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 botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Name the transgenic crop in which three genes for synthesis of vitamin A are introduced through the technique of genetic engineering.

  1. Kalyan Sona wheat

  2. Sweet sorghum

  3. Hybrid bajra

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

Golden rice is a genetically modified variety of rice engineered to produce beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

In genetic engineering, which of the following is used?

  1. Plasmid

  2. Plastid

  3. Mitochondria

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

Genetic engineering mainly aims at the transfer of genes of desired protein products between the organisms. Plastids are double membrane bound organelles that serve as the site for photosynthesis. Mitochondria are double membrane bound eukaryotic cell organelles that serve as the site for cellular respiration, produce an enormous amount of energy. ER is eukaryotic organelle with a network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae within the cells. It serves to synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids. Plasmids are low molecular weight extrachromosomal DNA that carries origin of replication, restriction sites and selectable markers to confer readily selectable phenotypic traits on host cells. Plasmids require very few genes for their own replication and rest of it can be deleted and foreign sequences can be added to the plasmid which in turn makes them a suitable candidate to serve as a vector for gene transfer. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Terminator seeds produced by giant seed companies using techniques of genetic engineering are in fact _________________.

  1. Hybrid seeds which germinate in the frame's field but do not produce seeds in the next generation

  2. Hybrid seeds which give a very high yield

  3. Seed which germinate and produce incompatible gametes

  4. Seeds that develop into fertile plants which produce flog-terminable seeds
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Terminator seeds are hybrid seeds that germinate and grow normally but produce sterile seeds in the next generation, preventing farmers from saving seeds. They do not produce flog-terminable seeds or incompatible gametes. The high yield claim is secondary to their terminator characteristic.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Which one is being produced by genetically altered genes _________________.

  1. Calcitonin

  2. Platelet derived growth factor

  3. Erythropoietin

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Genetic engineering allows for the production of various therapeutic proteins, including calcitonin, growth factors, and erythropoietin, using recombinant DNA technology.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 

  1. The current interest in the manipulation of microbes, plants and animals has raised serious ethical issues.

  2. One possible risk of genetic engineering is the accidental production of antibiotic resistant microorganisms.

  3. Although risks are possible, genetic engineering offers more of a contribution to human welfare than threats.

  4. All of these.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

  • Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with genetically modified (GM) food including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.
  • One of the first cases of human benefit from genetic engineering was the production of human insulin in bacterial cells. Previous to this, diabetic patients were treated with pig insulin. Use of bacterially-derived human insulin has substantially reduced the number of animals used to produce insulin and also significantly reduces adverse reactions in diabetic patients as the molecule is identical to human insulin. Since the successful production of genetically engineered insulin, many other human proteins have been produced in this manner. This technology has improved millions of lives.

So, the correct option is 'All of these.'.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

In genetic engineering, a DNA segment (gene) of interest, is transferred to the host cell through a vector. Consider the following four agents (i-iv) in this regard and select the correct option about which one or more of these can be used as a vector/ vectors.
(i) Bacterium (ii) Plasmid (iii) Plasmodium (iv) Bacteriophage

  1. (i), (ii) and (iv)

  2. (i) only

  3. (i) and (iii)

  4. (ii) and (iv)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Manipulation of DNA to change its structure is called genetic engineering.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Genetic engineering is a technique to alter the chemistry of genetic material (DNA and RNA), to introduce these into the host organisms and thus change the phenotype and genetic makeup of the organism.

So, the statement is 'True'.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Research projects: 

  1. cloning

  2. identical/ non identical twins

  3. triplets/ quadruplets

  4. surrogacy

  5. IVF
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cloning is the process of generating a genetically identical copy of a cell or an organism. Cloning happens all the time in nature for example, when a cell replicates itself asexually without any genetic alteration or recombination.

So, the correct option is 'Cloning'.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Genetic engineering has been successfuly used for producing

  1. Transgenic cow named Rosie which produces high fat milk for making ghee.

  2. Animals like bulls for farm work as they have super power.

  3. Transgenic mice for testing safety of polio vaccine before use in humans.

  4. Transgenic models for studying new treatments for certain cardiac diseases.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C,D Correct answer
Explanation

The first transgenic cow, Rosie was engineered for production of human protein-enriched more nutritional balanced milk (2.4 grams per litre). Rosie’s milk contains the human gene $\alpha$-lactalbumin; which makes statement A incorrect. Transgenic bull was produced for lactoferrin in their milk which has antimicrobial activity and is components of innate defence; statement B is incorrect. Animal rabbit models have been used to study pathophysiology and treatment of cardiovascular diseases which makes statement D correct. Transgenic mice for testing safety of polio vaccine before use in human; for the purpose, they are subject to GSK test which measures the safety of the vaccine; statement C is correct.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

Introduction of one or more genes into an organism which are normally not possessed by them or their deletion by using artificial means (not by breeding) comes under 

  1. Molecular biology

  2. Genetic hybridisation

  3. Cytogenetics

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

Genetic engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA to an organism. The goal is to add one or more new traits that are not already found in that organism. Examples of genetically engineered (transgenic) organisms currently on the market include plants with resistance to some insects, plants that can tolerate herbicides, and crops with modified oil content. New DNA may be inserted in the host genome by first isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence, or by synthesizing the DNA, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice botany breeding and biotechnology branches of biotechnology gene cloning biotechnology and genetic engineering

The first step in genetic engineering as

  1. Isolation of protein

  2. Purification of protein

  3. Isolation of genetic material

  4. Isolation of RNA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
The first step in genetic engineering involves choosing and isolating the gene that will be inserted into/removed from the genetically modified organism. Then the gene must be combined with a promoter and terminator region as well as a selectable marker gene. Then the gene must be spliced into the target's DNA. For animals, the gene must be inserted into embryonic stem cells. The resulting organism must have the presence of the target gene confirmed. 
Therefore, the correct answer is option C.