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Question 19N.3.HL.TZ0.12

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Date November 2019 Marks available [Maximum mark: 6] Reference code 19N.3.HL.TZ0.12
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain, Outline, State Question number 12 Adapted from N/A
12.
[Maximum mark: 6]
19N.3.HL.TZ0.12
(a)

Corn (Zea mays) is by far the most widely used biopharming plant, followed by soybeans, tobacco and rice. Around the world approximately 400 biopharming products are in open-air field trials.

State one possible application of biopharming.

[1]

Markscheme

production of pharmaceuticals
OR
proteins used in therapy
OR
antibodies
OR
vaccines ✔

(b)

Explain the use of a viral vector in gene therapy.

[3]

Markscheme

a. gene therapy involves introducing a normal copy of a defective gene into an organism ✔

b. virus/viral vector «genetically» modified for «safe» use ✔

c. insertion of desired gene/allele into viral genome/retrovirus ✔

d. an example is the use in SCID/lack of enzyme ADA in SCID ✔

e. removal of somatic cells ✔

f. introduction and insertion of the desired gene into the target cell
OR
modified virus can be introduced in the form of «inhaled» droplets
OR
the cells are introduced in the patient so that the desired gene can be expressed ✔

(c)

Outline the main principles of the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) test.

[2]

Markscheme

a. «ELISA» uses antibodies to detect a target antigen «to a pathogen» ✔ OWTTE

b. antigen attached to substrate ✔

c. the antibody «if present» will attach to the antigen ✔

d. «suitable» enzyme attached to antibody ✔

e. «enzyme» colour reaction shows the presence of antibodies to the antigen/pathogen ✔