Q131. Recombinant DNA technology has allowed the development of safer vaccines. The Hepatitis B vaccine is produced using:
Genetics, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: RAS Prelims MCQs
179 RAS Prelims MCQs on genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology cover DNA structure, chromosomes, recombinant DNA tools, plant tissue culture, biotech products and bioethics. Purines, base pairing, Chargaff’s rule, vectors, totipotency, Humulin, Feynman’s lecture, the Nagoya Protocol and biopiracy are asked as facts and sequences, with explanations that name the process behind each fact.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 131–140 of 179 questions
Q132. Which of the following is an advantage of genetically engineered antibiotics over traditional ones?
Explanation
Genetically engineered antibiotics offer the advantage of being produced more efficiently and on a larger scale using optimized microbial hosts. Furthermore, biotechnology allows scientists to specifically modify the structure of existing antibiotics to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms. While they do not provide complete immunity to resistance, they give researchers a powerful tool to rapidly develop and manufacture new antimicrobial agents.
Q133. Hybridoma technology is primarily used for the production of:
Explanation
Hybridoma technology is a specialized technique used to produce large quantities of identical, highly specific antibodies called monoclonal antibodies. This involves fusing a specific antibody-producing cell with a cancerous cell. The resulting hybridoma cell possesses both the antibody specificity and the immortal growth characteristic, allowing for the continuous production of the specific antibody in the laboratory for various medical diagnostic applications.
Q134. Identify the incorrect statement regarding gene therapy.
Explanation
Germline gene therapy, which involves modifying the DNA of eggs, sperm, or embryos, is not widely practiced and is actually banned or strictly regulated in most countries due to major ethical and safety concerns. Other statements are correct: gene therapy involves replacing defective genes with functional ones; viral vectors are common delivery tools; and somatic therapy only affects the individual.
Q135. The process of analyzing a patient’s genetic profile to tailor medical treatments and drug dosages is known as:
Explanation
Pharmacogenomics is the branch of science that studies how an individuals unique genetic makeup influences their response to drugs. By analyzing a patients DNA, doctors can predict which medications will be most effective and what the optimal dosage should be, while also identifying potential risks for adverse side effects. This approach is a key component of personalized medicine and modern healthcare.
Q136. What is a key limitation of using retroviral vectors in gene therapy?
Explanation
A significant risk associated with using retroviral vectors in gene therapy is insertional mutagenesis. Retroviruses work by integrating their genetic material directly into the host cells DNA. However, this integration happens randomly. If the vector accidentally inserts itself into or near a gene that controls cell growth, it could disrupt that genes function and potentially trigger the development of cancer in patients.
Q137. Bioremediation is the use of living organisms, primarily microbes, to:
Explanation
Bioremediation is an environmentally friendly technology that utilizes the natural metabolic processes of living organisms, primarily bacteria, fungi, and plants, to clean up contaminated soil, water, and air. These organisms break down, transform, or neutralize hazardous pollutants, such as oil, pesticides, and heavy metals, into less toxic or non-toxic substances, effectively restoring the health of the polluted environment.
Q138. Consider the following statements about bioremediation:
I. Pseudomonas putida is a genetically engineered superbug used for cleaning oil spills.
II. Bioremediation is generally more cost-effective and eco-friendly than chemical cleanup methods.
III. Heavy metals like lead and mercury can be easily completely destroyed by microbial bioremediation.
IV. Phytomining uses plants to extract precious metals from low-grade ores.
V. Ex-situ bioremediation involves treating contaminated soil at the site without removing it.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Pseudomonas putida is a genetically engineered superbug used for cleaning oil spills.
II. Bioremediation is generally more cost-effective and eco-friendly than chemical cleanup methods.
III. Heavy metals like lead and mercury can be easily completely destroyed by microbial bioremediation.
IV. Phytomining uses plants to extract precious metals from low-grade ores.
V. Ex-situ bioremediation involves treating contaminated soil at the site without removing it.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Pseudomonas putida is a famous engineered superbug used for oil spills. Bioremediation is typically cheaper and more natural than chemical methods. Phytomining is an innovative use of plants to extract metals. However, heavy metals cannot be destroyed by microbes; they can only be transformed or accumulated. Also, ex-situ bioremediation involves removing contaminated material to another location for treatment.
Q139. The genetically engineered bacterium Pseudomonas putida, known for degrading multiple components of petroleum oil, was developed by:
Explanation
Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty was a renowned Indian-American microbiologist who developed the first genetically engineered bacterium, a strain of Pseudomonas putida. He successfully combined genes from different bacteria into one superbug capable of degrading multiple components of crude oil. This work led to a landmark 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed for the patenting of living, human-made organisms in biotechnology.
Q140. Which of the following is a limitation of bioremediation?
Explanation
A major limitation of bioremediation is that it relies on living organisms, which are highly sensitive to their environment. Factors such as soil pH, temperature, moisture levels, and the availability of essential nutrients must be within a specific range for the microbes to survive and effectively degrade pollutants. If these conditions are not optimal, the cleanup process can be extremely slow.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 131 | (a) Yeast cells genetically engineered to produce the viral surface antigen |
| 132 | (b) Large-scale production and modification to combat bacteria |
| 133 | (b) Monoclonal antibodies |
| 134 | (a) Germline gene therapy is widely practiced globally and is free from ethical restrictions. |
| 135 | (c) Pharmacogenomics |
| 136 | (d) Random genomic integration triggering oncogenic changes |
| 137 | (b) Degrade or detoxify environmental pollutants |
| 138 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 139 | (a) Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty |
| 140 | (c) Dependency on environmental parameters like pH and nutrients |
Key facts from Genetics, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology
- Adenine is a purine and pairs with thymine through two hydrogen bonds; the distance between consecutive base pairs in B-DNA is 0.34 nm.
- Chargaff’s rule says that adenine equals thymine and guanine equals cytosine; the human karyotype has 22 pairs of autosomes.
- Telomeres maintain genomic stability during DNA replication; heterochromatin is the condensed, inactive region.
- Humulin was the first commercially produced genetically engineered human hormone.
- Totipotency is the capacity of a single plant cell to regenerate a whole plant; the meristem is used to get virus-free plants.
- Richard Feynman’s 1959 lecture began nanotechnology; the Nagoya Protocol governs benefit sharing; the US patent on turmeric was revoked after a biopiracy battle.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Genetics, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology?
This page has 179 practice MCQs on Genetics, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How many hydrogen bonds pair adenine with thymine?
Two. Adenine pairs with thymine by two hydrogen bonds, and guanine pairs with cytosine by three, which is why DNA rich in G and C is more stable.
What is totipotency?
The capacity of a single plant cell to regenerate into an entire plant. It is the basis of plant tissue culture, in which cells grown on a nutrient medium form a callus and then shoots and roots.
Which protocol deals with sharing the benefits of genetic resources?
The Nagoya Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It ensures that the benefits from using genetic resources are shared fairly with the countries and communities that provide them.