selective breeding and genetic modification

Question 1

describe selective breeding

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 modification

Answer 2

altering the genome of an organism

Question 3

how are new genes introduced in 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

what are three 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 does a transgenic organism contain

Answer 5

foreign DNA