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O Level Biology: Biotechnology and Genetic Modification MCQs — Biology

17 multiple-choice questions on O Level Biology: Biotechnology and Genetic Modification from Biology, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.

1. An advantage of biological washing powders is that they

  1. never denature
  2. work at lower temperatures, saving energy
  3. work only at boiling point
  4. remove all dyes

Answer: B) work at lower temperatures, saving energy

Explanation: Enzymes digest stains at low temperatures. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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2. An advantage of producing human insulin from GM bacteria is

  1. it needs animals
  2. it is not human insulin
  3. large amounts can be made cheaply
  4. it takes many years

Answer: C) large amounts can be made cheaply

Explanation: Fermenters give plentiful insulin. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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3. In bread making, the dough rises because yeast produces

  1. carbon dioxide
  2. oxygen
  3. ethanol only
  4. lactic acid

Answer: A) carbon dioxide

Explanation: CO₂ bubbles from anaerobic respiration raise the dough. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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4. Golden rice is modified to contain

  1. lactase
  2. insulin
  3. herbicide resistance
  4. an additional vitamin (vitamin A)

Answer: D) an additional vitamin (vitamin A)

Explanation: Golden rice provides vitamin A. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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5. Which is used to carry the human insulin gene into a bacterium?

  1. A plasmid
  2. A chloroplast
  3. A ribosome
  4. A mitochondrion

Answer: A) A plasmid

Explanation: Plasmids act as vectors. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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6. Biological washing powders contain

  1. pectinase
  2. proteases and lipases
  3. insulin
  4. lactase only

Answer: B) proteases and lipases

Explanation: They digest protein and fat stains. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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7. GM cotton that makes its own insecticidal protein has

  1. herbicide resistance
  2. additional vitamins
  3. insect pest resistance
  4. drought resistance only

Answer: C) insect pest resistance

Explanation: Bt cotton resists insect pests. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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8. Lactase is used to make

  1. lactose-free milk
  2. biological washing powder
  3. fruit juice
  4. bread

Answer: A) lactose-free milk

Explanation: Lactase breaks down lactose. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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9. Which enzyme cuts DNA at specific sites?

  1. DNA ligase
  2. Restriction enzyme
  3. Amylase
  4. Lactase

Answer: B) Restriction enzyme

Explanation: Restriction enzymes cut DNA. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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10. Genetic modification is

  1. making clones by mitosis
  2. natural selection
  3. selective breeding over many generations
  4. changing the genetic material by removing, changing or inserting genes

Answer: D) changing the genetic material by removing, changing or inserting genes

Explanation: Definition of GM. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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11. DNA ligase is used to

  1. cut the plasmid
  2. join the gene into the plasmid
  3. make insulin
  4. kill bacteria

Answer: B) join the gene into the plasmid

Explanation: Ligase seals DNA. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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12. Bacteria are useful in biotechnology because they

  1. have a nucleus
  2. are multicellular
  3. cannot make proteins
  4. reproduce rapidly

Answer: D) reproduce rapidly

Explanation: Rapid reproduction gives large numbers quickly. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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13. Yeast is used to produce

  1. ethanol and bread
  2. insulin and penicillin
  3. lactose-free milk
  4. pectinase only

Answer: A) ethanol and bread

Explanation: Yeast ferments sugar. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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14. Pectinase is used in fruit juice production to

  1. remove vitamins
  2. add sugar
  3. increase the volume of juice extracted
  4. kill bacteria

Answer: C) increase the volume of juice extracted

Explanation: Pectinase breaks down cell walls. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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15. Sterile air is bubbled into a fermenter to provide

  1. heat
  2. oxygen for aerobic respiration
  3. nitrogen for proteins
  4. carbon dioxide

Answer: B) oxygen for aerobic respiration

Explanation: Microorganisms respire aerobically. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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16. Why is the temperature controlled in a fermenter?

  1. To make the product solid
  2. To stop oxygen entering
  3. So enzymes work at their optimum and are not denatured
  4. To kill the microorganisms

Answer: C) So enzymes work at their optimum and are not denatured

Explanation: Respiration releases heat; enzymes need an optimum. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.1 Biotechnology

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17. A risk of growing GM crops is that

  1. they need more insecticide
  2. they cannot be eaten
  3. yields always fall
  4. modified genes may spread to wild plants

Answer: D) modified genes may spread to wild plants

Explanation: Gene flow to wild relatives is a concern. O Level Biology · Topic 18 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification · 18.2 Genetic modification

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