Task 5 Answers

1. Who is credited with the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?

Charles Darwin

2. What is Natural Selection?

If a variation in the genes of an organism is advantageous in an environment, e.g. beak shape of

finches beaks changed to allow them to find food easier, then it more likely to survive and pass that
characteristic to its offspring.

3. What is Genetic Modification?

A process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another
organism to give a desired characteristic.

4. Give 2 examples of organisms that have been genetically modified.

• Bacterial cells have human insulin gene inserted into them so that they produce insulin for
diabetics.
• Frost resistant tomatoes
• Plants, such as rice, that have had genes inserted that make them resistant to disease, insects,
herbicides or more nutritious.
5. Give 2 examples of characteristics that would be considered “desirable”

• Disease resistance in food crops.

• Animals which produce more meat or milk.
• Domestic dogs with a gentle nature.
• Large or unusual flowers.
Any other acceptable examples
6. What is Extinction?

The permanent loss of all members of a species