2. Blueprint of Life

Question 1

Outline the two major conclusions Charles Darwin made in his book “On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection”

Answer 1

1. Species were not created in their present form, but have evolved from a natural ancestor
2. Natural selection is the mechanism for evolution

Question 2

Define: Evolutionary adaptations

Answer 2

Inherited characteristics when enhance an organism’s ability to survive to maturity, find a mate, produce fertile offspring in an environment

Question 3

Recite the explanation of evolution by means of natural selection

Answer 3

The theory of evolution by means of natural selection relies on natural variation in a species and some of those organisms having favourable traits that better suit them to their environment, to that they are more likely to survive to maturity, find a mate, successfully reproduce to pass on those favourable traits to their fertile offspring, over thousands of generations. It thus depends in variation, inheritability and over-reproduction

Question 4

Explain the impact of changes in the physical conditions of the environment on an organism, using examples

Answer 4

Peppered moth: some moths were naturally light coloured, whilst others were darker. As the Industrial Revolution occurred, the tree trunks became darker and thus natural selection favoured the darker coloured moths as they were better able to camouflage and avoid predators.

Question 5

Explain the impact of changes in the chemical environment on an organism, using examples

Answer 5

Mosquitoes: to decrease the spread of malaria, mosquitoes were killed using DDT. However, due to natural variation, some mosquitoes were naturally resistant to DDT and were thus able to survive to maturity, find a mate, and produce fertile offspring to pass on favourable trait.

Question 6

Explain the impact of competition on organisms

Answer 6

Introduced species create competition for organisms. The introduction of dingoes, feral cats and foxes disturbed the food chain as they did not have a natural apex predator. Organisms that were thus able to change their diet were favoured by natural selection

Question 7

Identify the three major sections of evidence that Darwin used to support his theory of evolution

Answer 7

Fossil Records, behaviour of living animals and geographical distribution of similar organisms. Due to the technology in his period, genetic studies were not available

Question 8

Describe the nature of fossil evidence in relation to supporting the theory of evolution and its limitations

Answer 8

When living organisms are compared with fossils from the record, a history of change can be observed, which is used to suggest a common ancestral relationship. Transitional forms are considered the ‘missing link’ between species. The Archaeopteryx is a small dinosaur which had both reptilian features and bird features.
Limitations: fossil record is incomplete and favours organisms that are easily fossilised, unequal representation of organisms, limitations of radiocarbon dating.

Question 9

Describe the nature of comparative embryology in relation to supporting the theory of evolution

Answer 9

The study of similarities between embryos of different vertebrates. As these vertebrates begin their development with ‘gill slits’, they are used to suggest a common aquatic ancestor. As organisms have evolved to better suit their environment, the gill slits developed into other organs

Question 10

Describe the nature of comparative anatomy in relation to supporting the theory of evolution

Answer 10

Compares similar structures (homologous structures) in vertebrate organisms. These homologous structures are used as evidence to suggest a common ancestral relationship. A common structure studied is the pentadactyl limb (forearm). The structure differences are a result of the specific functioning of the organism.

Question 11

Describe the nature of biogeography in relation to supporting the theory of evolution

Answer 11

Biogeography is the study of the geographical distribution of organisms. Due to the movement of tectonic plates, organisms can become isolated in a specific region. As they evolve to better suit their environment over thousands of generations, they become unable to successfully reproduce with there initial species (speciation). Darwin noticed the unique flora and fauna on each continent and concluded that they must have a common ancestral relationship. Eg: ratite birds

Question 12

Describe the nature of biochemistry in relation to supporting the theory of evolution

Answer 12

A comparison of organisms at a molecular level. Amino-acid sequencing is used to compare the structure and composition of amino acids in different organisms. ‘Cytochrome-C’ is present in all respiring organisms. Similarities indicate that the organisms have evolved from a common ancestor.

Question 13

Define: Divergent evolution and provide examples

Answer 13

Divergent evolution refers to system of evolution in which organisms becoming different in their form to common ancestors, as a result of speciation. Adaptive radiation is a mechanism which contributes to divergent evolution as organisms migrate (‘radiate’) and thus evolve to better suit their environment. Eg: Darwin’s finches

Question 14

Define: Convergent evolution

Answer 14

Organisms from distantly related ancestors come to resemble each other doe to similar environmental pressures

Question 15

Describe an experiment conducted to model natural selection

Answer 15

Different coloured cards resembling variation in a species were used. A spinner was used to determine the organisms that became prey. Whilst this successfully modelled evolution by means of natural selection, it was oversimplified and so not all selective pressures were included. Assumptions were made regarding mating partners, population side and offspring

Question 16

Describe a case study which explores who environmental changes lead to changes in a species

Answer 16

The environmental mosquitoes lived in changes due to the presence of DDT. Due to natural variation, some organisms were naturally resistant to DDT. As a result, they were more likely to survive to maturity, find a mate, successfully reproduce and pass on their favourable traits to fertile offspring. This meant that over thousands of generations. Most mosquitoes were naturally resistant to DDT.

Question 17

Explain how advances in biochemical technology has changed scientific understandings of evolutionary relationships

Answer 17

Initially, it was believed that humans existed in their own classification (Homindae family) and that chimpanzees were in a seperate family (Pongidae family). However, due to the study of amino-acid sequencing (cytochrome-C), it was discovered that humans and chimps have the same sequencing and are thus more closely related. This mean that the chimpanzees are now also classified under the phylogenetic branch, Homindae

Question 18

Outline the historical development of theories of evolution

Answer 18

1700s: natural theology
Curvier: nomenclature naming system. Implied no evolutionary relationships and hypothesised catastrophism
Hutton: hypothesised gradualism
Lyell: uniformitarianism
Lamarck: first introduced the idea of evolution through suggesting that the parts of the body used extensively grow larger and stronger, whilst used parts become weaker and smaller. These changes are passed to offspring. Experimented by cutting the tails of mice and examining offspring.

Question 19

Outline the experiments conducted by Gregor Mendel

Answer 19

He considered the inheritance of particular characteristics (traits) and discovered the basic principles of hereditary by breeding garden peas in carefully controlled experiments. He showed that inherited characteristics are passed as discrete ‘units’ from parents to offspring, allowing him to detect patterns in inheritance and predict ratios using mathematical formulae. He studied the inheritance of each monohybrid-cross individually for 2 filial generations

Question 20

Identify some the the characteristics that Mendel studied

Answer 20

Stem length
Colour of seed contents
Shape of seed 
Colour of flower
Colour of unripe pod
Flower position
Pod Shape

Question 21

Outline some of the experimental techniques Mendel used which makes his experiments successful

Answer 21

1. He forced plants to cross-pollinate by removing immature stamens and hand-painting polled onto stigma. Covered plants with a bag
2. He started his experiments with pure-breeding plants
3. Used large sample sizes and kept accurate results
4. Used mathematical analysis (quantitative data)
5. Made justified conclusions about the Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment

Question 22

Describe Mendel’s results from his experiments

Answer 22

From his experiments, he found that the F2 generation consistently had a 3:1 ratio of dominant to recessive factors expressed.

Question 23

Describe the four conclusions that Mendel came to

Answer 23

1. Alternative versions of genes account for variation in inherited characteristics
2. For each character, an organism inherits two alleles, one from each parent
3. If two alleles differ, the dominant allele is always expressed
4. Two alleles for each character segregates during gamete production (Law of Segregation). Law of Independent Assortment refers to the idea that the segregation of alleles is completely random and is independent of other genes, if on different pairs of homologous chromosomes.

Question 24

Define: Genotype

Answer 24

an organism’s ‘genetic makeup’, comprises of an organism’s two alleles. Whilst genotypes can be different, phenotypes can be the same

Question 25

Define: Homozygous

Answer 25

An organism having two identical alleles for a gene

Question 26

Define: Heterozygous

Answer 26

An organism have two different alleles for a gene

Question 27

Identify the two different types go genotypes an organism can have in a monohybrid cross

Answer 27

Heterozygous or homozygous

Question 28

Define: allele, using examples

Answer 28

an alternative form of gene. Whilst there can be more than 2 alleles for a specific gene, an organism can only have two (eg. wrinkled seed and round seed are two alleles for he seed shape gene)

Question 29

Define: gene, using examples

Answer 29

a discrete unit of hereditary information, consisting of a specific section (locus) of DNA. Each gene has two copies (alleles)

Question 30

Define: Dominant allele

Answer 30

an allele that is always fully expressed

Question 31

Define: Recessive allele

Answer 31

an allele that is completely masked by a dominant allele as is only expressed in the phenotype when in a homozygous pair

Question 32

Identify some of the reasons why Mendel’s work was not considered initially

Answer 32

Mendel presented his findings to scientists in 1865 and published a paper in 1866. His findings were not accepted until 1900 (cell division discovery) as they were:

• radical and progressive
• only a small group of scientists heard him
• mathematical calculations were advanced
• he had no reputation and was shy

Question 33

Describe the current use of pedigree trees in science

Answer 33

Pedigree trees are used to trace the inheritance of a gene within a family. They are currently used to trace genetic diseases/disorders to predict the likelihood of potential offspring inheriting the disorder.

Question 34

Describe the process of hybridisation and give an example

Answer 34

Hybridisation is the process in which two organisms from different breed/varieties, are cross-bred to produce an offspring with more favourable characteristics (hybrid vigour). Labradoodles are a cross-breed of labradors and poodle, with the aim of producing offspring that do not shed and have a tolerant temperament. Whilst hybridisation is able to produce hybrid vigour, offspring are often sterile so the process has to be repeated.

Question 35

Describe the work of Theodor Boveri and the conclusions he made

Answer 35

He worked with sea urchin eggs, fertilising some with and some without a nucleus. He found that the normal eggs hatched into larvae with characteristics from both parents and the egg without the nucleus only had the characteristics from the sperm and has only half the number of chromosomes.
He thus concluded that a complete set of chromosomes is needed for normal development and that genes are found on chromosomes in the nucleus - they are the carriers of heredity.

Question 36

Describe the work of Walter Sutton and the conclusions he made

Answer 36

He studied the formation of sperm cells in grasshoppers. His observations revealed that chromosomes occurred in homologous pairs in diploid cells, during reduction division this number is halved (one chromosome in a homologous pair) and that fertilisation restores the diploid number.
He thus concluded that alleles of a gene occur on homologous chromosomes, which are separated (Law of Random Segregation) and that these genes on chromosomes seperate independently of genes on other homologous chromosomes (Law of Independent Assortment). He made the connection between the behaviour of chromosomes and Mendel’s laws.

Question 37

Discuss how Sutton and Boveri’s work contributed to the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance.

Answer 37

Both scientists identified the important of chromosomes during gamete formation, making the connection to Mendel’s laws of hereditary. They thus concluded the several factors are present on one chromosome (‘gene linkage’)

Question 38

Describe the chemical composition of chromosomes and genes

Answer 38

Chromosomes are comprised mostly of DNA. The DNA is wound around histones (protein) which forms a chromosomes. DNA is comprised of many genes, which contain a repeating subunit in a double-strand. The monomer is a nucleotide; a phosphate group, sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. The bases complementarily pair to form the double strand.

Question 39

Describe the composition of genes and briefly outline the discoveries which lead to this understanding

Answer 39

DNA is a polymer of nucleotides (phosphate group, pentose sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases). This discovery that the amount of adenine in DNA is similar to the amount of thymine (and likewise with cytosine and guanine) lead to the understanding that they were complementary pairs. Watson and Crick’s understanding of the structure of DNA is dependant on Franklin and Maurice’s crystallography images. The images indicated a double-helix, which supported their idea their idea of the complementary pairs forming ‘rungs’

Question 40

Identify and describe the three mechanisms of variation which involve the behaviour of chromosomes

Answer 40

1. Independent Assortment (only Metaphase 1): the orientation of the chromosomes in a homologous pair relative to the poles of each cell is random. The possible combinations are 2^n
2. Crossing Over (Metaphase 1 and Late Prophase): homologous chromosomes come together as pairs and line along the equator. Where they touch, the genetic information is switched.
3. Random Fertilisation

Question 41

Identify the events in gamete formation which result in the variability of offspring

Answer 41

1. Random Segregation
2. Crossing Over
3. Independent Assortment

Question 42

Describe how sexual reproduction influences the variability of offspring

Answer 42

Random fertilisation: the sperm which fertilises the ova is completely random.

Question 43

Explain by co-dominance and sex-linkage are variation to Mendel’s ratios

Answer 43

Mendel’s experiments were mono-hybrid crosses, meaning that each character he studied was only influenced by one gene

Question 44

Define and explain co-dominance

Answer 44

When both alleles inherited from homozygous parents are simultaneously expressed, producing a third phenotype (e.g. Roan Cattle)

Question 45

Define and explain sex-linkage

Answer 45

When a particular gene is found on the 23rd pair of chromosomes. As a result, a particular gender is favoured for the inherence of a gene. Common X-linked genes are haemophilia and muscular dystrophy

Question 46

Describe Morgan’s contribution to the understanding of sex-linkage

Answer 46

Thomas Morgan studied fruit flies (Drosophilia melenogaster) as they bred every two weeks and only had 4 pairs of chromosomes. After a year of breeding a simple male with white eyes was produced (mutation). He breezed this fly with a female red-eyed fly and found in the F2 generation that only male flies has white eyes. He thus deduced that the loci for eye colour was on the X-chromosome, as males only need a simple copy of the mutant recessive gene for it to be expressed. He concluded that linked gene could only be inherited separately if crossing-over occurred.

Question 47

Define the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance

Answer 47

1. The behaviours of pairs of alleles can be explained by the movement of chromosomes during meiosis (Sutton and Boveri)
2. Pairs of alleles are carried on pairs of homologous chromosomes (Morgan)
3. Mendel’s laws are explained by the separation and recombination of pairs of alleles if they are not sex-linked and they show dominance

Question 48

Outline how the environmental affects the expression of a gene

Answer 48

The environment can affect the phenotypic expression of a gene. Hydrangeas change colour flower in soil of different pHs.

Question 49

Outline an experiment conducted to observe the effect of environment of the expression of a gene

Answer 49

Three different pertinent dished of grass seed were placed in different conditions (no light, indirect light, direct light). As a result, the seeds with indirect grew the most, thus revealing how the environment affects the expression of genes

Question 50

Outline the process of DNA Replication

Answer 50

1. Two strands of DNA separate
2. Free nucleotides in the nucleus complementary base pair to the existing strand of DNA
3. Nucleotides longitudinally link

Question 51

Explain the significance of DNA Replication

Answer 51

DNA replication is the process of a DNA strand completely duplicating, so that two identical DNA strands are produced. This is necessary for both mitosis and meiosis as otherwise an incorrect number of chromosomes would be present in the daughter cells. As DNA complementary base pairs, each single strand contains the information to reconstruct its complementary strand.

Question 52

Outline the process of Protein Synthesis

Answer 52

1. Transcription: synthesis of RNA under the direction of DNA. RNA is formed by complementary base-pairing with the non-coding strand of DNA, so that the mRNA strand is identical to the coding strand of DNA. This is achieved by a gene being ‘unzipped’ by helices (enzyme) forming a transcription bubble. The formed mRNA then leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore the the ribosome
2. Translation: synthesis of polypeptide chain. mRNA is translated in series’ of three base pairs (codons) to procure an amino acid. This is achieved by the tRNA, which carries a specific amino acid from the cytoplasm to the ribosome, which complementary base pairs with a codon (anti-codon).

Question 53

Identify the the need for mRNA is protein synthesis

Answer 53

DNA can not leave the nucleus. So, mRNA transcripts the genetic code from DNA and transports it the ribosomes for translation.

Question 54

Explain the impact of mutation to the generation of new alleles

Answer 54

Mutations are random changes to DNA information, which can lead to the expression of new alleles. They are a source of variation necessary for evolution by natural selection

Question 55

Identify and describe the two types of mutation

Answer 55

1. Chromosomal mutation: large changes to genetic code on chromosomes (duplication, inversion, translocation, amplification)
2. Point mutation: chemical changes to one base pair. (Substitution - point mutation, Deletion/Insertion - frameshift mutation) Point mutations can affect the the codon structure and thus the proteins that are produced.

Question 56

Outline the contributions made by Wilkins and Franklin to the understanding of DNA

Answer 56

Made a crystal of DNA (cystallography) and obtain X-ray diffraction patterns to study its structure. Wilkins was also to produce crystalline molecules for examination and Franklin was able to produce clear diffraction images

Question 57

Outline the contribution made by Watson and Crick to the understanding of DNA

Answer 57

Accredited with discovering the structure of DNA, particularly in regards to the complementary base pairs that joined inwardly, giving the idea for a mechanisms of replication. They worked together making large models to deduce DNA’s structure.

Question 58

Assess the quality of collaboration and communication between Watson, Crick, Wilkins and Franklin

Answer 58

Overall poor, whilst Watson and Crick worked well, Wilkins and Franklin has district so did not communicate well. Wilkins allowed Watson and Crick to see Franklin’s work without consent

Question 59

Identify how the discovery of DNA structure allowed for further explanations about DNA

Answer 59

• DNA stores all instructions for biochemical processes
• DNA self-replicates
• Genetic information in DNA is transferred to offspring
• DNA brings variation

Question 60

Identify some of the observations Darwin made in developing his theory of Natural Selection

Answer 60

1. All species produce excessive offspring; ‘struggle for existence’
2. Natural variation occurs in a species
3. Organisms with favourable variations are more likely to survive
4. Favourable traits thus become more frequent in a population.

Question 61

Identify the two primary types of radiation

Answer 61

1. UV radiation: results in deletion or thymine bases in the same strand to link together.
2. Ionising Radiation: can break DNA strands or chromosomes.

Question 62

Identify a situation which provides evidence for the mutagenic nature of radiation

Answer 62

Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986): nuclear power plant exploded, resulting in immediate death of surrounding individuals and long-term impacts due to the contamination of water and soil supplies. Individuals in Chernobyl have been more likely to develop cancer or produce offspring which abnormalities due to the mutation in gametes.

Question 63

Explain how an understanding of variation and its source accounts for the theory of evolution

Answer 63

• Variations enable specific organisms to be favoured by the environment
• New alleles and thus variation arise by mutation
• Variation can be amplified through isolation (Allopatric - geographic, Sympatric - behavioural)
• Darwin’s theory relies on variation in phenotype, as a consequence of variations in genotype. Meiosis, fertilisation and Mendel’s laws contribute to how variation is spread.

Question 64

Define ‘Punctuated Equilibrium’ and how differs from Darwin’s proposal

Answer 64

Punctuated Equilibrium: when species diverge from their ancestors in rapid spurts, then change very little over time. Mechanisms for sudden change include mutation and natural disaster. This is supported by the fossil records.
Darwin’s belief in gradualism differs as he believed that evolution is the accumulation of many small changes over thousands of generations.

Question 65

Describe how Beadle and Tatum contributed to an understanding of the functioning of DNA, and how they proved this.

Answer 65

B and T contributed to the understanding that DNA inherited by an organism directs the synthesis of proteins, the link between phenotype and genotype.
They conducted an experiment in the 1940s, exploring the effect of mutation on the bread mould, Neurospora crassa. They exposed bread mould to X-rays and found that three types of mutant mould were unable to produce arginine (amino acid) as a metabolic block to different steps in the pathway of the amino acid. They thus conduced that each type of mutant mould lack a certain enzyme to catalyse a step in the process. They produced the ‘one gene - one enzyme’ hypothesis, which was later changed to the ‘one gene - one polypeptide chain’.

Question 66

Identify and describe a modern example of natural selection

Answer 66

Staphylococcus and penicillin: Penicillin is used as an anti-biotic to treat and control the growth of bacteria. By 1951, penicillin was only effective in 15% of cases. In 1961, a new, resistance strand of Staphylococcus was formed. This was due to natural selection.

Question 67

Describe how Artificial Insemination alters the genetic composition of a population

Answer 67

Sperm from a selected male is inserted into a selected female. Altered genetic composition as only certain males carrying alleles which will produced desired traits are chosen. Thus, desirable alleles are more frequent in a population.

Question 68

Describe how Artificial Pollination alters the genetic composition of a population

Answer 68

Stigma from a chosen plant is pollinated using the pollen from a chosen anther. Altered genetic composition as only the pollen carrying the genes which code for the desirable phenotypes are chosen, resulting in an increased frequency of those alleles in a population.

Question 69

Describe how Cloning alters the genetic composition of a population

Answer 69

Cloning produces genetically identical offspring. The genetic composition of a population is thus significantly decreases in variability as it only contains the alleles present in the parent organism, and any mutations that may be occurred. All alleles present in the parent will be present in all offspring.

Question 70

Recount the process of artificial insemination

Answer 70

1. Stud male is selected
2. Sperm is diluted from stud cattle
3. Sperm is deep frozen
4. Female on heat is selected
5. Rectal and vaginal regions are cleaned
6. Gloved hand inserted into rectum
7. Inseminaton rod (containing thawed sperm) in inserted into vagina and into the uterus for implantation.

Question 71

Recount the process of artificial inseminaton

Answer 71

1. Immature anthers from a wheat plant removed
2. Different plant with desirable traits selected
3. Polled from selected plant is hand painted into stigma of plant with alters removed
4. Plastic/paper bag covers fertilised plant.
5. Fertilisation occurs

Question 72

Identify the reason for the production of transgenic species

Answer 72

1. Produce nutrient efficient foods
2. Produce plants with greater resistance to disease
3. Produce proteins or genes deficient in humans

Question 73

Identify the 4 techniques used to introduce desired gene into a recipient’s DNA in the transgenic species process

Answer 73

1. Micro-injection
2. Biolistics
3. Electroporation
4. Transduction

Question 74

Recount the process for producing transgenic cotton

Answer 74

1. Cotton seedlings placed on growth medium
2. Seedlings grow into calluses
3. Calluses are transferred to a liquid growth medium and given hormones to grow into plant embryos
4. Bt gene is removed from Bacillus thuringiensis using restriction enzymes
5. Using a vector, Bt gene is transferred to cotton genome
6. Embryos are developed into a tissue culture

Question 75

Recount the process for producing transgenic goats

Answer 75

1. Restriction enzymes (restriction endonucleases) remove the human gene coding for antithrombin protein
2. Human DNA is annealed to goat DNA strand that codes for milk production.
3. Fertilised goat embryos are isolated
4. Pronuclear microinjection occurs to insert recombinant DNA into goat embryo
5. Embryos implanted into surrogate mother
6. Some embryos developing into transgenic species

Question 76

Describe the short term and long terms impacts of AI on the genetic diversity of species

Answer 76

ST: increases genetic variability as new combinations of alleles are introduced.
LT: decreases genetic variability as desirable characteristics are more frequently passed from each generation of cattle to their offspring, thus increasing the expression of chosen traits. Most offspring will receive the desired alleles. Decreases genetic combinations.

Question 77

Describe the short term and long term impacts of AP on the genetic diversity of species

Answer 77

ST: increases genetic variability are new combinations of alleles are formed. (Eg. William Farrer hybridised wheat)
LT: genetic diversity decreases as alleles for chosen characteristics are more frequently passed on to offspring.

Question 78

Describe the short term and long term impacts of Cloning on the genetic diversity of species

Answer 78

ST: limits genetic diversity as few parents are chosen to produce clones and have very similar characteristics. All offspring will carry the same alleles as their parents, with no variation.
LT: genetic diversity of further decreased as the presence of specific genotypes are more frequent, resulting in increasing similarity between cloned organisms.

Question 79

Identify the impact of a decrease in the genetic diversity of species

Answer 79

A population’s ability to respond and survive to environmental changes is decreases as more of the population will be impacted by a selective pressure.

Question 80

Recount the process for cloning a carrot

Answer 80

1. Section of carrot root removed
2. Cells are separated in a blender
3. Cells placed on nutrient medium
4. Cels undergo mitosis
5. Artificial embryo develops
6. Platelet cultured and transferred to soil
7. Carrot is genetically identical to parent

Question 81

Recount the process for cloning a sheep

Answer 81

1. Somatic cells (udder) retrieved form sheep 1
2. DNA removed from somatic cells
3. Ova retrieved from different sheep
4. Nucleus removed from ova (enucleation)
5. Somatic cell DNA injected from ova cell
6. Enucleated cell undergoes cell division
7. Implanted into surrogate mother
8. Organism is genetically identical to sheep 1

Question 82

Explain the environmental ethical issues concerning the use of transgenic species

Answer 82

Transgenic species decreases the biodiversity and genetic variability of species, which can endanger the survival of a species as there is less variation for some organisms to survive.
Asserts humans are a creative superior, altering the genome of species according to the desires of the breeder, rather than selective pressures.
Allow for the development of higher quality produce and medical therapies (Bt Cotton and transgenic goats)

Question 83

Explain the financial and social justice issues concerning the use of transgenic species

Answer 83

Increases the quality of plants and organisms, allowing them to survive to maturity.
Enables a greater financial return for farmers due to higher quality produce.
Due to patenting, cost of accessing transgenic species limits individual’s accessibility to technology. This increases the cost of products from consumers and disadvantages developing nations who are unable to afford technology.

Question 84

Explain the medical issues concerning the use of transgenic species

Answer 84

Transgenic goats carrying DNA to produce antithrombin protein in milk has allowed humans with the protein deficiency to access protein.
Produces food with a high nutrient value
Bt cotton reduces the need for pesticides, reducing the exposure of chemicals into the environment.
Sustained implications are unknown

Question 85

Explain the animals and human rights issues concerning the use of transgenic species

Answer 85

Assist in food shortages due to higher tolerant produce
Restricts individual’s access to food, due to the introduction of genes from other organisms. Some may perceive this technology as ‘humanising’ animals.