9700_w21_qp_42
A paper of Biology, 9700
Questions:
10
Year:
2021
Paper:
4
Variant:
2

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Scientists are researching new ways to reduce the global atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. There are concerns that an increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration may lead to effects that decrease biodiversity. Give one example of a human activity, other than deforestation, that contributes greatly to the increase in global atmospheric CO2 concentration. Algae are aquatic photosynthetic protoctists. Some researchers genetically modified the unicellular alga, Chlorella vulgaris, to try to increase the rate of the light independent stage of photosynthesis. C. vulgaris was modified to increase the expression of the gene coding for aldolase. Aldolase is an enzyme that causes an increase in the concentration of rubisco. Two cultures of C. vulgaris, one that was not genetically modified and one genetically modified, were grown under controlled conditions for 14 days. Samples were taken from the cultures at regular intervals during the 14 days to obtain measurements of dry mass. The results are shown in . 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 time / days dry mass / g dm–3 unmodified Key genetically modified With reference to , describe the differences between the results for the two cultures. Explain how the Calvin cycle was affected by the genetic modification of C. vulgaris. Intermediate products of the Calvin cycle are needed to produce organic molecules for use by the cell. Describe how these organic molecules are used by cells. Planting large numbers of trees is one way to reduce global atmospheric CO2 concentration. Large scale culture of genetically modified C. vulgaris could also reduce global atmospheric CO2 concentration. Suggest one advantage of using genetically modified C. vulgaris instead of trees to reduce global atmospheric CO2 concentration.
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Genome-wide association studies find links between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and phenotypic features such as human diseases. SNPs are points on the DNA that vary in the population because of DNA base substitutions. A genome-wide association study investigates the effect of genetic variation on a disease. A large number of people with the disease and a large number of healthy control individuals provide DNA. Microarray chips are used to identify the genotype of each individual at many SNPs. The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) study was an important genome- wide association study. • The study used a microarray chip that identified each person’s genotype at 500 000 different SNPs. • The study looked for links between SNPs and 7 different diseases. • For each disease, 2000 people with the disease were tested. • Their results were compared with the results of 3000 healthy control individuals. Outline how microarrays are used in the analysis of genomes. Explain why bioinformatics was important to the WTCCC study. summarises results for three diseases in the WTCCC study. The 22 human autosomes and the X chromosome (chromosome 23) are shown. Chromosome locations with SNPs that are associated with a disease at a statistically significant level (greater than 5 arbitrary units) are shown in black. 18 20 X 13 14 chromosome number 18 20 X 13 14 chromosome number 18 20 X 13 14 chromosome number level of association / arbitrary units level of association / arbitrary units level of association / arbitrary units rheumatoid arthritis type 1 diabetes type 2 diabetes Identify the chromosomes that contain SNPs that have a high level of association with both rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 diabetes. With reference to , compare the genetic basis of the three diseases. Individuals can choose to have their DNA analysed on a microarray chip to predict their risk of developing different diseases. Outline the social and ethical considerations of this type of DNA analysis.
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