Ch-10: Biotechnology and its Application12 Questions
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1. Bt cotton is a genetically modified crop engineered to provide resistance against:
A. Certain insect pests, through a toxin gene derived from Bacillus thuringiensis
B. Viral infections
C. Drought conditions
D. Fungal diseases
Answer: A. Certain insect pests, through a toxin gene derived from Bacillus thuringiensis
Explanation: The Bt toxin gene, when expressed in the cotton plant, produces a protein that is toxic specifically to certain insect larvae like the bollworm.
2. Golden rice is a genetically engineered crop enriched with a precursor of:
A. Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
B. Vitamin C
C. Iron content exclusively
D. Protein content exclusively
Answer: A. Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
Explanation: Golden rice was developed to help address vitamin A deficiency, particularly in regions where rice is a dietary staple.
3. Gene therapy is a medical technique primarily used to:
A. Correct a genetic defect by introducing a normal, functional copy of the gene
B. Diagnose genetic diseases exclusively
C. Increase overall crop yield
D. Produce antibiotics on an industrial scale
Answer: A. Correct a genetic defect by introducing a normal, functional copy of the gene
Explanation: Gene therapy aims to treat inherited disorders at their root cause by supplying a working version of the defective gene.
4. The first approved clinical application of gene therapy, carried out in 1990, was for treating a child with a deficiency of the enzyme:
A. Adenosine deaminase (ADA)
B. Insulin
C. Amylase
D. Lipase
Answer: A. Adenosine deaminase (ADA)
Explanation: This landmark case treated an immune deficiency caused by a lack of the ADA enzyme, an essential enzyme for immune cell function.
5. Recombinant human insulin, used in the treatment of diabetes, is commercially produced using genetically engineered:
A. Bacteria, such as Escherichia coli
B. Virus particles
C. Human cells directly
D. Plants exclusively
Answer: A. Bacteria, such as Escherichia coli
Explanation: The human insulin gene is inserted into bacteria such as E. coli, allowing large-scale, cost-effective production of insulin.
6. Molecular diagnosis of diseases at a very early stage has become possible mainly through techniques such as:
A. PCR and ELISA
B. Simple microscopy alone
C. X-ray imaging alone
D. Basic blood tests alone
Answer: A. PCR and ELISA
Explanation: PCR can detect even minute amounts of pathogen DNA/RNA, while ELISA detects specific antigens or antibodies, allowing very early diagnosis.
7. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose:
A. Genetic material has been intentionally altered using biotechnology techniques
B. Physical appearance has been changed solely through traditional breeding
C. Diet has simply been altered artificially
D. Habitat has been changed without any genetic modification
Answer: A. Genetic material has been intentionally altered using biotechnology techniques
Explanation: GMOs are created by directly introducing, deleting, or modifying specific genes, rather than through conventional breeding alone.
8. Transgenic animals are commonly used in scientific research primarily to study:
A. The biological role and function of specific genes
B. Only their outward physical appearance
C. Only their overall reproductive rate
D. Only their particular dietary requirements
Answer: A. The biological role and function of specific genes
Explanation: By introducing or altering specific genes, researchers can directly observe the resulting effects to better understand gene function.
9. Biopiracy refers to the:
A. Unauthorized use of a country's bio-resources and traditional knowledge without proper compensation
B. Legal patenting of a genuinely new biotechnological invention
C. General conservation efforts aimed at protecting biodiversity
D. Standard cultivation practices for genetically modified crops
Answer: A. Unauthorized use of a country's bio-resources and traditional knowledge without proper compensation
Explanation: Biopiracy involves commercial exploitation of a nation's native biological resources or indigenous knowledge without fair benefit-sharing.
10. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in India is primarily responsible for:
A. Regulating and approving the use of GM technology and organisms
B. Solely funding biotechnology-related research projects
C. Conducting general agricultural surveys only
D. Issuing patents for new inventions only
Answer: A. Regulating and approving the use of GM technology and organisms
Explanation: GEAC is the regulatory body that evaluates and grants approval for the environmental release of genetically modified organisms in India.
11. RNA interference (RNAi) technology can be applied in plants to provide protection against:
A. Nematodes and certain other pathogens
B. Drought conditions exclusively
C. Excess exposure to sunlight
D. Soil erosion
Answer: A. Nematodes and certain other pathogens
Explanation: RNAi technology can silence specific genes essential for a pest's survival, providing the plant with a built-in defence mechanism.
12. Ethical and social concerns associated with modern biotechnology mainly involve issues such as:
A. Biosafety, biopiracy and ownership of genetic resources
B. Solely the overall cost of scientific research
C. Solely the speed at which new technology develops
D. Solely the publication process of scientific papers
Answer: A. Biosafety, biopiracy and ownership of genetic resources
Explanation: Widespread use of biotechnology raises important questions about environmental safety, fair use of genetic resources, and intellectual property rights.
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