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In the 1950s farmers in India could not grow enough rice to feed the rapidly increasing population - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 5
In the 1950s farmers in India could not grow enough rice to feed the rapidly increasing population. At the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) scientists be... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In the 1950s farmers in India could not grow enough rice to feed the rapidly increasing population - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe the steps the scientists would have taken to produce IR8.
Answer
The scientists followed a systematic approach to produce the IR8 variety through selective breeding:
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Selection of Parent Plants: They chose traditional varieties of rice that had desired characteristics, such as short stems and large grains. This ensured a good starting point for the breeding process.
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Cross-Pollination: They then crossed these selected plants to create hybrid offspring. Cross-pollination was important for introducing desirable traits from different varieties.
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Selection of Offspring: From the offspring, they selected plants that exhibited the best characteristics, such as short stature and larger grains. This selective process helped focus on the most promising variants.
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Repeated Breeding: The scientists repeatedly bred these selected plants until they consistently produced a new variety, which they named IR8. This process ensured that IR8 retained the desired traits across generations.
Step 2
Explain why some people in India agree and some disagree with GM varieties of rice being grown.
Answer
The opinions on GM varieties of rice in India vary due to several reasons:
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Agreement Reasons:
- Higher Yield: Many support GM rice because it is resistant to pests and pathogens, leading to a higher yield, which is essential for feeding a growing population.
- Nutritional Benefits: GM rice can be designed to have enhanced nutritional content, providing vitamins and proteins that can improve health outcomes.
- Sustainability: Some believe that GM rice can be grown in harsher conditions and less suitable areas, thus improving food security in diverse environments.
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Disagreement Reasons:
- Environmental Concerns: Critics worry that GM plants might affect biodiversity through the reduction of traditional varieties, which can be essential for ecological balance.
- Health Issues: There is apprehension regarding the long-term health impacts of consuming GM foods, often due to a lack of extensive research or testing.
- Economic Concerns: GM seeds can be expensive for farmers as they may require buying new seeds each season or specific herbicides, which leads to economic strain for some farmers.