Biotechnology — Set 4

Correct Answer: C. Derived from tissue culture

Somaclonal variation occurs in plants regenerated from tissue culture (in vitro). These variations can sometimes lead to beneficial traits like disease resistance or improved yield. Breeders use this phenomenon to develop new plant varieties without traditional cross-breeding.

Correct Answer: D. Hyderabad

Genome Valley in Hyderabad is India's first organized cluster for life sciences R&D and clean manufacturing. It houses numerous global pharmaceutical and biotechnology giants. The hub significantly contributes to India's vaccine production and drug research.

Correct Answer: D. Using microorganisms to extract metals from ores

Bio-mining uses bacteria to leach metals like copper and gold from low-grade ores. It is more environmentally friendly than traditional smelting, which releases harmful gases. This process is also used for cleaning up heavy metal pollution in industrial sites.

Correct Answer: C. Reverse Transcriptase

Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template. It was originally discovered in retroviruses like HIV. In biotechnology, it is essential for creating cDNA libraries from mRNA.

Correct Answer: B. Contains a gene from another species

Transgenic organisms are created by inserting foreign DNA into their genome using genetic engineering. This allows the organism to express traits not naturally found in its species. Examples include insulin-producing bacteria and pest-resistant crops.

Correct Answer: B. To detect and measure specific proteins or antibodies

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) uses antibodies and color changes to identify specific substances. it is a standard test for detecting HIV, pregnancy, and various allergies. The test is highly sensitive and can be performed quickly in a lab.

Correct Answer: B. A biological molecule used to detect a chemical

Bio-sensors combine a biological component, like an enzyme, with a transducer to detect chemical signals. A common example is the glucose strip used by diabetic patients to monitor blood sugar levels. They are valued for their portability and real-time detection capabilities.

Correct Answer: C. Small pieces of plant tissue used to start a culture

Explants can be taken from any part of the plant, such as the leaf, stem, or root. They are sterilized and placed on a nutrient medium to grow into a new plant. This technique allows for the rapid mass production of identical plant clones.

Correct Answer: B. To induce tumors and transfer DNA to plants

The Tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid contains the T-DNA region that is integrated into the host plant's DNA. In nature, this causes crown gall disease (tumors) in plants. Scientists use 'disarmed' Ti-plasmids as vehicles to deliver beneficial genes into crops.

Correct Answer: B. White Biotechnology

White biotechnology uses living cells and enzymes to optimize industrial production. It is central to the large-scale manufacturing of amino acids, antibiotics, and biofuels. This field aims to replace chemical catalysts with more specific biological ones.