Genetic Modification - Bacteria, Genetic Engineering, GMOs and Ethics

✓ Engaging presentation
✓ Worksheet with flashcards
✓ Lots of short AFL tasks
✓ Exam question examples

This lesson on Genetic Modification is designed for KS4 Science students enrolled in the CIE Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2023-25) course. This is the first lesson in the topic 21 Biotechnology and Genetic Modification. This lesson covers the syllabus points from both 21.1 and 21.3 (as these went together quite nicely).

The lesson recaps previous learning from other linked topics to ensure students have a strong foundation before diving into the material. It also includes concise and easy-to-understand information and a variety of quick assessment for learning tasks to help students solidify their understanding of the topic. There is a strong emphasis on answering exam questions, with examples and the mark scheme included in the presentation.

Objectives:
21.1 Biotechnology and genetic modification

• State that bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification due to their rapid reproduction rate and their ability to make
  complex molecules
• Discuss why bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification, limited to: (a) few ethical concerns over their manipulation
  and growth (b) the presence of plasmids
  21.3 Genetic modification
• Describe genetic modification as changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes
• Outline the process of genetic modification using bacterial production of a human protein as an example, limited to: (a) isolation of the DNA making up a human gene using restriction enzymes, forming sticky ends (b) cutting of bacterial plasmid DNA with the same restriction enzymes, forming complementary sticky ends © insertion of human DNA into bacterial plasmid DNA using DNA ligase to form a recombinant plasmid (d) insertion of recombinant plasmids into bacteria (specific details are not required) (e) multiplication of bacteria containing recombinant plasmids (f) expression in bacteria of the human gene to make the human protein
• Outline examples of genetic modification: (a) the insertion of human genes into bacteria to produce human proteins (b) the insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to herbicides © the insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to insect pests (d) the insertion of genes into crop plants to improve nutritional qualities
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modifying crops, including soya, maize and rice

This lesson would also be adaptable for all GCSE students (whether AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and great for KS3 Science or as a GCSE revision resource.