cell are restriction enzymes which cut DNA molecules at specific sites. By selecting the correct […]

There is much controversy surrounding the topic of genetically modified foods, a subject that provokes an emotional debate as some of the ideas contradict many moral and religious beliefs. Many ‘disadvantages’ are merely the moral views of people, and have little or no scientific link, such as the belief of consuming a plant with a […]

The subject of genetic engineering has always been a controversial one, that has divided opinion for years, although in today’s society it is more important than ever. Although the possibilities of genetic manipulation have been theorised as early as the 17th century and H. J. Muller was artificially mutating genes of Drosophila with x-rays in […]

In recent years science has been using recombinant DNA to genetically modify animals, plants and now technology has advanced to the point where there is constant speculation on manipulating human DNA. Recombinant DNA, or more commonly known as ‘genetic engineering’ involves “the combination of DNA from one organism with DNA from another organism”. There are […]

‘Sexing the Cherry’ is considered as a post-modern text because it has been broken away from the Victorian narrative and rational tradition which is usually linear (start, middle and end) while post-modernism is usually mixed up. This is to break away from normal traditional writings and making it more catching for readers. Also, it values […]

In the middle of part 1, Faulks tells the story of Stephen’s and Isabelle’s second romantic encounter which takes place in the Azaire household. The chapter opens in the living room where the family are discussing what they have done during the day . The conversation is mundane and dull about shopping and household matters […]

‘Chateau Bougainvillaea’, penned by H.E. Bates, is a captivating brief tale that features a character confronted with a predicament. The protagonist’s response to this predicament enhances the audience’s comprehension of the story at large. The story of Louise Bowen portrays her growing sense of dissatisfaction with life after becoming engaged to Arthur Keller. This conflict […]

The Second World War broke out in September 1939 under the direction of Adolf Hitler, the British mainland was never invaded, but was subject to bombings during the blitz. At the centre of this was ‘the Close’ in which two inquisitive boys sought understanding into the adult world, with terrifying consequences. This bildungsroman tells the […]

Vernon ‘God’ Little plays the protagonist in the novel written by DBC Pierre; the author inhabiting a teenage mind. Vernon reflects the mindset of Pierre since a conventional teenage boy from the USA is accurately portrayed. Vernon is instantly introduced as a guilty man; ‘I’m the first one they rounded up so far’, which suggests […]

The character of Lally in Vernon God Little can be described as cowardly, as he often avoids situations that may damage his ego. This is seen in his interactions with his impoverished mother, whom he does not want to speak to. Lally lives in Doris and uses her to hide his dislike for Vernon, thus […]

Towards the end of the novel as Vernon faces the death penalty for a crime he didn’t commit, he has an outer body experience. The ending is indefinite as the reader is left questioning whether Vernon is alive or dead. The uncertainty of Vernon’s fate is worth exploring.From chapter twenty-six onwards, a chain of events […]

Little Things by Raymond Carver is a story about a couple facing problems in their marital life.It is a very short, yet an interesting story. The story itself starts with a situation going on in ahouse where a couple is moving apart from each other. The man, packing a suitcase is ready to leave but […]

Arundhati Roy’s novel The God of Small Things follows the growth of Estha and Rahel, exploring their relationship from early childhood through to adulthood. In the following piece, I will closely examine Roy’s use of language and structure, as well as the intertextual references present on pages 193-198 that convey the innocence of youth. Roy […]

In Brighton Rock, Graham Greene demonstrates aspects of the archetypal masculine and feminine characters. Prominent matriarchal themes which he explores include leadership, criminality and mob mentality, typifying the image of the contextual audience; what was perceived of ‘the 1938 man’. However, Green also depicts contrasting images of gender representation. We gain knowledge of this through […]

1. Who is the most admirable character in the novel? Who is the least admirable? Explain your answers.In the Novel ‘A Passage To India’ Forster presents many amiable characters with a balance of quite unpleasant ones. As we progress through the novel, one could see that the most likable characters are actually the most similar […]

The story concerns a very self- insecure man trying to woo a self-possessed young lady of fifteen who does her best to get rid of the man by making up a story which terrifies the man into leaving the house. The story is quite a humorous event ending with a denouement.By just looking at the […]

In this excerpt, which takes place after Tony has left for the Amazon, Waugh continues to allow his reader to come to their own conclusions about the characteristics and behaviour of Brenda by examining what she does and what she says rather than through the narrator or author’s own viewpoint. Nevertheless, the inclusion of irony, […]

‘Imagine that Baba writes a letter to Rahim Khan after he and Amir had been in America for a few years, in which Baba explains how he feels about his life in America with Amir.. .’Rahim Khan. How I miss hearing that name. Inshallah, this letter finds you healthy and well old friend, I have […]