Edexcel GCSE Biology

Selective breeding & cloning

Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on Selective breeding & cloning. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 5 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 5)

  1. Question 1

    What is the primary risk associated with selective breeding in a population of livestock?

    • A) Reduced genetic variation
    • B) Increased mutation rates
    • C) Higher metabolic demands
    • D) Loss of desired features
    Show answer

    Answer: Reduced genetic variation

    By repeatedly choosing only individuals with specific traits, the diversity of alleles in the gene pool decreases. This lack of genetic variation means that if a new disease or environmental shift occurs, the entire population is likely to be equally susceptible, as there are few individuals with resistant traits.

  2. Question 2

    Which biological process is utilised to create a clone that is genetically identical to a donor adult?

    • A) Adult cell cloning
    • B) Embryo transplant
    • C) Selective breeding
    • D) Natural pollination
    Show answer

    Answer: Adult cell cloning

    In adult cell cloning, the nucleus of an unfertilised egg cell is removed and replaced with the nucleus from an adult body cell. An electric shock is then applied to stimulate the cell to divide by mitosis, forming an embryo that is a genetic clone of the donor.

  3. Question 3

    What is the key advantage of using tissue culture compared to traditional plant cuttings?

    • A) Produces many identical plants
    • B) Requires very little expertise
    • C) Maintains high genetic health
    • D) Utilises natural soil bacteria
    Show answer

    Answer: Produces many identical plants

    Tissue culture involves taking small groups of cells from a parent plant and growing them in a sterile agar medium containing nutrients and hormones. This technique is highly effective for commercial plant nurseries because it allows thousands of genetically identical offspring to be produced quickly from a single parent.

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