DP Biology Questionbank

Description

Nature of science:
Developments in scientific research follow improvements in technology—innovation in technology has allowed scientists to diagnose and treat diseases. (1.8)Understandings:

• Infection by a pathogen can be detected by the presence of its genetic material or by its antigens.
• Predisposition to a genetic disease can be detected through the presence of markers.
• DNA microarrays can be used to test for genetic predisposition or to diagnose the disease.
• Metabolites that indicate disease can be detected in blood and urine.
• Tracking experiments are used to gain information about the localization and interaction of a desired protein.
• Biopharming uses genetically modified animals and plants to produce proteins for therapeutic use.
• Viral vectors can be used in gene therapy.

Applications and skills:

• Application: Use of PCR to detect different strains of influenza virus.
• Application: Tracking tumour cells using transferin linked to luminescent probes.
• Application: Biopharming of antithrombin.
• Application: Use of viral vectors in the treatment of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).
• Skill: Analysis of a simple microarray.
• Skill: Interpretation of the results of an ELISA diagnostic test.

Theory of knowledge:

• There have been cases around the world where subjects have died as a consequence of participating in a gene therapy research protocol. How is the decision to proceed with risky procedures made?
• What constitutes an acceptable level of risk for allowing humans to be involved in scientific research?

Utilization:
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Biology
Topic 3.5 Genetic modification and biotechnology
Topic 6.3 Defence against infectious disease
Topic 11.1 Antibody production and vaccination

Directly related questions

• 16N.3.HL.TZ0.11b: Discuss the implications of biopharming using a specific example.
• 16N.3.HL.TZ0.11a: Metabolites that indicate disease can be detected in urine. State a metabolite found in urine and...
• 17M.2.HL.TZ1.1f.ii: Suggest a reason for the greater expression of the gene for the urea transporter after an...
• 17M.3.HL.TZ1.11a.i: Outline what is meant by the term genetic markers.
• 17M.3.SL.TZ1.16a: Calculate the diversity of site C. Working should be shown.
• 17M.3.HL.TZ1.11a.ii: Outline two uses of genetic markers.
• 17M.3.HL.TZ1.11b: Evaluate the use of viral vectors in gene therapy.
• 17M.3.HL.TZ1.11c: Outline the use of microarrays to test for genetic disease.
• 17M.3.HL.TZ2.12a: Outline one way in which genetic sequences can be used to indicate predisposition to a disease.
• 17M.3.HL.TZ2.12b: Outline the use of luminescent probes in the treatment of tumours.
• 20N.3.HL.TZ0.14:

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

• 17N.3.HL.TZ0.10d:

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

• 17N.3.HL.TZ0.13:

  Discuss biopharming.

• 18N.3.HL.TZ0.11b: Discuss whether production of Golden rice is an example of biopharming.
• 18N.3.HL.TZ0.12: Explain two or more laboratory tests that can be used to detect the presence of specific...
• 18M.3.HL.TZ1.13:

  Explain the process of gene therapy using viral vectors.

• 18M.3.HL.TZ2.11a: Explain the reason that only cDNA from expressed genes binds to the DNA on the chip.
• 18M.3.HL.TZ2.11b: Explain how the information obtained in this microarray accounts for the differences between...
• 19M.3.HL.TZ1.13: Explain how antithrombin can be produced by biopharming. 
• 19M.3.HL.TZ2.12a: Outline how a named vector is used to introduce a new gene into a plant.
• 19M.3.HL.TZ2.12b: State the role of marker genes.
• 19M.3.HL.TZ2.13: Discuss the use of microarrays in the diagnosis of disease.
• 19N.3.HL.TZ0.12a:

  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.

• 19N.3.HL.TZ0.12c:

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

• 19N.3.HL.TZ0.12b: Explain the use of a viral vector in gene therapy.
• 19N.3.HL.TZ0.13: Explain the use of DNA microarrays in genetic testing or diagnosis.