Questions and Answers

Outline the use of genetic modification in crop plants by inserting genes: (a) to confer resistance to herbicides (b) to confer resistance to insect pests (c) to provide additional vitamins

Explain that the gene that controls the production of human insulin has been inserted into bacterial DNA, for commercial production of insulin

Describe genetic modification as changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes

Describe the use of: (a) enzymes in biological washing powders (b) pectinase for fruit juice production (c) lactase for lactose-free milk

Describe how fermenters can be used for the large-scale production of useful products by bacteria and fungi, including the conditions that need to be controlled, limited to: temperature, pH, oxygen, nutrient supply and waste products

Discuss why bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification, limited to: (a) no ethical concerns over their manipulation and growth (b) presence of plasmids

Describe that bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification due to their rapid reproduction rate and their ability to make complex molecules

Explain the role of yeast in the production of bread and ethanol

Describe the role of artificial selection in the production of economically important plants and animals

Describe artificial selection (selective breeding) with reference to: (a) selection by humans of animals or plants with desirable features (b) crossing these to produce the next generation (c) selection of offspring showing the desirable features (d) repetition over many generations