Biotechnology — Set 2

Correct Answer: A. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

• **Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)** = PCR uses heat-stable DNA polymerase to exponentially amplify targeted DNA sequences. • **Kary Mullis** — This technique is widely used in medical diagnostics, forensics, and genetic research, with Kary Mullis awarded the Nobel Prize for its invention in **1993**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Electrophoresis: separates DNA fragments by size; Centrifugation: separates components based on density; Chromatography: separates substances based on differential partitioning.

Correct Answer: D. Agriculture

• **Agriculture** = 'Green Biotechnology' specifically refers to applications in agriculture. • **Global food security** — It focuses on improving crop quality, pest resistance, and climate resilience in farming, aiming to ensure global food security through scientific innovation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ocean and Sea: related to blue biotechnology; Medicine: related to red biotechnology; Industrial processes: related to white biotechnology.

Correct Answer: A. To act as a vehicle for DNA transfer

• **Vehicle for DNA transfer** = A 'Vector' in genetic engineering acts as a vehicle for DNA transfer into a host cell. • **Replication origin** — Vectors, like plasmids or viruses, must have an origin of replication to ensure the foreign gene is copied within the host, with plasmids being the most common. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: To kill bacteria: while some phages (viruses) do this, it's not the primary role of a vector in genetic engineering; To measure DNA length: this is done by techniques like gel electrophoresis; To degrade RNA: this is the function of enzymes like RNases.

Correct Answer: D. GEAC

• **GEAC** = The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (**GEAC**) provides ethical clearance for the release of genetically modified crops in India. • **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change** — It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and is the apex body for regulating GM organisms, assessing their environmental and health impacts. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: CSIR: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, focuses on R&D; ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation, for space technology; ICMR: Indian Council of Medical Research, for biomedical research.

Correct Answer: C. Enzyme production for detergents

• **Enzyme production for detergents** = Enzyme production for detergents is a classic example of 'White Biotechnology', also known as industrial biotechnology. • **Energy-efficient** — This approach uses biological systems, like enzymes and microorganisms, to produce chemicals, plastics, and fuels, often being more energy-efficient and less polluting than traditional methods. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Stem cell therapy: falls under red biotechnology (medical); Marine drug discovery: falls under blue biotechnology (marine); Development of hybrid seeds: falls under green biotechnology (agriculture).

Correct Answer: A. Regenerative Medicine

• **Regenerative Medicine** = Regenerative medicine aims to restore the structure and function of damaged organs using living cells. • **Key significance** — Stem cells are unique because they can differentiate into various specialized cell types. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: B: Forensic Science is a different concept; C: Nanotechnology is a different concept; D: Systematics is a different concept.

Correct Answer: A. Gel Electrophoresis

• **Gel Electrophoresis** = In gel electrophoresis, DNA molecules move through a gel matrix under an electric field. • **Key significance** — Smaller fragments move faster and further toward the positive electrode. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: B: PCR is a different concept; C: Distillation is a different concept; D: Evaporation is a different concept.

Correct Answer: C. Unauthorized use of biological resources and traditional knowledge

• **Unauthorized use of biological resources and traditional knowledge** = Biopiracy occurs when traditional biological resources are patented by organizations without compensating the source community. • **Key significance** — It often involves the exploitation of indigenous knowledge regarding medicinal plants. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: A: Stealing lab equipment is a different concept; B: Illegal sale of vaccines is a different concept; D: Computer hacking of genomic data is a different concept.

Correct Answer: C. Proteome

• **Proteome** = The proteome is dynamic and changes according to the cell's environment and developmental stage. • **Key significance** — Studying the proteome helps scientists understand how genes actually manifest as functional biological traits. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: A: Genome is a different concept; B: Transcriptome is a different concept; D: Metabolome is a different concept.

Correct Answer: C. Delayed ripening

• **Delayed ripening** = The correct answer is 'Delayed ripening'. • **Key significance** — The Flavr Savr tomato was the first genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: A: Vitamin C enrichment is a different concept; B: Increased fruit size is a different concept; D: Resistance to cold is a different concept.