大象传媒

Variation - AQAGenetic engineering

Variation in species can be generated by genetics. Mutations arise spontaneously and can sometimes lead to genetic disorders or death. Genes can be inserted into a genome through genetic engineering.

Part of Combined ScienceInheritance, variation and evolution

Genetic engineering

is also called or GM. It involves modifying the genome of an by introducing a from another organism to result in a desired characteristic.

Genetic engineering involves these steps:

  1. selection of the desired characteristic
  2. the gene responsible for the characteristic is 'cut out' of the
  3. the gene is transferred and inserted into another organism
  4. replication of the modified organism.

Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be disease resistant or to produce bigger fruits.