10 free IGCSE Biology Biotechnology questions written in the style of Cambridge Biology papers: 2 multiple-choice and 8 structured, each with its answer and mark scheme. 4 of them are A* challenge questions, built to catch the mistakes strong students still make.
This topic covers Biotechnology, Genetic modification. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Biotechnology paper with a fresh set every time.
Generate a full Biotechnology paper →Microorganisms are used in biotechnology.
1 Lactase is used to produce lactose-free milk.
2 Bacteria are used to make ethanol for biofuels by aerobic respiration.
3 Biological washing powders work best at 90 °C.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: C
Genetic modification is used to make human insulin in bacteria.
1 The insulin gene is cut from human DNA using restriction enzymes.
2 The bacteria make human insulin because the genetic code is universal.
3 The bacteria produce antibodies against insulin.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
Penicillin is produced in large fermenters.
State two conditions that are controlled in a fermenter.
Explain why the fermenter has a water jacket.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | temperature; pH; oxygen; nutrients Any 2 of: temperature; pH; oxygen supply; nutrient supply B2 | 2 |
| (b) | removes heat from respiration respiration of the microorganisms releases heat B1 the cooling water keeps the temperature at the optimum B1 | 2 |
Genetic modification can be used to make human insulin in bacteria.
Describe the steps in producing bacteria that make human insulin.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of GM crops.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | cut gene with restriction enzymes; cut plasmid; ligase; insert into bacteria isolate the human insulin gene using restriction enzymes B1 cut plasmids with the same enzyme (sticky ends) B1 join the gene into the plasmid using DNA ligase B1 insert the recombinant plasmid into bacteria, which multiply and make insulin B1 | 4 |
| (b) | pest resistant/higher yield; gene spread/cost advantage: pest/herbicide resistance, higher yield, extra nutrients B1 disadvantage: genes may spread to wild plants, reduced biodiversity, cost of seeds B1 | 2 |
This question is about biotechnology.
Explain why bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification.
Describe how bacteria are genetically modified to produce human insulin.
The bacteria are grown in a fermenter. State three conditions that are controlled and explain why one of them is controlled.
Give two uses of genetic modification in crop plants.
Pectinase is used to extract fruit juice. Explain how it increases the volume of juice.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | reproduce rapidly; have plasmids; simple biochemistry, no ethical concerns Any 2 of: they reproduce rapidly; they contain plasmids; they can make complex molecules / few ethical concerns B2 | 2 |
| (b) | cut gene with restriction enzyme; cut plasmid with same enzyme; sticky ends; ligase joins; insert plasmid into bacteria the human insulin gene is cut out using restriction enzymes B1 the plasmid is cut with the same restriction enzyme leaving complementary sticky ends B1 DNA ligase joins the gene into the plasmid B1 the recombinant plasmid is inserted into bacteria, which make insulin B1 | 4 |
| (c) | temperature; pH; oxygen; nutrients; sterile conditions Any 4 of: temperature; pH; oxygen supply; nutrient supply / aseptic conditions (any three); explanation, e.g. temperature kept at optimum for enzymes B4 | 4 |
| (d) | resistance to herbicides / insects; improved nutrition Any 2 of: resistance to herbicides; resistance to insect pests; improved nutritional value (e.g. vitamin A in rice) B2 | 2 |
| (e) | breaks down pectin in cell walls; releases juice from cells pectinase breaks down pectin in plant cell walls B1 so more juice is released / the juice is clearer B1 | 2 |
This question is about the use of microorganisms in biotechnology.
Explain why yeast is used in bread-making.
Explain how yeast is used to produce biofuel from plant material.
Penicillin is made in a fermenter. Describe how conditions in the fermenter are controlled.
Explain why it is important to keep a fermenter sterile when producing penicillin.
Lactase is used to make lactose-free milk. Explain why this is useful.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | anaerobic respiration releases CO₂; bubbles make dough rise yeast respires anaerobically B1 carbon dioxide gas makes the dough rise B1 | 2 |
| (b) | plant sugars fermented by yeast; anaerobic respiration produces ethanol; ethanol separated and used as fuel plant material (e.g. sugar cane) provides sugar B1 yeast ferments the sugar anaerobically to ethanol B1 the ethanol is distilled and used as a fuel B1 | 3 |
| (c) | water jacket for temperature; pH probe and acid/alkali; air for oxygen; sterile, stirrers Any 4 of: water jacket keeps temperature constant; pH monitored and adjusted; sterile air supplies oxygen; paddles stir to mix nutrients and oxygen; sterile conditions to prevent contamination B4 | 4 |
| (d) | other microbes would compete for nutrients / contaminate product contaminating microorganisms would compete with the fungus for nutrients B1 and could contaminate the product / reduce yield B1 | 2 |
| (e) | breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose; people who are lactose intolerant can drink it lactase breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose B1 so people who are lactose intolerant can drink it without symptoms B1 | 2 |
Golden rice has been genetically modified.
State the benefit of golden rice.
Explain why some people object to GM crops.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | contains beta-carotene (vitamin A) it contains beta-carotene to make vitamin A, reducing vitamin A deficiency B1 | 1 |
| (b) | gene transfer to wild plants; effects unknown; cost Any 2 of: genes may spread to wild plants; unknown long-term effects on health/ecosystems; seeds are expensive B2 | 2 |
Genetic modification changes the genetic material of an organism.
Define genetic modification.
Give two examples of genetic modification.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | changing genetic material by adding or removing genes changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes B1 | 1 |
| (b) | insulin bacteria; pest-resistant crops; golden rice Any 2 of: bacteria producing human insulin; crops resistant to pests/herbicides; crops with added vitamins B2 | 2 |
Bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification.
Give two reasons why bacteria are useful for biotechnology.
Describe how pectinase is used to make fruit juice.
Explain why biological washing powders work at low temperatures.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | reproduce rapidly; make complex molecules; plasmids Any 2 of: reproduce rapidly; can make complex molecules; contain plasmids; few ethical concerns B2 | 2 |
| (b) | breaks down pectin in cell walls, more juice pectinase breaks down pectin in plant cell walls B1 more juice is released and it is clearer B1 | 2 |
| (c) | enzymes digest stains at low temperature enzymes (proteases/lipases) digest stains B1 they work at low temperatures, saving energy B1 | 2 |
Lactase is used to make lactose-free milk.
Explain why some people need lactose-free milk.
Describe how lactase is used.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | cannot digest lactose they are lactose intolerant (do not produce lactase) B1 | 1 |
| (b) | breaks lactose into glucose and galactose lactase breaks down lactose B1 into glucose and galactose B1 | 2 |
In the 0610 syllabus, Biotechnology covers Biotechnology, Genetic modification.
This page has 10 Biotechnology questions with answers. For more, the free generator on mentorriyaz.in builds a new Biotechnology paper with a full mark scheme each time you click.
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in