8th Grade Science - Natural and Artificial Selection Review

Which two statements indicate the societal benefits of practices based on genetic engineering?

• the revival of the Alabama cotton industry by creating GM cotton to resist bollworms

• the dependency of farmers on corporations for supply and price of GM seeds in the market

• the creation of GMO potatoes to resist bruising and browning to avoid unnecessarily throwing them away

• the chance of less interaction of engineered insect-resistant plants with non-target organisms, such as bees

• the probability of creating a new allergen in plants following the introduction of a new gene due to genetic engineering

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NGSS.HS-LS2-6

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Farm animals are genetically modified to fulfill the increasing human demands for milk, eggs, meat, and other things. The insertion of human growth factors inside the genome of pigs is one such example of speeding up growth in pigs. The gene is inserted in the fertilized eggs and then inserted in female pigs to produce genetically modified offspring. Which option indicates the ethical challenge of the given process?

• A. A greater number of people will start consuming meat.

• B. Many of the embryos that undergo genetic modification do not survive.

• C. The pigs that grow faster will outcompete other pigs for food resources.

• D. There are more chances of the transfer of disease from animal to human.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

What can likely be the concern if a crop is genetically modified (GM crops) to kill pests and insects?

• GM crops may affect the food chain.

• GM crop plants may reduce the low soil quality.

• GM crop plants may have poor nutritional value.

• GM crops may release harmful substances into the environment.

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NGSS.HS-LS2-6

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A group of researchers developed genetically modified soybean seeds. These seeds are incorporated with a gene from Brazil nuts. These nuts are rich in essential amino acids that are not synthesized by the body and are present in very low amounts in ordinary soybeans. Based on the information, what is likely the disadvantage associated with consuming GMO soybeans?

• They can change the taste of the soybean.

• 
  They can reduce the digestion rate of nuts.

• They can reduce the nutritional value of the soybean.

• They can cause allergic reactions in people with nut allergies.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Farmers perform genetic crosses between tomato plants having bigger fruits and tomato plants having the highest number of fruits. This resulted in the production of all tomato plants with a bigger and higher number of fruits. Based on the information, what could be the negative impact of the given process on plants?

• It will reduce the genetic variation in plants.

• It will give rise to fruits that are not suitable for consumption.

• It will decrease the chances of the disease spreading in plants.

• It will reduce the fertility of the soil in which these plants are grown.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-5

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The image shows the effect of selective breeding on chickens over time.
SEE PICTURE ON PRINTED COPY
The student observes the image and claims that this practice is ethically wrong. Is the claim made by the student correct?

• Yes, it makes some chickens stronger and healthier than the other chickens.

• Yes, it makes chickens’ bodies so large that they cannot move or stand properly.

• No, it healthily increases the size of chickens to provide enough meat for human consumption.

• No, it increases the size of chickens to produce more eggs, increasing the number of young chickens.

Teosinte is a wild grass that was genetically modified through selective breeding to produce a crop called maize. Based on the information, what can likely be concluded about the given result of genetic engineering?

• It benefits society by increasing food resources.

• It benefits society by reducing wild plant species.

• It raises ethical issues by decreasing food for wild animals.

• It raises ethical issues by converting wild grass into maize plants.

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NGSS.HS-LS2-7

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

A dog was observed for its characteristics. Which of the characteristics of the dog is a result of the influence of an environmental factor? 

• A.

  long ears

• B.

  brown eyes

• C.

  scar above the eye 

• D.

  black patches on white fur

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What method of genetic engineering works by picking a trait and only breeding organisms that show those traits, such a dog breeds?

• Selective breeding
• Cloning
• CRISPR
• Gene therapy

Farmers breed cows to produce high amounts of milk. This is an example of...

• Natural Selection 
• Variations in a species 
• Selective Breeding 
• inbreeding

Tags

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