Genetic modification

Question 1

What is the technique when genes are transferred from one organism into the cells of another organism?

Answer 1

Genetic modification.

Question 2

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using genetic modification to produce crop plants such as frost-resistant tomatoes.

Answer 2

Increased yield, so there is a longer growing period.

But the gene could be passed onto wild plants.
And there could be adverse effects on the gene pool.

Question 3

Apart from having the herbicide-resistance gene, the herbicide-resistant plants are identical to the herbicide-susceptible plants.
Explain why.

Answer 3

Because they are produced from asexual reproduction.
So all cells have the same genetic information.

Question 4

How is a herbicide-resistance gene cut out of its structure?

Answer 4

By restriction enzymes.

Question 5

Suggest one advantage to a farmer of growing herbicide-resistant crops.

Answer 5

Can spray crop with herbicide because only the weeds are killed.

Question 6

Describe how cotton plants can be genetically engineered to produce the Bt poison. (3)

Answer 6

Gene for the Bt poison is cut from the bacterial DNA using enzymes.

And then transferred to cotton plant cells.

Question 7

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of growing Bt cotton.
(4)

Answer 7

Increased yield as it is eaten less by insects.
Fewer pesticides need to be used.
May also kill useful insects.
The gene could be passed on to wild plants.

Question 8

1. ___________ are used to _________ the required gene.

Answer 8

Enzymes
isolate

Question 9

2. The _______ is inserted into a _________.

Answer 9

gene
vector

Question 10

3. The _____ is used to insert the gene into the _______________ of the ______________________.

Answer 10

vector
required cells
target organism

Question 11

4. The ____________ are transferred to the ______ of the organism at the __________________ of their development to develop their _______________________.

Answer 11

genes
transferred
cells
early stage
desired characteristics

Question 12

What are vectors? (And give 2 examples).

Answer 12

Something that’s used to transfer DNA into a cell (plasmids and viruses)