Q1. Which one of the following techniques can be used to establish the paternity of a child ? (1997)
(a) Protein analysis
(b) Chromosome counting
(c) Quantitative analysis of DNA
(d) DNA fingerprinting
Ans. (d)
Exp. DNA fingerprinting is the technique that can be used to establish the paternity of a child. DNA fingerprinting is a genetic diagnostic technique which involves the identification of differences in the repetitive DNA. This technique is used as a tool in forensic investigations for various other puproses like criminal identification in murder and rape cases the study of evolution etc.
Q2. Assertion (A) ‘DNA Fingerprinting’ has become a powerful tool to establish paternity and identity of criminals in rape and assault cases. (2000)
Reason (R) Trace evidences such as hairs, saliva and dried semen are adequate for DNA analysis. Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans. (a)
Exp. Both A and R are true and R is the, correct explanation of A. DNA fingerprinting has become a powerful tool due to its ability in tracing evidences of crime by determining the identity of criminals in rape and assults cases and to establish the paternity. The technique is based on the fact that no two people can have exactly the same DNA. These evidences can be collected from hairs, semen and saliva because all of these contain DNA.
Q3. Insect-resistant cotton plants have been genetics engineered by inserting a gene from a/an (2000)
(a) virus
(b)bacterium
(c)insect
(d) plantAns. (b
Insect resistant cotton plants have been Genetic engineered by inserting a gene from a bacterium. The tissue variety are made by using a bacterium called as Bac
Ans
thuringiensis. this bacterium produces a protein (Bit toxin) that k Certain insects such as Lepidopterans, coleopteran
Dipterans. These insects mainly destroy the cotton plants. The gene coding for Bit toxin has been inserted from bacterium cotton as a transgene, causing the gene to produce the natural insecticide in insect gut and killed them.
Q4. Hybridoma technology is a new biotechnological approach for commercial production of
(a) monoclonal antibodies
(b) interferon
(c) antibiotics
(d) alcohol
Ans. (a)
Exp. Hybridoma technology is a new biotechnological approach commercially for producing monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are made by identical immune cells. This process starts by injecting a mouse with an antigen that provokes an immune response.
A type of white blood cell, the B-cell that produces antibodies that bind to the antigen are then harvested from the mouse.
These isolated B-cells are in turn fused with immortal B-cell cancer cells, a myeloma, to produce a hybrid cell line called hybridoma. These hybridoma produces monoclonal antibodies
Q5. Match List I (scientists) with List II (achievements and select the correct answer using the codes given below
List I (Scientists) List II (Achievements)
(A) Arber and Smith Developed transgenic plants with Agrobacterium T-DN
B. Feldman Discovered endonucleases
C. Mullis Discovered reverse transcriptase
D. Temin and Baltimore Discovered polymerase chain reaction
Codes : ABCD ABCD
(a) 2 1 4 3 (b)1243
(c) 2 1 3 4 (d)1234
Ans. (a)
Exp. The correct matching is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
Arber and Smith discovered endonucleases. Feldman developed transgenic plants with Agrobacterium T-DNA Kary Mullis discovered Polymerase or PCR. Temin and Baltimore discovered reverse transcriptase which converts RNA to DNA.
Q6. Assertion (A) Scientists can cut apart and paste DNA molecules at regardless source of the molecules. Reason
Reasoning(R) DNA fragments can be manipulated using restriction endonucleases and DNA ligases. (2002)
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
Ans. (a)
Exp Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. Restriction endonucleases and DNA ligases are used in recombinant DNA technology and DNA cloning. Restriction enzyme is also called molecular scissors. This enzyme has the ability to recognize and cut specific nucleotide sequences and DNA ligase acts as molecular glue by joining DNA fragments. Thus, it becomes easy for scientists to cut a part and paste together DNA molecules at will.
Q7. The American multinational company, Monsanto, has produced an insect-resistant cotton variety that is undergoing field trials in India. A toxin gene from which one of the following bacteria has been transferred to this transgenic cotton? (2002)
(a) Bacillus subtilis
(b) Bacillus thuringiensis
(c) Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
(d) Bacillus globisporus
Ans. (b)
Exp: For the insect resistant cotton, variety field trials undergoing in India, the toxin gene has been transferred from Bacillus thuringiensis to this transgenic cotton. American multinational company Monsanto has produced an insect resistant cotton plant called Bt cotton. The toxin produced by these plants, kills bollworm.
Q8. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, whose permission is required for cultivation of any genetically modified crop such as Bt cotton in India, is under the Union Ministry of (2004)
(a) Agriculture
(b) Environment and Forests
(c) Commerce and Industry
(d) Rural Development
Ans. (a)
Exp. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, whose permission is required for cultivation of any genetically modified crop such as Bt cotton in India is under the Union Ministry of Agriculture.
The ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare consists of two departments namely, Department of Agriculture cooperation and farmers welfare and Department of Agriculture and research organizatio
Q9. Which of the following types is used by Computed Tomography employed for visualization of the internal structure of human body? (2007)
(a) X-rays
(c) Sound wave
(b) Magnetic resonance
(d) Radio-isotope
Ans. (a
Exp. X-ray is used by Computed Tomography employed for visualization of the internal structure of human body. Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) technique for producing 2-D and 3-D cross-sectional images of an object from flat X-rays images
Q10. Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills?
(2010)
(a) Agrobacterium
(c) Clostridium
(b) Nitrosomonas
(d) Pseudomona
Ans. (d)
Exp. Pseudomonas, a bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations can be used for treating oil spills.
Oil eating bacteria, i.e. Pseudomonas putida is an aerobic bacterium.
The generic.name Pseudomonas created for organisms like oil eating bacteria was defined as a group of Gram negative, rod-shaped and polar flagellated bacteria.
These were developed by Anand Mohan Chakrabarty.
Q11. A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt brinjal has been developed. The objective of this is (2011)
(a) to make it pest resistant
(b) to improve its taste and nutritive qualities
(c) to make it drought resistant
(d) to make its shelf-life longer
Ans. (a)
Exp. The genetically engineered form of brinjal known as the Bt brinjal has been developed. The objective of this is to make it pest resistant.
The Bt brinjal has genetically modified strains to resist the
bollworm and other pests. These resistant varieties make
the nests lethargic and its growth slows down and later it the nests lethargic and its growth slows down and later it become inactive
.Q12. Consider the following kinds of organisms (2012)
(1)Bacteria (2)Flowering plants (3)Fungi
Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Ans. (d)
Exp. Given organisms include naturally occurring substances, microorganisms that control pests and pesticidal substances produced by plants containing added genetic material or PIPs.
Biopesticides fall into three major classes
(i) Microbial pesticides consist of bacteria, entomopa- thogenic fungi or viruses.
(ii) Plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) have genetic material from other species incorporated into their genetic material (i.e. GM crops).
(iii) Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring substances in plants that control pests by non-toxic mechanisms.
.Q13. Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (2012)
1.To enable them to withstand drought. 2.To increase the nutritive value of the produce .3.To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in space ships and space stations .4.To increase their shelf-life.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b)3 and 4
(c) 1,2 and 4
(d) All of these
Ans. (d)
Exp. All statements are correct with regard to genetically engineered plants. Genetically modified plants or crops are the ones which have their genetic material manipulated. Theoretically, there are no limits to the extent of modification produced by genetic engineering. By altering few genes we can enable crops to withstand drought, to increase their nutritive value, to enable them to grow in low gravity and perhaps even in different soil types on alien planets and also increase their shelf-life by preventing
Q14. What are the reasons for the people’s resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India? (2012)
1.Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome. 2.The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies. 3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health.
4. There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3
(b) 3 and 4
(d) All of thes
Ans.(c)
Exp. Statements (1) and (2) are incorrect and can be corrected as the gene inserted in Bt is from a soil bacteria and not from soil fungus. Terminator gene is a proposed concept and is yet not proved.
We do know that Bt is toxic for pests, but its health effects on humans over a long-term period of 10-15 years is not yet available or known. Bt brinjal can also be a threat to biodiversity as the traditional varieties of brinjal might get contaminated and eliminated. Introduction of Bt brinjal can also lead to the removal of pathogenic pest species, which depends particularly on brinjal as host.
Q15. With reference to ‘stem cells’, frequently in the news, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct? (2012)
1.Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. 2.Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. 3.Stem cells can be used for medical therapies
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (b)
The study of effects of new drugs can be done stem cells. Stem cell therapies can be used th leukemia, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord mu amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and mu damage etc.
Only statement (1) is incorrect as stem cells are biolog cells found in all multicellular organisms that divide through mitosis and differentiate into dr specialised cell types and can self-renew to produce cells.
sten two broad types of mammalian stem cells embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
Q16. Recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineer
allows genes to be transferred
1.across different species of plants. 2.from animals to plants. 3.from microorganisms to higher organisms.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 abd 3
(d) All of these
Ans. (d)
Exp. All the given statements (1), (2) and (3) are correct.
1500 Recombinant DNA are DNA sequences, which constructed by combining genetic material from differ sources. Here, the genes can be transferred between species, that is across different species of plants, animals to plants and from microorganisms to higher
Q16. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhin enables the plants to (2013)
1.resist drought and increase absorptive area. 2.tolerate extremes of pH. 3. resist disease infestation.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b)2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Ans. (d)
Exp. All the given statements (1), (2) and (3) are correct. Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a plant.
The mycorrhizal mycelium (vegetative part of fungus) a much smaller in diameter than the smallest roots of the plants and can thus, explore a greater volume of sal increasing the absorptive surface area. This means that the plants become more tolerant to drought like conducts Also, soils with low pH levels (acidic) are known to have lo phosphorus levels
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
