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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 15 marks · about 17 minutes

Genetic Engineering Practice Questions

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

These questions test your understanding of how genes can be transferred between organisms and the applications of genetic engineering.

Before you open the answers

  • Attempt every question without notes.
  • Show working for calculations and write complete biological statements.
  • Use the suggested time as a guide, not a strict limit on the first attempt.

These are original practice questions. They do not reproduce an official Cambridge paper or official mark scheme.

  1. Question 1

    Paper 4 Extended 4 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Describe the main steps in genetic engineering to produce human insulin using bacteria.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. The human insulin gene is identified and cut out of human DNA using restriction enzymes.
    2. A bacterial plasmid is cut open with the same restriction enzyme.
    3. The insulin gene is inserted into the plasmid using ligase enzyme: creating recombinant DNA.
    4. The modified plasmid is inserted into a bacterium, which multiplies and produces human insulin.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    State two advantages and one disadvantage of genetic engineering.

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    1. Advantage: can produce useful proteins (e.g. Insulin) in large quantities quickly.
    2. Advantage: can create crop plants with desirable traits (e.g. Pest resistance, drought tolerance).
    3. Disadvantage: ethical concerns about "playing God" / unknown long-term effects on ecosystems.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain the roles of restriction enzymes and ligase in genetic engineering.

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    1. Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific recognition sequences: used to cut out the desired gene.
    2. They also cut the plasmid vector open at the same sequence.
    3. Ligase enzyme joins / seals the gene into the plasmid: creating recombinant DNA.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 2/5

    Define genetic engineering.

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    1. The process of taking a gene from one organism and inserting it into another.
    2. To give the receiving organism a new / desired characteristic.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Explain why bacteria are commonly used as host organisms in genetic engineering.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Bacteria reproduce very rapidly: large quantities of the desired protein can be produced quickly.
    2. They have plasmids: small circular DNA that can easily accept foreign genes.
    3. They are relatively cheap and easy to grow in fermenters / on a large scale.

Mark the set consistently

Award a point only when the idea is clearly present in the written answer. Correct any missed point in a complete sentence, then test the same skill on a different question several days later.

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