Biology

Biotechnology and its Applications

Question:

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.

Answer:

Limitations of green revolution:

  1. The Green Revolution succeeded in tripling the food supply but yet it was not enough to feed the growing human population. Increased yields have partly been due to the use of improved crop varieties, but mainly due to the use of better management practices and use of agrochemicals (fertilisers and pesticides). However, for farmers in the developing world, agrochemicals are often too expensive, and further increases in yield with existing varieties are not possible using conventional breeding.
  2. Use of agrochemicals causes eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems and biomagnification in terrestrial ecosystems.
  3. Water logging and soil salinity are some of the problems that have come in the wake of green revolution.
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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.

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

Q 5.

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

Q 6.

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 7.

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 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.

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

Q 12.

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

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.

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

Q 20.

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

Q 21.

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

Q 22.

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

Q 23.

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

Q 24.

List the advantages of recombinant insulin.

Q 25.

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

Q 26.

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

Q 27.

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

Q 28.

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

Q 29.

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

Q 30.

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

Q 31.

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

Q 32.

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

Q 33.

Discuss briefly how a probe is used in molecular diagnostics.

Q 34.

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

Q 35.

What are transgenic bacteria? Illustrate using any one example.

Q 36.

Discuss the advantages of GMO.

Q 37.

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

Q 38.

ELISA technique is based on the principles of antigen-antibody interaction. Can this techique be used in the molecular diagnosis of a genetic disorder, such as phenyketonuria?

Q 39.

Define Antigen and Antibody. Name any two diagnostic kits based upon them.

Q 40.

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

Q 41.

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 42.

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

Q 43.

What is GEAC and what are its objectives?

Q 44.

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

Q 45.

You have identified a useful gene in bacteria. Make a flow chart of the steps that you would follow to transfer this gene to a plant.

Q 46.

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

Q 47.

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 48.

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 49.

Find out from internet what is golden rice.

Q 50.

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