Which organization in India is responsible for making decisions about the validity and safety of introducing GM-organisms for public services?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
• GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee)
• DBT (Department of Biotechnology)
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Correct Option: B  [ GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) ]

Remark: The Indian Government has set up organizations such as GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee), which makes decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM-organisms for public services.

The Green Revolution succeeded in tripling the food supply, primarily due to improved crop varieties, better management practices, and the use of:

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• Organic fertilizers exclusively.
• Agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides).
• Genetically engineered crops.
• Traditional medicinal herbs.
Correct Option: B  [ Agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides). ]

Remark: Increased yields during the Green Revolution were mainly due to the use of better management practices and the use of agrochemicals (fertilisers and pesticides).

Which of the following is an ethical concern regarding genetic modification of organisms that might occur when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• They may become too expensive to produce.
• They might cause unforeseen public anger.
• They can have unpredictable results.
• They will immediately lead to biopiracy.
Correct Option: C  [ They can have unpredictable results. ]

Remark: Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem, which is a major ethical and biological concern.

Why did the American company’s patent on Basmati rice in 1997 cause controversy?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• The company claimed the rice was organic, which was false.
• The patented "new" variety was derived from Indian farmer’s varieties by simply crossing them with semi-dwarf varieties.
• The patent failed to extend functional equivalents to other rice varieties.
• The company illegally acquired the original Basmati seeds from India.
Correct Option: B  [ The patented "new" variety was derived from Indian farmer’s varieties by simply crossing them with semi-dwarf varieties. ]

Remark: An American company obtained patent rights on Basmati rice in 1997, claiming a "new" variety that had actually been derived from Indian farmer’s varieties (by crossing them with semi-dwarf varieties).

How do industrialized nations generally compare to developing/underdeveloped nations in terms of bio-resources?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• Industrialized nations are rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
• Developing nations are financially rich but poor in traditional knowledge.
• Industrialized nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
• Both groups are equally rich in bio-resources and traditional knowledge.
Correct Option: C  [ Industrialized nations are financially rich but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge. ]

Remark: Most of the industrialised nations are rich financially but poor in biodiversity and traditional knowledge. In contrast, the developing and underdeveloped world is rich in biodiversity and traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.

The first clinical gene therapy was given to a 4-year-old girl in what year?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• 1983
• 1990
• 1997
• 2000
Correct Option: B  [ 1990 ]

Remark: The first clinical gene therapy was given in 1990 to a 4-year old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.

What type of vector was used to introduce the functional ADA cDNA into the patient's lymphocytes during the first step of gene therapy for ADA deficiency?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• Plasmid vector
• Adenovirus vector
• Retroviral vector
• Agrobacterium vector
Correct Option: C  [ Retroviral vector ]

Remark: As a first step towards gene therapy for ADA deficiency, a functional ADA cDNA (using a retroviral vector) is introduced into lymphocytes grown outside the body.

Which type of organisms is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) routinely used to detect when their concentration is very low and symptoms are not yet visible?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• Bacteria and viruses
• Only viruses
• Fungi and protozoa
• Mutated genes only
Correct Option: A  [ Bacteria and viruses ]

Remark: Very low concentrations of a bacteria or virus (at a time when the symptoms of the disease are not yet visible) can be detected by amplification of their nucleic acid by PCR.

In molecular diagnosis using a radioactive probe and autoradiography, what is the consequence if the target gene is mutated?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• The probe will show strong binding.
• The gene will be amplified by PCR.
• The clone will not appear on the photographic film.
• The cell will develop strong pigmentation.
Correct Option: C  [ The clone will not appear on the photographic film. ]

Remark: If the gene is mutated, the probe will not have complementarity, and consequently, the clone having the mutated gene will not appear on the photographic film after autoradiography.

What is the primary reason recombinant therapeutics are safer than similar products isolated from non-human sources?

[Biotechnology-and-its-Applications] [class-xii ]

• They are cheaper to produce.
• They do not induce unwanted immunological responses.
• They are easily administered orally.
• They require less complex downstream processing.
Correct Option: B  [ They do not induce unwanted immunological responses. ]

Remark: The recombinant therapeutics do not induce unwanted immunological responses as is common in case of similar products isolated from non-human sources, and are also free from the risk of infection.