Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Principles of genetic technology
Principles of genetic technology — practice question
Vitamin A deficiency is a serious health issue in many parts of the world where children eat a restricted diet. Rice enriched with pro-vitamin A has been created by genetic engineering. This rice, named Golden Rice, contains high levels of $\beta$-carotene, which the human body uses to make vitamin A. From this Golden Rice, newer Golden Rice varieties have been developed by selective breeding. Fig. 3.1 illustrates how Golden Rice was first produced by genetic engineering.
(a(i))[1]
Name the enzyme types used in step 1 and step 2.
(a(ii))[1]
Name the enzyme involved in step 3.
(a(iii))[2]
Explain why promoters were added together with the genes for $\beta$-carotene in step 3.
(a(iv))[3]
Describe the features of plasmids that make them suitable for use in the production of Golden Rice.
(b)[3]
Explain why the original Golden Rice had to be developed by genetic engineering, but locally-adapted varieties of Golden Rice could be developed by selective breeding.
(c(i))[2]
Explain why Golden Rice was grown using water containing deuterium.
(c(ii))[1]
Suggest why it took several hours after Golden Rice had been eaten for the maximum concentration of vitamin A containing deuterium to be reached.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 13-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “restriction endonuclease OR restriction enzyme” …