What a genetically modified plant is (spec 5.15)
A GM plant has had a gene from another organism added to its DNA to give it a new useful feature.
A genetically modified (GM) plant is one that has had its genes (DNA) changed by scientists. Usually this is done by inserting a gene from another organism into the plant's DNA. The new gene gives the plant a useful new characteristic that it did not have before.
A few important ideas to fix in your mind:
- A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a characteristic (such as making a particular protein).
- In genetic modification, scientists cut out a useful gene from one organism and insert it into the cells of the crop plant. The gene is added while the plant is being grown from cells, so the whole plant ends up carrying it.
- Because the gene is now part of the plant's DNA, it is passed on when the plant reproduces — the offspring are GM too.
The reason we do this is to improve food production: to grow more food, better food, or food that grows in difficult conditions. The rest of this note looks at the main examples named in the specification.
Exam tip. A GM organism has had a gene inserted/added from another organism. Don't write that the plant simply "changes itself" — the new gene is put in by scientists.
- A GM plant has had a gene from another organism inserted into its DNA.
- A gene is a length of DNA that codes for a characteristic.
- The new feature is passed on to the plant's offspring.
See the full worked example for genetically modified plants and food production →