UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 8: Fundamentals of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (27 MCQs)

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UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 8: Fundamentals of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (27 MCQs) – 27 questions, subject: Science & Technology. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences are called:

Correct Answer: B [restriction enzymes]

Explanation:

"molecular scissors".

2.  

In RNA, thymine is replaced by:

Correct Answer: C [uracil]

Explanation:

RNA contains uracil in place of thymine, so adenine pairs with uracil in RNA.

3.  

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to:

Correct Answer: D [make many copies of a DNA segment]

Explanation:

PCR repeatedly heats and copies a chosen DNA segment with a heat-stable polymerase, making millions of copies in a test tube.

4.  

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions under the:

Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]

Explanation:

GEAC, which approves environmental release of GM organisms under the Rules, 1989, functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

5.  

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded for the development of:

Correct Answer: B [CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing]

Explanation:

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna received the 2020 Chemistry Nobel for developing CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.

6.  

The process of making mRNA from DNA is called:

Correct Answer: D [transcription]

Explanation:

Transcription is the copying of a gene's DNA into messenger RNA, the first step of the central dogma.

7.  

Plasmids used in genetic engineering are:

Correct Answer: B [small circular DNA molecules of bacteria used as vectors]

Explanation:

Plasmids are small, self-replicating rings of bacterial DNA into which a gene is inserted to carry it into a host.

8.  

Which Indian scientist shared the 1968 Nobel Prize for work on the genetic code?

Correct Answer: D [Har Gobind Khorana]

Explanation:

Har Gobind Khorana shared the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for interpreting the genetic code.

9.  

For DNA barcoding of animals, the gene region most often used is:

Correct Answer: A [mitochondrial COI]

Explanation:

The mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxidase I) gene region is the standard DNA barcode for animals.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. SDN-1 and SDN-2 genome-edited plants without foreign DNA were exempted from India's GM rules in 2022.
2. The Cartagena Protocol deals with trade in living modified organisms.
3. RCGM functions under the Ministry of Environment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

SDN-1 and SDN-2 plants were exempted in 2022 and Cartagena governs LMO trade, but RCGM is under DBT.

11.  

Assertion (A): Microsatellites are used in DNA fingerprinting.

Reason (R): The number of repeats in microsatellites varies between individuals.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both are true, and the person-to-person variation in repeat numbers is exactly what lets microsatellites identify individuals.

12.  

The full set of proteins made by a cell or organism is called its:

Correct Answer: D [proteome]

Explanation:

The proteome is the complete set of proteins made by a cell or organism.

13.  

The BioE3 Policy (2024) of India relates to:

Correct Answer: B [bio-manufacturing and the bioeconomy]

Explanation:

The BioE3 Policy (2024) promotes high-performance bio-manufacturing hubs and a bioeconomy.

14.  

In India, DNA fingerprinting was pioneered at CCMB by:

Correct Answer: C [Lalji Singh]

Explanation:

Lalji Singh developed DNA fingerprinting at CCMB, Hyderabad, and later headed the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics.

15.  

Gene silencing by small RNA molecules is called:

Correct Answer: A [RNA interference]

Explanation:

In RNA interference, small RNA molecules destroy or block a gene's mRNA, silencing the gene after transcription.

16.  

The legal basis for regulating GM organisms in India is the Rules of 1989 under the:

Correct Answer: C [Environment (Protection) Act, 1986]

Explanation:

The Rules, 1989 on hazardous micro-organisms and genetically engineered organisms were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Invention of PCR
2. CRISPR-Cas9 described as a gene-editing tool
3. First recombinant DNA molecule made
4. Double-helix structure of DNA

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [4-3-1-2]

Explanation:

1953, 1973, 1983, 2012.

18.  

The human insulin made by bacteria is an example of:

Correct Answer: D [recombinant DNA technology]

Explanation:

The human insulin gene is joined into a plasmid and put into bacteria, which then make insulin – recombinant DNA technology.

19.  

Which of the following is the "molecular glue" of genetic engineering?

Correct Answer: C [DNA ligase]

Explanation:

DNA ligase seals the cut DNA ends of the gene and the vector together, joining them into recombinant DNA.

20.  

BIRAC, set up in 2012, mainly supports:

Correct Answer: A [biotechnology start-ups and industry research]

Explanation:

BIRAC, a DBT public-sector company set up in 2012, funds and supports biotechnology start-ups and industry research.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following?

Correct Answer: A [Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna]

Explanation:

Microsatellite repeat lengths vary within and between species, making them useful markers for studying evolutionary relationships among fauna.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

Consider the following statements :

DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :

1. assess the age of a plant or animal.
2. distinguish among species that look alike.
3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Correct Answer: D [2 and 3]

Explanation:

Barcoding identifies species from a short gene region, so it separates look-alike species and detects unwanted material in foods.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

What is the Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news?

Correct Answer: A [A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing.]

Explanation:

Cas9 is a bacterial enzyme guided by RNA to a chosen DNA site, which it cuts for targeted gene editing.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

RNA interference (RNAi) technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?

1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 4 only]

Explanation:

RNAi silences genes, aiding gene-silencing therapies, cancer treatment research and virus-resistant crops, but not hormone replacement.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

Correct Answer: A [Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.]

Explanation:

(a) Correct answer – this statement is not correct.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2016

In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term 'transcriptome', sometimes seen in the news, refers to

Correct Answer: B [The full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism]

Explanation:

The transcriptome is the full set of mRNA molecules (transcripts) expressed by an organism or cell at a given time.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) 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 code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

Recombinant DNA technology can move genes across plant species, from animals to plants and from microbes to higher organisms.

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