AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants or microorganisms at…
Full specification wording
Genetic engineering: genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants or microorganisms at an early stage in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.
Genetic engineering changes an organism's characteristics by moving a gene from one organism into another.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 12 of 12
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Genetic engineering changes an organism's characteristics by moving a gene from one organism into another. The gene is cut out using enzymes, then inserted into a vector, often a plasmid or virus, which carries it into the recipient cell. Crucially, the transfer happens at an early stage of development, when the organism is an embryo or a single cell, so that every cell produced by subsequent division contains the new gene. For example, a gene for insect resistance can be inserted into a crop plant embryo, so the mature plant and its offspring resist pests. Similarly, a human gene such as the one for insulin can be placed into a bacterium, which then multiplies and produces insulin. The desired characteristic therefore appears as the organism grows and develops.
What earns the marks
- State that a gene is a section of DNA coding for a protein, and that genetic engineering moves a specific gene from a donor organism into another organism.
- Describe the role of enzymes in cutting out the gene and inserting it into a vector such as a plasmid or virus.
- Explain that transfer occurs at an early stage of development, for example into an embryo or single cell, so the gene is present in all cells of the developed organism.
- Link the transferred gene to a named desired characteristic, such as pest resistance in a crop or insulin production in bacteria.
- Recognise that the recipient may be an animal, a plant or a microorganism, and that the same principle applies to each.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking the whole organism is transferred.
Put it right by stressing that only the gene, a short section of DNA, is moved.
Believing the new characteristic appears only in the cell that received the gene.
Put it right by explaining that early transfer means all cells formed by division inherit the gene.
Confusing genetic engineering with selective breeding.
Put it right by noting that selective breeding crosses existing organisms, whereas genetic engineering inserts a gene directly.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase at an early stage of development when explaining why the whole organism shows the characteristic.
- Name a vector, such as a plasmid, and a named example, such as insulin-producing bacteria, to make answers specific.
- Sequence your answer: identify the gene, cut it out, insert it into a vector, transfer it early, then state the resulting characteristic.
Try the lesson
The start of the Genetic engineering: genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants or microorganisms at an early stage in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In genetic engineering, a gene is transferred into the cells of an animal, plant or microorganism at an early stage of development. What is the main reason for transferring the gene at this early stage?
Listen
Genetic engineering changes an organism's characteristics by moving a gene from one organism into another. The gene is cut out using enzymes, then inserted into a vector, often a plasmid or virus, which carries it into the recipient cell. Crucially, the transfer happens at an early stage of development, when the organism is an embryo or a single cell, so that every cell produced by subsequent division contains the new gene. For example, a gene for insect resistance can be inserted into a crop plant embryo, so the mature plant and its offspring resist pests. Similarly, a human gene such as the one for insulin can be placed into a bacterium, which then multiplies and produces insulin. The desired characteristic therefore appears as the organism grows and develops. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that a gene is a section of DNA coding for a protein, and that genetic engineering moves a specific gene from a donor organism into another organism. Describe the role of enzymes in cutting out the gene and inserting it into a vector such as a plasmid or virus. Explain that transfer occurs at an early stage of development, for example into an embryo or single cell, so the gene is present in all cells of the developed organism. Link the transferred gene to a named desired characteristic, such as pest resistance in a crop or insulin production in bacteria. A common slip: Thinking the whole organism is transferred. Instead, stressing that only the gene, a short section of DNA, is moved. Exam tip: Use the phrase at an early stage of development when explaining why the whole organism shows the characteristic.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Organism develops with the desired characteristic
- 2. Every cell formed by division contains the new gene
- 3. Gene inserted into a vector such as a plasmid or virus
- 4. Transfer at an early stage of development: embryo or single cell
- 5. Gene identified in donor organism
- 6. Gene cut out using enzymes
- 7. Vector carries gene into recipient cell
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.
Vector
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Early stage of development
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Desired characteristic
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Genetic engineering
- Changes an organism's characteristics by moving a gene from one organism into another.
- Vector
- Often a plasmid or virus, which carries the gene into the recipient cell.
- Early stage of development
- When the organism is an embryo or a single cell, so that every cell produced by subsequent division contains the new gene.
- Desired characteristic
- Appears as the organism grows and develops, for example pest resistance in a crop or insulin production in bacteria.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Genetic engineering: genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants or microorganisms at an early stage in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge