Explain how the use of GM crops can help to improve food security in countries that experience drought or pest damage to harvests.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Model answer (4 marks)
GM crops can be engineered to be drought‑resistant, reducing water requirements and allowing growth in arid conditions.
GM crops can be engineered to resist pests, insects or disease, lowering crop loss.
These traits lead to higher and more reliable yields.
Higher yields increase the availability of adequate, nutritious food, improving food security.
GM crops can be engineered to resist pests, insects or disease, lowering crop loss.
These traits lead to higher and more reliable yields.
Higher yields increase the availability of adequate, nutritious food, improving food security.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms ‘drought‑resistant’, ‘pest‑resistant’, ‘higher yields’, ‘food security’
- Show the causal chain: trait → yield → availability → security
- Keep each point brief and to the point
Common mistakes
- Mixing up ‘food security’ with ‘food availability’ or ‘nutrition’
- Using vague phrases like ‘better crops’ instead of specific traits
- Omitting the link between yield and food security
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- GM crops can be modified to be drought-resistant / require less water to grow
- GM crops can be modified to be resistant to pests / insects / disease
- This means greater / more reliable crop yields are produced
- This increases the availability of adequate / nutritious food for the population, improving food security
Key terms in this question
Related
- Revision notes: Food production (Bio only) →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →