Agriculture

Module AP2: Agriculture and Food

In this module, candidates study plants, animals and microorganisms as sources of food. Advances in scientific knowledge have brought about marked changes in farming practice and horticulture. Biotechnology has developed new processes and products to complement the traditional methods of brewing and dairying. Breeding of organisms is now more of a science. Conditions in which organisms produce optimum yields are now better known and understood. Products are also tested vigorously to investigate their suitability and ensure our safety.

The module raises issues of ethical and economic value touching on animal welfare and sustainable agriculture.

Module AP2.1: The agricultural and food industries

4. recall two uses of biotechnology to produce food.

Module AP2.3: Animal farming for food

Animal reproduction and breeding programmes make extensive use of science and technology.
7. describe the techniques used in artificial insemination of farm animals, (limited to selection of animals, collection of sperm, storage of sperm, timing of sperm insertion);
8. understand that hormones can be used to control the timing of reproduction in animals;
9. recall the advantages of artificial insemination;
10. describe how productivity can be improved by using selective breeding;
11. explain how embryos from selected females can be collected and implanted in surrogate mothers;
12. interpret information about the stages in the production and processing of a food product from animals from field to fridge.

Module AP2.4: Biotechnology and food

The food industry uses products from genetically modified organisms. GM microorganisms can produce both food ingredients and enzymes used in food processing.
13. recall an example of the use of genetic modification of a microorganism to produce a useful product;
14. recall that DNA is the genetic material of all organisms;
15. recall that each gene codes for a particular protein;
16. understand that genes can be cut out of the DNA of one organism and inserted into the DNA of another organism;
17. understand that the genetically modified (GM) organism produces the protein of the introduced gene.

top

Biofuels

Module AP2: Agriculture and Food

Module AP2.2: Growing plants for food

2. recall one example of each type to show that plants are grown for other purposes

• biofuels such as alcohol, biodiesel.

top

DNA Fingerprinting

Module AP3: Scientific Detection

Collecting and analysing reliable scientific evidence plays a fundamental role in many important decisions made on a personal, local, national and international level.

Module AP3.3: Chromatography and electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is particularly useful for separating and identifying biological molecules, such as DNA fragments.

15. recall that electrophoresis can be used for scientific detection to include identifying DNA fragments;
16. recall that electrophoresis can be used on small biological samples;
17. recall two examples of the use of DNA profiling;
18. understand how electrophoresis separates components in a mixture (because their particles carry charges, positive particles move to the negative electrode and negative particles towards the positive electrode);
19. understand that particles separate during electrophoresis because they differ in their size and the magnitude of their charge.

top

Genetic Engineering

Module AP2: Agriculture and Food

Module AP2.4: Biotechnology and food

The food industry uses products from genetically modified organisms. GM microorganisms can produce both food ingredients and enzymes used in food processing.

13. recall an example of the use of genetic modification of a microorganism to produce a useful product;
14. recall that DNA is the genetic material of all organisms;
15. recall that each gene codes for a particular protein;
16. understand that genes can be cut out of the DNA of one organism and inserted into the DNA of another organism;
17. understand that the genetically modified (GM) organism produces the protein of the introduced gene.

top

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Module AP2: Agriculture and Food

Module AP2.4: Biotechnology and food

The food industry uses products from genetically modified organisms. GM microorganisms can produce both food ingredients and enzymes used in food processing.

13. recall an example of the use of genetic modification of a microorganism to produce a useful product;
14. recall that DNA is the genetic material of all organisms;
15. recall that each gene codes for a particular protein;
16. understand that genes can be cut out of the DNA of one organism and inserted into the DNA of another organism;
17. understand that the genetically modified (GM) organism produces the protein of the introduced gene.

top