Which biotechnology application is primarily used to produce human insulin on a commercial scale?
Answer: B
Recombinant insulin is produced by introducing the human insulin gene into bacteria (usually E. coli), which then produce insulin as a recombinant protein on a large industrial scale.
Q.522Easy
What is the primary role of restriction endonucleases in genetic engineering?
Answer: B
Restriction endonucleases are enzymes that recognize and cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences, producing sticky or blunt ends essential for creating recombinant DNA.
Q.523Medium
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.524Medium
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.525Medium
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.
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Q.526Easy
In the development of Bt crops (Bacillus thuringiensis), what is the inserted gene designed to do?
Answer: B
Bt crops contain the Cry gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces a crystalline protein toxic to specific lepidopteran (butterfly and moth) larvae, providing pest resistance.
Q.527Medium
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.528Medium
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.529Hard
In gene editing using base editors, what advantage do they offer over traditional CRISPR-Cas9?
Answer: A
Base editors (BEs) convert one DNA base to another without creating double-strand breaks, reducing off-target effects and cellular damage compared to standard CRISPR-Cas9.
Q.530Medium
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.531Medium
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.532Easy
Which of the following represents the correct order of steps in a standard PCR cycle?
Answer: A
The standard PCR cycle follows the order: denaturation (95°C to separate DNA strands), annealing (50-65°C for primer binding), and extension (72°C for synthesis by Taq polymerase).
Q.533Hard
In the context of organ transplantation, what is the potential application of xenotransplantation biotechnology?
Answer: A
Xenotransplantation involves genetically modifying animal organs (usually pig organs) to reduce immune rejection, potentially addressing the chronic shortage of human donor organs.
Q.534Medium
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.
Q.535Easy
In the development of Golden Rice, which essential nutrient was biofortified into the rice grain through genetic engineering?
Answer: B
Golden Rice was developed to address micronutrient deficiency by introducing genes for beta-carotene synthesis and iron accumulation, addressing vitamin A and iron deficiency.
Q.536Hard
What is the mechanism by which TALEN (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease) technology achieves site-specific gene editing?
Answer: B
TALENs are proteins from Xanthomonas bacteria that recognize specific DNA sequences with modular repeat domains and direct FokI endonuclease for precise DNA cleavage.
