Biotechnology and genetic modification: past paper questions
Real questions on biotechnology and genetic modification
The newest 20 of 59 written questions, plus 118 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0610/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(i)[1]
State the name given to the process of changing the genes of an organism. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0610/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(ii)[2]
State two reasons why bacteria are useful for this process.
See it on the paper → - 0610/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iii)[2]
State two structures found in bacterial cells that are absent in human cells.
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[2]
Pectinase enzymes are naturally produced by microorganisms, including bacteria. State two reasons why bacteria are useful in biotechnology.
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7b[4]
Bacteria can be genetically modified to produce human insulin. Figure 7.1 shows a diagram of a bacterial cell. C H D G E F Table 7.1 letter in Figure 7.1 structure function small circle of DNA which can be exchanged with other bacteria C cell membrane G site of protein synthesis Complete Table 7.1 to identify the label...
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7c(i)[1]
State one reason why farmers use herbicides.
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7c(ii)[1]
State one reason why farmers use insecticides.
See it on the paper → - 0610/31 · October/November 2025 · Q7a(i)[2]
State two reasons why bacteria are useful in genetic modification and biotechnology.
See it on the paper → - 0610/31 · October/November 2025 · Q7a(ii)[3]
Describe the ways in which genetic modification can improve crop plants.
See it on the paper → - 0610/33 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(iii)[1]
State one other use of yeast in biotechnology.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[3]
Calculate the percentage increase in the mass of GM maize grown between 2000 and 2015. Give your answer to two significant figures. Space for working. %
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[2]
Scientists who develop GM crop plants breed them for many generations before allowing farmers to grow the crop plants. Suggest why scientists breed the GM crop plants for many generations.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(iii)[6]
Human proteins can also be made using bacteria that have been genetically modified. Describe how a gene can be transferred from one organism to another using genetic modification.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(i)[1]
Suggest how pollination between GM crops and wild plants could be prevented.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(ii)[2]
State two advantages of GM crops other than insect resistance.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · February/March 2025 · Q3b(vi)[3]
Complete the sentences about the use of plasmids in genetic modification. During genetic modification, human DNA and plasmid DNA are cut with a restriction enzyme. This creates which are joined together using an enzyme called . The modified plasmid containing
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · October/November 2024 · Q7d[2]
The box on the left contains the beginning of a sentence. The boxes on the right show some sentence endings. Draw two lines to make two correct sentences. can only be done in plants. changes the genetic material of an organism. Genetic modification inserts, changes or removes genes. involves sexual reproduction. is use...
See it on the paper → - 0610/33 · October/November 2024 · Q8c[2]
Complete the sentence about genetically modified crop plants. and . Crop plants can be genetically modified to confer resistance to
See it on the paper → - 0610/43 · October/November 2024 · Q6c[4]
Crop plants such as soya can also be genetically modified. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic modification of crop plants.
See it on the paper → - 0610/11 · May/June 2024 · Q34[1]
What is a use of yeast in biotechnology?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Almost all candidates read the correct values from the graph, and many went on to do the correct calculation and give their answer to two significant figures. Common errors were to use the wrong denominator or to round the calculated value incorrectly.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/42 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Only those candidates who read the question carefully realised that this was not about selective breeding, but rather a process to check the inheritance of the gene, the quality and safety of the crop, and to produce enough GM plants. Many candidates incorrectly described the genetic modification as a mutation.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/42 Q3(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many very comprehensive descriptions of how a gene can be transferred from one organism to another were seen. Even those candidates who were less sure of some of the details could describe one or two steps in the process, but these were only credited if they were written in the correct context. For example, some candidates described the sticky ends on proteins, or the insertion of one plasmid into...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/42 Q3(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
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