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

Which of the following statements about genetically modified (GM) crop Bt-brinjal is/are incorrect?

I. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has approved its commercial cultivation. II. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has accepted the recommendations of the GEAC. III. Bt-brinjal is the first genetically modified (GM) food crop to have been granted approval by the GEAC.

  1. Only I

  2. Only II

  3. Only II and III

  4. Only I and III

  5. I, II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The government has yet to take a decision on the committee’s recommendations. If approved by the government, it will become the first GM food crop in India.

Multiple choice

Main objective of production/use of herbicide resistant GM crops is to

  1. reduce herbicide accumulation in food articles for health safety

  2. eliminate weeds from the field without the use of manual labour

  3. eliminate weeds from the field without the use of herbicides

  4. encourage eco-friendly herbicides
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Herbicide resistant GM crops will remain unaffected to the herbicide used, therefore the weeds will be killed.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is related to genetic engineering?

  1. Plastid

  2. Plasmid

  3. Mutation

  4. Hybrid vigour

  5. Phasmid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A plasmid is a small DNA molecule that is physically separate from and can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA within a cell.Using this property it is extensively used in the genetic engineering experiments.

Multiple choice

The Bio-Resource Complex Initiative was undertaken by the Department of Biotechnology in order to

  1. create and recognize institutes promoting R&D in biotechnology

  2. utilize scientific manpower in the best manner to develop transgenic plant and animal species

  3. promote genetic engineering as a field of study in urban institutes

  4. utilize rural bio-resources in a more meaningful and sustainable manner
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Department of Biotechnology has taken bold initiatives on the establishment of rural bio-resource complexes in the country with an aim to utilize rural bio-resources in a more meaningful and sustainable manner and to create large number of avenues for the rural community. The concept was supported with an end to end approach and integrated networking, sharing resources, funding and benefits from state resources with technological innovations and S&T and BT inputs.

Multiple choice

The genetically-modified (GM) brinjal in India has been developed for

  1. enhancing shelf life

  2. enhanicing mineral content

  3. drought resistance

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

Bt brinjal (genetically modified eggplant) was developed with genes from Bacillus thuringiensis to produce insecticidal proteins, providing resistance against the brinjal fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis). It was not developed for shelf life, mineral enhancement, or drought resistance.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

In the present passage, the author’s primary concern is with ______________________________________.

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

The Food and Drug Administration has formulated certain severe restrictions regarding the use of antibiotics, which are used to promote the health and growth of meat animals. Though the different types of medicines mixed with the fodder of the animals kills many microorganisms, it also encourages the appearance of bacterial strains, which are resistant to anti-infective drugs.

It has already been observed that penicillin and the tetracyclines are not as effective therapeutically as they once used to be. This resistance to drugs is chiefly caused due to tiny circlets of genes, called plasmids, which are transferable between different species of bacteria. These plasmids are also one of the two kinds of vehicles on which molecular biologists depend on while performing gene transplant experiments. Existing guidelines also forbid the use of plasmids, which bear genes for resistance to antibiotics, in the laboratories. Though congressional debate goes on as to whether these restrictions need to be toughened with reference to scientists in their laboratories, almost no congressional attention is being paid to an ill advised agricultural practice, which produces deleterious effects.

  1. the discovery of methods, which eliminate harmful microorganisms without generating drug-resistant bacteria

  2. attempting an explanation of the reasons for congressional inaction about the regulation of gene transplant experiments

  3. portraying a problematic agricultural practice and its serious genetic consequences

  4. the verification of the therapeutic ineffectiveness of anti-infective drugs

  5. evaluation of the recently proposed restrictions, which are intended to promote the growth of meat animals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The author repeatedly talks about the restrictions, effects of drugs on agriculture and animals.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

The attitude the author has with reference to the development of bacterial strains that render antibiotic drugs ineffective, can best be described as __________.

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

The Food and Drug Administration has formulated certain severe restrictions regarding the use of antibiotics, which are used to promote the health and growth of meat animals. Though the different types of medicines mixed with the fodder of the animals kills many microorganisms, it also encourages the appearance of bacterial strains, which are resistant to anti-infective drugs.

It has already been observed that penicillin and the tetracyclines are not as effective therapeutically as they once used to be. This resistance to drugs is chiefly caused due to tiny circlets of genes, called plasmids, which are transferable between different species of bacteria. These plasmids are also one of the two kinds of vehicles on which molecular biologists depend on while performing gene transplant experiments. Existing guidelines also forbid the use of plasmids, which bear genes for resistance to antibiotics, in the laboratories. Though congressional debate goes on as to whether these restrictions need to be toughened with reference to scientists in their laboratories, almost no congressional attention is being paid to an ill advised agricultural practice, which produces deleterious effects.

  1. indifferent

  2. perplexed

  3. pretentious

  4. insincere

  5. apprehensive
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The author is concerned and fearful about the future.

Multiple choice

According to the above passage the author believes that those who favor the stiffening of restrictions on gene transplant research should logically also ______________________________________________________.

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

The Food and Drug Administration has formulated certain severe restrictions regarding the use of antibiotics, which are used to promote the health and growth of meat animals. Though the different types of medicines mixed with the fodder of the animals kills many microorganisms, it also encourages the appearance of bacterial strains, which are resistant to anti-infective drugs.

It has already been observed that penicillin and the tetracyclines are not as effective therapeutically as they once used to be. This resistance to drugs is chiefly caused due to tiny circlets of genes, called plasmids, which are transferable between different species of bacteria. These plasmids are also one of the two kinds of vehicles on which molecular biologists depend on while performing gene transplant experiments. Existing guidelines also forbid the use of plasmids, which bear genes for resistance to antibiotics, in the laboratories. Though congressional debate goes on as to whether these restrictions need to be toughened with reference to scientists in their laboratories, almost no congressional attention is being paid to an ill advised agricultural practice, which produces deleterious effects.

  1. approve and aid experiments with any plasmids except those, which bear genes for antibiotic resistance.

  2. inquire regarding the addition of anti-infective drugs to livestock feeds.

  3. oppose the using of penicillin and tetracyclines in order to kill microorganisms.

  4. agree to the development of meatier live-stock through the use of antibiotics.

  5. approve of congressional debate and discussion regarding science and health issues.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Though congressional dabate goes on as to whether these restrictions need to be toughened with reference to scientists in their laboratories, almost no congressional attention is being paid to an ill advised agricultural practice, which produces deleterious effects.

Multiple choice

An ever growing range of chemicals are being manufactured by genetically engineered organisms. Match the column - I (drugs produced by recombinant DNA technology) with column – II (used in the treatment of). Column – I| Column – II| |P. Erythropoietin|1. Lymphoblastic leukaemia| |Q. Factor VIII|2. Haemophilia| |R. Pegaspargase|3. Anaemia| |S. Superoxide dismutase|4. Heart attack|

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

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

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

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

  5. P - 1, Q - 2, R - 4, S - 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Erythropoietin stimulates the production of RBC in treatment of anaemia. Factor VIII promotes blood clotting in haemophilia. Pegaspargase is used in the treatment of lymphoblastic leukaemia. Superoxide dismutase prevents further damage of heart muscles after heart attack.

Multiple choice

Assertion (A): Insect resistant transgenic cotton has been produced by inserting Bt gene. Reason (R): The Bt gene is derived from a bacterium.

  1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

  2. Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A.

  3. A is true, but R is false.

  4. A is false, but R is true.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion. Bacillus thuringiensis is the bacterium which is used in Bt gene of cotton. Bt cotton is insect resistant.

Multiple choice

The 'Human Genome Project' is an initiative

  1. to find cure for human disorders

  2. to map the entire human gene sequence

  3. to promote racial harmony by cross-breeding

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Human Genome Project (1990-2003) was an international scientific research project with the primary goal of determining the sequence of nucleotide base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome. Option A incorrectly states the purpose as finding cures, while option C is completely unrelated to the project's objectives.