Biotechnology — Part 1 MCQs with Explanations

The correct answer is Option D: DNA fingerprinting . Let's understand why: DNA fingerprinting is a very powerful and accurate technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA patterns. Imagine every person having a unique 'genetic barcode' inside them. DNA fingerprinting helps to read this barcode. For establishing paternity (finding out who the father of a child is), this technique works wonderfully because a child inherits exactly half of its genetic material (DNA) from its mother and the other half from its father. By comparing the child's unique DNA fingerprint with that of the potential father, scientists can determine if there's a match. If the child shares significant and specific DNA patterns with the alleged father, it confirms paternity. Let's look at why the other options are not suitable: Option A: Protein analysis Proteins are essential building blocks of our body, but their types and quantities can vary greatly in a person due to many factors like diet, health, and environment. They do not provide a stable and unique genetic blueprint for individual identification or paternity determination in the same precise way DNA does. Option B: Chromosome counting This technique simply counts the number of chromosomes in a cell. Humans typically have 46 chromosomes. While important for detecting certain chromosomal disorders (like Down syndrome), it doesn't provide the detailed, unique genetic information needed to distinguish one individual from another or establish a genetic link like paternity. Option C: Quantitative analysis of DNA "Quantitative" means measuring the *amount*. This technique would tell us *how much* DNA is present in a sample. However, it does not reveal the specific sequence, pattern, or characteristics of the DNA itself, which are crucial for identifying individuals or establishing genetic relationships like paternity. Therefore, DNA fingerprinting is the most reliable and widely accepted method for establishing the paternity of a child due to its ability to analyze unique genetic patterns that are inherited directly from parents.

A biochip , also known as a DNA chip or microarray , is a small solid surface used to analyze biological molecules. Biochips are primarily designed to contain DNA sequences fixed onto their surface, which are used for gene expression analysis, mutation detection, and genetic screening . These DNA probes hybridize with complementary nucleic acid sequences from a sample, allowing detection and analysis. Although RNA or proteins may be analyzed indirectly, the basic and essential component present on a biochip is DNA . Hence, the correct answer is Option B – DNA .

Knowing the arrangement of genes on a chromosome is like having a map of our DNA! This helps us understand many things. Option 1: Knowing the gene arrangement helps in understanding the pedigree (family history) of animals, like livestock. This is because genes are passed down from parents to offspring, so their arrangement helps trace lineage. Option 2: While gene arrangement is important for understanding diseases, it doesn't explain all human diseases. Many diseases are complex and involve multiple genes and environmental factors. Option 3: By knowing where specific genes are located, scientists can identify genes related to disease resistance. This allows them to develop breeds of animals that are less susceptible to certain diseases. Therefore, options 1 and 3 are correct because understanding gene arrangement helps with animal breeding and disease resistance. The correct answer is C (1 and 3).

Orobanche , commonly known as broomrape , is a parasitic weed that lacks chlorophyll and depends entirely on its host plant for water and nutrients. This weed is commonly found in tobacco fields , where it attaches itself to the roots of tobacco plants and derives nourishment from them. Heavy infestation of Orobanche can significantly reduce crop yield and quality. Orobanche is considered a major agricultural pest because it weakens the host plant by drawing essential nutrients, thereby affecting plant growth and productivity. The development of genetically modified (GM) tobacco plants resistant to Orobanche has been one of the applications of biotechnology in crop protection. Option B (Gram field) , Option C (Rice field) , and Option D (Wheat field) are incorrect because Orobanche is most commonly associated with infestations in tobacco and certain other broadleaf crops , not rice or wheat fields. Therefore, Option A (Tobacco field) is the correct answer.

Pleiotropy is the correct answer to “When one gene controls two or more different characters simultaneously, the phenomenon is called”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

1983 is the correct answer to “The first crime ever solved using the DNA fingerprinning technique was in England in the year”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Endonucleases is the correct answer to “Which one among the following is the chemical knives (scissors) used in genetic engineering”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

All of the above is the correct answer to “Terminator technology promotes the sale of which of the following that is/are generated by it”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

1, 2 and 3 is the correct answer to “With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of 'genome sequencing', often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future? 1. Genome sequencing can be used indentify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants. 2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop plants. 3. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationship in crops. Select the correct answer:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Dolly is the correct answer to “Which of the following is the first living cloned genetic engineered organism by human”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

cotton is the correct answer to “Bt seed is associated with”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Monoclonal antibodies is the correct answer to “Hybridoma technology is a new biotechnological approach for commercial production of”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

1, 2 and 3 is the correct answer to “Consider the following effects of genetic engineering. 1. Disease resistance 2. Growth promotion 3. Animal cloning 4. Human cloning Of the above, what have been tried with a certain amount of success include”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

All of these is the correct answer to “Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to 1. resist drought and increase absorptive area. 2. tolerate extremes of pH. 3. resist disease infectation. Select the correct answer:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

1, 2, 6, 7, 5, 8, 3, 4 is the correct answer to “Steps of Recombinant DNA technology are given below. 1. Identification and isolation of the genetic material. 2. Fragmentation of DNA. 3. Obtaining the foreign gene product. 4. Downstream processing. 5. Ligation of DNA fragmentation into the vector. 6. Isolation of desired DNA fragments. 7. Amplification of gene of interest. 8. Transfer of Recombinant DNA into the host cell/organism. The correct sequence of steps is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Southern blotting is the correct answer to “By using which one of the following techniques, is DNA fingerprinting done”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

vitamin A is the correct answer to “Genetically modified golden rice is a rich source of”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

PCR is the correct answer to “The process by which multiple copies of the gene of interest is synthesised in vitro using two sets of primers, is known as”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Single parent type that attack specific antigens is the correct answer to “Which of the following is correct about the Monoclonal antibodies”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Only 1 and 3 is the correct answer to “Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practised most of the year Select the correct answer:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

dissolving blood clots is the correct answer to “Plasminogen activator or enzyme PTA is used for”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Watson and Crick is the correct answer to “Who has proposed for the first time the double helix model of DNA”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Bacterium is the correct answer to “The micro-organism which is associated with the production of Bt cotton is a”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Vitamin A is the correct answer to “Golden rice has the highest quality of”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

A is true, but R is false is the correct answer to “Assertion (A) Transgenic organisms are genetically altered organisms. Reason (R) Transgenic organisms do not cause any environmental hazards.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

DNA fingerprinting is the correct answer to “The latest technique used to establish identity of a human being based on biotechnological principle, is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Tissue culture is the correct answer to “The method of reproduction of new plants by cells insted of seed is known as”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Only 2 and 3 is the correct answer to “Consider the following techniques/phenomena. 1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants. 2. Cytoplasmic male sterility. 3. Gene silencing. Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Growing of plants which one not capable of producing germinable seeds is the correct answer to “Indian farmers are unsatisfied with terminator seed technology because it increases the possibility of”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Hereditary engineering is the correct answer to “If a rat is created by using human growth gene, which is eight times bigger than normal rat; then this technique will be said as”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Arthur Kornberg is the correct answer to “Who synthesized the DNA in vitro”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Fluorescent powder is the correct answer to “The powder used for developing fingerprints on a multi-coloured surface is”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

In vitro meat is the correct answer to “Which one is known as cruelty free meat”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Only 1, 2 and 4 is the correct answer to “Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? 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:”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A is the correct answer to “Assertion (A) Insect resistant transgenic cotton has been produced by inserting Bt gene. Reason (R) The Bt gene is derived from a bacterium.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

All of the above is the correct answer to “DNA fingerprinting is used in the following area(s).”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

1, 2 and 3 is the correct answer to “Consider the following statements. 1. Golden rice is vitamin A rich. 2. Replacement of faulty gene by normal gene is called gene therapy. 3. Transgenic organism carrying introduced foreign gene also called genetically modified organism. Which of the statements given above are true”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Cloned buffalo is the correct answer to “Garima II is the name of a”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Another good gene is inserted is the correct answer to “In gene therapy, to correct the functioning of a faulty gene”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.

Increasing a number of pesticides in the organisms of successive tropic level is the correct answer to “Bio-magnification means”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Biotechnology.