Clock it with SCIBook a tutor

Edexcel International GCSE Science (Double Award), topic 5

Use of biological resources

Humans use living organisms to produce food. This topic looks at how crop yields are increased in glasshouses and with fertilisers and pest control, and how yeast and bacteria are grown to make foods such as bread and yoghurt. It then moves on to selective breeding and genetic modification.

Subtopics

Work through them in order. Each one has notes, exam questions and flashcards, and a PDF of each. Biology-only subtopics are left out.

  1. 1Food production: crop plants Spec 5.1–5.4How glasshouses, fertilisers, pesticides and biological control are used to increase the yield of crop plants.NotesQuestions 6Flashcards 8
  2. 2Food production: micro-organisms and fish farming Spec 5.5–5.9BHow yeast and Lactobacillus are used to make bread and yoghurt, the yeast respiration practical, and how industrial fermenters work.NotesQuestions 6Flashcards 13
  3. 3Selective breeding and genetic modification Spec 5.10–5.16How selective breeding improves plants and animals, and how genetic engineering uses enzymes and vectors to make insulin and GM crops.NotesQuestions 7Flashcards 16

Not in the Double Award: Cloning.

Whole topic

When you have done the subtopics: test yourself on everything, or print the lot.