CourseCourseConceptConceptDocumentDocument

CAIE IGCSE Biology 21.3 Genetic Modification Questions

Practise genetic-modification questions by defining gene changes, recognising crop or bacterial examples and sequencing plasmid steps for human proteins.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Biology 0610

Exam points

  • describe genetic modification as removing, changing or inserting individual genes
  • identify human-protein production and crop traits as genetic-modification examples
  • sequence restriction enzymes, sticky ends, ligase, recombinant plasmids and bacterial expression
  • discuss GM crop benefits and risks, including yield, nutrition, gene transfer and biodiversity

Covered syllabus points

21.3.1—Genetic modification as changing21.3.3—Process of genetic modification using21.3.2—Genetic modification: (a)21.3.4—Advantages and disadvantages

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which statement about genetic modification is correct?

A

It involves choosing which individual organisms are used for breeding.

B

It is always done using genes from the same species.

C

It produces a new combination of genes.

D

It produces exact copies of individual organisms.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 9]

Bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Fig. 6.1 shows a photomicrograph of a bacterium.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Question (a)

(a)

Genetically modified bacteria can produce human insulin.

[ 5 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Insulin is a protein.

Describe the process of using bacteria in genetic engineering to produce human proteins.

[ 5 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Crop plants can also be genetically modified.

Describe the advantages of genetically modifying crops.

[ 4 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

What is an example of the use of genetic modification in agriculture?

A

choosing cattle to breed so that alleles for high milk yield will be passed on to their offspring

B

increasing food production by using insecticides to improve quality and yield

C

inserting genes into crop plants to improve the nutritional qualities of the plant

D

selecting crop plants with desirable characteristics and crossing these to produce the next

All question bank results loaded