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Read the following - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 5
Read the following. In the 1950s farmers in India could not grow enough rice to feed the rapidly increasing population. At the International Rice Research Institute... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the following - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe the steps the scientists would have taken to produce IR8.
Answer
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Choose Traditional Varieties: The scientists selected traditional rice plants with desirable traits, specifically those with short stems and large grains.
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Cross-Breeding: They then cross-pollinated these selected rice varieties to combine their desirable characteristics.
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Select Offspring: From the resulting offspring, the scientists chose plants that exhibited the best traits—short stems and large grains.
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Repeated Breeding: This process was repeated over several generations until the desired new variety, IR8, was consistently produced.
Step 2
Explain why some people in India agree and some disagree with GM varieties of rice being grown.
Answer
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Agreement: Supporters argue that GM rice has resistance to disease and pests, leading to higher yields and less competition for resources. This means more food production and improved nutritional content.
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Wider Growth: GM varieties can thrive in harsher conditions, enabling them to be cultivated in a wider range of environments making them a vital resource for food security.
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Disagreement: Critics fear GM plants may harm the biodiversity by outcompeting traditional varieties and potentially transferring harmful traits to wild plants, which could affect local ecosystems.
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Economic Concerns: Additionally, critics highlight the potential economic burden on farmers who must buy new, expensive seeds and may face issues if specific herbicides are required for GM crops.