Golden Rice is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene (provitamin A), addressing vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
Q.2Medium
Which technique is used to identify and isolate specific clones from a genomic library?
Answer: A
Southern blotting uses labeled probes to identify specific DNA sequences in clones, allowing isolation of desired clones from genomic libraries.
Q.3Medium
What is the advantage of using CRISPR-Cas9 over traditional gene therapy?
Answer: B
CRISPR-Cas9 is faster, cheaper, and more precise than traditional gene editing methods like zinc finger nucleases or TALENs.
Q.4Medium
In India, which genetically modified crop has been most widely adopted for commercial cultivation?
Answer: B
Bt Cotton is the most extensively cultivated GM crop in India since its introduction in 2002, covering millions of hectares across multiple states.
Q.5Medium
What is the role of a selectable marker gene in cloning vectors?
Answer: B
Selectable marker genes (like antibiotic resistance genes) allow researchers to identify and select only those cells that have successfully incorporated the recombinant plasmid.
Advertisement
Q.6Medium
Which of the following is an application of biotechnology in medicine?
Answer: B
Recombinant human insulin produced through genetic engineering is a major medical biotechnology application, revolutionizing diabetes treatment.
Q.7Medium
What is DNA fingerprinting primarily used for?
Answer: B
DNA fingerprinting uses variable DNA regions to create unique profiles for identification in forensics, paternity testing, and population studies.
Q.8Medium
What is the significance of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in plant genetic engineering?
Answer: B
Agrobacterium tumefaciens naturally transfers its T-DNA into plant cells, making it an excellent natural vector for creating transgenic plants.
Q.9Medium
Which enzyme is used to synthesize cDNA from mRNA in reverse transcription?
Answer: A
Reverse transcriptase, derived from retroviruses, synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from an mRNA template, essential for expressing eukaryotic genes in prokaryotes.
Q.10Medium
What is the main advantage of using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in regenerative medicine?
Answer: B
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent, meaning they can self-renew indefinitely and differentiate into any type of cell in the body, making them valuable for regenerative medicine.
Q.11Medium
In the context of gene therapy for hereditary diseases, what is the significance of using an inert viral vector that has had its pathogenic genes removed?
Answer: B
Modified viral vectors with pathogenic genes removed can efficiently deliver therapeutic genes to target cells while being non-pathogenic and reducing immune rejection.
Q.12Medium
In monoclonal antibody production using hybridoma technology, what is the advantage of fusing B cells with myeloma cells?
Answer: A
Hybridomas combine the antibody-producing capability of B cells with the immortality of myeloma cancer cells, producing monoclonal antibodies of high specificity indefinitely.
Q.13Medium
Which of the following applications of biotechnology can help in detecting antibiotic-resistant bacteria in clinical samples?
Answer: A
DNA microarrays can detect antibiotic resistance genes rapidly by analyzing the genetic profile of bacteria, enabling faster identification compared to traditional culture methods.
Q.14Medium
What is the principle behind the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that allows exponential amplification of specific DNA sequences?
Answer: A
PCR works through repeated cycles of three temperatures: denaturation (95°C), annealing (50-65°C), and extension (72°C), with Taq polymerase extending primers exponentially.
Q.15Medium
What is the primary concern with the application of synthetic biology in creating new organisms?
Answer: B
Synthetic biology raises significant biosafety and biosecurity concerns regarding uncontrolled release of synthetic organisms, potential ecological disruption, and dual-use implications.
Q.16Medium
Which modern sequencing technology allows for real-time monitoring of DNA synthesis, reducing sequencing time and cost?
Answer: C
Nanopore sequencing allows real-time DNA reading as strands pass through nanopores, enabling rapid and cost-effective long-read sequencing without amplification.
Q.17Medium
What is the significance of the Human Genome Project in biotechnology and personalized medicine?
Answer: A
The Human Genome Project provided the complete human genetic blueprint, revolutionizing our understanding of genetic diseases and enabling personalized medicine approaches.
Q.18Medium
In vaccine development using biotechnology, what is the advantage of mRNA vaccines (like those for COVID-19) over traditional inactivated vaccines?
Answer: B
mRNA vaccines can be designed and produced rapidly, manufactured at scale, and trigger robust immune responses without requiring actual pathogenic agents.
Q.19Medium
What is the primary application of AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) in forensic biotechnology?
Answer: B
AFLP generates unique DNA fingerprints by analyzing polymorphic bands through selective amplification and is widely used in forensic identification and paternity testing.
