| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 19M.3.hl.TZ1.14 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Outline | Question number | 14 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
New genetically modified organisms (GMO), especially plants, are continually being developed in research laboratories.
Outline what is meant by genetically modified organisms.
Outline one benefit of the use of these products.
Markscheme
organism whose genetic material/DNA has been altered by genetic engineering techniques «involving transferring DNA between species» [✔]
Note: Accept “any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology”.
Any one of:
increased resistance to pests/micro-organisms [✔]
increased shelf-life of food [✔]
increased nutritional value [✔]
greater crop yield [✔]
greater tolerance of crops to adverse climatic/soil/growing condition [✔]
Examiners report
Candidates had difficulty outline the meaning of genetically modified organisms with many simply repeating the question by stating modified DNA without including technology or engineering techniques.
Outlining one benefit of using GMOs was well answered.
Syllabus sections
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17N.3.hl.TZ0.13:
The stability of DNA is due to interactions of its hydrophilic and hydrophobic components.
Outline the interactions of the phosphate groups in DNA with water and with surrounding proteins (histones).
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17M.3.hl.TZ2.15a:
Outline how its structure allows it to be negatively charged in the body.
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17M.3.hl.TZ1.15d:
The sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA determines hereditary characteristics.
Calculate the mole percentages of cytosine, guanine and thymine in a double helical DNA structure if it contains 17% adenine by mole.
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18M.3.hl.TZ1.6d:
Describe how DNA determines the primary structure of a protein such as insulin.
- 18N.3.hl.TZ0.7b: Suggest one concern about the use of genetically modified, GM, food.
- 18N.3.hl.TZ0.7a: State the feature of DNA that determines the primary structure of proteins synthesised by a...
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16N.3.hl.TZ0.15b:
In 2010, scientists claimed that they had discovered a species of bacteria capable of incorporating arsenic in place of phosphorus into the bacterial DNA. This claim has since proved controversial. Suggest one technique or evidence that might help support the claim.
- 16N.3.hl.TZ0.15a: State the name of the component of DNA responsible for the migration of its fragments to the...
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17M.3.hl.TZ2.15b:
Deduce the nucleotide sequence of a complementary strand of a fragment of DNA with the nucleotide sequence –GACGGATCA–.
- 19N.3.hl.TZ0.13b: Explain how the double-helical structure of DNA is stabilized once formed.
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18M.3.hl.TZ2.12:
DNA is a biopolymer made up of nucleotides. List two components of a nucleotide.
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19M.3.hl.TZ1.14a:
Outline what is meant by genetically modified organisms.
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19M.3.hl.TZ2.10b:
Describe what is meant by the genetic code and how it relates to protein synthesis.
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19N.3.hl.TZ0.13a:
List two components of nucleotides.
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20N.3.hl.TZ0.8b(ii):
The diverse functions of biological molecules depend on their structure and shape.
Draw the nitrogenous base that is paired with guanine in DNA, showing the hydrogen bonds between the bases. Use section 34 of the data booklet.
