Genetic Engineering and GM

Question 1

How can scientists cut out genes from human chromosomes?

Answer 1

Using enzymes

Question 2

Why may GM corn that contains ‘fish oils’ be important for humans in the future? (3 marks)

Answer 2

Fish stocks are declining and the human population is growing, so we will not be able to eat as much fish as we need to give us these oils. The oils are essential for nerve and brain function and good health (they reduce the risk of heart disease). GM maize containing these oils could provide us with our needs.

Question 3

Why do humans need to increase the amount of food grown in the world during the next 20 years and beyond? (1 mark)

Answer 3

Because the population is increasing

Question 4

Explain why using GM crops can reduce the amount of fertiliser and pesticide chemicals used. (2 marks)

Answer 4

GM crops that do not need as much nitrate/phosphate do not need as much fertiliser. GM crops that have resistance to insects do not need to be sprayed with insecticide.

Question 5

Why can we not increase the use of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers to increase crop yields? (2 marks)

Answer 5

Because adding lots of fertiliser harms the soil, and spraying too much pesticide harms the people spraying it. Pesticides get into our food chain and may kill useful insects and birds.

Question 6

Why is it sometimes useful to use a vector organism in GE? (3 marks)

Answer 6

Sometimes genes are placed in a different species, such as a bacterium. For example, the gene to produce insulin in humans can be placed in bacteria. Then the bacteria can produce large quantities of insulin to treat diabetes.

Question 7

At what time in the development of an organism should genes be added in GE?

Answer 7

Genes can be transferred to the cells of animals and plants at an early stage in their development.

Question 8

What does the diagram show?

Answer 8

How to create a herbicide resistant crop