Biodiversity and Conservation — Practice Questions
Free NEET Biology multiple-choice questions on Biodiversity and Conservation. Attempt each question and reveal the answer with a full explanation.
What is the correct sequence of steps in a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)? Denaturation, Annealing, Extension Extension, Denaturation, Annealing Annealing, Extension, Denaturation Denaturation, Extension, Annealing In RNA interference (RNAi), the silencing of the target mRNA is achieved through which intermediate molecule? Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) Single-stranded transfer RNA (tRNA) Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) In gel electrophoresis, the DNA fragments are separated according to their size. Which of the following determines the resolution or the size of DNA that can be separated? The concentration of agarose in the gel The voltage of the electric field The length of the electrophoresis tank The amount of ethidium bromide used In the context of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), if a scientist starts with 5 molecules of double-stranded DNA, how many molecules will be present after 3 completed cycles? 40 15 30 80 A stirred-tank bioreactor is typically characterized by a 'curved base'. What is the primary purpose of this specific design? To facilitate the even mixing of the reactor contents. To provide a larger surface area for heat exchange. To prevent the accumulation of foam at the top. To allow the use of high-pressure steam for sterilization. In PCR, what is the role of small, chemically synthesized oligonucleotides that are complementary to the regions of DNA? Primers Templates Promoters Vectors The Bt toxin protein, once activated in the insect gut, causes death of the insect by: Creating pores in the midgut epithelial cells, leading to cell swelling and lysis. Paralyzing the nervous system of the insect. Blocking the respiratory spiracles of the insect. Inhibiting the digestion of cellulose in the hindgut. To make a bacterial cell 'competent' to take up DNA, they are treated with a specific concentration of a divalent cation. This treatment works by: Increasing the efficiency with which DNA enters the bacterium through pores in its cell wall. Dissolving the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane entirely. Neutralizing the negative charge of the bacterial DNA. Activating the DNA polymerase within the host cell. The 'A' chain of human insulin consists of how many amino acids? 21 30 31 51 Which of the following describes the correct order of the two main stages of producing a finished biological product? Biosynthetic stage followed by Downstream processing. Downstream processing followed by Biosynthetic stage. Separation followed by Purification and then Biosynthesis. Scaling up followed by Formulation and then PCR. Which of the following organisms is used to produce the 'Cry' protein commercially as a biopesticide? Bacillus thuringiensis Agrobacterium tumefaciens Escherichia coli Trichoderma harzianum In recombinant DNA technology, the enzyme 'Alkaline Phosphatase' is often used to: Prevent self-ligation of the vector DNA. Join the sticky ends of the DNA fragments. Remove the introns from the eukaryotic gene. Degrade the bacterial cell wall. The two polypeptide chains of human insulin, A and B, are specifically linked by which type of chemical bond? Disulfide bonds Hydrogen bonds Phosphodiester bonds Glycosidic linkages Which of the following is the specific recognition sequence for the restriction enzyme Hind II? 5'-GTYRAC-3' 5'-GAATTC-3' 5'-GGATCC-3' 5'-AGCT-3' The use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned is termed as: Biopiracy Bio-infringement Bio-exploitation Bio-patenting The systematic search for economically valuable genetic and biochemical resources from nature is termed as: Bioprospecting Bio-remediation Bio-fortification Bio-transformation The term 'Bioprospecting' refers to: Exploring molecular, genetic, and species-level diversity for products of economic importance. The illegal use of biological resources by multinational companies. The process of restoring a degraded ecosystem to its original state. The conservation of biodiversity in its natural habitat. Which category of the IUCN Red List includes species that are no longer found in their natural habitat but survive in captivity or controlled environments? Extinct in the Wild Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable The current rate of species extinction is estimated to be how many times faster than the pre-human times? 100 to 1,000 times 10 to 50 times 5,000 times Exactly double India has more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice and 1,000 varieties of mango. This represents: Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecological diversity Alpha diversity The 'Evil Quartet' is a term used to describe the four major causes of biodiversity loss. Which of these is considered the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction? Habitat loss and fragmentation Over-exploitation Alien species invasions Co-extinctions What is the main cause of the 'Sixth Extinction' being different from previous mass extinctions? Human activities Volcanic eruptions Asteroid impacts Global cooling Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Evil Quartet' factors responsible for biodiversity loss? Pollution control Habitat loss and fragmentation Over-exploitation Alien species invasions Which statement regarding the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is correct? It makes decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms. It is a private organization funded by multinational biotechnology companies. It only regulates the export of medicinal plants from India. It provides financial grants for the construction of bioreactors in universities. Which term describes the number of species per unit area? Species richness Species evenness Species dominance Species frequency The ethical argument for conserving biodiversity emphasizes that: Every species has an intrinsic value, even if it has no economic use to us Biodiversity provides ecosystem services like pollination and oxygen Nature has provided us with many industrial products like tannins Conservation is necessary to find new medicinal drugs (bioprospecting) Biodiversity Act of India was passed by the Parliament in the year - 2002 1992 1996 2000 According to IUCN Red List, what is the status of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) ? Critically endangered species Vulnerable species Extinct species Endangered species Which of the following pairs of an animal and a plant represents endangered organisms in India- Bentinckia nicobarica and Red Panda Tamarind and Rhesus monkey Cinchona and Leopard Banyan and Black buck Which of the following is considered a hot-spot of biodiversity in India ? Western Ghats Indo-Gangetic Plain Eastern Ghats Aravalli Hills Identify the odd combination of the habitat and the particular animal concerned. sunderbans - Bengal Tiger periyar - Elephant Rann of kutch - wild Ass Dachigam National park - Snow Leopard. One of endangered species of Indian medicinal plants is that of ocimum garlic nepenthes podophyllum Which one of the following pairs of organisms are exotic species introduced in India ? lantana camara, water hyacinth water hyacinth, prosopis cineraria nile perch, licus religiosa ficus religiosa , lantana camara. Which one of the following has maximum genetic diversity in India ? Tea Teak Mango Wheat During the process of DNA isolation, the addition of chilled ethanol results in the precipitation of DNA. What does this precipitated DNA look like in the suspension? A collection of fine threads A clear, uniform liquid Granular, white crystals A blue-colored sediment Which of the following represent maximum number of species among global biodiversity ? Algae Lichens Fungi Mosses and Ferns A species facing extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future is called :- Vulnerable Endemic Critically Endangered Extinct The organization which publishes the Red List of species is :- ICFRE IUCN UNEP WWF Which is the National Aquatic Animal of India ? Gangetic shark River dolphin Blue whale Sea-horse Which of the following is the most important cause of animals and plants being driven to extinction ? Over - exploitation Alien species invasion Habitat loss and fragmentation Co-extinctions Special feature about Strobilanthus kunthiana (neelakuranji) is its flowering once in : 25 years 12 years 50 - 100 years 6 years Which of the following is the most important cause for animals and plants being driven to extinction? (1) Alien species invasion (2) Habitat loss and fragmentation (3) Drought and floods (4) Economic exploitation The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was called (1) for immediate steps to discontinue use of CFCs that were damaging the ozone layer (2) to reduce CO2 emissions and global warming (3) for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilization of its benefits (4) to assess threat posed to native species by invasive weed species Which of the following regions of the globe exhibits highest species diversity? Madagascar Himalayas Amazon forests Western Ghats of India According to Robert May, the global species diversity is about 20 million 50 million 7 million 1.5 million In the construction of the first recombinant DNA molecule, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer used a plasmid from which bacterium? Salmonella typhimurium Escherichia coli Bacillus thuringiensis Agrobacterium tumefaciens Habitat loss and fragmentation, over exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinction are causes for: Competition Biodiversity loss Natality Population explosion Among ‘The Evil Quartet’, which one is considered the most important cause driving extinction of species? Habitat loss and fragmentation Over exploitation for economic gain Alien species invasions Co-extinctions The historic Convention on Biological Diversity, ‘The Earth Summit’ was held in Rio de Janeiro in the year 1985 1992 1986 2002 These are regarded as major causes of biodiversity loss: A. Over exploitation B. Co-extinction C. Mutation D. Habitat loss and fragmentation E. Migration Choose the correct option: A, C and D only A, B, C and D only A, B and E only A, B and D only List of endangered species was released by GEAC WWF FOAM IUCN Exploring molecular, genetic and species-level diversity for products of economic importance is called Bioprospecting Biofortification Biomagnification Bioremediation Since the origin and diversification of life on Earth, there have been five episodes of mass extinction of species. How is the sixth extinction, which is in progress, different from the previous episodes? The current species extinction rates are far lower than those in previous episodes. The present species extinction rates are 100 to 1000 times faster than in the pre-human times. The present net species extinction rate is zero. The current species extinction rate is nearly 10 times faster than in previous episodes. “The Evil Quartet” of biodiversity loss includes which of the following? Over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Soil pollution; Co-extinctions Habitat loss and fragmentation; Air pollution; Water pollution; Co-extinctions Habitat loss and fragmentation; over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Co-extinctions Over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Air pollution; Co-extinctions The inner wall of the pollen grain, called the intine, is a thin and continuous layer made up of which substances? Cellulose and pectin Sporopollenin and hemicellulose Lignin and suberin Pectin and sporopollenin In the 'natural methods' of contraception, 'Coitus interruptus' involves: Withdrawing the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation Abstaining from coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle Absence of menstruation during intense lactation Using a barrier like a condom Which of the following is NOT a feature of a modern bioreactor? It allows only small-scale production of biological products (less than 1 liter). It has an agitator system. It has an oxygen delivery system. It has a foam control system. Which of the following structures in human females represents the remains of the follicle after ovulation? Corpus luteum Corpus albicans Antrum Corona radiata The fibrous connective tissue capsule that surrounds each testis is called the: Tunica albuginea Tunica vaginalis Tunica vasculosa Rete testis The 'Cry' genes encode for proteins that: Are toxic to certain insects Enhance plant growth Increase nutritional value Help in nitrogen fixation During downstream processing, the product must be formulated with suitable preservatives. What is the primary purpose of these preservatives? To ensure the stability and shelf-life of the product To increase the catalytic activity of the protein To help in the separation of the protein from the medium To facilitate the folding of the recombinant protein A stirred-tank bioreactor is equipped with a system to maintain the internal environment. Which part is responsible for regulating the heat generated by microbial metabolism? Cooling jacket Agitator system Sparger pH control system The patent granted for which of the following medicinal plants to a US company was successfully contested by India, highlighting the issue of biopiracy? Turmeric Jasmine Rose Wheat In the isolation of DNA from a plant cell, the enzyme 'Protease' is used to remove which of the following contaminants? Proteins RNA Polysaccharides Lipids Modern biotechnology is based on two core techniques. One is genetic engineering; what is the other? Bioprocess engineering Classical plant breeding Somatic hybridization Protein sequencing In molecular biology, the term 'Biopiracy' specifically refers to: The use of bio-resources without proper authorization from the concerned country and people. The accidental release of genetically modified organisms into the wild. The illegal hunting and selling of endangered species across borders. The synthesis of artificial DNA sequences without a license. What is the total number of documented varieties of Basmati rice grown in India? 27 12 50 200,000 In recombinant DNA technology, the term 'molecular scissors' refers to: Restriction endonucleases DNA ligases Polymerases Reverse transcriptases The first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced milk enriched with which human protein? Alpha-lactalbumin Insulin Growth hormone Beta-carotene Which of the following is commonly used as a vector for introducing a DNA fragment into mammalian cells? Retrovirus Ti plasmid pBR322 λ phage Which vector is used to eliminate the 'Ti' plasmid's tumor-inducing property but still allow it to transfer genes? Disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens Bacillus thuringiensis Thermus aquaticus pBR322 Match the following: (a) cryIAc (i) Corn borer, (b) cryIAb (ii) Cotton bollworm. (a)-(ii), (b)-(i) (a)-(i), (b)-(ii) (a)-(i), (b)-(i) (a)-(ii), (b)-(ii) Why is the Bt toxin not toxic to the Bacillus thuringiensis bacterium itself? The toxin exists as inactive protoxin The bacterium is resistant to the toxin The toxin is sequestered in a vacuole The bacterium lacks the target receptors Biopiracy is related to which of the following? Traditional knowledge, Bioresources, Stealing bioresources Stealing bioresources only Bioresources only Traditional knowledge only What is the function of ' rop ' in the plasmid pBR322 ? Codes for proteins involved in the replication of the plasmid Codes for antibiotic resistance to tetracycline Codes for antibiotic resistance to ampicillin Acts as a recognition site for Eco RI In the context of RNA interference (RNAi), what is the 'source' of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)? All of the above Infection by viruses having RNA genomes Transposons that replicate via an RNA intermediate Synthetic RNA molecules introduced into the cell Which human protein produced by transgenic animals is used to treat emphysema? -1-antitrypsin -lactalbumin Insulin Thyroxine The technique used to deliver recombinant DNA directly into the nucleus of an animal cell is: Micro-injection Biolistics Gene gun Electroporation What happens during the 'Heat Shock' step of bacterial transformation? The cells are incubated at 42 C briefly. The cells are boiled to denature the host DNA. The cells are kept in a furnace at 100 C . The DNA is heated to 94 C for denaturation. If a recombinant DNA is inserted within the coding sequence of the enzyme -galactosidase, the phenomenon is known as: Insertional inactivation Somatic hybridization Gene silencing Transformation The primary reason for using very small gold or tungsten particles in the biolistics method is: They are chemically inert They are highly magnetic They are cheap They facilitate DNA replication The patenting of 'Basmati Rice' by an American company was challenged because: It was based on traditional Indian varieties It was a toxic variety It could not be grown in the US It was a low-yielding variety Transgenic animals are extensively used as 'models' for the study of which of the following diseases? All of these Cancer Cystic fibrosis Alzheimer's disease In the cloning vector pBR322 , the restriction site for the enzyme Pst I is located within which of the following regions? amp R gene tet R gene rop gene ori region Which of the following restriction endonucleases is known to produce 'blunt ends' rather than 'sticky ends'? Eco RV Eco RI Bam HI Hin dIII The source of complementary RNA used for silencing specific mRNA in the RNA interference (RNAi) process can be from: Transposons that replicate via an RNA intermediate Linear double-stranded DNA viruses only Satellite DNA sequences Introns of the host genome only Transgenic mice are developed for use in 'vaccine safety' testing before they are used on humans. Which vaccine was specifically tested this way? Polio vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine Tuberculosis vaccine Influenza vaccine In 1997, an American company was granted patent rights on 'Basmati rice' through the US Patent and Trademark Office. This was controversial because: The patent was based on Indian farmer varieties The company used synthetic DNA to create the rice The rice was found to be toxic to humans The patent prevented the consumption of rice in India The Bt toxin protein exists as inactive protoxin in Bacillus thuringiensis but becomes active in the insect gut due to: Alkaline pH of the gut Acidic pH of the gut The presence of specialized enzymes in the gut High temperature of the gut The technique used to detect a pathogen by identifying the presence of its DNA or RNA, even when the pathogen concentration is very low, is: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Serum analysis Urine analysis Western Blotting The gene cryIIAb and cryIAc are used to control which of the following pests respectively? Cotton bollworms Corn borer Nematodes Aphids In the maturation of 'pro-insulin' into 'insulin', which part is removed? C-peptide A-peptide B-peptide Disulfide bonds In gene therapy for Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency, lymphocytes from the patient are grown in culture and then transformed using which type of vector? Retroviral vector pBR322 Ti -plasmid Bacteriophage Ì' Which specific ligase is most commonly used in recombinant DNA technology and is isolated from a bacteriophage? T 4 DNA Ligase E. coli DNA Ligase Taq Ligase Helicase In the screening of recombinants using the blue-white selection method, the presence of a chromogenic substrate produces blue-colored colonies if: The -galactosidase gene is not inactivated by an insert. The -galactosidase gene is successfully inactivated. The host cell has taken up the recombinant DNA. The vector is missing the lacZ gene sequence. RNA interference (RNAi) is a method of cellular defense that takes place in: All eukaryotic organisms Only prokaryotic organisms Only plants and fungi Only mammals and birds The milk of the first transgenic cow, Rosie, contained a human protein called alpha-lactalbumin. What was the concentration of this protein in the milk? 2.4 grams per litre 2.4 milligrams per litre 1.5 grams per litre 4.2 grams per litre Which of the following is true regarding the 'blunt ends' produced by certain restriction enzymes? They lack single-stranded overhanging sequences. They are easier to ligate than sticky ends. They are only produced by Eco RI. They cannot be joined by DNA ligase. In 1997, an American company got patent rights on Basmati rice. This was actually a case of biopiracy because: The 'new' variety was derived from Indian farmer's varieties by crossing with semi-dwarf varieties. The rice was grown in America without paying royalties to India. The company stole the seeds from Indian research labs. The patent was granted for a variety that did not exist in nature. When choosing a vector for cloning, which of the following is NOT a desirable characteristic? Large size to accommodate more DNA. Presence of an Origin of replication ( Ori ). Presence of selectable markers. Unique restriction sites for multiple enzymes. In RNA interference (RNAi), the genes are silenced using which of the following? dsRNA Single stranded DNA Single stranded RNA Double stranded DNA The first step in the permanent cure of ADA deficiency using gene therapy would be: Introducing the functional ADA cDNA into cells at early embryonic stages. Periodic infusion of genetically engineered lymphocytes. Bone marrow transplantation during adulthood. Enzyme replacement therapy given intravenously. The first restriction endonuclease, whose functioning depended on a specific DNA nucleotide sequence, was isolated and characterized as: Hind II Eco RI Bam HI Pst I Which of the following describes the correct role of Ca 2+ ions in the process of making bacterial cells 'competent'? It increases the efficiency with which DNA enters the bacterium through pores in its cell wall It neutralizes the negative charge on the DNA and the bacterial cell wall It acts as a cofactor for the enzyme DNA ligase It triggers the heat-shock response in the bacteria The Bt toxin protoxin is converted into an active toxin in the insect gut due to: Alkaline pH of the midgut Acidic pH of the stomach The presence of digestive enzymes in the foregut High temperature of the insect body Which of the following groups of insects are targeted by the Bt toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis? Lepidopterans, Coleopterans, and Dipterans Lepidopterans, Hymenopterans, and Homopterans Coleopterans, Dipterans, and Orthopterans Only Lepidopterans Which of the following is the first restriction endonuclease to be isolated and characterized? Hind II Eco RI Bam HI Hind III The Indian Parliament recently cleared the second amendment of the Bill, which takes issues like patent terms and emergency provisions into consideration regarding biopiracy. Indian Patents Bill Bio-safety Bill Environment Protection Bill Seed Act Which of the following is NOT an application of PCR in molecular diagnosis? Measuring the blood glucose level in diabetic patients Detecting HIV in suspected AIDS patients Detecting mutations in genes in suspected cancer patients Identification of genetic disorders In the context of RNA interference (RNAi), what are the 'mobile genetic elements' that can serve as a source of double-stranded RNA? Transposons Introns Exons Promoters Why are transgenic animals sometimes produced specifically for 'chemical safety testing'? They are made more sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals. They are resistant to all types of chemical toxins. They can neutralize toxic chemicals within their bodies. They have a longer lifespan to observe long-term toxic effects. In the nomenclature of restriction enzymes, the first letter comes from the genus and the next two letters from the species of the prokaryotic cell. What do these three letters always appear as in standard scientific writing? Italicized Bold Underlined Capitalized In gel electrophoresis, separated DNA fragments can be visualized only after staining the DNA with: Ethidium bromide Acetocarmine Aniline blue Bromophenol blue In the first clinical gene therapy for ADA deficiency, why was the patient required to have periodic infusions of genetically engineered lymphocytes? Lymphocytes are not immortal cells. The viral vector used was unstable. The gene was inserted into the wrong chromosome. The enzyme produced was rapidly degraded by the liver. The first clinical gene therapy was given for treating which deficiency? Adenosine deaminase Diabetes mellitus Chicken pox Rheumatoid arthritis Transgenic animals serve as models for the study of several human diseases. Which of the following is NOT specifically mentioned in the NCERT as such a model? Malaria Cancer Cystic fibrosis Rheumatoid arthritis In a cloning vector, having more than one recognition site for a single restriction enzyme within the vector is generally avoided because it will: Generate several fragments, complicating gene cloning Prevent the enzyme from cutting the DNA at all Make the vector too large to enter the host cell Lead to the destruction of the antibiotic resistance gene If a foreign DNA fragment is ligated at the Sal I site in the pBR322 vector, the recombinant plasmid will lose its resistance to which antibiotic? Tetracycline Ampicillin Kanamycin Chloramphenicol The Indian Parliament cleared the second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill to address issues such as: Patent terms, emergency provisions, and research and development initiative The legality of human cloning and stem cell research The mandatory use of indigenous seeds by all farmers Complete ban on the import of any genetically modified food In the naming of the restriction enzyme Eco RI, the 'R' is derived from the name of the strain. What is the specific strain used for this enzyme? RY 13 Rd RY 12 R 245 The DNA polymerase used in PCR is isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus . This bacterium is classified as a/an: Archaebacterium/Thermophile Cyanobacterium Methanogen Halophile Transgenic animals are developed as models for human diseases. Which of the following diseases are specifically mentioned in NCERT as being studied this way? Cancer, Cystic fibrosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's Malaria, AIDS, Cholera, and Tuberculosis Diabetes, Haemophilia, Sickle cell anemia, and Colour blindness Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome PCR is currently used for the detection of mutations in suspected cancer patients. This is possible because: It can amplify very low amounts of DNA for analysis It can kill the cancerous cells directly It uses antigens to identify cancer proteins It converts RNA into DNA for easier visualization Which of the following is not a feature of the plasmids? Single-stranded Independent replication Circular structure Extrachromosomal DNA During RNA interference (RNAi), the source of the complementary RNA could be from mobile genetic elements called: Transposons Introns Exons Plasmids In the pBR322 vector, if a foreign DNA is ligated at the Bam HI site, the transformants will show: Resistance to ampicillin but sensitivity to tetracycline Resistance to tetracycline but sensitivity to ampicillin Resistance to both ampicillin and tetracycline Sensitivity to both ampicillin and tetracycline In the treatment of ADA deficiency by gene therapy, the use of the patient's own lymphocytes is not a permanent cure because: Lymphocytes are not immortal and have a finite lifespan The ADA gene is rejected by the patient's immune system The viral vector kills the lymphocytes after some time The gene only works during the embryonic stage In the cloning vector pBR322 , the restriction sites for Pst I and Pvu I are located within which antibiotic resistance gene? amp R tet R rop ori The 'Flavr Savr' tomato variety was developed using antisense RNA technology to inhibit the expression of which enzyme? Polygalacturonase -amylase Alcohol dehydrogenase Nitrate reductase Which of the following can be detected in a fetus using a molecular probe during early pregnancy to identify genetic disorders? Phenylketonuria Viral fever Vitamin deficiency Bacterial infection Transgenic animals are specifically used for 'Toxicity (Safety) testing' because they are often more sensitive to toxic substances than normal animals. This is achieved by: Introducing genes that make them hypersensitive Removing all their immune cells Injecting them with high doses of antibodies Growing them in a sterile environment Which of the following vectors is preferred for cloning very large fragments of DNA (megabase scale) in projects like the Human Genome Project? YACs and BACs pBR322 Retroviruses Bacteriophages During the purification of DNA, which technique is used to separate DNA from proteins and lipids based on their density differences? Isopycnic (Density gradient) centrifugation Simple filtration Paper chromatography Solvent extraction Transgenic animals are often developed to study the contribution of specific genes to the development of a disease. Which of the following is a growth factor often studied using these models? Insulin-like growth factor Thyroxine Erythropoietin Adrenaline What is the role of GEAC in India? Make decisions regarding the validity of GM research and safety of GM organisms Monitor the growth of crops in different states Control the import and export of fertilizers Research on traditional medicinal plants In the biolistics (gene gun) method of gene transfer, why are micro-particles of gold or tungsten used as carriers for DNA? They are chemically inert and have high density They help in the replication of the DNA once inside the cell They act as catalysts for the integration of DNA They provide the necessary electrical charge for DNA entry For a permanent cure of Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency using gene therapy, the isolated gene should be introduced into the patient at which stage? Early embryonic stages Adult stage via bone marrow transplant Childhood via lymphocyte infusion Any stage during the patient's life The Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been modified into a cloning vector. Which property of the original plasmid was removed to make it safe for plants? Tumor-inducing (pathogenic) property The ability to transfer DNA (T-DNA) The origin of replication (ori) Resistance to antibiotics The GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) evaluates the safety of releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment. What is another primary mandate of this committee? To assess the validity of GM research for public services To fund the research for transgenic animal production To provide patents for new biotechnology inventions To conduct clinical trials for all new drugs During the screening of recombinants, if the bacterial colonies are grown on a medium containing a chromogenic substrate and they do not produce any color, what does this indicate? The colonies are recombinant The colonies are non-recombinant The bacteria did not take up any plasmid The enzyme -galactosidase is active DNA is a hydrophilic molecule. Which of the following is a direct consequence of this property regarding genetic transformation? It cannot pass through cell membranes by simple diffusion. It dissolves completely in the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane. It requires a hydrophobic carrier protein to enter the nucleus. It readily crosses the cell wall but is blocked by the tonoplast. In the cloning vector pBR322 , the gene responsible for the 'rop' protein is associated with which function? The regulation of the copy number of the plasmid. Conferring resistance to the antibiotic tetracycline. Providing a recognition site for the restriction enzyme Eco RI. Initiating the transcription of the amp R gene. Which of the following describes the most permanent method to treat Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency using biotechnology? Introducing the ADA gene into cells at early embryonic stages. Periodic infusion of genetically engineered lymphocytes. Daily administration of enzyme replacement therapy. Performing a bone marrow transplant in an adult patient. What is the primary biological reason that transgenic animals are often used for 'Chemical Safety Testing'? They are made more sensitive to the toxic substances than normal animals. They have a faster metabolic rate to process toxins. They can neutralize toxic chemicals before they reach vital organs. They lack immune systems, so they don't produce inflammatory responses. The second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill was specifically cleared by the Indian Parliament to address which issue? Patent terms, emergency provisions, and research and development initiative. The legalization of cloning human embryos for stem cell research. The mandatory labeling of all genetically modified food products. The regulation of blood transfusions and organ transplants. Which of the following is used to select for those host cells that contain the vector? Selectable marker Origin of replication Restriction site Cloning site In the pBR322 vector, if you ligate a foreign DNA at the Sal I site, the recombinant plasmid will lose resistance to: Tetracycline Ampicillin Kanamycin Chloramphenicol The first clinical gene therapy (1990) was given to a patient with ADA deficiency. Why was this treatment not a permanent cure? The genetically engineered lymphocytes are not immortal. The ADA enzyme produced was found to be toxic to the liver. The patient's body rejected the foreign DNA as an antigen. The vector used (retrovirus) failed to integrate into the host genome. Which of the following vectors is most commonly used for delivering genes into animal cells? Disarmed retroviruses Ti plasmid pBR322 Bacteriophage lambda The Bt toxin gene cryIAb is specifically used to control which pest? Corn borer Cotton bollworm Tobacco budworm Armyworm The presence of a chromogenic substrate gives blue-colored colonies if the plasmid in the bacteria does not have an insert. This is due to the enzyme: -galactosidase Taq polymerase DNA ligase Restriction endonuclease For the effective treatment of ADA deficiency by gene therapy, the most appropriate strategy for a permanent cure is: Introducing the ADA gene into cells at early embryonic stages Periodic infusion of genetically engineered lymphocytes Enzyme replacement therapy Bone marrow transplantation in adults In the pBR322 vector, the restriction site for Bam HI is located in the region of: tet R gene amp R gene ori rop During the construction of recombinant DNA, the enzyme alkaline phosphatase is often used to: Prevent the self-ligation of the vector DNA Create sticky ends in the donor DNA Degrade the RNA contaminants Initiate the replication of the plasmid How does a bacterial cell protect its own DNA from being digested by its own restriction enzymes? By methylating the recognition sequences By keeping DNA in a single-stranded form By keeping the enzymes in the lysosome By having a very high GC content A cloning vector has two antibiotic resistance genes, amp R and tet R . A foreign DNA is ligated at the Bam HI site of the tet R gene. The non-recombinants will grow on: Both ampicillin and tetracycline containing mediums. Medium containing ampicillin but not tetracycline. Medium containing tetracycline but not ampicillin. Neither ampicillin nor tetracycline containing mediums. A 'probe' used in molecular diagnostics is a: Single stranded DNA or RNA tagged with a radioactive molecule Double stranded DNA tagged with a radioactive molecule Single stranded protein tagged with a radioactive molecule Double stranded RNA without a tag Which type of restriction endonuclease makes a cut exactly at the center of the palindrome, resulting in blunt ends? SmaI EcoRI HindIII BamHI Which of the following is a limitation of the first clinical gene therapy given to a 4-year-old girl in 1990 for ADA deficiency? The treated lymphocytes are not immortal, requiring periodic infusions The patient developed a severe allergic reaction to the vector The gene was only expressed in the liver cells The therapy resulted in the development of leukemia The use of bio-resources by multinational companies without proper authorization from the concerned country is called biopiracy. Which of the following was a major target for biopiracy based on Indian traditional knowledge? Turmeric and Neem Wheat and Maize Potato and Tomato Apple and Grapes The patenting of which Indian biological resource was successfully revoked after a legal battle because its medicinal properties were part of traditional knowledge? Turmeric Saffron Bt Brinjal Golden Rice India exhibits high ecological diversity because of the presence of many ecosystems EXCEPT: Coral reefs, Mangroves, and Alpine meadows Deserts and Rainforests Estuaries and Wetlands Arctic Tundra and Taiga Tropical rainforests once covered more than 14 percent of the Earth's land surface, but now they cover no more than: 6 percent 10 percent 2 percent 8 percent The Amazon rain forest is so huge that it is estimated to produce, through photosynthesis, what percentage of the total oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere? 20 percent 50 percent 10 percent 5 percent Which of the following invasive weed species was introduced into India and has become a cause of environmental damage and threat to native species? Parthenium (carrot grass) Nepenthes (pitcher plant) Ficus (banyan tree) Oscillatoria (blue-green algae) Which of the following biomes is characterized by very low annual precipitation (less than 25 cm) and extremely low temperatures? Arctic and Alpine Tundra Coniferous Forest Desert Grassland The 'Dodo' bird became extinct from which of the following regions? Mauritius Africa Russia Australia A sequence of DNA that reads the same on the two strands when orientation of reading is kept the same is called: Palindromic sequence Recombinant DNA Sticky end Satellite DNA Which of the following alien species was introduced to India and has become a major cause of environmental damage and human health issues (allergies)? Parthenium (Carrot grass) Clarias gariepinus Cuscuta Steller's sea cow Which of the following is considered a 'Hotspot' of biodiversity in India? Western Ghats Indo-Gangetic Plain Eastern Ghats Aravali Hills How many biodiversity hotspots are identified in India? 3 25 34 12 The 'Rivet Popper Hypothesis' to explain the importance of biodiversity was proposed by: Paul Ehrlich Alexander von Humboldt Edward Wilson Robert May In which of the following regions are the 'Khasi and Jaintia Hills' located as sacred groves? Meghalaya Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Karnataka The Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria in east Africa led to the extinction of an ecologically unique assemblage of more than 200 species of: Cichlid fish Catfish Gambusia fish Steller's sea cow Which of the following was introduced into Australia in the early 1920s and caused havoc by spreading rapidly into millions of hectares of rangeland? Prickly pear cactus Water hyacinth Lantana Parthenium Amphibian species diversity is greater in the than in the . Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats Himalayas, Western Ghats Gangetic plains, Eastern Ghats What is the percentage of the Earth's land area covered by all the biodiversity hotspots put together? Less than 2% 5% 10% 15% The illegal introduction of which species for aquaculture purposes is posing a threat to the indigenous catfishes in Indian rivers? Clarias gariepinus Parthenium hysterophorus Lantana camara Eichhornia crassipes Stirred-tank bioreactors have been designed for: Availability of oxygen throughout the process Purification of product Addition of preservatives to the product Ensuring anaerobic conditions Which of the following pairs of an animal and its location of extinction is INCORRECT? Quagga - Australia Dodo - Mauritius Thylacine - Tasmania Stellar's Sea Cow - Russia Which of the following is a 'Broadly Utilitarian' argument for conserving biodiversity? Pollination of crops by insects Obtaining timber and firewood Harvesting medicinal plants Bioprospecti