1. Genetic engineering involves:
(A) Natural selection of organisms
(B) Direct manipulation of an organism’s genetic material
(C) Only the study of fossils
(D) Production of energy from food
Answer: (B) Direct manipulation of an organism’s genetic material
2. Which molecule is usually manipulated in genetic engineering to introduce a desired trait?
(A) DNA
(B) Lipid
(C) Starch
(D) Water
Answer: (A) DNA
3. Enzymes that cut DNA at specific recognition sequences are called:
(A) DNA ligases
(B) Restriction enzymes
(C) Polymerases
(D) Proteases
Answer: (B) Restriction enzymes
4. The enzyme that joins DNA fragments together is:
(A) Restriction enzyme
(B) DNA ligase
(C) Amylase
(D) Lipase
Answer: (B) DNA ligase
5. A plasmid used in genetic engineering is commonly found naturally in:
(A) Bacteria
(B) Viruses only
(C) Human red blood cells
(D) Plant chloroplasts only
Answer: (A) Bacteria
PCR
6. PCR stands for:
(A) Protein Chain Reaction
(B) Polymerase Chain Reaction
(C) Polymerase Cell Replication
(D) Protein Cloning Reaction
Answer: (B) Polymerase Chain Reaction
7. The main purpose of PCR is to:
(A) Destroy DNA
(B) Amplify a specific DNA sequence
(C) Produce proteins directly
(D) Separate blood cells
Answer: (B) Amplify a specific DNA sequence
8. Which enzyme is commonly used in PCR because it can withstand repeated high-temperature cycles?
(A) Taq DNA polymerase
(B) DNA ligase
(C) RNA polymerase
(D) Restriction enzyme
Answer: (A) Taq DNA polymerase
9. The three major steps repeated during a PCR cycle are:
(A) Digestion, absorption, excretion
(B) Denaturation, annealing, extension
(C) Replication, translation, transcription
(D) Fermentation, oxidation, reduction
Answer: (B) Denaturation, annealing, extension
10. During PCR, the denaturation step:
(A) Separates the two DNA strands
(B) Joins DNA fragments
(C) Produces RNA
(D) Breaks down proteins
Answer: (A) Separates the two DNA strands
Cloning
11. Cloning generally refers to producing:
(A) Genetically identical or nearly identical copies of genetic material, cells, or organisms
(B) Organisms with completely different DNA
(C) Only hybrid plants
(D) Only microorganisms
Answer: (A) Genetically identical or nearly identical copies of genetic material, cells, or organisms
12. Dolly was famous because she was:
(A) The first cloned mammal produced from an adult somatic cell nucleus
(B) The first genetically modified plant
(C) The first human clone
(D) The first bacterium used in PCR
Answer: (A) The first cloned mammal produced from an adult somatic cell nucleus
13. Dolly the sheep was produced using:
(A) Binary fission
(B) Somatic cell nuclear transfer
(C) Natural fertilization only
(D) Budding
Answer: (B) Somatic cell nuclear transfer
GM Crops
14. GM crops are crops whose:
(A) Soil has been genetically modified
(B) Genetic material has been deliberately altered using biotechnology
(C) Water content has been increased
(D) Seeds are always produced naturally
Answer: (B) Genetic material has been deliberately altered using biotechnology
15. Bt cotton has been genetically modified mainly to provide resistance against:
(A) Certain insect pests
(B) Drought only
(C) All fungal diseases
(D) All viruses
Answer: (A) Certain insect pests
16. The gene used in Bt crops is derived from:
(A) Bacillus thuringiensis
(B) Escherichia coli
(C) Rhizobium
(D) Lactobacillus
Answer: (A) Bacillus thuringiensis
17. Golden Rice was developed primarily to increase the production of:
(A) Vitamin A precursor, beta-carotene
(B) Vitamin C
(C) Vitamin B₁₂
(D) Iron only
Answer: (A) Vitamin A precursor, beta-carotene
Insulin Production
18. Modern recombinant human insulin can be produced using:
(A) Genetically engineered microorganisms
(B) Only human blood
(C) Viruses alone
(D) Fungi only
Answer: (A) Genetically engineered microorganisms
19. The production of recombinant human insulin is an example of:
(A) Genetic engineering
(B) Natural selection
(C) Fossilization
(D) Photosynthesis
Answer: (A) Genetic engineering
20. Which microorganism has commonly been used as a host for recombinant protein production?
(A) Escherichia coli
(B) Plasmodium
(C) Amoeba
(D) Mushroom
Answer: (A) Escherichia coli
21. Recombinant DNA technology allows scientists to:
(A) Combine DNA sequences from different sources
(B) Eliminate all mutations
(C) Stop cell division permanently
(D) Convert all bacteria into viruses
Answer: (A) Combine DNA sequences from different sources
Vaccines & Biotechnology
22. Vaccines work primarily by:
(A) Destroying all cells in the body
(B) Stimulating the immune system to develop protection against a specific pathogen or antigen
(C) Increasing blood sugar
(D) Replacing antibiotics
Answer: (B) Stimulating the immune system to develop protection against a specific pathogen or antigen
23. Which biotechnology method can be used to produce certain recombinant vaccines?
(A) Genetic engineering
(B) Fossilization
(C) Transpiration
(D) Fermentation only without genetic manipulation
Answer: (A) Genetic engineering
24. The hepatitis B vaccine has been produced using:
(A) Recombinant DNA technology
(B) Nuclear fission
(C) Artificial selection only
(D) Photosynthesis
Answer: (A) Recombinant DNA technology
25. A vaccine generally helps the body develop:
(A) Immunological memory
(B) Higher blood pressure
(C) More red blood cells only
(D) Digestive enzymes
Answer: (A) Immunological memory
Application-Based Biotechnology
26. A forensic laboratory has only a tiny amount of DNA from a crime scene. Which technique can be used to make millions of copies of a specific DNA region for analysis?
(A) PCR
(B) Fermentation
(C) Cloning of an entire organism
(D) Photosynthesis
Answer: (A) PCR
27. A farmer wants a crop containing a gene that provides resistance to a particular insect. Which biotechnology approach would be most appropriate?
(A) Genetic modification
(B) Fermentation
(C) Pasteurization
(D) Hybridization of minerals
Answer: (A) Genetic modification
28. Scientists insert the human insulin gene into bacteria so that the bacteria produce insulin. This is an example of:
(A) Recombinant DNA technology
(B) Natural selection
(C) Asexual reproduction only
(D) Ecological succession
Answer: (A) Recombinant DNA technology
29. If a DNA sample is too small for a particular molecular test, which technique is most useful for increasing the amount of the target DNA sequence?
(A) PCR
(B) Vaccination
(C) Transpiration
(D) Fermentation
Answer: (A) PCR
30. Which sequence correctly represents a simplified recombinant DNA workflow?
(A) Identify gene → cut DNA → join DNA fragments → introduce into host → obtain desired product
(B) Produce protein → destroy DNA → remove gene → produce organism
(C) Digest protein → produce RNA → destroy chromosome
(D) Photosynthesis → fermentation → fossilization → cloning
Answer: (A) Identify gene → cut DNA → join DNA fragments → introduce into host → obtain desired product
Must-Memorize Biotechnology Associations
| Topic | Key Association |
|---|---|
| Genetic engineering | Direct manipulation of DNA |
| Restriction enzyme | Cuts DNA at specific sequences |
| DNA ligase | Joins DNA fragments |
| Plasmid | Common bacterial vector |
| PCR | Amplifies specific DNA sequences |
| Taq polymerase | Heat-stable DNA polymerase used in PCR |
| PCR steps | Denaturation → annealing → extension |
| Cloning | Production of genetically identical/nearly identical copies |
| Dolly | Cloned sheep |
| Dolly technique | Somatic cell nuclear transfer |
| GM crop | Genetically modified crop |
| Bt cotton | Insect resistance |
| Bt gene source | Bacillus thuringiensis |
| Golden Rice | Beta-carotene/Vitamin A precursor |
| Recombinant insulin | Produced using genetically engineered microorganisms |
| Common host | E. coli |
| Recombinant DNA | DNA molecules assembled from different sources |
| Vaccines | Stimulate specific immune protection |
| Hepatitis B vaccine | Recombinant DNA technology |
| Forensic DNA amplification | PCR |
Very High-Yield Application Questions
Tiny DNA sample → PCR
Cut DNA → Restriction enzyme
Join DNA fragments → DNA ligase
DNA vector → Plasmid
Heat-resistant PCR enzyme → Taq polymerase
PCR → Amplification of DNA
Bt cotton → Insect resistance
Bt gene → Bacillus thuringiensis
Golden Rice → Beta-carotene
Human insulin → Recombinant DNA technology
Dolly → Somatic cell nuclear transfer
GM crop → Altered genetic material
Vaccine → Immune protection/memory