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Biology Quiz - Unit 1 - Genetic Engineering (Questions)

This GCSE Biology quiz takes a look at the genetic engineering of plants, animals and bacteria, and how we use genetic engineering in the fields of farming and medicine.

Insulin, vaccines and growth hormone are examples of proteins made using genetic engineering and are very important drugs used in humans. Genetic engineering involves removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another organism, for example a type of bacteria. The bacteria will then multiply and make the protein instructed by that gene. Genes are cut from human chromosomes using enzymes and pasted into other organisms including plants and animals. If this is done early in development, the organism will develop new features such as better growth or resistance to disease.

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Amongst the examples of genetic engineering that you need to know for the exams are the production of herbicide resistant crops and the production of insulin. You need to know the principles of how each type of genetic engineering is carried out and the arguments for and against them.

Some plants are naturally resistant to herbicides. Scientists can identify the gene responsible and transfer it to agricultural crops. These crops can then be sprayed with herbicide to kill the weeds growing in the field, giving a better yield of the food crop. The main argument against this particular type of genetic engineering is that it will reduce biodiversity which is essential for the health of our planet. Many people are concerned about genetic engineering of crops due to the possible effects on wildflowers, animals (particularly insects) and humans. More time and research is required to make a fully informed decision about the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops.

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1. Genetic engineering involves the transfer of what?
[ ] The transfer of proteins
[ ] The transfer of sugars
[ ] The transfer of genes
[ ] The transfer of enzymes
2. What is used to cut the gene out from a chromosome?
[ ] A special type of fat
[ ] A special type of hormone
[ ] A special type of enzyme
[ ] A special type of cell
3. Genetic engineering can be used to make which type of drugs?
[ ] Vaccines
[ ] Food
[ ] Insects
[ ] Weeds
4. Why are bacteria often used to produce proteins?
[ ] Because they multiply quickly
[ ] Because they need nutrients
[ ] Because they are available
[ ] Because they are cheap
5. Crops produced using genetic engineering are known as GM. What does GM stand for?
[ ] Genes Manipulated
[ ] Genetically Modified
[ ] Great Marvel
[ ] Genes Made
6. Which of the following is often cited as an objection to GM crops?
[ ] Unknown long-term effects on humans
[ ] Killing animals
[ ] Insect populations
[ ] Habitat destruction
7. A major objection to GM crops is the possible creation of wild plants which are resistant to what?
[ ] Antibiotics
[ ] Weedkiller
[ ] Insecticide
[ ] Viruses
8. Cattle can be genetically enhanced to increase what?
[ ] To increase their weight
[ ] To increase their growth
[ ] To increase the number of their offspring
[ ] To increase their nutrition
9. What does a herbicide kill?
[ ] Animals
[ ] Rats
[ ] Insects
[ ] Plants
10. The first GM pet is which type of creature?
[ ] A dog
[ ] A hamster
[ ] A mouse
[ ] A fish

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Genetic engineering (CCEA)

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Biology Quiz - Unit 1 - Genetic Engineering (Answers)
1. Genetic engineering involves the transfer of what?
[ ] The transfer of proteins
[ ] The transfer of sugars
[x] The transfer of genes
[ ] The transfer of enzymes
The genetically modified organism is referred to as being transgenic
2. What is used to cut the gene out from a chromosome?
[ ] A special type of fat
[ ] A special type of hormone
[x] A special type of enzyme
[ ] A special type of cell
These are given the special name of restriction enzymes
3. Genetic engineering can be used to make which type of drugs?
[x] Vaccines
[ ] Food
[ ] Insects
[ ] Weeds
Insulin is another example
4. Why are bacteria often used to produce proteins?
[x] Because they multiply quickly
[ ] Because they need nutrients
[ ] Because they are available
[ ] Because they are cheap
Bacteria multiply very quickly and produce large quantities of the desired product rapidly
5. Crops produced using genetic engineering are known as GM. What does GM stand for?
[ ] Genes Manipulated
[x] Genetically Modified
[ ] Great Marvel
[ ] Genes Made
GM crops can be resistant to herbicides, produce greater yields, resist a specific type of disease and so on
6. Which of the following is often cited as an objection to GM crops?
[x] Unknown long-term effects on humans
[ ] Killing animals
[ ] Insect populations
[ ] Habitat destruction
Some people avoid GM foods due to concerns about GM foods on human health
7. A major objection to GM crops is the possible creation of wild plants which are resistant to what?
[ ] Antibiotics
[x] Weedkiller
[ ] Insecticide
[ ] Viruses
It could be possible to transfer a gene for weedkiller resistance naturally from a GM crop into a wild plant making it a 'super weed' which could outgrow all the other plants
8. Cattle can be genetically enhanced to increase what?
[ ] To increase their weight
[x] To increase their growth
[ ] To increase the number of their offspring
[ ] To increase their nutrition
It is an alternative to the use of artificial growth hormones
9. What does a herbicide kill?
[ ] Animals
[ ] Rats
[ ] Insects
[x] Plants
Herbicides kill unwanted plants known as weeds. If crop plants are GM, they can be made resistant to weedkiller. Without weeds the crop can grow better and give a much higher yield
10. The first GM pet is which type of creature?
[ ] A dog
[ ] A hamster
[ ] A mouse
[x] A fish
The GloFish glows in the dark as it has a gene for fluorescence. They are GM zebra fish and come in a wide variety of amazing colours