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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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