Free Genetic modification questions for IGCSE Biology (0610), part of Biotechnology. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Genetic Modification worksheet →All Biotechnology questionsGenetic modification is used to make human insulin in bacteria.
1 The gene is inserted into a plasmid using DNA ligase.
2 The insulin gene is made of protein.
3 The insulin gene is cut from human DNA using restriction enzymes.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
Which term is described by this statement?
“A small circular loop of DNA in bacteria, used as a vector.”
Answer: B
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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