4 (a) (i) Define the term genetic engineering. … … … … … [2] (ii) State one example of genetic engineering. … … … [1] (b) Fig. 4.1 is a diagram of a fruit fly with normal wings and a fruit fly with vestigial wings. normal wings vestigial wings Fig. 4.1 A gene determines whether fruit flies have normal wings or vestigial wings. There are two alleles for this gene: • A is dominant and represents the allele for normal wings • a is recessive and represents the allele for vestigial wings. (i) A homozygous dominant fruit fly was crossed with a heterozygous fruit fly. Complete the genetic diagram to predict the probability of the offspring having vestigial wings. parental phenotypes normal wings × normal wings parental genotypes ..…………… × ..…………… gametes ..…….. , ..…….. × ..….…. , ..…….. offspring genotypes ..………….. ..………….. ..………….. ..………….. offspring phenotypes ..………….. ..………….. ..………….. ..………….. probability of offspring having vestigial wings ..…………… [5] (ii) State the genotype of a pure-breeding fruit fly that has normal wings. … [1] (iii) The binomial name for a fruit fly is Drosophila melanogaster. State the genus of this fruit fly. … [1] [Total: 10]

4(a)(i) changing the genetic material of an organism ; by, removing / changing / inserting, (individual) genes ; 2 4(a)(ii) any one from: (insertion of human genes) into bacteria, to produce human insulin ; (insertion of genes into crop) plants, to confer resistance to herbicides ; (insertion of genes into crop) plants, to confer resistance to insect pests ; (insertion of genes into crop) plants, to provide additional vitamins ; AVP ; e.g. named examples 1 AW throughout 4(b)(i) parental genotypes: AA and Aa ; gametes: A A (×) A a ; offspring genotypes: AA, AA, Aa, Aa ; offspring phenotypes: all normal wings ; probability: zero ; 5 ecf for each subsequent row

8 (a) (i) State the type of pathogen that can be treated with antibiotics. … [1] (ii) State the name of the pathogen that can lead to AIDS. … [1] (b) Many pathogens have developed resistance to some antibiotics. A study took samples of pathogens and tested them for resistance to various types of antibiotics. Fig. 8.1 shows the percentage of pathogens sampled that were resistant to various antibiotics. The samples were taken between 2000 and 2013. 0 10 20 30 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 year percentage of pathogens sampled that show resistance antibiotic A Key: antibiotic B antibiotic C Fig. 8.1 (i) State the meaning of antibiotic resistance. … [1] (ii) Describe the pattern of resistance for the three antibiotics shown in Fig. 8.1. … … … … … … … [3] (c) Some medicinal drugs, such as human insulin, can be made using biotechnology and genetic engineering. (i) State where insulin is produced in humans. … [1] (ii) State the function of insulin in humans. … [1] (d) (i) State why bacteria are useful in biotechnology. … … … … … [2] (ii) Describe the role of yeast in biotechnology. … … … … … … … [3] [Total: 13]

8(a)(i) bacteria ; 1 8(a)(ii) HIV / human immunodeficiency virus ; 1 8(b)(i) idea of antibiotics having reduced effectiveness against some bacterial infections / AW ; 1 8(b)(ii) any three from: 1 resistance to all three antibiotics is increasing (2000–2012) ; 2 resistance to antibiotic A and B starts at 0% in 2000 ; 3 resistance to antibiotic C decreases from 2012 (to 2013) ; 4 data quote with units ; 5&6 AVP ;; e.g. resistance to B and C are the same between 2009 and 2012 / resistance to A rises very steeply between 2000 and 2001 / from 2001 the percentage of pathogens resistant to A is always higher than B and C ora 3 8(c)(i) pancreas ; 1 8(c)(ii) reduces blood glucose (concentration / level) ; 1 8(d)(i) any two from: rapid reproduction rate ; ability to produce complex molecules ; AVP ; e.g. ethical reasons / cheaper than animals 2 8(d)(ii) any three from: anaerobic respiration / fermentation ; production of ethanol for biofuels ; production of carbon dioxide in bread-making ; AVP ; e.g. brewing 3 For part (a)(i), state 'bacteria' as the pathogen type. For part (a)(ii), state 'HIV' or 'human immunodeficiency virus'. For part (b)(i), explain that antibiotic resistance means antibiotics are less effective against some bacterial infections. For part (b)(ii), describe three distinct patterns or trends in the resistance data, such as overall increase, specific starting points, or a decrease for one antibiotic, and you can include a data quote with units.

1 Enzymes are used in genetic engineering. (a) Define the term enzyme. … … … [2] (b) The process of genetic engineering often starts with the steps shown in Fig. 1.1. enzyme 1 step 1 step 2 step 3 G A A T T C G A A T T C G A A T T C G A A T T C upper DNA strand lower DNA strand Fig. 1.1 (i) State the sequence of bases on the lower strand of the DNA molecule in step 1. upper DNA strand G A A T T C lower DNA strand [1] (ii) State the name of enzyme 1 in step 2 of Fig. 1.1. … [1] (iii) Describe the effect of enzyme 1 on the DNA molecule in step 3. … … … … … [2] (iv) Explain how enzyme 1 in Fig. 1.1 is specific to the exact sequence of DNA bases. … … … … … [2] (c) Another enzyme, enzyme 2, is used later in the process of genetic engineering. Fig. 1.2 is a diagram showing the action of enzyme 2. ep 7 ep 8 ep 6 enzyme 2 upper DNA strand of the gene lower DNA strand of the gene plasmid DNA strands Fig. 1.2 (i) Some organisms naturally contain DNA in the form of a plasmid. State the name of the type of organism that naturally contains plasmids. … [1] (ii) State the name of enzyme 2 in step 7 of Fig. 1.2. … [1] (iii) State the name of the molecule formed in step 8. … [1] (d) Sketch a graph to describe how the activity of the enzymes used in genetic engineering would change if the reaction occurred at a range of temperatures from very cold to very hot. Label the axes with appropriate titles. Do not use units or a numbered scale. [3] [Total: 14]

1(a) (made of) protein / biological ; catalyst / described ; 2 1(b)(i) CTTAAG ; 1 1(b)(ii) restriction (enzyme) ; 1 1(b)(iii) any two from: cuts (DNA, molecule / strands) ; to form sticky ends / AW ; the sticky ends are complementary / described ; 2 1(b)(iv) any two from: DNA / bases sequence / substrate, and, enzyme / active site, are complementary ; ref. to active site ; AVP ; 2 1(c)(i) bacteria ; 1 1(c)(ii) (DNA) ligase ; 1 1(c)(iii) recombinant (DNA / plasmid) ; 1 1(d) temperature (on x axis) and enzyme activity or rate of enzyme reaction (on y axis) ; plot showing one peak ; gradient to the right of the peak is steeper than gradient to the left of the peak (only consider gradients in the top half of the ‘peak’) ; 3

3 Bacteria are used in many biotechnological processes. (a) Explain why bacteria are useful in biotechnology. … … … … … … … [3] (b) Insulin is one of many human proteins that are made by genetically engineered bacteria. Some people cannot produce insulin because their immune system has destroyed the cells that make insulin. (i) State the organ that contains the cells that have been destroyed. … [1] (ii) State the name of the disease caused by the destruction of these cells. … [1] (iii) State the function of insulin in the body. … [1] (c) Genetically engineered bacteria that are used to make insulin were grown in a fermenter for five days. Samples were taken from the fermenter every six hours and the number of bacteria in 1.0 mm3 of the nutrient solution were counted. Changes in the numbers of living bacteria in the samples taken from the fermenter are shown in Fig. 3.1. 2 1 P Q R S … … … … … Fig. 3.1 (i) Complete Fig. 3.1 by adding labels for the axes at 1 and 2 . [1] (ii) State the names of the stages of population growth of the bacteria labelled P to S. P … Q … R … S … [2] (iii) Explain, with reference to Fig. 3.1, why the bacteria did not grow in the fermenter for longer than five days. … … … … … … … [3] (d) Mineral salts are important in the human diet. One of the most important is iron. Explain: • the importance of iron in the human diet • the effects of an iron deficiency. … … … … … … … [3] (e) Fig. 3.2 shows a field of cassava, Manihot esculenta, which is a crop plant grown in parts of Africa and Asia. Fig. 3.2 The plants store starch in their roots, which form a large part of the diet for many people. Cassava does not provide many vitamins or mineral ions. Genetic engineers have modified cassava to increase its iron content. They have done this by incorporating a gene for a membrane protein from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. (i) State the name of the enzyme that is used to cut out the gene from the DNA of A. thaliana. … [1] (ii) Describe how the gene from A. thaliana and the DNA from cassava form recombinant DNA. … … … … … [2] (iii) Scientists who develop genetically engineered varieties of crop plants often breed them for several generations before releasing them for farmers to use. Suggest why the scientists do this. … … … … … [2] [Total: 20]

3(a) any three from: (small so do) not need much space ; rapid reproduction rate / AW ; can make complex molecule(s) ; no ethical concerns over use ; idea that genetic code is universal ; they have plasmids ; idea that plasmids are used, as vectors / in genetic engineering ; simple requirements / AW, so, easy / cheap, to grow ; AVP ; 3 3(b)(i) pancreas ; 1 3(b)(ii) (type 1) diabetes ; 1 3(b)(iii) reduces blood sugar concentration ; 1 3(c)(i) 1 y-axis = number / population, of (living) bacteria per (1.0) mm3 and 2 x-axis = time / hours / days ; 1 3(c)(ii) P – lag Q – exponential / log R – stationary S – death / decline ;; 2 four correct = 2 marks two or three correct = 1 mark one correct = 0 3(c)(iii) any three from: limiting factor(s) / factors that limit ; not enough space / overpopulation ; competition ; fewer / no, (named) nutrient(s) / food ; not enough oxygen ; change in pH / increase in acidity ; increase in temperature ; build-up of, (named) toxic / waste, substances ; 3 3(d) total of three from: importance of iron to max 2 to make / for, haemoglobin ; to make / for, red blood cells ; for transport of oxygen ; AVP ; effects of iron deficiency (iron-deficiency) anaemia ; any symptom of anaemia ; 3 3(e)(i) restriction (enzyme) ; 1 3(e)(ii) any two from: use same (restriction) enzyme to cut cassava DNA ; sticky ends are, formed / joined ; ref. to complementary, ends / base pairs ; (joined by) ligase ; 2 3(e)(iii) any two from: idea that need to check that offspring inherit ‘new’ gene / trait ; ensure new (GM) variety can grow in field conditions / AW ; make sure the ‘new’ gene does not cause any adverse effects ; make sure (GM) plants have, the same / a high enough, yield ; idea of building up a large quantity of, seed / plants, to sell to farmers ; AVP ; 2

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Biotechnology and genetic modification past paper questions

Questions on the use of microorganisms and enzymes in industry and genetic modification.

121 free questions from 2017–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Biotechnology and genetic modification in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Biotechnology and genetic modification accounted for 139 questions worth 527 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	19	67
2021	21	94
2022	20	72
2023	24	74
2024	33	138
2025	22	82

Most-tested subtopics

21.2 Biotechnology242 marks
21.3 Genetic modification143 marks
21.1 Biotechnology and genetic modification135 marks

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Paper 1 · 40 qs
Paper 2 · 64 qs
Paper 3 · 18 qs
Paper 4 · 17 qs

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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q4 · 10 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q8 · 13 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 4 · Q1 · 14 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 4 · Q3 · 20 marks
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q39 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q39
Answer: B
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