Q141. The use of fungi to degrade environmental contaminants is specifically known as:
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 141–150 of 179 questions
Q142. Which of the following is an example of in-situ bioremediation?
Explanation
In-situ bioremediation refers to treating the contaminated material exactly where it is located, without excavating it. Bioventing is a classic in-situ technique where air and nutrients are delivered to the contaminated soil to stimulate the growth and activity of indigenous aerobic bacteria that break down organic pollutants. This contrasts with ex-situ methods like composting, which require material removal for treatment.
Q143. Some plants hyperaccumulate heavy metals from contaminated soils. These plants can then be harvested and safely disposed of. This technique is called:
Explanation
Phytoextraction is a type of phytoremediation where specific plants absorb large amounts of heavy metals or other contaminants from the soil through their roots. These pollutants are then transported and stored in the plants above-ground tissues.
Q144. Identify the incorrect statement about superbugs in bioremediation.
Explanation
Superbugs are multigene engineered microbes that degrade complex pollutants, the first patent for a living genetically modified organism was for a superbug, and their release is monitored. They do not degrade plastics instantly, so C is incorrect.
Q145. Bioremediation of municipal wastewater typically involves secondary treatment, where aerobic bacteria consume organic waste to form masses called:
Explanation
In secondary treatment of wastewater, aerobic bacteria consume organic waste and grow into masses called flocs, which settle out.
Q146. Consider the following steps of plant tissue culture (micropropagation):
A. Hardening and acclimatization of plantlets
B. Inoculation of explant on culture medium
C. Selection and sterilization of explant
D. Callus formation and regeneration of shoots/roots
Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
A. Hardening and acclimatization of plantlets
B. Inoculation of explant on culture medium
C. Selection and sterilization of explant
D. Callus formation and regeneration of shoots/roots
Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
Explanation
In micropropagation the explant is first selected and sterilised, then placed on the culture medium, then callus forms and shoots and roots regenerate, and finally the plantlets are hardened. The order is C, B, D, A.
Q147. The capacity of a single plant cell to regenerate into an entire adult plant is known as:
Explanation
The capacity of a single plant cell to grow into a whole plant is called totipotency. It is the basis of plant tissue culture.
Q148. In plant tissue culture, an unorganized mass of actively dividing cells is called a:
Explanation
An unorganised mass of actively dividing cells in plant tissue culture is called a callus.
Q149. Which nematode infects the roots of tobacco plants causing a great reduction in yield, which is countered by RNAi technology?
Explanation
Meloidogyne incognita is the root-knot nematode that infects tobacco roots and reduces the yield. RNA interference (RNAi) technology is used to protect plants from it.
Q150. Genetic variations observed in plants regenerated from tissue culture are called:
Explanation
Genetic variations seen in plants regenerated from tissue culture are called somaclonal variations.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 141 | (d) Mycoremediation |
| 142 | (b) Bioventing |
| 143 | (a) Phytoextraction |
| 144 | (c) They can degrade recalcitrant compounds like plastics instantly. |
| 145 | (d) Flocs |
| 146 | (a) C, B, D, A |
| 147 | (b) Totipotency |
| 148 | (a) Callus |
| 149 | (c) Meloidogyne incognita |
| 150 | (b) Somaclonal variations |
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.