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CAIE A Level Biology 9700

Genetic technology questions

Exam-style questions on Genetic technology, ordered from foundation to challenge. Pick one, write your answer the way you would in the exam, and it comes back marked against the mark scheme, point by point.

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Written by Markquill to follow the Cambridge International syllabus. Markquill is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.

  1. Explain5 marksStandardA 35-year-old woman has a strong family history of breast cancer: her mother and aunt both developed early-onset breast cancer. She is considering undergoing genetic screening for mutations in the BRCA1 gene. Explain…
  2. Discuss4 marksStandardA 35-year-old woman seeks genetic screening for Huntington's disease because her father developed the condition at age 50. She and her partner are considering having children. Huntington's disease is a dominant genetic…
  3. Outline5 marksStandardMany consumers object to the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production. Outline five reasons for these objections. Refer to examples of GM crops or animals to illustrate your answer.
  4. Explain5 marksStandardA molecular biologist wishes to produce human growth hormone (hGH) in E. coli. She isolates mRNA from human pituitary cells. Explain how she can use reverse transcriptase to generate a gene for hGH that can be…
  5. Describe5 marksStandardA researcher wants to compare which genes are expressed in two types of human cell: normal liver cells and liver cancer cells. She plans to use a DNA microarray. Describe how a DNA microarray can be used to detect the…
  6. Discuss5 marksStandardA biotechnology company has developed a genetically modified (GM) salmon that carries a growth hormone gene from another fish species. This GM salmon grows to market size in half the time of non-GM salmon. Discuss the…
  7. Explain4 marksStandardGenetically modified (GM) cotton that expresses a Bt toxin gene is resistant to insect pests such as cotton bollworms. Explain how the use of this GM crop could help meet global food demand, and describe one ethical or…
  8. Discuss4 marksStandardA new genetic screening programme has been offered to a family with a known history of Huntington's disease. The programme tests for the presence of the mutant allele that causes the condition. Discuss the advantages…
  9. Explain4 marksStandardA 35-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes has been using porcine (pig) insulin for many years. Her doctor switches her to recombinant human insulin. Explain the advantages of using recombinant human insulin instead of…
  10. Outline5 marksStandardSevere combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a genetic disorder in which the immune system is severely compromised. Outline how gene therapy could be used to treat SCID by supplying a working gene.
  11. Outline5 marksStandardSevere combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a genetic disorder caused by a defect in the gene coding for adenosine deaminase (ADA). Outline how gene therapy could be used to treat a patient with SCID by supplying a…
  12. Describe5 marksStandardA forensic scientist has extracted a small quantity of DNA from a crime scene. To obtain enough DNA for analysis, she intends to amplify a specific region using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Describe the stages…
  13. Discuss5 marksStandardA 6-year-old child has been diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare inherited eye disease that causes severe vision loss from birth. The child's parents are considering gene therapy, which involves…
  14. Outline4 marksStandardA research team has isolated a cDNA copy of the human lactoferrin gene. They plan to insert this gene into a plasmid and transform yeast cells to produce the lactoferrin protein. Outline why the team must include a…
  15. Discuss5 marksStandardGenetically modified (GM) salmon have been engineered to grow to market size in half the time of non-GM salmon. They contain a gene from another fish species that produces growth hormone throughout the year, rather…
  16. Discuss4 marksStandardThe table below shows the yield (tonnes per hectare) of a genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant cotton variety compared with a non-GM cotton variety over two growing seasons. Year GM cotton yield (t/ha) Non-GM…
  17. Explain5 marksStandardA new strain of genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon has been developed. These salmon grow to market size in half the time of wild salmon, require less feed, and can be farmed in inland facilities. The salmon…
  18. Outline4 marksStandardA researcher is investigating which genes are being expressed in a particular type of human liver cell. Outline how a DNA microarray could be used to detect the mRNA molecules present in these cells.
  19. Describe4 marksStandardA researcher constructs a recombinant plasmid containing a human gene that codes for a therapeutic protein. The plasmid includes a promoter that is recognised by bacterial RNA polymerase. The researcher also inserts a…
  20. Outline4 marksStandardSoybean is a major crop used for animal feed and human food worldwide. Weeds compete with soybeans, reducing yields. Some soybean varieties have been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to a specific…
  21. Outline4 marksStandardSoybean crops are often treated with herbicides to control weeds. Some soybean varieties have been genetically modified to be resistant to a specific herbicide, such as glyphosate. Outline why herbicide resistance is…
  22. Outline5 marksStandardA scientist inserts a human gene into a bacterial plasmid to produce a human protein. Outline why it is necessary to include a promoter sequence in the recombinant plasmid alongside the gene.
  23. Discuss5 marksStandardAn inherited eye disease, such as Leber congenital amaurosis, is caused by a mutation in a single gene. Gene therapy has been developed as a potential treatment. Discuss the use of gene therapy for inherited eye…
  24. Explain4 marksStandardA student performed PCR to amplify a 1400 bp gene from a bacterial genome. The PCR product was then digested with the restriction endonuclease EcoRI, which cuts the amplified gene at a single recognition site…
  25. Explain5 marksStandardA researcher wants to insert a human gene for a fluorescent protein into E. coli bacteria so that the bacteria produce the fluorescent protein. The researcher isolates the human gene using restriction enzymes and then…
  26. Outline4 marksStandardHaemophilia A is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII. Currently, patients are treated with factor VIII purified from donated human blood. A biotechnology company has developed a…
  27. Explain5 marksStandardA country facing food shortages is considering approving genetically modified (GM) crops, such as herbicide-resistant soybean and insect-resistant cotton, as well as GM salmon that grow to market size more quickly than…
  28. Explain4 marksStandardIn many regions, cotton farmers traditionally rely on frequent spraying of chemical insecticides to control pest insects such as bollworms. Genetically modified (GM) cotton has been developed that produces a protein…
  29. Outline5 marksStandardA biotechnologist aims to produce human insulin by inserting the insulin gene into a bacterial plasmid. Outline the roles of restriction endonucleases and DNA ligase in the process of inserting the human insulin gene…
  30. Outline5 marksStandardGenetically modified (GM) crops, such as herbicide-resistant soybean and insect-resistant cotton, and GM salmon, have been developed to improve food production. However, many consumers object to the use of GMOs in…
  31. Describe4 marksStandardDescribe how a DNA microarray can be used to detect which genes are being expressed in a particular tissue.
  32. Explain4 marksStandardA 35-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes has been using insulin extracted from pigs (porcine insulin) for many years. Recently, her treatment was switched to recombinant human insulin produced by genetically modified…
  33. Explain5 marksStandardA 35-year-old woman with a strong family history of breast cancer is offered genetic screening for a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. She is considering whether to undergo the test. Explain the social and ethical…
  34. Explain5 marksChallengeA developing country is considering approving the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) soybean with herbicide resistance and GM cotton with insect resistance, as well as importing GM salmon with enhanced growth…
  35. Explain5 marksChallengeExplain how the use of genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant cotton can contribute to meeting global food demand, and outline one ethical or social concern associated with the use of GMOs in agriculture.
  36. Explain6 marksChallengeA scientist is using PCR to amplify a 500 base pair fragment from a sample of ancient mammoth DNA. Explain the steps that occur during one cycle of PCR and the role of Taq DNA polymerase in this process.
  37. Discuss7 marksChallengeA 35-year-old woman has a family history of Huntington's disease (HD). Her father developed symptoms at age 50 and died at 65. She is considering genetic testing to find out whether she carries the mutant allele…
  38. Outline7 marksChallengeA biotechnology company has produced a genetically modified (GM) soybean that is resistant to a specific herbicide, a GM cotton that produces a protein toxic to certain insect pests, and a GM salmon that reaches market…
  39. Describe5 marksChallengeA scientist wishes to transfer a gene coding for a fluorescent protein from a jellyfish into a bacterium so that the bacterium produces the fluorescent protein. The scientist has isolated the coding sequence of the…
  40. Explain6 marksChallengeA research team is engineering a strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to produce human insulin. They construct a plasmid containing the human insulin gene (chemically synthesized from its mRNA sequence) under a…
  41. Outline7 marksChallengeA researcher aims to produce human growth hormone (HGH) in Escherichia coli. She has isolated mRNA for HGH from human pituitary cells. Outline the steps required to: obtain a gene for HGH from the mRNA; insert this…
  42. Explain5 marksChallengeA pharmaceutical company currently produces insulin extracted from pigs (porcine insulin) for diabetic patients. The company is considering switching to recombinant human insulin produced in genetically modified…
  43. Describe5 marksChallengeIn a genetic engineering experiment, a scientist aims to insert a human insulin gene into a bacterial plasmid. Describe the roles of restriction endonucleases and DNA ligase in this process. In your answer, also…
  44. Discuss6 marksChallengeA company has developed genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon that carry a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon. This gene is linked to a promoter that allows continuous expression, enabling the GM salmon to…
  45. Outline7 marksChallengeGlyphosate-resistant soybeans are one of the most widely cultivated genetically modified (GM) crops worldwide. Outline the reasons for engineering herbicide resistance into soybean crops and discuss the ethical and…
  46. Discuss7 marksChallengeMaria, aged 35, has a parent who was diagnosed with Huntington's disease (HD) at age 50. She is considering undergoing predictive genetic testing to find out whether she carries the mutant allele that causes HD…
  47. Discuss6 marksChallengeTable 1 shows the average yield (tonnes per hectare) of a genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant cotton variety and a non-GM conventional cotton variety, grown under identical conditions over two growing seasons…
  48. Discuss7 marksChallengeA family has a history of an inherited eye disease called retinal dystrophy type Z, caused by a recessive mutation in the RQ gene. Affected individuals gradually lose vision from childhood and become blind by…
  49. Outline7 marksChallengeA scientist wants to produce a recombinant bacterial plasmid containing a gene for a fluorescent protein. The gene is initially obtained as mRNA from a donor organism. The plasmid vector is 4000 bp in length and…
  50. Discuss6 marksChallengeA biotechnology company has developed a genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon that carries a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon. This GM salmon grows to market weight in half the time of conventional salmon…
  51. Outline6 marksChallengeOutline the benefits of using genetic screening for Huntington's disease and the use of gene therapy to treat severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Include one social and one ethical consideration associated with…
  52. Outline6 marksChallengeOutline how gene therapy could be used to treat a child with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) caused by adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. Include one ethical consideration that might be raised about this…
  53. Explain6 marksChallengeDescribe the events that take place during one cycle of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and explain the importance of Taq polymerase in the process.
  54. Outline7 marksChallengeA researcher wishes to produce a genetically modified bacterium that expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. The researcher starts with a sample of jellyfish genomic DNA and…
  55. Outline6 marksChallengeHaemophilia A is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII. Traditionally, patients were treated with factor VIII extracted from pooled human blood plasma. Today, recombinant factor VIII…
  56. Explain6 marksChallengeA plant scientist investigates which genes are upregulated during tomato fruit ripening. She extracts mRNA from both ripe and unripe tomato fruits, then uses reverse transcriptase to produce cDNA from each sample. The…
  57. Explain5 marksChallengePriya, a 35-year-old woman, has a mother and aunt who both developed breast cancer before age 50. Her doctor offers her genetic screening for mutations in the BRCA1 gene. Explain the social and ethical considerations…
  58. Discuss6 marksChallengeThe table below shows the average yield (kg per hectare) of GM insect-resistant cotton and non-GM cotton over three growing seasons, along with the number of pesticide applications per season. Season GM cotton yield…
  59. Outline6 marksChallengeHaemophilia A is treated with factor VIII. Historically, factor VIII was extracted from donated human blood plasma. Today, recombinant human factor VIII produced by genetically engineered cells is widely used. Outline…