AQA · GCSE · Biology

    Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018

    Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which…

    Full specification wording

    Genetic engineering: Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic.

    Genetic engineering changes an organism's genome by inserting a gene from a different organism, so the recipient gains a new, desired characteristic.

    Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 1 of 13
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Genetic engineering changes an organism's genome by inserting a gene from a different organism, so the recipient gains a new, desired characteristic. The genome is the full set of genetic material in a cell. A gene is a section of DNA coding for a protein; that protein may give a feature such as disease resistance. The donor gene is cut out using enzymes, then inserted into the recipient's DNA, often using a vector such as a plasmid. The recipient cell is grown, and because its genome now contains the donor gene, it makes the donor's protein. For example, a bacterial plasmid can carry the human insulin gene, so the bacterium makes human insulin. The change is heritable because the new gene is copied when the cell divides.

    What earns the marks

    • Genetic engineering modifies the genome of an organism.
    • A gene is introduced from another organism (the donor).
    • The introduced gene gives the recipient a desired characteristic.
    • The gene codes for a protein that produces the characteristic.
    • Enzymes cut out the donor gene and insert it into the recipient DNA, often using a vector such as a plasmid.
    • The recipient cell is cultured so the new gene is copied and expressed.
    • The change is heritable because the gene becomes part of the genome.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Saying the whole organism is transferred rather than a gene.

      Put it right by stating that only the gene coding for the desired protein is introduced.

    • Confusing genetic engineering with selective breeding.

      Put it right by noting that genetic engineering moves genes between species, whereas selective breeding chooses parents from the same species.

    • Believing the recipient automatically shows the characteristic without the gene being expressed.

      Put it right by explaining that the inserted gene must be transcribed and translated into protein.

    Exam tips

    • Use the terms genome, gene, vector and plasmid accurately in your answer.
    • Describe the sequence: identify the gene, cut it out, insert it into the recipient genome, then grow the organism.
    • Link the desired characteristic to the protein made by the introduced gene, rather than just naming the characteristic.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Genetic engineering: Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which statement best describes the process of genetic engineering?

    Listen

    Genetic engineering changes an organism's genome by inserting a gene from a different organism, so the recipient gains a new, desired characteristic. The genome is the full set of genetic material in a cell. A gene is a section of DNA coding for a protein; that protein may give a feature such as disease resistance. The donor gene is cut out using enzymes, then inserted into the recipient's DNA, often using a vector such as a plasmid. The recipient cell is grown, and because its genome now contains the donor gene, it makes the donor's protein. For example, a bacterial plasmid can carry the human insulin gene, so the bacterium makes human insulin. The change is heritable because the new gene is copied when the cell divides. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Genetic engineering modifies the genome of an organism. A gene is introduced from another organism (the donor). The introduced gene gives the recipient a desired characteristic. The gene codes for a protein that produces the characteristic. A common slip: Saying the whole organism is transferred rather than a gene. Instead, stating that only the gene coding for the desired protein is introduced. Exam tip: Use the terms genome, gene, vector and plasmid accurately in your answer.

    See it

    A top-to-bottom flowchart with seven boxes joined by arrows. The first box says identify the desired gene in the donor organism. An arrow leads to the second box, cut out the donor gene using enzymes. An arrow leads to the third box, insert the gene into the recipient's DNA, often using a vector such as a plasmid. An arrow leads to the fourth box, recipient genome now contains the donor gene. An arrow leads to the fifth box, culture the recipient cell so the new gene is copied. An arrow leads to the sixth box, the gene is expressed: it codes for a protein. An arrow leads to the seventh box, the protein gives the recipient the desired characteristic.
    The sequence of steps in genetic engineering, from cutting out a donor gene to the recipient showing the desired characteristic.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. The protein gives the recipient the desired characteristic
    2. 2. The gene is expressed: it codes for a protein
    3. 3. Insert the gene into the recipient's DNA, often using a vector such as a plasmid
    4. 4. Culture the recipient cell so the new gene is copied
    5. 5. Identify the desired gene in the donor organism
    6. 6. Cut out the donor gene using enzymes
    7. 7. Recipient genome now contains the donor gene

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Genetic engineering

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Genome

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Gene

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Vector

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Genetic engineering
    A process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic.
    Genome
    The full set of genetic material in a cell, which genetic engineering modifies by introducing a gene from another organism.
    Gene
    A section of DNA coding for a protein; that protein may give a feature such as disease resistance.
    Vector
    Something such as a plasmid, often used to insert the donor gene into the recipient's DNA.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-to-bottom flowchart with seven boxes joined by arrows. The first box says identify the desired gene in the donor organism. An arrow leads to the second box, cut out the donor gene using enzymes. An arrow leads to the third box, insert the gene into the recipient's DNA, often using a vector such as a plasmid. An arrow leads to the fourth box, recipient genome now contains the donor gene. An arrow leads to the fifth box, culture the recipient cell so the new gene is copied. An arrow leads to the sixth box, the gene is expressed: it codes for a protein. An arrow leads to the seventh box, the protein gives the recipient the desired characteristic.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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