Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Principles of genetic technology
Principles of genetic technology — practice question
Malaria is a severe infectious disease that is often fatal and is caused by Plasmodium. Medicines such as chloroquine are commonly used both to lower the chance of malaria infection and to treat people who have already been infected. However, in many regions of the world, Plasmodium populations have developed resistance to chloroquine.
Determining the genome sequence of Plasmodium and using bioinformatics has revealed a number of new targets for the development of anti-malarial drugs.
(a(i))[2]
Define bioinformatics clearly.
(a(ii))[3]
Outline how sequencing the genome of Plasmodium together with bioinformatics may point to new anti-malarial drug targets.
(b(i))[3]
Suggest the advantages of using theoretical models in this research instead of checking possible drugs in the laboratory.
(b(ii))[2]
Suggest why theoretical modelling cannot entirely replace laboratory trials in the search for new drugs.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Data repositories” …