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

Match the gene of interest for various aspects of crop improvement.

 
Gene insert Aspects of crop improvement
P. bar 1. Tolerance to heavy metals
Q. vip3A 2. Nutritional improvement with increased vitamin A
R. /3-Icy 3. Insect resistance
S. gsh-Il 4. Herbicide resistance
5. Delayed ripening
6. Resistance to fungal infection

  1. P - 4, Q - 3, R - 5, S - 6

  2. P - 4, Q - 3, R - 2, S - 1

  3. P - 2, Q - 4, R - 5, S - 3

  4. P - 4, Q - 2, R - 6, S - 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

bar gene confers herbicide resistance (4). vip3A is for insect resistance (3). The gene for vitamin A (often phytoene synthase) is not listed correctly as R. gsh-II is for heavy metal tolerance (1). The provided match A is the most logical fit based on standard biotechnology knowledge.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Select the best topic sentence for the given paragraph:

Since scientists can now work at the level of genes, animal breeding for desired features may soon become obsolete. Many people support genetic engineering, arguing that several genetic changes will be very beneficial and free of potential harm. They claim that as long as there are safeguards, humans would be foolish to not take advantage of genetic engineering. However, some people have seen the speed at which gene manipulation can get out of control, mixing species so that plant and animal are no longer discernible. They wish to turn back time. But can they?

  1. There are many cases where gene manipulation has gone out of hand.

  2. Whether people agree or not, genetic engineering has benefitted society in many ways.

  3. Bizarre hybrids are the biggest fear of people who do not support genetic engineering.

  4. Although it is still debatable whether genetic engineering will provide the benefits it promises without the dangers, it is definitely here to stay.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The best topic sentence is Option D as it depicts both the positive and negative of the genetic engineering procedure briefly. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and Option D does that appropriately. Options A and C are incorrect as they only focus on the negatives of the procedure. Option B is incorrect as it only mentions the positive of the procedure.

Multiple choice

What is a gene?

  1. A type of organ in the body

  2. a South American fruit

  3. one leg from a pair of blue pants

  4. a small section of DNA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A gene is a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA that acts as a unit of heredity, providing instructions for building proteins.

Multiple choice botany plant breeding biotechnology for improved food quality plant breeding for food production

Select the correct statement regarding an improved variety of transgenic basmati rice. i.e. golden rice.

  1. It does not require the use of chemical fertilisers

  2. It is completely resistant to all insect pests and diseases

  3. It gives high yields but not characteristic aroma

  4. It gives high yields and rich in vitamin A
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rice is a staple food in many countries, particularly in Asia, but does not contain vitamin A or its immediate precursors. By inserting two genes from Daffodil and one gene from a bacterial species into rice plants, Swiss researchers have produce rice capable of synthesizing β-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A is required by all individuals as it is present in retina of eyes. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness and skin disorders. This rice is called 'Golden rice' because of the yellow colour of rice grains due to the presence of β-carotene.

So, the correct answer is 'It gives high yields and rich in vitamin A'.

Multiple choice botany biotechnology: principles and processes downstream processing biotechnology biotechnology and its application

Bacteria genetically engineered to express a gene from a plant will

  1. Synthesise a protein with the same sequence of amino acids as in the plant and, therefore, the protein will have the same structure and function as in the plant.

  2. Synthesis a protein with essentially the same sequence of amino acids as in the plant with differences relating to different colon wobble rules between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

  3. Not be able to synthesise a protein due to the presence of exon splicing sequences in the DNA sequence from the plant

  4. Not be able to synthesise a protein because transaction is coupled with transaction and posttranscriptional processing does not occur in it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When bacteria (a prokaryote) is engineered to express a gene from a plant (an eukaryote), a slightly  different approach is used. Eukaryotic genes have both exons and Introns which are transcribed into the primary transcript. Primary transcript is then processed by splicing (removal of introns and joining of exons), capping and tailling to produce functional mRNAs. This functional mRNA is then expressed into proteins. Prokaryotes lack such machinery, hence expression of an eukaryotic DNA becomes difficult in prokaryotic cells. Therefore, scientists prepare cDNA from the functional nRNA (without introns) using reverse transcriptase. This DNA is incorporated into bacteria (or another prokaryotic cell) for expression of plant gene. Such foreign gene synthesises a protein with the same sequence of amino acids as in the plant, and therefore the proteins have the same structure and function as in the plant.

So, the correct answer is 'Synthesise a protein with the same sequence of amino acids as in the plant and, therefore, the protein will have the same structure and function as in the plant.'

Multiple choice botany biotechnology: principles and processes downstream processing biotechnology biotechnology and its application

Animals that have their DNA manipulated to process and express a foreign gene are called

  1. Transgenic animals

  2. Somatic hybrids

  3. Somaclones

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

The animals which carry foreign genes are called transgenic animals. The foreign genes inserted into the genome of the animal using recombinant DNA technology are called transgenes.

Multiple choice botany biotechnology: principles and processes downstream processing biotechnology biotechnology and its application

In transgenics, the expression of transgene in the target tissue is known by

  1. Enhancer

  2. Transgene

  3. Promoter

  4. Reporter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A reporter gene is used in transgenics to identify whether the transgene has been successfully introduced and expressed in the target tissue, often by producing a visible product like fluorescence.

Multiple choice botany biotechnology: principles and processes downstream processing biotechnology biotechnology and its application

Introduction of transgenes will result in

  1. Formation of a new species

  2. Formation of a new protein

  3. Alter a biosynthetic pathway

  4. Both B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The introduction of a transgene typically results in the production of a new protein (the product of the transgene) and can alter a biosynthetic pathway by introducing a new enzymatic step or modifying existing ones.

Multiple choice botany biotechnology: principles and processes downstream processing biotechnology biotechnology and its application

Which is not one of the major categories of biotechnology products ?

  1. Hormones and similar proteins

  2. Toxins for use in pest control

  3. DNA probes

  4. Vaccines
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Biotechnology involves the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, vaccines etc. It also involves various other methods involving production, amplification of DNA segments like DNA probe. 

Instead of production of toxins for use in pest control, biotechnology involves making plants resistant against pest by genetically engineering their genome. 
So, the correct option is 'Toxins for use in pest control'.

Multiple choice biology immunity monoclonal antibodies antibody production and vaccination biotechnology

Kohler and Milstein developed biotechnology for production of

  1. Modern vaccines

  2. Immobilised enzymes

  3. Monoclonal antibodies

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

Monoclonal antibodies are monospecific antibodies that are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell. In 1975, Georges Kohler and Cesar Milstein succeeded in making fusions of myeloma cell lines with B cells to produce hybridomas that made antibodies to known antigens. Monoclonal antibodies were first produced by applying the techniques of somatic cell genetics to antibody-producing cells. The cells that produce antibodies (B cells) are short-lived in culture. Thus, attempts to maintain B cells in culture and harvest antibody specificities failed for many years until Cesar Milstein and George Koehler succeeded in immortalising B cells via somatic cell hybridisation.

Multiple choice biology immunity monoclonal antibodies antibody production and vaccination biotechnology

Hybridomas are used for

  1. Synthesis of antibiotics

  2. Killing cancer cells

  3. Synthesis of monoclonal (somaclonal) antibodies

  4. Production of somatic hybrids
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Hybridoma technology is a technology of forming hybrid cell lines (called hybridomas) by fusing an antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma (B cell cancer) cell that is selected for its ability to grow in tissue culture and for an absence of antibody chain synthesis. The antibodies produced by the hybridoma are all of a single specificity and are therefore monoclonal antibodies. So, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice biology reproductive health twins reproduction and modern technology stds and infertility

Which of the following breeding techniques is used to improve herd genetics?

  1. Artificial insemination

  2. Embryo transfer

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Both the methods are used to improve the herd genetics by adding a new set of desired genes to the herd. This increases the quality of the gene pool of the herd.  

So the correct option is 'Both A & B'.

Multiple choice biotechnology and genetic engineering genetic technology genetic engineering biology making use of enzymes

Introduction of food plants developed by genetic engineering is not desirable because

  1. these products are less tasty as compared to the already existing products

  2. this method is costly

  3. economy of developing countries may suffer

  4. there is danger of entry of viruses and toxins with introduced crop
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While many concerns exist, the high cost of research, development, and patenting associated with genetic engineering is a primary economic barrier to its widespread adoption in developing nations.

Multiple choice biotechnology and genetic engineering genetic technology genetic engineering biology making use of enzymes

Genetic engineering is possible because

  1. the phenomenon of transduction in bacteria is well understand.

  2. we can see DNA by electron microscope

  3. we can cut DNA at specific sites by endonucleases like DNAase 1

  4. restriction endonucleases purified from bacteria can be used in vitro
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Genetic engineering relies on the ability to manipulate DNA precisely. Restriction endonucleases act as molecular scissors that cut DNA at specific sequences, allowing for the insertion of foreign genes.