Selective Breeding and Genetic Modification

Question 1

Describe how selective breeding is carried out

Answer 1

• Organisms with the desired traits are selected
• These organisms are bred together
• This process is repeated until the offspring have the desired characteristics

Question 2

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 2

Altering the genome of an organism.

Question 3

How are new genes introduced into an organism?

Answer 3

• The organisms genes are cut using restriction enzymes to create sticky ends
• The DNA from a bacterium is also cut to produce sticky ends
• The gene is inserted into the bacterium and joined together by DNA ligase enzymes

Question 4

Give 3 benefits of genetically modified crops

Answer 4

• The plants are resistant to herbicides and disease
• The plants grow bigger and more quickly
• The plants can grow in harsher environments and without the need to continue to top up nutrients frequently

Question 5

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 5

An organism that contains foreign DNA.