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 regarding genetic engineering is incorrect?

  1. Genetic engineering does not normally include traditional animal and plant breeding.

  2. If genetic material from another species is added to the host, the resulting organism is called cisgenic.

  3. Genetic engineering alters the genetic make-up of an organism.

  4. It involves macro-injection and micro-encapsulation techniques.

  5. Gene targeting uses homologous recombination.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

If genetic material from another species is added to the host, the resulting organism is called transgenic. If genetic material from the same species or a species that can naturally breed with the host is used, the resulting organism is called cisgenic.

Multiple choice

Which among the following microarrays is utilised by the scientists to produce a global picture of cellular function?

  1. Gene expression profiling

  2. DamID

  3. SNP array

  4. Fusion genes microarray

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

Gene expression profiling is the measurement of the activity of thousands of genes at once, to create a global picture of cellular function. These profiles can, for example, distinguish between cells that are actively dividing, or show how the cells react to a particular treatment.

Multiple choice

Gene targeting is a well known genetic technique. Which among the following statements regarding this technique is incorrect?

  1. Gene targeting is a permanent method.

  2. It requires the creation of a specific vector.

  3. The targeting construct made out of DNA is generated in bacteria.

  4. The frequency of gene targeting can be significantly enhanced by using endonucleases.

  5. It uses homologous recombination to change an endogenous gene.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gene targeting can be permanent or conditional. Conditions can be a specific time during development or life of the organism or limitation to a specific tissue.

Multiple choice

Which among the following is also known as genetic modification?

  1. Genetic engineering

  2. Gene targeting

  3. Gene trapping

  4. Protein engineering

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Genetic engineering is also called genetic modification. It 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.

Multiple choice

Tobacco is credited as

  1. the first crop plant genome sequenced

  2. the first transgenic plant

  3. the first edible vaccine to face human trial

  4. isolation of GFP protein
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tobacco is credited as the first transgenic plant to be produced.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a proposed regulatory body in India for uses of biotechnology products?

  1. DBT

  2. BRAI

  3. Biosafety Committee

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

The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) is a proposed regulatory body in India for uses of biotechnology products including genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The institute was first suggested under the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) draft bill prepared by the Department of Biotechnology in 2008. Since then, it has undergone several revisions.

Multiple choice

Naked DNA approach of gene therapy has so far been explored for

  1. over-expression of the required gene

  2. replacement of defective genes

  3. vaccine research

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

Naked DNA approach of gene therapy has been explored for vaccine research. Naked DNA is histone-free DNA that is passed from cell to cell during a gene transfer process called transformation or transfection.

Multiple choice

The application of biotechnology includes aspects like

  1. nature of biomolecules

  2. production of transgenic animals

  3. functions of cell organelles

  4. culture of animals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Biotechnology has applications in areas of pollution control, pharmacology, production of transgenic animals and public health.

Multiple choice

Biopiracy is

  1. the formation of transgenic plants

  2. another name of biopatent

  3. the legal removal of biological material

  4. the illegal removal of biological material
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Biopiracy is the illegal removal of biological material.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows:

Aquaculture is the raising and harvesting of fresh and saltwater plants and animals. The most economically important form of agriculture is fish farming, an industry that accounts for an ever increasing share of world fisheries production. Successful aquaculture takes into account the biology (feeding, water flow and temperature needs, and disease prevention) of the aquatic species and engineering design (water source and water quality study, water tank containment systems, water filtration and aeration). There are potential environmental problems associated with aquaculture. Most of the fish raised are genetically altered for quick growth. If they escape in the wild, they compete against smaller and less vivacious fish. Confined fish also become breeding grounds for diseases.

The term ‘genetically altered’ means

  1. increased appetite

  2. mixing of two similar species

  3. unnatural mixing of genes

  4. mixing of two disparate species
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Genetically altered or modified' means 'an organism which got its genes changed or mixed in a artificial or unnatural way'.