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GCSEScienceOCRCombined Science A (Gateway)BiologyExam QuestionsGlobal ChallengesFeeding the Human Race

Feeding the Human Race (OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway): Biology)

Exam Questions

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Feeding the Human Race

1a
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This question is about selective breeding.

The table shows the main steps in the process of selective breeding.

They are not in the correct order.

A

Repeat the process over many generations.

B

Decide which features are wanted.

C

Choose the individuals that have the features that are wanted.

D

Choose the offspring that have the features that are wanted.

E

Allow the individuals to mate.

Write the letters in the boxes below to give the correct order.

Two have been done for you.

q16a-paper2f-june2019-ocrgcsebio

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1b
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Cows are female and are used by farmers to produce milk.

Bulls are male.

Look at the details of different varieties of cows and bulls.

Variety

Milk production

Aggressive

Cow A

thin and watery

no

Cow B

medium yield and creamy

no

Cow C

medium yield and creamy

yes

 

Bull A

mother produced high yield

yes

Bull B

mother produced high yield

no

Bull C

mother produced low yield

no

A farmer wants to produce cows that produce a high yield of creamy milk.

He does not want his animals to be aggressive.

Suggest which cow and bull he should choose to mate with each other.

Explain your answer.

cow .............           ×             bull .............

explanation ....................................

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1c
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The graph shows the number of cows and the yield of milk per cow on farms in the USA since 1985.

q16c-paper2f-june2019-ocrgcsebio

(i) Describe the relationship between number of cows and yield of milk shown in the graph.

 [1]

(ii) Suggest two reasons for the relationship shown in the graph.

1 .........................................
2 ..........................................

[2]

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2
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Genetic modification (GM) is one method that humans are using to try and produce more food.

(i) What is genetic modification?

 [2]

(ii) Scientists can use GM to alter the features of crops.

One feature is crop yield.

Suggest two other features of crops they could change.

1 ....................................................
2 .....................................................

[2]

(iii) In a recent survey 200 people were asked about GM crops.

The people surveyed were shown six statements. Three were negative statements and three were positive statements.

They were asked to choose one statement they agreed with.

These are the results.  

 

Statement

Number of people
choosing statement

Negative

GM crops are not safe enough to use.

42

Growing GM crops does more harm than good.

32

Growing GM crops tampers with nature.

22

Positive

Growing GM crops can prevent people being hungry.

35

Eating GM crops has very little risk to consumers.

35

Growing GM crops can make food more nutritious.

34

Calculate the percentage of people in the survey that have a negative opinion of genetic modification.

Percentage = .................................... % [2]

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3
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Two scientists discovered a different method of making monoclonal antibodies.

They put genes that code for many different antibodies into viruses. The viruses then make the antibodies on their surfaces.

If an antigen attaches to an antibody, the scientists use the gene for this antibody to genetically engineer bacteria. The bacteria are then used to make large quantities of the antibody.

(i) Describe how scientists could use the antibody gene to genetically engineer bacteria to make many copies of the antibody.

[4]

(ii) Many people would prefer to use antibodies made using bacteria and viruses, rather than the method shown in Fig. 20.2.

Suggest an explanation for this.

[2]

(iii) In 2018, the scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work.

Explain why their work had to be peer reviewed before they were awarded the prize.

[2]

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