VCE Biology Question Thread

[katiesaliba]

Genetic engineering has to involve the use of genetic techniques, artificial selection does not

Thank you! Is modifying DNA through genetic engineering to create a designer baby an example of artificial selection?

[grannysmith]

Thank you! Is modifying DNA through genetic engineering to create a designer baby an example of artificial selection?

I'd say that's genetic modification. Artificial selection does NOT involve the alteration of an organism's genome through genetic techniques

[grannysmith]

What do fossils allow us to infer about the relatedness of organisms?

Well, they give us anatomical features of an organism, and thus we can use comparative morphology to infer about evolutionary relationships (homologous structures, vestigial organs/structures).

[RazzMeTazz]

Well, they give us anatomical features of an organism, and thus we can use comparative morphology to infer about evolutionary relationships (homologous structures, vestigial organs/structures).

Thanks!

[vox nihili]

Thank you! Is modifying DNA through genetic engineering to create a designer baby an example of artificial selection?

Yes, it is. Though I should say that's just my opinion and is not necessarily correct. In my mind though, artificial selection involves the selection (duh) of particular traits to be introduced into the next generation. If you genetically engineer a baby, you are circumventing natural selection and artificially selecting what traits are "fit".

[grannysmith]

Yes, it is. Though I should say that's just my opinion and is not necessarily correct. In my mind though, artificial selection involves the selection (duh) of particular traits to be introduced into the next generation. If you genetically engineer a baby, you are circumventing natural selection and artificially selecting what traits are "fit".

Haha you're probably right; selective breeding could just be one type of artificial selection

[vox nihili]

Haha you're probably right; selective breeding could just be one type of artificial selection

In the context of the VCE course it doesn't really matter to be honest. It is a way of artificially selecting genes, but you wouldn't be expected to appreciate that nuance in meaning.

[RazzMeTazz]

Hi,

I didn't really understand this question.

Any help would be appreciated!

[grannysmith]

Hi,

I didn't really understand this question.

Any help would be appreciated!

Basically it's the Principle of Superposition - rocks/fossils get older as you go down.

[Reus]

I noticed for VCAA Exam 2006, a question asking about the monomer of RNA (diagram) my nitrogen base shape was slighting different to what they have, does that matter? Would I lose marks because of the shape? Cause everyone says the examiners are pedantic sooooooo I'm just wondering.

[vox nihili]

I noticed for VCAA Exam 2006, a question asking about the monomer of RNA (diagram) my nitrogen base shape was slighting different to what they have, does that matter? Would I lose marks because of the shape? Cause everyone says the examiners are pedantic sooooooo I'm just wondering.

No. Settle down, they're not that bad :p

[Reus]

No. Settle down, they're not that bad :p

Haha thanks for that! 

[katiesaliba]

Are dendritic cells, macrophages, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and B- and T-lymphocytes all phagocytic? If so, why are the granulated phagocytic cells (basophils, eosinophils) not professional APCs?

Thanks

[grannysmith]

Are dendritic cells, macrophages, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and B- and T-lymphocytes all phagocytic? If so, why are the granulated phagocytic cells (basophils, eosinophils) not professional APCs?

Thanks

Probably because they don't have MHC II markers which display foreign antigens to helper T cells.

[vox nihili]

Are dendritic cells, macrophages, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and B- and T-lymphocytes all phagocytic? If so, why are the granulated phagocytic cells (basophils, eosinophils) not professional APCs?

Thanks

T-cells aren't