Biotechnology has revolutionized the field of medicine, particularly in the development of diagnostic tools, vaccines, and therapeutic agents. One major application is the production of recombinant proteins, such as human insulin and growth hormones, using genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Insulin was traditionally extracted from animals, but now it is produced in large quantities using E. coli bacteria that have been genetically modified to carry the human insulin gene. This advancement has improved the quality of life for people with diabetes and has made insulin more accessible and affordable worldwide.
Recombinant DNA technology is used in the production of:
Answer: D) All of the above
The gene for human insulin is inserted into E. coli bacteria using a:
Answer: A) Plasmid vector
Which of the following is the most important benefit of producing recombinant insulin through biotechnology?
Answer: A) It is cheaper and more accessible for patients
The bacteria E. coli is commonly used in biotechnology because:
Answer: A) It is easy to culture and grow
Biotechnology has also made significant contributions to agriculture by developing genetically modified (GM) crops. One well-known example is Bt cotton, which has been genetically engineered to express a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This protein is toxic to certain pests like the bollworm, a major pest of cotton plants. Bt cotton reduces the need for chemical insecticides and helps increase cotton yields. Similarly, Golden Rice is a GM crop that has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, addressing vitamin A deficiency in many developing countries.
Bt cotton is genetically modified to:
Answer: C) Produce a protein toxic to pests
Golden Rice is genetically engineered to:
Answer: C) Produce beta-carotene
The primary advantage of genetically modified crops like Bt cotton is:
Answer: B) Reduced dependence on chemical pesticides
A major concern regarding genetically modified crops is:
Answer: A) Loss of biodiversity
In biotechnology, enzymes play a critical role in various industrial applications. One example is the use of amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars, in the production of high-fructose corn syrup. Lipases are used in detergents, and proteases are used in the food industry for tenderizing meat. These enzymes are often produced by microorganisms like Aspergillus niger or Trichoderma reesei through fermentation processes. This biotechnological advancement has significantly reduced production costs and increased the efficiency of industrial processes.
The enzyme amylase is used in the production of:
Answer: A) High-fructose corn syrup
The role of lipase in biotechnology is to:
Answer: C) Catalyze the breakdown of fats
Trichoderma reesei is a microorganism used to produce:
Answer: D) Cellulase
The use of enzymes in the detergent industry helps to:
Answer: D) All of the above
Bioremediation is an eco-friendly technology that uses microorganisms to degrade environmental pollutants into less toxic substances. This process has been widely used to treat contaminated soil, water, and air. For example, the bacterium Pseudomonas putida is used to break down oil spills in marine environments. Bioremediation has also been applied in the treatment of heavy metal contamination, where certain microorganisms are capable of accumulating or transforming harmful metals into non-toxic forms.
Bioremediation involves the use of microorganisms to:
Answer: A) Clean up oil spills
The bacterium Pseudomonas putida is used in:
Answer: B) Treatment of oil spills
One of the primary advantages of bioremediation is:
Answer: A) It is a low-cost method of pollution management
Which of the following is a major limitation of bioremediation?
Answer: A) It cannot degrade all types of pollutants
Forensic biotechnology plays a vital role in criminal investigations through DNA fingerprinting. DNA profiling uses specific regions of the DNA that vary greatly between individuals to identify individuals based on their unique genetic markers. This technology has been crucial in solving crimes, paternity testing, and identifying victims of natural disasters. Forensic scientists use short tandem repeats (STRs) in DNA for matching crime scene evidence to suspects.
DNA fingerprinting is used in:
Answer: A) Identifying individuals in criminal investigations
The technique of DNA profiling involves the analysis of:
Answer: A) Short tandem repeats (STRs)
DNA fingerprinting is useful in:
Answer: D) All of the above
The major advantage of DNA profiling over other forensic techniques is:
Answer: B) It allows for the analysis of biological materials such as blood and hair