Q24

Criteria	Marks
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of biodiversity<br>Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the relationship between the loss of biodiversity and each of two biotechnologies used in agriculture	5
Demonstrates a sound understanding of biodiversity<br>Demonstrates a sound understanding of the relationship between the loss of biodiversity and each of two biotechnologies used in agriculture	4
Describes a biotechnology used in agriculture and links it to the resultant loss of biodiversity<br>OR<br>Outlines TWO biotechnologies used in agriculture and links them to loss of biodiversity	3
Outlines a biotechnology used in agriculture and links this to biodiversity<br>OR<br>Outlines TWO appropriate biotechnologies used in agriculture	2
Provides some relevant information	1

Sample answer:

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species present in an ecosystem and also the genetic diversity of the species present.

Genetic Engineering has allowed modified corn such as Bt corn to be produced. Bt corn has a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) incorporated into its genome. The Bt gene allows the corn to produce a toxin that kills caterpillars when they eat it, thus reducing the number of caterpillars present in the ecosystem. This may reduce the food available for species that feed on them, thus affecting food chains and food webs potentially reducing the number of species that can survive and therefore biodiversity. Bt corn may also reduce the biodiversity of the caterpillar population as susceptible varieties are killed and only those that are resistant survive to reproduce.

Artificial Insemination in agriculture involves collecting semen from desirable male animals such as bulls. Semen can be frozen, stored and transported to other locations and can be used to inseminate many females in order to produce multiple offspring with desirable traits. This results in a loss of biodiversity as one male has many offspring. All the offspring will be genetically half siblings so will have reduced genetic variation.