Biology

Biotechnology and its Applications

Question:

What are the various advantages of using genetically modified plants to increase the overall yield of the crop?

Answer:

GM plants have been useful in many ways. Genetic modification has:

  1. Made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat).
  2.  Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops).
  3. Helped to reduce post-harvest losses.
  4. Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil).
  5. Enhanced nutritional value of food>e.g., Vitamin ‘A' enriched rice.

In addition to these uses, GM has been used to create tailor-made plants to supply alternative resources to industries, in the form of starches, fuels and pharmaceuticals.

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Biotechnology and its Applications

Q 1.

Many proteins are secreted in their inactive form. This is also hue of many toxic proteins produced by micro organisms. Explain how the mechanism is useful for the organism producing the toxin.

Q 2.

Explain with the help of one example how genetically modified plants can:
(a) Reduce usage of chemical pesticides .
(b) Enhance nutritional value of food crops

Q 3.

Gene expression can be controlled with the help of RNA. Explain the method with an example.

Q 4.

Name the first transgenic cow. Which gene was introduced in this cow?

Q 5.

Gene therapy is an attempt to correct a genetic defect by providing a normal gene into the individual. By this’the normal function can be restored. An alternate method would be to provide the gene product (protein/enzyme) known as enzyme replacement therapy, which would also restore the function. Which in your opinion is a better option? Give reason for your answer.

Q 6.

Transgenic animals are the animals in which a foreign gene is expressed. Such animals can be used to study the fundamental biological process, phenomenon as well as for producing products useful for mankind. Give one example for each type.

Q 7.

What is gene therapy? Illustrate using the example of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.

Q 8.

Differentiate between diagnostics and therapeutics. Give one example and for each category.

Q 9.

Explain with the help of one example how genetically modified plants can:
(a) Reduce usage of chemical pesticides .
(b) Enhance nutritional value of food crops

Q 10.

Highlight five areas where biotechnology has influenced our lives.

Q 11.

Define transgenic animals. Explain in detail any four areas where they can be utilised.

Q 12.

Why is it that the line of treatment for a genetic disease is different from infectious diseases?

Q 13.

Why has the Indian Parliament cleared the second amendment of the country's patents bill?

Q 14.

Ignoring our traditional knowledge can we prove costly in the area of biological patenting. Justify.

Q 15.

Expand GMO. How is it different from a hybrid?

Q 16.

PCR is a useful tool for early diagnosis of an infectious disease. Elaborate.

Q 17.

Does our blood have proteases and nucleases?

Q 18.

Give the full form of ELISA. Which disease can be detected using it? Discuss the principle underlying the test.

Q 19.

Highlight any four areas where genetic modification of plants has been useful.

Q 20.

Consult internet andflnd out howto makeorally activ&protein pharmaceutical. What is the major problem to be encountered?

Q 21.

Write a short note on biopiracy highlighting the exploitation of developing countries by the developed countries.

Q 22.

What are Cry proteins? Name an organism that produce it. How has man exploited this protein to his benefit?

Q 23.

How is a mature, functional insulin hormone different from its prohormone form?

Q 24.

What are the various advantages of using genetically modified plants to increase the overall yield of the crop?

Q 25.

For which variety of Indian rice, the patent was filed by a USA Company?

Q 26.

Ignoring our traditional knowledge can we prove costly in the area of biological patenting. Justify.

Q 27.

List the advantages of recombinant insulin.

Q 28.

How was Insulin obtained before the advent of rDNA technology? What were the problems encountered?

Q 29.

A patient is suffering from ADA deficiency. Can he be cured. How?

Q 30.

Gene expression can be controlled with the help of RNA. Explain the method with an example.

Q 31.

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of production of genetically modified crops.

Q 32.

Bt cotton is resistant to pest, such as lepidopteron, dipterans and coleopterans. Is Bt cotton also resistant to other pests as well?

Q 33.

List the disadvantages of insulin obtained from the pancreas of slaughtered cows and pigs:

Q 34.

What are transgenic bacteria? Illustrate using any one example.

Q 35.

Discuss briefly how a probe is used in molecular diagnostics.

Q 36.

Discuss the advantages of GMO.

Q 37.

Name the five key tools for accomplishing the tasks of recombinant DNA technology. Also mention the functions of each tool.

Q 38.

What is GEAC and what are its objectives?

Q 39.

When a foreign DNA is introduced into an organism, how is it maintained in the host and how is it transferred to the progeny of the organism?

Q 40.

What is meant by the term bio-pesticide? Name and explain the mode of action of a popular bio-pesticide.

Q 41.

While creating genetically modified organisms, genetic barriers are not respected. How can this be dangerous in the long run?

Q 42.

In view of the current food crisis, it is said, that we need another green revolution. Highlight the major limitations of the earlier green revolution.

Q 43.

Digrammatically represent the experimental steps in cloning and expressing an human gene (say the gene for growth hormone) into a bacterium like E. coli ?

Q 44.

Can you suggest a method to remove oil (hydrocarbon) from seeds based on your understanding of rDNA technology and chemistry of oil?

Q 45.

Find out from internet what is golden rice.

Q 46.

In view of the current food crisis, it is said, that we need another green revolution. Highlight the major limitations of the earlier green revolution.

Q 47.

With respect to understanding diseases,’discuss the importance of transgenic animal models.

Q 48.

Taking examples under each category, discuss upstream and downstream processing.

Q 49.

What is a recombinant DNA vaccine? Give two examples.

Q 50.

Give any two reasons why the patent on Basmati should not have gone to an American Company.