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Date May 2019 Marks available 1 Reference code 19M.3.SL.TZ2.9
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term State Question number 9 Adapted from N/A

Question

The diagram shows a method of production of transgenic plants and some of their uses.

[Source: Jian Yao, et al., (2015), International Journal of Molecular Science, 2015, 16(12),
28549–28565; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms161226122]

Outline how the target gene is found using bioinformatics.

[2]
a.

In this method of producing transgenic plants, state the name of the vector.

[1]
b.i.

In this method of producing transgenic plants, state how to detect successful uptake of the gene.

[1]
b.ii.

In this method of producing transgenic plants, state one method used to introduce the vector into a plant.

[1]
b.iii.

Another method of plant transformation can be used to produce the hepatitis B vaccine. Outline the production of hepatitis B vaccine in tobacco plants.

[2]
c.

Markscheme

a. open reading frame finder «ORF finder» detects sections of a DNA molecule likely to be genes
OR
search for significant length of DNA coding from a start codon to a stop codon ✔

b. BLASTn used to compare gene sequences coding for similar proteins in other organisms/databases ✔

c. BLASTp used to detect similar proteins in other organisms/databases ✔

Accept methionine/AUG as start codon and UAA/UAG/UGA as stop codon.

Accept any other verified software program.

a.

plasmid / Ti ✔

b.i.

a. antibiotic resistance ✔

b. presence of a marker gene ✔

c. B galactosidase ✔

Accept green fluorescent protein/GFP or other example of a marker gene.

b.ii.

a. infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

b. modification by calcium chloride / liposomes / electroporation / microinjection /gunshot / biolistics ✔

b.iii.

a. tobacco mosaic virus/TMV modified to carry gene of hepatitis B «surface antigen/HBsAg» ✔

b.«tobacco mosaic» virus infects tobacco plants 
OR 
its genetic material is incorporated into plant cells ✔

c. tobacco plants produce hepatitis B antigen ✔

d. «antigen» induces formation of antibodies/immune response «in humans» ✔

c.

Examiners report

The question showed a diagram of the production of transgenic plants. Parts (a) and (c) proved difficult due to lack of specific vocabulary.

a.

Part (b) was well answered.

b.i.

Part (b) was well answered.

b.ii.

Part (b) was well answered.

b.iii.

Parts (a) and (c) proved difficult due to lack of specific vocabulary.

c.

Syllabus sections

Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Core topics) » B.2 Biotechnology in agriculture
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Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Core topics)
Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics

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