Transgenic (Edexcel IGCSE Biology): Revision Note
Exam code: 4BI1
Transgenic: Definition
Genetic modification (or genetic engineering) is the process of artificially altering the DNA of an organism to give it new traits
Scientists can combine DNA from different sources to change an organism's genome
Any organism that has had new genetic material introduced is a genetically modified organism (GMO)
Transgenic refers specifically to the transfer of genetic material from one species to a different species
An organism containing DNA from a different species is called a transgenic organism
All transgenic organisms are GMOs but not all GMOs are transgenic
For example, a plant modified with DNA from the same species is a GMO but not transgenic
For a plant to be transgenic, it would have to be modified with DNA from a different species
Examiner Tips and Tricks
If you are asked to "state what is meant by the term transgenic" in your exam, you should state that transgenic means the transfer of genes (or alleles or DNA) between different species.
You must be clear that the genetic information has been transferred from one species to another species.
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