ROUTERA

Chapter 12 Biotechnology and its Applications

Class 12th Biology Chapter MCQs

1. What is the key principle behind recombinant DNA technology?

  • A) Gene transfer between organisms
  • B) Polymerase chain reaction
  • C) Gene silencing
  • D) Cell fusion

Answer: A
Explanation: Recombinant DNA technology is based on the principle of gene transfer between organisms, where genes of interest are inserted into the host organism’s DNA to express desired traits.

2. Which of the following is NOT a method of gene transfer in plants?

  • A) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
  • B) Gene gun
  • C) Electroporation
  • D) Golden rice development

Answer: D
Explanation: Golden rice is a product of genetic modification, but it is not a method of gene transfer. Methods like Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and gene gun are used to transfer genes into plants.

3. What is a major application of biotechnology in agriculture?

  • A) Increasing pest resistance
  • B) Reducing the cost of fertilizers
  • C) Producing biogas
  • D) Enhancing microbial fermentation

Answer: A
Explanation: A major application of biotechnology in agriculture is to increase pest resistance in crops through the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as Bt cotton.

4. Which of the following is an example of a genetically modified crop with enhanced nutritional value?

  • A) Bt cotton
  • B) Golden rice
  • C) Herbicide-resistant soybean
  • D) Roundup Ready corn

Answer: B
Explanation: Golden rice is a genetically modified crop designed to enhance its nutritional value by producing beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A).

5. What is the role of the Ti plasmid in genetic engineering?

  • A) It is used to synthesize proteins in the host
  • B) It acts as a vector for gene transfer in plants
  • C) It enhances resistance to diseases in plants
  • D) It regulates the gene expression in bacteria

Answer: B
Explanation: The Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used as a vector to transfer genes into plant cells.

6. Which of the following is an example of bioremediation?

  • A) Using microorganisms to clean oil spills
  • B) Genetic modification of crops for increased yield
  • C) Production of insulin through recombinant DNA technology
  • D) Fermentation of sugars to produce alcohol

Answer: A
Explanation: Bioremediation involves the use of microorganisms to degrade pollutants, such as the use of bacteria to clean oil spills.

7. Which of the following is an example of a biofertilizer?

  • A) Rhizobium
  • B) Bacillus thuringiensis
  • C) Penicillium
  • D) Streptococcus

Answer: A
Explanation: Rhizobium is a type of biofertilizer that forms a symbiotic relationship with legumes to fix nitrogen in the soil.

8. What is the main objective of using genetically modified crops in agriculture?

  • A) To increase pest resistance
  • B) To reduce the genetic variation of crops
  • C) To enhance the aesthetic appeal of crops
  • D) To reduce the growth rate of crops

Answer: A
Explanation: The main objective of using genetically modified crops is to increase pest resistance, as seen in Bt cotton, which contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to kill harmful insects.

9. Which of the following enzymes is used to cut DNA at specific locations in genetic engineering?

  • A) Ligase
  • B) DNA polymerase
  • C) Restriction enzymes
  • D) RNA polymerase

Answer: C
Explanation: Restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA at specific sites, enabling the insertion of foreign genes into the DNA of a host organism.

10. Which of the following is a product obtained through the process of fermentation in biotechnology?

  • A) Insulin
  • B) Antibiotics
  • C) Transgenic plants
  • D) Genetically modified animals

Answer: B
Explanation: Antibiotics like penicillin are produced through the process of fermentation involving microorganisms.

11. What is the role of the selectable marker gene in recombinant DNA technology?

  • A) To help the host cell replicate the plasmid
  • B) To help the plasmid replicate in the bacteria
  • C) To select the transformed cells
  • D) To silence the foreign gene

Answer: C
Explanation: The selectable marker gene is used to identify and select the transformed cells that carry the recombinant DNA.

12. Which of the following is the main advantage of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

  • A) Increased genetic diversity
  • B) Reduced resistance to pests
  • C) Increased productivity and resistance to pests
  • D) Higher production of antibiotics

Answer: C
Explanation: GMOs are used to increase productivity and provide resistance to pests, as in the case of Bt cotton and herbicide-resistant crops.

13. What is a key application of biotechnology in the field of medicine?

  • A) Gene therapy
  • B) Bioremediation
  • C) Biofuel production
  • D) Genetic modification of animals

Answer: A
Explanation: Gene therapy is a key application of biotechnology in medicine, where genetic material is inserted into a patient's cells to treat or prevent diseases.

14. Which of the following is used in the production of insulin through biotechnology?

  • A) Escherichia coli
  • B) Bacillus thuringiensis
  • C) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • D) Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Answer: A
Explanation: Escherichia coli is used in the production of insulin through recombinant DNA technology, as it is engineered to produce the human insulin gene.

15. What does PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplify?

  • A) RNA
  • B) DNA
  • C) Proteins
  • D) Cells

Answer: B
Explanation: PCR is a technique used to amplify DNA, creating millions of copies of a specific DNA segment.

16. Which of the following is used as a vector in gene cloning?

  • A) Human genome
  • B) Plasmids
  • C) Proteins
  • D) Ribosomes

Answer: B
Explanation: Plasmids are commonly used as vectors to carry foreign genes into the host cells in gene cloning.

17. What is the function of a probe in genetic screening?

  • A) To cut the DNA into fragments
  • B) To identify specific DNA sequences
  • C) To insert the gene into a plasmid
  • D) To clone the gene

Answer: B
Explanation: A probe is a labeled single-stranded DNA or RNA used to identify specific DNA sequences in genetic screening.

18. What is the main advantage of Bt cotton?

  • A) Increased yield of cotton
  • B) Resistance to herbicides
  • C) Resistance to insects
  • D) Increased fiber quality

Answer: C
Explanation: Bt cotton is genetically modified to contain a toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, which provides resistance to insects, especially bollworms.

19. What does CRISPR-Cas9 technology primarily help with?

  • A) Gene cloning
  • B) DNA sequencing
  • C) Gene editing
  • D) Antibiotic production

Answer: C
Explanation: CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing technology that allows for precise modifications to the DNA of organisms.

20. Which of the following is used to create a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

  • A) Natural selection
  • B) Crossbreeding
  • C) Recombinant DNA technology
  • D) Mutation

Answer: C
Explanation: Recombinant DNA technology is used to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by inserting genes from one organism into another.

21. What is the source of the gene for resistance in Bt cotton?

  • A) Agrobacterium tumefaciens
  • B) Bacillus thuringiensis
  • C) Escherichia coli
  • D) Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Answer: B
Explanation: The gene for resistance in Bt cotton comes from Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium that produces a protein toxic to certain insects.

22. What is one disadvantage of using genetically modified crops?

  • A) They are more susceptible to pests
  • B) They may lead to loss of biodiversity
  • C) They are more expensive to grow
  • D) They reduce food production

Answer: B
Explanation: One disadvantage of genetically modified crops is that they may lead to the loss of biodiversity due to the dominance of a single genetically modified strain.

23. Which of the following is a major ethical concern regarding biotechnology?

  • A) Development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
  • B) Excessive use of fertilizers
  • C) Genetically modifying humans
  • D) Pollution from biotechnology labs

Answer: C
Explanation: A major ethical concern in biotechnology is the potential for genetic modification of humans, especially with technologies like gene editing.

24. Which biotechnology product is used to treat diabetes?

  • A) Insulin
  • B) Penicillin
  • C) Streptomycin
  • D) Erythropoietin

Answer: A
Explanation: Insulin produced through recombinant DNA technology is used to treat diabetes.

25. Which of the following is used in the production of vaccines?

  • A) Recombinant DNA technology
  • B) Gene editing
  • C) Genetic mapping
  • D) DNA sequencing

Answer: A
Explanation: Recombinant DNA technology is used to produce vaccines, where genes from pathogens are inserted into a vector to produce antigens.

26. What is the purpose of using Agrobacterium in plant biotechnology?

  • A) To enhance soil fertility
  • B) To introduce foreign genes into plants
  • C) To produce plant hormones
  • D) To increase plant resistance to diseases

Answer: B
Explanation: Agrobacterium is used in plant biotechnology to introduce foreign genes into plant cells for genetic modification.

27. Which of the following is the key feature of gene therapy?

  • A) Altering an organism's DNA to improve its traits
  • B) Inserting a healthy copy of a gene to treat genetic diseases
  • C) Using viruses to kill pathogens
  • D) Cloning genes to study their function

Answer: B
Explanation: Gene therapy involves inserting a healthy copy of a gene into a patient’s cells to treat genetic diseases.

28. Which biotechnology application helps in cleaning polluted environments?

  • A) Bioremediation
  • B) Gene therapy
  • C) Fermentation
  • D) Insulin production

Answer: A
Explanation: Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms to clean polluted environments like oil spills or waste disposal sites.

29. Which microorganism is commonly used to produce insulin?

  • A) Escherichia coli
  • B) Bacillus thuringiensis
  • C) Streptococcus
  • D) Rhizobium

Answer: A
Explanation: Escherichia coli is used in biotechnology for insulin production through recombinant DNA technology.

30. Which of the following is a method of producing transgenic animals?

  • A) Gene therapy
  • B) Somatic cell nuclear transfer
  • C) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
  • D) PCR amplification

Answer: B
Explanation: Somatic cell nuclear transfer is a technique used to produce transgenic animals by transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an egg cell.

31. Which of the following is a primary concern regarding the use of genetically modified organisms?

  • A) Increased agricultural productivity
  • B) Reduced use of chemical pesticides
  • C) Potential for allergens and toxins in food
  • D) Faster crop growth

Answer: C
Explanation: One primary concern with GMOs is the potential for introducing allergens and toxins into the food chain, which could affect human health.

32. Which of the following techniques is used to increase the yield of a crop?

  • A) Cloning
  • B) Genetic modification
  • C) Vaccination
  • D) Microbial fermentation

Answer: B
Explanation: Genetic modification is used to increase the yield of crops by introducing desirable traits such as pest resistance or drought tolerance.

33. What is one example of a genetically modified microorganism used in biotechnology?

  • A) Escherichia coli used for insulin production
  • B) Saccharomyces cerevisiae for biofuel production
  • C) Bacillus thuringiensis for pest control
  • D) All of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: All three microorganisms — Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Bacillus thuringiensis — are used in various biotechnology applications like insulin production, biofuel production, and pest control, respectively.

34. Which of the following is an application of biotechnology in the food industry?

  • A) Genetic modification of crops for higher yield
  • B) Production of alcoholic beverages by fermentation
  • C) Bioremediation to clean water sources
  • D) Gene editing for livestock improvement

Answer: B
Explanation: Fermentation is used in the food industry to produce alcoholic beverages like beer and wine using microorganisms.

35. Which of the following is a key application of biotechnology in environmental management?

  • A) Gene therapy
  • B) Biodegradation of pollutants
  • C) Genetic modification of crops
  • D) Antibiotic production

Answer: B
Explanation: Biodegradation of pollutants through the use of microorganisms is a key biotechnology application in environmental management.

36. What is one of the limitations of genetic modification in agriculture?

  • A) High cost of technology
  • B) Inability to transfer beneficial traits
  • C) Improved biodiversity
  • D) Reduced resistance to pests

Answer: A
Explanation: One limitation of genetic modification in agriculture is the high cost of technology and research involved in developing GMOs.

37. What is the role of Bacillus thuringiensis in biotechnology?

  • A) It is used in gene therapy
  • B) It is used as a pesticide
  • C) It is used in fermentation
  • D) It is used in DNA sequencing

Answer: B
Explanation: Bacillus thuringiensis is used as a biological pesticide due to its ability to produce toxins that kill certain pests.

38. Which of the following is a major concern related to the use of biotechnological products in the food industry?

  • A) Increased nutritional value of food
  • B) Environmental pollution from waste products
  • C) Potential health risks due to allergens or toxins
  • D) Increased crop yield

Answer: C
Explanation: One concern with biotechnological products in the food industry is the potential for health risks caused by allergens or toxins introduced during genetic modification.

39. Which of the following techniques is used to study genetic material in biotechnology?

  • A) Gel electrophoresis
  • B) PCR
  • C) DNA fingerprinting
  • D) All of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: Gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA fingerprinting are all used to study genetic material in biotechnology.

40. What is a major goal of gene therapy?

  • A) To eliminate bacterial infections
  • B) To treat genetic disorders
  • C) To clone organisms
  • D) To produce genetically modified crops

Answer: B
Explanation: The goal of gene therapy is to treat genetic disorders by inserting healthy copies of genes into a patient's cells.

41. Which of the following is used to produce transgenic plants?

  • A) Electroporation
  • B) Agrobacterium
  • C) Gel electrophoresis
  • D) PCR

Answer: B
Explanation: Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used to produce transgenic plants by transferring genes into the plant's DNA.

42. What is the primary function of the CRISPR-Cas9 system?

  • A) To clone organisms
  • B) To sequence DNA
  • C) To edit genes
  • D) To produce insulin

Answer: C
Explanation: CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing tool used to modify an organism's DNA by cutting and altering specific genes.

43. Which of the following is a benefit of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture?

  • A) Increased food safety
  • B) Reduced environmental pollution
  • C) Enhanced nutritional value
  • D) Reduced crop yield

Answer: C
Explanation: GMOs in agriculture can enhance the nutritional value of crops, such as Golden Rice enriched with Vitamin A.

44. Which of the following is a primary objective of using biotechnology in medicine?

  • A) To produce food products
  • B) To develop new antibiotics
  • C) To create genetically modified crops
  • D) To produce renewable energy

Answer: B
Explanation: Biotechnology is used in medicine to develop new antibiotics and vaccines to treat diseases.

45. Which of the following processes is used in the production of recombinant DNA?

  • A) Transduction
  • B) Transformation
  • C) Conjugation
  • D) All of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: All three processes — transduction, transformation, and conjugation — are used in the production of recombinant DNA.

46. Which of the following is the main advantage of producing recombinant proteins in microorganisms?

  • A) Lower production cost
  • B) High risk of contamination
  • C) Longer production time
  • D) Difficulty in scaling up production

Answer: A
Explanation: Producing recombinant proteins in microorganisms is cost-effective due to their fast growth and low production costs.

47. Which of the following is a major source of genetic material for recombinant DNA technology?

  • A) Plant cells
  • B) Animal cells
  • C) Viruses
  • D) All of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: Genetic material for recombinant DNA technology can come from a variety of sources, including plants, animals, and viruses.

48. What is one of the applications of biotechnology in medicine?

  • A) DNA fingerprinting
  • B) Gene cloning
  • C) Antibiotic production
  • D) All of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning, and antibiotic production are all applications of biotechnology in medicine.

49. What is the role of the restriction enzymes in recombinant DNA technology?

  • A) To cut DNA into smaller fragments
  • B) To join DNA fragments
  • C) To replicate DNA
  • D) To insert DNA into a host organism

Answer: A
Explanation: Restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA into smaller fragments at specific sites during recombinant DNA technology.

50. Which of the following is a potential risk of gene therapy?

  • A) Overproduction of proteins
  • B) Introduction of harmful mutations
  • C) Genetic improvement of crops
  • D) Cloning of animals

Answer: B
Explanation: One potential risk of gene therapy is the introduction of harmful mutations due to the insertion of genes into the wrong location of the genome.