Biology

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

2,010 Questions

Genetic engineering and biotechnology involve modifying organism DNA to develop transgenic crops, medical treatments, and industrial solutions. This field covers essential techniques like hybridoma technology, molecular markers, and gene transfer in eukaryotic cells. These biology topics are essential for aspirants preparing for various competitive examinations.

Genetic engineering techniquesTransgenic organismsIndustrial biotechnologyGMOs and bioremediation

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Questions

Multiple choice

Genetic engineering is the process of transferring specific genes from the chromosome of one organism and transplanting them into the chromosome of another organism. Which among the following statements concerning the process of genetic engineering is false?

  1. The desired DNA is cleaved from the donating chromosome by the action of restriction enzymes.

  2. The desired DNA fragment is inserted into a vector, usually a viral particle, for transfer to the receiving chromosome.

  3. When the host cell reproduces, the vectors inside also reproduce.

  4. Gel electrophoresis is used to separate the remaining genes by movement on an electric grid.

  5. Radioactive probes are added in the gel electrophoresis which attract and bind with the desired DNA to produce visible bands.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The desired DNA fragment is inserted into a vector, usually a plasmid, for transfer to the receiving chromosome. Plasmids are circular DNA molecules found in the cytoplasm of bacteria that bond with the desired DNA fragment with the help of the joining enzyme, DNA ligase, to create the resulting recombinant DNA.

Multiple choice

What is genetically engineered cotton known as?

  1. Gt. Cotton

  2. Ct. Cotton

  3. Bt. Cotton

  4. Et. Cotton
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Bt cotton is a genetically modified pest-resistant plant cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to combat bollworm. The name comes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

Multiple choice

Assertion: Flavr Savr tomato was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. Reason: Flavr Savr tomatoes were developed using recombinant DNA techniques to express the trait of early softening of tomato fruit.

  1. A and R both are correct and R is correct explanation of A.

  2. A and R both are correct and R is not correct explanation of A.

  3. A is correct and R is incorrect.

  4. A is incorrect and R is correct.

  5. A and R both are incorrect.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. A is correct whereas R is incorrect.  Flavr Savr, a genetically modified tomato, was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. Flavr Savr tomatoes were developed using recombinant DNA techniques to express the trait of delayed softening of tomato fruit.

Multiple choice

Monsanto is

  1. a genetically modified variety of wheat

  2. a genetically modified variety of rice

  3. a US based agri- major

  4. a genetically modified variety of maize
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Monsanto is a multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation based in the United States, known for its seeds and herbicides.

Multiple choice

If a mouse of over eight times its normal size has been produced by introducing human growth hormone gene, the technique involved is called

  1. Hormonal feeding

  2. Hybridisation

  3. Genetic Engineering

  4. Mutation breeding
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Growth hormone is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals. Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest. The most common form of genetic engineering involves the insertion of new genetic material at an unspecified location in the host genome. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following approaches comes under the category of biotechnology?

  1. Use of living organisms or substances obtained from them in industrial process.

  2. Use of modern technology to investigate biological disorders.

  3. Use of industrial technology to increase the biosphere.

  4. Modernizing the commercial industries to produce products for use in biological research.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Biotechnology (sometimes shortened to biotech) is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, and it is usually seen in agriculture, food production and medicine production. 

Multiple choice

Cosmid is a vector used in

  1. subcloning and downstream manipulation

  2. genomic DNA cloning

  3. genomic library construction

  4. analysis of large genomes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the major application of cosmid.

Multiple choice

Red biotechnology is the term used to address

  1. biological problems using computational techniques

  2. biotechnology applied to agricultural processes

  3. biotechnology applied to medical processes

  4. biotechnology applied to industrial purposes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Biotechnology applied to medical processes is addressed to red biotechnology. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not an influential condition encountered in researches involving recombinant DNA technology?

  1. Negative pressure air locks in laboratories.

  2. Experiments should be done in laminar-flow hoods with filtered air.

  3. Experiments should be done in laminar-flow hoods with exhaust air.

  4. Vectors are genetically designed to increase the probability of dissemination of rDNA outside laboratory.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Vectors are genetically designed to decrease the probability of dissemination of recombinant DNA outside laboratory, because it prevents their survival in the outer environment.

Multiple choice

The monoclonal antibodies are developed by

  1. hybridoma

  2. gene silencing

  3. finger printing

  4. transgenesis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hybridoma technology is the standard method for producing monoclonal antibodies by fusing B-lymphocytes with myeloma cells. This creates immortalized cell lines that secrete specific antibodies.

Multiple choice

In genetic engineering, recombinant DNA means

  1. DNA not associated with recombination

  2. DNA which takes part in recombination

  3. DNA with a piece of foreign DNA

  4. DNA with a piece of RNA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The term recombinant DNA is applied to DNA molecules produced by in vitro ligation of DNA from two different organisms.