In recombinant DNA technology, what is the function of DNA ligase?
Answer: B
DNA ligase catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides, joining DNA fragments together during cloning.
Q.502Medium
Golden Rice is enriched with which micronutrient?
Answer: C
Golden Rice is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene (provitamin A), addressing vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.
Q.503Medium
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.504Medium
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.505Medium
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.
Advertisement
Q.506Medium
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.
Q.507Medium
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.508Medium
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.509Hard
In the context of gene therapy, what does 'ex vivo' gene therapy mean?
Answer: A
Ex vivo gene therapy involves isolating cells from the patient, modifying them genetically outside the body, and then reintroducing them, reducing immune reactions.
Q.510Hard
Which of the following statements about RNAi (RNA interference) is correct?
Answer: B
RNAi uses small interfering RNAs (siRNA) or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to target and degrade specific mRNA molecules, leading to gene silencing.
Q.511Hard
What is a chimeric gene in the context of genetic engineering?
Answer: B
Chimeric genes combine regulatory sequences from one organism with coding sequences from another, creating novel genetic constructs for transgenic organism development.
Q.512Hard
In the year 2023-24, which Indian institute developed the CRISPR-based diagnostic kit for disease detection?
Answer: B
CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) has been at the forefront of developing CRISPR-based diagnostic tools for various diseases in India.
Q.513Medium
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.514Medium
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.515Hard
What is the primary concern regarding the large-scale cultivation of Bt crops in India?
Answer: B
Major concerns include the development of resistance in target insects, impacts on non-target beneficial organisms, and long-term ecological effects of Bt crop cultivation.
Q.516Easy
Which of the following techniques is used to create transgenic animals by introducing foreign DNA into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg?
Answer: A
Microinjection is the standard technique for creating transgenic animals by directly injecting DNA into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg, allowing integration into the genome.
Q.517Easy
In CRISPR-Cas9 technology, what is the function of the guide RNA?
Answer: B
The guide RNA (gRNA) is complementary to the target DNA sequence and directs the Cas9 endonuclease protein to the exact location where the cut should be made.
Q.518Easy
Which vector is preferred for delivering genes into plant cells for genetic modification?
Answer: C
The Ti (Tumor-inducing) plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the natural vector for plant genetic modification, carrying T-DNA that integrates into the plant genome.
Q.519Medium
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.520Medium
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.
