DP Biology Questionbank

Using the data, identify one limitation of using soybean cell cultures.

State two conditions in the fermenter that would be monitored by the probes.

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

Outline the potential advantages of genetically modified plants.

Explain, using an example, how gene transfer to a plant could help increase crop yield.

Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode, was the first multicellular organism whose genome was completely sequenced.

Outline the benefits of using model organisms for studying gene function.

Suggest a reason for the result with disc X.

Suggest a reason that the fermenter is surrounded by a water jacket.

Explain the process of penicillin production in the fermenter.

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

Explain two ways in which bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas can be used for bioremediation.

Outline what is meant by halophilic when describing the bacteria.

State the scientific name (binomial) of the microorganism usually used in this process.

Outline possible medical applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

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

Suggest why membrane filtration may be more suitable than chlorination in purifying the water.

Explain how quorum sensing benefits the bacteria within the steel pipes.

Outline the role of bioinformatics in the genetic modification of plants.

Identify the salt concentration with the greatest rate of benzene biodegradation.

………………......… mol m^–3

Suggest two problems that could be caused by the presence of biofilms in water systems.

Outline the main principles of the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) test.

(i) Identify the longest amino acid sequence where there are no differences amongst the five genera.

(ii) Suggest, with a reason, whether the DNA coding for the amino acid sequence identified in (c)(i) must be identical for the five genera.

State the meaning of the dash (–) in the alignment.

Describe how the tobacco mosaic virus is used in the production of hepatitis B vaccine.

State a positive application of biofilms.

Describe the use of marker genes in the development of transgenic organisms such as trout.

Marker genes are often inserted together with the new gene. State the function of the marker genes.

A segment of DNA is shown. Determine a possible open reading frame (ORF) segment in the DNA segment by completing the table.

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

Explain how the Hepatitis B vaccine is produced using TMV.

Describe how BLAST can be used to establish phylogenetic relationships between several organisms.

The picture shows workers cleaning up a polluted stretch of coastline in Alaska after oil was leaked from a tanker.

Explain how penicillin can be produced in a fermenter.

In the alignment there are dashes (–) in some positions. Deduce what is indicated by these dashes.

Explain how the Bt and HT combined crop was produced.

The diagram shows a spherical array of phospholipid molecules enclosing a water droplet. Such structures can be used to introduce genes into plant protoplasts.

[Source: SuperManu, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liposome#/media/File:Liposome_scheme-en.svg]

Explain briefly how plant protoplasts are prepared and how vesicles can be used to introduce genes into them.

Suggest one reason for the higher methane content in biogas in pre-treated rice straw waste.

Using the graph, explain the trend in biogas production over time in the fermenter without pre-treatment.

Outline how the target gene is found using bioinformatics.

Explain the process of gene therapy using viral vectors.

Outline the emergent properties of biofilms.

Describe one bioinformatic method that could have been used to find the gene sequence for HBsAg.

Beans contribute to flatulence. Alpha-galactosidase, derived from the fungus Aspergillus niger, is an enzyme that breaks down the fibre usually fermented by bacteria, reducing intestinal gas. Describe how alpha-galactosidase would be produced using A. niger in a continuous fermenter.

Explain the formation of biofilms and the problems associated with their formation.

Trickle filter beds are used to treat sewage.

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2020.]

Explain the role of biofilms in sewage treatment.

Describe how an open reading frame (ORF) can be identified.

The open reading frame (ORF) of HBsAg used in tobacco plants was the same one used in soybean plants. Define ORF.

Explain the possible causes of these changes in pH.

State how viruses could be used to treat water systems, in order to avoid the use of a disinfectant.

The use of monochloramine is replacing the use of chlorine, as it is more stable, but it can produce by-products that pose possible health risks. Evaluate the data to see whether monochloramine is a good choice as a disinfectant for water systems.

Explain how BLAST searches are carried out and the applications of different types of these searches.

State two uses for industrially produced citric acid.

Transformed leaf discs containing recombinant DNA can be used to grow genetically modified crop plants. Discs taken from the new plant can be used to monitor successful uptake of the recombinant DNA.

State one other method by which recombinant DNA can be introduced into a plant.

Compare and contrast the use of genetically modified corn in the USA in the years 2000 and 2015.

Explain the difficulties of treating microorganisms growing in biofilms.

Describe how genes are inserted into plants by electroporation.

Explain the use of a named bacterium in bioremediation.

Suggest reasons for the use of a batch culture for the first fermentation and a continuous fermenter for the second fermentation.

Corn (Zea mays) is by far the most widely used biopharming plant, followed by soybeans, tobacco and rice. Around the world approximately 400 biopharming products are in open-air field trials.

State one possible application of biopharming.

The Amflora potato was approved for industrial applications in the European Union (EU) in 2010 and was withdrawn in January 2012 due to opposition. Discuss reasons for people supporting or opposing the introduction of the Amflora potato in the EU.

State one genus of halophilic bacteria known to biodegrade benzene.

Explain the difficulties of treating microorganisms growing in biofilms.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the first eukaryotic organism to have its entire genome sequenced. Suggest reasons for the choice of yeast as a study organism.

Outline the possible environmental impact associated with the accidental release of transgenic trout.

Analyse the data for the growth of nontransgenic trout and transgenic trout.

Outline the aims and methods of bioremediation.

Explain factors that affect the rate of activity of microorganisms in fermenters.

Explain the use of a named bacterium in bioremediation.

Discuss biopharming.

Explain the use of two named bacteria in response to pollution incidents.

Explain how infection by a pathogen can be detected by the presence of its genetic material and of its proteins.

Explain the role of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in introducing glyphosate resistance into soybean crops.