5.13 describe how plasmids and viruses can act as vectors, which take up pieces of DNA, then insert this recombinant DNA into other cells

When a virus or plasmid is inside a host cell it may pick up DNA, it may then carry this into another host cell. The foreign DNA is known as recombinant DNA.

5.16 understand that the term ‘transgenic’ means the transfer of genetic material from one species to a different species

transgenic material is genetic material that is taken from one species and put into another.

5.15 evaluate the potential for using genetically modified plants to improve food production (illustrated by plants with improved resistance to pests)

Genetically modified plants are ones with desired characteristics which are meant to enhance a crop.

They may have DNA which gives them more nutritional value: like golden rice which is rice with carotene in. This will benefit a population which eats a lot of rice by giving them a better diet.

Plants may also have DNA which makes them more resistant: for example genetically modified soya plants. This means that a broad spectrum herbicide that kills many different types of plant can be spread on the crops to kill weeds; where as before many different types of herbicides would have to be spread to avoid killing the crop (time consuming/ expensive.)

Although GM plants appear to be only of benefit, there are people who claim side effects observed in lab animals such as: sterility; infant mortality; allergies; stunted growth. Another disadvantage would be that a broad spectrum herbicide that can be spread on GM crops will kill many plants in the wild not just the weeds  threatening the crops.

5.14 understand that large amounts of human insulin can be manufactured from genetically modified bacteria that are grown in a fermenter

The gene that causes human insulin production is taken from a cell and put into a bacteria's DNA. This bacteria is then put into a fermenter where the conditions are optimum for it to replicate many times. These bacteria then produce human insulin which can be harvested and given to humans with diabetes.

This is a very helpful animation:
http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/diabetes/diabetes6.cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopic=1

5.12 describe the use of restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sites and ligase enzymes to join pieces of DNA together

Restriction enzymes effectively cut through DNA strands so that a section of DNA can be taken from a cell.

Ligase enzymes can be used to join together different sections of DNA.

These processes are done to create new DNA.

Something like this:

accessexcellence