Applications of Biotechnology MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Applications of Biotechnology - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• Human insulin was the first hormone to be produced using recombinant DNA technology. Hence, option 3 is correct.
• It was developed by Genentech and Eli Lilly in the early 1980s, marking a major breakthrough in biotechnology and medicine.
• This synthetic insulin is called "Humulin", and it is produced by inserting the human insulin gene into E. coli bacteria, which then synthesize insulin.

The correct answer is It will be digested in the Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract

Concept:

• Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the pancreas and is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels in the body. It cannot be administered orally because of its structural composition, which makes it vulnerable to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
• Insulin is commonly administered through subcutaneous injections to bypass the GI tract and directly enter the bloodstream for effective action.

Explanation:

• Insulin is a protein-based molecule, and like other proteins consumed in food, it is broken down into amino acids by digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines.
• This enzymatic breakdown prevents insulin from retaining its functional structure and biological activity, rendering it ineffective if taken orally.
• Since oral delivery is not feasible, insulin is typically given via injections (subcutaneous, intravenous, or intramuscular).
• Research is ongoing for alternative delivery methods, such as inhalable insulin, transdermal patches, and oral formulations with protective coatings or encapsulations.

Other Options:

• Human body will elicit a strong immune response:
  • The human immune system does not typically produce a strong immune response to insulin, especially if it is human recombinant insulin, which mimics the natural hormone produced in the body. Immune responses are more relevant in cases of non-human insulin or impurities in synthetic formulations, which are rare in modern medicine.
• Because of structural variation:
  • Insulin’s structure is not a limiting factor for its administration. Its molecular structure is well-suited for interaction with insulin receptors, and it performs its function effectively once in the bloodstream.
• Its bioavailability will be increased:
  • This statement is incorrect because oral administration of insulin would result in extremely low bioavailability due to enzymatic breakdown in the GI tract. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a drug that enters circulation and can have an active effect. Oral insulin delivery significantly reduces this proportion.

The correct answer is Complementary dsRNA  

Explanation:

• Several nematodes parasitize a wide variety of plants and animals including human beings. A nematode Meloidegyne incognitia infects the roots of tobacco plants and causes a great reduction in yield.
• A novel strategy was adopted to prevent this infestation which was based on the process of RNA interference (RNAi).
• RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense.
• This method involves the silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing).
• The source of this complementary RNA could be from an infection by viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.

The correct answer is Bacterium

Explanation:

• Human insulin, which is used to treat diabetes, is now commonly produced using genetic engineering techniques. This process involves inserting the human insulin gene into a suitable organism, which then produces insulin identical to that produced in the human body.
• Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical company, was one of the pioneers in using genetically engineered organisms to manufacture human insulin. This marked a revolutionary advancement in biotechnology and medicine.
• The genetically engineered organism used for this purpose by Eli Lilly was the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli).
  • E. coli, a common bacterium, was genetically modified to produce human insulin. Scientists introduced the human insulin gene into E. coli cells using recombinant DNA technology.
  • The modified bacteria then synthesized insulin, which was harvested, purified, and used for medical purposes.
  • This method replaced the earlier practice of extracting insulin from the pancreases of pigs or cows, which had limitations such as allergic reactions and a limited supply.
  • Using bacteria like E. coli for insulin production is cost-effective, scalable, and ensures the production of insulin that is identical to human insulin.

Other Options:

• Yeast (Incorrect): While yeast cells, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are also used in genetic engineering, they were not the organism initially used by Eli Lilly for insulin production. Yeast is sometimes used in modern biotechnology for producing proteins, but E. coli was the first organism used for this purpose in insulin production.
• Virus (Incorrect): Viruses are used in genetic engineering for purposes such as gene therapy or as vectors to deliver genetic material into cells. However, viruses are not suitable for producing large quantities of insulin due to their biology and replication mechanisms.
• Phage (Incorrect): Phages, or bacteriophages, are viruses that infect bacteria. They are often used in genetic research and as tools in biotechnology. They were not used by Eli Lilly for insulin production.

The correct answer is Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Concept:

• Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are crucial components of the process of translation in protein synthesis. They interact with messenger RNA (mRNA) to decode genetic information and assemble polypeptides.
• RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules. It is a widely conserved mechanism in eukaryotic organisms used as a form of cellular defense against viruses and for regulating gene expression.

Explanation:

• Statement I: "Transfer RNAs and ribosomal RNA do not interact with mRNA" is incorrect:
  • tRNA: During protein synthesis, tRNAs interact with mRNA by recognizing specific codons on the mRNA via their anticodon regions. This interaction ensures the correct amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain.
  • rRNA: Ribosomal RNA is a structural and functional component of ribosomes. It plays a critical role in catalyzing peptide bond formation and in aligning the mRNA during translation. Without rRNA, the interaction between mRNA and ribosomes would not occur.
• Statement II: "RNA interference (RNAi) takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense" is correct:
  • RNAi is a conserved mechanism found across eukaryotic organisms, including plants, animals, and fungi.
  • It plays a role in defending cells against viral infections by degrading viral RNA and in regulating the expression of endogenous genes by silencing specific mRNAs.
  • RNAi is mediated by small RNA molecules such as siRNA (small interfering RNA) and miRNA (microRNA), which guide RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC) to target mRNA for degradation or translational repression.

Concept:

• Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme required for the proper functioning of the immune system.
• ADA deficiency is caused due to deletion of the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase.

Explanation:

• ADA deficiency can be treated through gene therapy. 
• In gene therapy, the lymphocytes from the patient are grown outside the body and a functional ADA cDNA is introduced (using a retroviral vector) into the lymphocytes.
• The genetically engineered lymphocytes are then introduced back into the patient.
• These genetically engineered lymphocytes are immortal hence, the patient has to be infused with such lymphocytes regularly.

So, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information:

• Introducing genes for ADA into the cells at early embryonic development can lead to a permanent cure for ADA deficiency.

Concept:

• Biological control or biocontrol is the use of the naturally occurring enemies of insects, pests, and other disease-causing agents to control and eliminate them.
• Microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc. are used as biocontrol agents.
• Biocontrol agents have three modes of action - cause disease to the pest, compete with them or kill them.
• The biocontrol agents are multiplied on artificial media.
• These artificially grown agents are then released in large numbers to control the pest population naturally.
• This process is called augmentative biological control.

Explanation:

• Bacillus typhimurium - 
  • ​Salmonella typhimurium is a bacillus i.e. a rod-shaped bacteria.
  • It is a pathogenic bacteria found in the intestinal lumen.
  • It causes gastroenteritis in mammals including humans.
  • It is not used as a biocontrol agent.
• Bacillus taiwanensis - 
  • ​Bacillus taiwanensis is a Gram-positive bacteria. 
  • It was isolated first from a soil sample in Taiwan.
  • It is known to be a non-human pathogenic organism.
  • It is not used as a biocontrol agent.
• ​​Bacillus thuringiensis - 
  • ​Bacillus thuringiensis is a biocontrol agent.
  • It is used in agriculture to control the population of caterpillars and butterflies.
  • Bacillus thuringiensis controls the population of pests by killing them.
  • Bt crops such as cotton, brinjal,etc. are genetically engineered crops that contain the cry gene isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis. 
  • This gene encodes a toxin that is insecticidal in  property.
• Bacillus tropicus - 
  • ​Bacillus tropicus is a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria.
  • It was first isolated from the sediments of the South China Sea.
  • Studies have shown that Bacillus tropicus has the ability to biodegrade low density polyethylene (LDPE).
  • Polyethylene is the most commonly used plastic.
  • It is not used as a biocontrol agent.

So the correct answer is option 3 (Bacillus thuringiensis).​

Concept:

• Biotechnology is the branch of science that involves the manipulation of the genetic components of biological agents like microorganisms to produce commercially useful goods and services.
• Engineering and scientific principles are employed for this purpose.
• There are several applications of biotechnology which are as follows:
  • Plant biotechnology - production of GM crops
  • Animal biotechnology - gene therapy, tissue culture, etc.
  • Environmental biotechnology - bioremediation, pollution control, etc.
  • Microbial biotechnology - production of biopesticides, biofertilizers, etc.
  • Industrial biotechnology - protein engineering, production of enzymes, etc.

Important Points

​Bioprospecting - ​

• Bioprospecting involves the search for novel products from bioresources.
• These resources could be a plant, an animal, fungi, or even a microorganism.
• It explores the molecular, genetic, and species levels of diversity in search of these novel products.
• These products are useful to mankind and have economic value to them.
• Medicinal drugs and other commercially valuable products can be obtained through these products.
• E.g. - Poppy seeds contain many alkaloids which include morphine. Morphine is used as a pain reliever in the medicinal field. The knowledge of the presence of morphine in poppy seeds is due to bioprospecting.

Additional Information

Bioremediation - ​

• Bioremediation is a branch of biotechnology that uses microorganisms to clean the environment.
• Microorganisms are used to decontaminate affected soil, water, land, and other environments. It frees the affected area of the pollutants.
• Oil spills are a classic example of bioremediation. Oil spills are cleaned from a water body with the help of microorganisms.

Bioaccumulation - 

• ​Bioaccumulation is not a biotechnological process.
• It is a natural process in which chemicals get accumulated in an organism's body like that of a fish.
• This occurs when the intake rate of the chemicals exceeds that of its elimination rate.
• The chemicals can enter an organism's body through its surrounding environment like from the air, water, or soil.
• It can also enter through food intake.
• Chemicals like DDT, PCB, mercury, etc. get accumulated in an organism's body affecting its natural body functioning.

Biosensoring - 

• Biosensors are devices that comprise a biological component and a physiochemical component.
• Biosensors have a wide range of applications ranging from the detection of disease to the detection of pollutants.
• It is also used in drug discovery and detection of disease-causing germs in bodily fluids.
• Biosensors help measure biological or chemical reactions in an analyte.
• It does so by measuring the electrical signal that is generated during the reaction which corresponds to the concentration of the analyte.
• The biological component of the biosensor detects the analyte whereas the physiochemical component produces the signal.

So the correct answer is option 4 (Bioprospecting).

Explanation:

Therefore option 4 is correct.

Concept:

• PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction.
• It is the process of amplifying or making multiple copies of a desired fragment of DNA.
• It has wide applications in various fields involving genetic studies.

Important Points

Option 1: Paternity testing - CORRECT

• PCR is commonly used in paternity testing to compare DNA profiles between individuals and determine biological parentage.
• It allows for the amplification of specific regions of DNA for comparison and analysis.

Option 2: Detection of mutations of genes in suspected cancer patients - CORRECT

• PCR is frequently used in genetic testing to detect mutations in specific genes associated with cancer.
• By amplifying and analyzing DNA samples, PCR enables the identification of genetic alterations that may contribute to the development or progression of cancer.

Option 3: Powerful technique to identify genetic disorders - CORRECT

• PCR is extensively employed in genetic diagnosis to identify various genetic disorders.
• It allows for the detection of specific genetic mutations associated with inherited diseases, providing valuable information for clinical management and genetic counseling.

Option 4: To cure ADA (adenosine deaminase) deficiency - INCORRECT

• PCR is not directly involved in the cure or treatment of genetic disorders such as ADA deficiency.
• ADA deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that affects the immune system and requires specialized medical interventions such as enzyme replacement therapy or bone marrow transplantation.

Hence, option 4 is NOT an application of PCR.

Additional Information

• PCR is carried out by a thermostable DNA polymerase called Taq polymerase.
• This enzyme remains active at high temperatures because it is obtained from Thermus aquaticus which thrives in extreme conditions of hot springs.
• PCR involves 3 basic steps which are repeated in cycles such that we get about a billion copies of the DNA in 30 cycles.
• The steps are:
  • DNA Denaturation
  • Primer Annealing
  • Primer Extension

Key Points

• Naturally, insulin is a peptide hormone secreted by the β- cells of the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas.
• Insulin plays a major role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis.
• It mainly acts on the hepatocytes and adipocytes and enhances cellular glucose uptake and utilization.
• This resulting a rapid movement of glucose from the blood to hepatocytes and adipocytes and thus a decrease in blood glucose levels.
• It is a hypoglycemic hormone.
• Insulin also stimulates the conversion of glucose to glycogen, i.e. glycogenesis.

Explanation:

• Prolonged hyperglycemia and hyposecretion of insulin lead to a complex disorder called diabetes mellitus.
• Diabetes is associated with the loss of glucose through urine and the formation of harmful ketone bodies.
• Diabetic patients are successfully treated with insulin therapy.
• Semisynthetic human insulin is prepared by using a pork pancreas.
• Pork insulin is injected into the subcutaneous layer and it is effective between 3 and 4 hr after injection.
• But, the pharmaceutical quality of recombinant human insulin is superior to animal and semisynthetic insulin.
• Pancreatic cells are used to extract human insulin, and an insulin-producing gene is isolated.

Hence, the correct option is (1) pork pancreas.

Key Points

• RNA interference (RNAi) is a post-transcriptional process, that inhibits the translation of mRNA into its proteins.
• It helps in regulating the activity of the genes by silencing or deactivating the genes.
• This technology is used to obtain disease resistance in some plants.
• After an infection, the pathogen produces RNA in the host cell to express toxins, produce more progeny, virus coat protein, etc.
• This RNA produced by the infectious agent can be silenced using a complementary dsRNA produced by the host.
• This dsRNA, helps in recognizing and transferring to the target RNA from nematodes, bacteria, or viruses.
• One of the strands is degraded and a single-stranded complementary RNA binds to the target RNA.
• The binding of ssRNA (from host) prevents the translation of the mRNA (silencing).

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

The correct answer is option 2

Key Points

• The "Nano Mission" in India refers to the Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI), which is a program aimed at promoting research and development in the field of nanotechnology.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is the nodal agency responsible for implementing this initiative.Hence option 2 is correct.
• The DST, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, plays a key role in formulating and implementing policies and programs related to scientific research and technology development in India.
• The Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI) falls under its purview, and it works to promote and support advancements in nanotechnology for various applications across different sectors.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• Human insulin was the first hormone to be produced using recombinant DNA technology. Hence, option 3 is correct.
• It was developed by Genentech and Eli Lilly in the early 1980s, marking a major breakthrough in biotechnology and medicine.
• This synthetic insulin is called "Humulin", and it is produced by inserting the human insulin gene into E. coli bacteria, which then synthesize insulin.

Concept:

• Biotechnology is the branch of science that employs biological agents like microorganisms to produce goods and services using engineering and scientific principles.
• Modern biotechnology is based on two techniques:

1. Chemical engineering involves the manufacturing of useful products like vaccines, antibodies, vitamins, etc. by maintaining a sterile environment.
2. Genetic engineering:
   • Genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology is a technique of biotechnology that involves the joining of DNA molecules from different species.
   • The DNA formed is called recombinant DNA.
   • This DNA is then inserted into a host cell. The genes that are formed are a set of a new combination of genes that encode proteins with desired traits. These products have economic benefits.
   • It is used to make different products like GM crops that are resistant to pests.

Important Points

• Option 1: Cotton
  • Genetically engineered cotton is available.
  • Bt Cotton is a genetically engineered cotton.
  • Bt Cotton consists of genes isolated from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
  • This bacteria produces a toxin that is insecticidal in  property.
  • The toxin is coded by the gene cryIAc and it is named cry gene.
  • This toxin confers cotton with insecticidal properties and helps control the population of insects such as bollworms.
• Option 2: Antibody
  • Genetically engineered antibodies are available.
  • Genetically engineered antibodies are recombinant antibodies that have improved antigen-binding specificities.
  • These antibodies have a better ability to neutralize the antigens.
• Option 3: Insulin
  • Genetically engineered insulin is available in the market.
  • The very first genetically engineered synthetic human insulin was produced in the year 1978.
  • E.coli was used to produce this insulin.
  • Humulin is the brand name under which the very first genetically engineered insulin was commercially sold.
• Option 4: Neuron
  • Neurons are the structural and functional units of the nervous system.
  • To date, there have not been any genetically engineered neurons.

So the correct answer is option 4 (Neuron).