Edexcel IGCSE Biology topic guide
Use of biological resources questions
Apply biological knowledge to food production and biotechnology, from selecting useful traits to transferring genes.
Use of biological resources topic overview
Use of biological resources covers food production, selective breeding, genetic engineering and cloning, including the practical and ethical issues surrounding biotechnology.
Describe the biological process step by step, distinguish traditional selection from genetic modification, and balance benefits, limitations and risks when evaluating a technique.
Question types in use of biological resources
- Food-production questions about crops, livestock, microorganisms and controlled conditions.
- Selective-breeding explanations based on chosen characteristics and repeated generations.
- Genetic-engineering questions involving restriction enzymes, vectors and host cells.
- Cloning methods and evaluations of agricultural, medical and conservation applications.
Use of biological resources subtopics
Choose a subtopic for its syllabus points, answering guidance and worked exam questions.
5.a Food production
Crop yields, fertilisers, pest control, fermentation and fish farming.
5.b Selective breeding
Selecting parents and offspring to develop desired characteristics over generations.
5.c Genetic modification (genetic engineering)
Restriction enzymes, ligase, vectors and the uses of genetically modified organisms.
5.d Cloning
Plant tissue culture, micropropagation and cloning animals by nuclear transfer.