Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Genetically modified organisms in agriculture
Genetically modified organisms in agriculture — practice question
The potato plant, Solanum tuberosum, is a major food crop. Crop yield is lowered if the leaves of the plant are eaten by the larvae (immature stages) of the Colorado beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata.
Crop scientists used recombinant DNA technology to make two genetically modified (GM) varieties of potato plant. These plants make proteins that are toxic to insects.
GM potato variety A has two added genes, SN and Bt.
GM potato variety B has two added genes, SN and OCII.
The new varieties were investigated by introducing a fixed number of Colorado beetle larvae to the plants at time $0\ \text{h}$. The number of larvae alive after $24\ \text{h}$, $48\ \text{h}$ and $72\ \text{h}$ was noted. The percentage of larvae that died in each time interval was then worked out. This was repeated for potato plants that had not been genetically modified (non-GM).
Table 4.1 shows the percentage of Colorado beetle larvae that died on the GM potato plant varieties and on non-GM potato plants.
(a(i))[2]
Suggest what is meant by the term recombinant DNA technology.
(a(ii))[1]
Suggest why the scientists produced two different types of GM potato plant.
(a(iii))[1]
State why the scientists also carried out the test on non-GM potato plants.
(b)[3]
Discuss how the data in Table 4.1 could provide information that may help address the global demand for food.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “DNA that has been joined together from two different sources/species” …