Q721. Which of the following is not a current or potential therapeutic application of stem cells?
Science and Technology: RAS Prelims MCQs
1113 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on science and technology are on this page, in 6 chapters. They cover the basics of everyday science, computers and information technology, defence and space technology in India, genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology, science and technology policies and government programmes, and recent advances with Indian contributors and indigenisation. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 721–730 of 1113 questions
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Q722. Cord blood banked after childbirth is a rich source of:
Explanation
Cord blood, which is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born, is a rich and valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells. Like the stem cells found in bone marrow, these cells have the ability to differentiate into all types of blood cells. Many parents choose to bank their childs cord blood for future therapeutic medical use.
Q723. The first commercially produced genetically engineered human hormone was:
Explanation
Humulin, human insulin made by recombinant DNA technology, was the first commercially produced genetically engineered human hormone, introduced in the early 1980s.
Q724. Match List-I with List-II regarding biotech products and their applications:
| Biotech product | Medical application |
|---|---|
| A. Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) | i. Treatment of diabetes mellitus |
| B. Erythropoietin | ii. Dissolving blood clots in stroke or heart attack patients |
| C. Interferons | iii. Stimulating red blood cell production in anemia |
| D. Humulin | iv. Antiviral and anticancer therapies |
Explanation
tPA dissolves blood clots in stroke and heart attack patients, erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells in anaemia, interferons are used in antiviral and anticancer therapy and Humulin treats diabetes. This gives A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i.
Q725. Gene therapy was first successfully applied clinically in 1990 to treat a four-year-old girl suffering from:
Explanation
The first successful clinical trial of gene therapy was performed in 1990 on a four-year-old girl named Ashanti DeSilva. She suffered from a rare genetic disorder called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency caused by a deficiency of the enzyme Adenosine Deaminase. In the treatment, her own white blood cells were extracted, genetically corrected with a functional ADA gene, and then reinfused to restore function.
Q726. Recombinant DNA technology has allowed the development of safer vaccines. The Hepatitis B vaccine is produced using:
Explanation
The modern Hepatitis B vaccine is a recombinant subunit vaccine produced using genetic engineering. The gene for the viruss surface antigen is inserted into common bakers yeast. The yeast cells then produce large quantities of the viral protein, which is harvested and purified for use. Because it only contains a single viral protein and not the whole virus, it is extremely safe.
Q727. 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.
Q728. 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.
Q729. 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.
Q730. 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.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 721 | (d) Correction of chromosomal abnormalities in adult patients |
| 722 | (a) Hematopoietic stem cells |
| 723 | (c) Insulin (Humulin) |
| 724 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 725 | (d) Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency |
| 726 | (a) Yeast cells genetically engineered to produce the viral surface antigen |
| 727 | (b) Large-scale production and modification to combat bacteria |
| 728 | (b) Monoclonal antibodies |
| 729 | (a) Germline gene therapy is widely practiced globally and is free from ethical restrictions. |
| 730 | (c) Pharmacogenomics |
Key facts from Science and Technology
- The RPSC paper is General Knowledge and General Science, so science questions come with a strong dose of applied and recent topics.
- Everyday science questions test the laws and terms of physics, chemistry and biology through examples.
- Defence and space questions pair a missile, satellite or mission with its year and organisation.
- Policy questions ask for the year, the body and the aim of schemes like STIP, the National Quantum Mission and BioE3.
- Health, environment and agriculture are on a separate page, with their own chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Science and Technology?
This page has 1113 practice MCQs on Science and Technology. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the science and technology set cover?
Six chapters: basics of everyday science; computers, information and communication technology; defence and space technology in India; genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology; science and technology policies and government programmes; and recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation.
Is science and technology part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC paper is called General Knowledge and General Science, and its syllabus lists science and technology topics along with environment, health, agriculture and government programmes, so questions can come from any of these areas.
How should I prepare science for RAS Prelims?
Revise the concepts by examples, then learn the missions, schemes and scientists with their year and organisation. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations and keep a list of the facts you missed.