| Date | November 2017 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 17N.3.HL.TZ0.13 |
| Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | TZ0 / no time zone |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | 13 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Discuss biopharming.
Markscheme
a. produces useful pharmaceuticals/drugs/proteins
b. inserts genetic material/genes into host plants/animals
c. produces more complex drugs/proteins than prokaryotic organisms
OR
no post-translation modification with prokaryotes «so no complex proteins»
d. valid example
Allow verifiable examples, eg: antithrombin/coagulation factors «in goats», development of Norwalk virus/
cholera toxin vaccines «in tomatoes»
e. issues regarding contamination of other organisms
OR
possible ecological effects
f. plants process proteins differently than humans
g. proteins produced by plants may cause allergic reaction
h. some proteins are intellectual property
i. example of ethical issue
[Max 6 Marks]
Examiners report
[N/A]
Syllabus sections
Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Additional higher level topics) » B.4 Medicine
Show 25 related questions
