Tag: gm crops

Questions Related to gm crops

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

  1. Drought resistance

  2. Insect resistance

  3. Enhancing shelf life

  4. Enhancing mineral content


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Bt brinjal is a suite of transgenic brinjals created by inserting a crystal protein gene (Cry1Ac) from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into the genome of various brinjal cultivars. The insertion of the gene, along with other genetic elements, such as promoters, terminators and an antibiotic resistance marker gene into the brinjal plant is accomplished using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. 

The Bt brinjal has been developed to give resistance against lepidopteron insects, in particular the brinjal fruit. 

What is the genomic constitution of old world varieties of cotton (Gossypium arboreum, G. herbaceum) and new world varieties (G. hirsutum, G. barbedens) ______________.

  1. All diploids

  2. All triploids

  3. Old world 3n and new world 2n

  4. Old world 2n and new world 4n


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

(d) Gossypium arboreum, G. herbaceous - old world
species - 2n = 26 Diploid Gossypium hirsutum, G.
barbedens- new world species - 2n = 52 tetraploid.

Triticum monococcum is

  1. Diploid

  2. Triploid

  3. Tetraploid

  4. Hexaploid


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Triticum monococcum is a diploid wheat variety with 14 (2n) chromosomes. It is also called Einkorn wheat and it is the most ancient species of wheat.

So the correct option is A.

Man-made cereal is

  1. Triticum

  2. Hordeum

  3. Triticale

  4. Eleusine


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
1) Triticum: Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain which is a worldwide staple food. The many species of wheat together make up the genus Triticum; the most widely grown is common wheat.
2) Hordeum is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family
3) Triticale is a crop species resulting from a plant breeder's cross between wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale). The name triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.) combines the scientific names of the two genera involved.
4) Eleusine is a genus of Asian, African, and South American plants in the grass family, sometimes called by the common name goosegrass.

So, the correct answer is 'Triticale'.

The egg secretes pherohormone in ____________.

  1. Chara

  2. Chlamydomonas

  3. Fucus

  4. Polysiphonia


Correct Option: A

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding the genetic modification of crops?

  1. It makes crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses.

  2. It results in decreased efficiency of mineral usage by plants.

  3. It helps to reduce post harvest losses.

  4. In enhances the nutritional value of food.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
Genetic modification has:
(i) Made crops more tolerant to abiotic stress (cold, drought, salt, heat.)
(ii) Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops).
(iii) Helped to reduce on post-harvest losses.
(iv) Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil ).
(v) Enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., Vitamin 'A' enriched rice.
In addition to these uses, GM has been used to create tailor-made plants to supply alternative resources to industries, in the form of starch, fuel, and pharmaceuticals. 
So, the correct answer is 'It results in decreased efficiency of mineral usage by plants.'

'Flavr Savr' variety of tomato which remains fresh for a longer period than normal tomato variety

  1. Has high amount enzyme polygalacturonase

  2. Has reduced amount of enzyme polygalacturonase

  3. Is a pest resistant variety

  4. Is rich in vitamin A and prevents night blindness.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The tomato variety 'Flavr Savr' presents an example where expression of a native tomato gene has been blocked. Fruit softening is promoted by the enzyme polygalacturonase, which degrades pectin. Production of polygalacturonase is blocked in the transgenic tomato variety 'Flavr Savr'. So, fruits of this tomato variety remain fresh and retain their flavour much longer than do the fruits of normal tomato varieties. Additionally, the fruits have a superior taste and increased total soluble solids.

So, the correct answer is 'Has reduced amount of enzyme polygalacturonase'.

Study the following statements and select the incorrect ones.


(i) 'Bt' in 'Bt cotton' indicates that is a genetically modified crop produced through biotechnology.
(ii) The anticoagulant 'hirudin' is being produced from transgenic Brassica napus seeds.
(iii) 'Flavr Savr' transgenic tomatoes remain fresh for a longer period than the normal tomato variety.
(iv) Golden rice is a transgenic variety of Oryza sativa, which is rich in $\beta$-carotene and helps to prevent night blindness.

  1. (i) only

  2. (i) and (iv)

  3. (ii) and (iii)

  4. (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)


Correct Option: A

Which statements about genetically modified (GM) food is false?

  1. Scientists have used genetic modification, In various forms, as a mean of improving crop yields, crop quality, and pest resistance for many years.

  2. Genetic modification includes products made by artificial mutagenesis and by non-natural crosses between unrelated species.

  3. A major difficulty in labelling foods as 'GM-free' is that it is virtually impossible to measure genetically modified DNA or protein molecules in most food made from GM crops.

  4. The recent decision by McCain Foods to stop processing GM potatoes means that they will eventually use less pesticides to produce the potatoes that are required to make fries.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

GM food or genetically modified food is obtained from crops improved by artificial mutagenesis and non-natural crosses between unrelated species. GM food production does not involve use of pesticides etc., but includes incorporation of pest resistance genes either through mutation or through transferring it from an insect resistant species.

What is meant by GM foods?

  1. Growth modified foods

  2. Genetically modified food

  3. Growth marked foods

  4. Good mobility food


Correct Option: B