9700_w24_qp_42
A paper of Biology, 9700
Questions:
10
Year:
2024
Paper:
4
Variant:
2

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The treatment of many diseases has been improved by the use of genetic technology in medicine. Explain what is meant by genetic engineering. Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) is an inherited eye disease. In LCA, the photoreceptor cells in the retina die at an early age. This causes impaired vision (reduced eyesight) in children, which can progress to blindness. Mutations in different genes cause different forms of LCA. One form of this disease, LCA2, is caused by a mutation in the RPE65 gene. Gene therapy has been used to treat LCA2. Outline how an inherited eye disease, such as LCA2, is treated with gene therapy. Suggest why the eye is a suitable organ for gene therapy. LCA10 is a different form of LCA caused by a recessive mutation in the CEP290 gene. This gene codes for the protein CEP290, which is involved in the correct functioning of photoreceptor cells in the retina. The mutation in CEP290 causes an error to be made when the primary transcript is spliced to form messenger RNA (mRNA). The abnormal mRNA that is formed has an extra sequence of RNA nucleotides, known as exon X, between exon 26 and exon 27. Exon X contains a STOP codon. compares the effect of the mutation in CEP290 with the normal gene expression. normal LCA10 exon intron exon section of DNA of CEP290 exon mutation exon exon intron exon primary transcript exon mutation exon mRNA exon exon X exon CEP290 polypeptide product shortened CEP290 polypeptide In 2022, research was carried out into possible treatment of LCA10 using genetic technology. A human clinical trial investigated a treatment of LCA10 using a short RNA nucleotide sequence known as Sepofarsen. Sepofarsen binds to the section of the primary transcript containing the CEP290 mutation so that normal splicing occurs and functional CEP290 protein is synthesised. • People in the clinical trial received regular treatment with Sepofarsen to the eye with the greatest loss of vision (treated eye) for a period of 12 months. • Changes in the light perception (visual acuity) of both eyes were measured using a vision chart. • A negative change in the visual acuity score shows an improvement in visual acuity. shows the results of the clinical trial over 12 months. exon exon Another method being investigated to treat LCA10 is to use a gene editing tool known as the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The CRISPR/Cas9 system uses a short length of RNA called guide RNA. Guide RNA is complementary to the target DNA and is linked to a nuclease enzyme called Cas9. Cas9 breaks phosphodiester bonds in DNA. The cell repair mechanisms repair the cut in DNA after the modification has taken place. • A vector delivers Cas9 and two specific guide RNAs to the photoreceptor cells. • They act on the section of DNA which contains the mutation. • Exon X is no longer added to the mRNA. Explain how this method used to treat LCA10 is an example of gene editing.
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Phenotypic variation exists in natural populations. There are many causes of variation. Natural selection determines which phenotypes are advantageous. Variation in a particular characteristic can be described as either discontinuous or continuous. Table 5.1 contains a list of statements that apply to discontinuous variation, continuous variation or both. Complete both columns of Table 5.1. Put a tick (✓) in the box if the statement applies and leave the box empty if the statement does not apply. Table 5.1 statement discontinuous variation continuous variation often involves one gene only environmental factors may affect gene expression there is an additive effect of genes that contributes to the phenotype there are distinct differences between the various forms of a characteristic There is variation in the quantity of vitamin D stored in the body. Vitamin D has an important role in keeping bones healthy. The main storage form of vitamin D in the body is serum 25‑hydroxyvitamin D (serum 25‑OHD). A study was carried out on 262 healthy women to investigate if the concentration of serum 25‑OHD varied between summer and winter. The women had taken no vitamin D supplements. The age range of the women in the sample was 40 to 72 years old. Table 5.2 shows the results of the study. Table 5.2 group mean concentration of serum 25‑OHD / ng cm–3 standard deviation sampled during summer n = 138 32.7 7.6 sampled during winter n = 124 28.5 8.3 whole sample n = 262 30.7 8.2 Additional analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between age and serum 25‑OHD concentration. Explain what is meant by standard deviation. The t‑test was used to compare the mean concentration of serum 25‑OHD when sampled during the summer with the mean concentration of serum 25‑OHD when sampled during the winter, as shown in Table 5.2. Calculate the value of t using the formula provided. key to symbols: ¯x = mean s = sample standard deviation n = sample size (number of observations) Give your answer to four significant figures. There is space for your working. t test value t n s n s x x = + - f p The critical value at the 0.0001 probability level is 3.773. State the conclusion that can be made about the results of the study shown in Table 5.2 and explain how the result of your calculation in can be used to support this conclusion. Suggest the likely causes of variation in quantity of vitamin D stored in the body in this sample of women.
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