Engineering a Spider-M an ™

Answers

1. Name two hormones that are made in large quantities by genetically engineered bacteria.
1. insulin
2. human growth hormone
Answers may be in either order.

2. Give one possible harmful consequence of receiving a dose of X-ray radiation.

Any one from:
• mutation (of genes/DNA)
• cancer/tumour
• cell death

3. Gene X is an example of a human gene.

Describe the process of genetically engineering bacterial cells to express
human gene X.

A plasmid is isolated from a bacterial cell and cut by enzymes.

DNA is isolated from a human cell and gene X is cut from the DNA by
enzymes.
Gene X is inserted into the plasmid/DNA.
The plasmid/vector is inserted into the bacterial cell.
The bacteria multiply many times.

4. Explain the benefits of genetically engineering wild rice to produce

beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene can be used by humans to make vitamin A.
In some countries, many people are vitamin A deficient.
Providing a food source containing beta-carotene could reduce deaths due to
vitamin A deficiency.

Page 1 of 3

Twinkl Quality Standard Approved.

MARVEL and all related character names: © & ™ 2023 MARVEL.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the Movie ©2023 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.
 Engineering a Spider-M an ™

Answers

A scientist is researching the effect of inserting a gene into a spider. They insert both
the gene they are investigating and the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) into
some spider embryos. When the spiders hatch, they do not glow.

5. Explain what this tells them about the genetic engineering process that
they used.
The spiders are not glowing, so the green fluorescent protein is
not expressed/functioning/inserted correctly.
This means the other gene is unlikely to be expressed/functioning/
inserted correctly and the process has not been successful.

Most human traits are influenced by multiple genes. For example, more than
400 genes are thought to influence height.

6. Explain the affect this would have on the ability to increase human height by gene
editing.
Gene editing is used to edit one or a few specific genes. A small number of genes
for height could be edited, which may increase the height by a small amount. Since
over 400 genes are involved, changing only one or a few genes is unlikely to make a
large difference to somebody’s height.

Page 2 of 3

Twinkl Quality Standard Approved.

MARVEL and all related character names: © & ™ 2023 MARVEL.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the Movie ©2023 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.
 Engineering a Spider-M an ™

Answers

In the future, it might be possible to edit the genes of a human embryo so that genetic diseases
are eliminated. Some people are opposed to these developments because they believe there is
a risk of creating superhumans who have an unfair genetic advantage.

7. Suggest the benefits and consequences of editing the DNA of human embryos.
Student answers will vary but may include:
• Editing some genes may cure genetic diseases. This will improve the quality of life
for some people and reduce medical costs.
• Gene editing could be used to produce ‘designer’ babies, where favourable characteristics
are selected, or to produce superhuman abilities that give an unfair genetic advantage
to people.
• Gene editing could be regulated to ensure that it is not used to give people unfair
genetic advantages.
• If people manage to use the technology for enhancements, there will be no way to
make changes to reduce an unfair advantage after the person is born.
• Some people will have religious reasons for not changing DNA.
• There may be unknown consequences when some genes are changed.
• Gene editing will only be available to people who can afford it, which is unfair.

8. Explain whether or not we should try to create a Spider-Man™ style superhero in the
future. You can give your own opinion or write your explanation from someone
else’s point of view.
Student answers will vary but should include an overall
conclusion supported by reasons from the text.

Page 3 of 3

Twinkl Quality Standard Approved.

MARVEL and all related character names: © & ™ 2023 MARVEL.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the Movie ©2023 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.