15 extra multiple-choice questions for Applications of Biotechnology (12th Standard Zoology, Samacheer Kalvi), beyond the ones printed in the textbook — each with the correct option highlighted and a clear, worked explanation. Free to read in English and Tamil.
Q1
Under which trade name was the first recombinant human insulin commercially marketed in the year 1986?
- A. HumulinCorrect
- B. Insulin-G
- C. Recombivax
- D. Engerix-B
Explanation. Recombinant human insulin was approved for use in 1982 and was commercially marketed under the brand name Humulin in 1986.
Q2
What is the molecular weight of the human alpha-lactalbumin protein, which is found abundantly in human milk and has been expressed in transgenic cows?
- A. 14178 DaCorrect
- B. 12110 Da
- C. 24000 Da
- D. 51000 Da
Explanation. Human alpha-lactalbumin is a protein composed of 123 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 14178 Da.
Q3
Why is the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae preferred over Escherichia coli for the commercial production of recombinant interferons?
- A. E. coli does not possess the genetic machinery required for the glycosylation of proteins.Correct
- B. Saccharomyces cerevisiae grows much faster than E. coli in fermentation tanks.
- C. E. coli is highly sensitive to antiviral substances like interferons.
- D. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a smaller genome size than E. coli.
Explanation. Recombinant interferons are glycosylated proteins. Since Escherichia coli lacks the post-translational machinery for protein glycosylation, yeast is the preferred host.
Q4
Which country, after the USA, France, and Belgium, was the fourth in the world to develop an indigenous recombinant vaccine for hepatitis B?
- A. IndiaCorrect
- B. Germany
- C. United Kingdom
- D. Canada
Explanation. India became the fourth country in the world to develop an indigenous hepatitis B vaccine, following the USA, France, and Belgium.
Q5
What genetic mechanism is utilized in gene inhibition therapy to prevent the expression of a dominant mutant gene?
- A. Insertion of a functional wild-type allele to boost the missing product
- B. Insertion of an antisense gene that blocks the translation of the dominant gene's mRNACorrect
- C. Excision of the mutant promoter using restriction endonucleases
- D. Direct deletion of the dominant mutated exon in mature somatic cells
Explanation. Gene inhibition therapy works by introducing an antisense gene. This antisense sequence binds to and inhibits the expression of the dominant disease-causing gene.
Q6
Which level of cellular potency is exhibited by lymphoid or myeloid stem cells, which can differentiate into a few specific cell types like B and T cells but not red blood cells?
- A. Pluripotency
- B. Multipotency
- C. OligopotencyCorrect
- D. Unipotency
Explanation. Oligopotency refers to the ability of stem cells to differentiate into only a few related cell types, as seen in lymphoid or myeloid lineages.
Q7
Who discovered the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique in 1971?
- A. Eva Engvall and Peter PerlmannCorrect
- B. Ian Wilmut and Keith Campbell
- C. Alick Isaacs and Jean Lindemann
- D. Kary Mullis and Alec Jeffreys
Explanation. ELISA is a highly sensitive biochemical diagnostic method developed in 1971 by scientists Eva Engvall and Peter Perlmann.
Q8
During reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), which enzyme is initially required to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA) from a messenger RNA (mRNA) template?
- A. Taq DNA polymerase
- B. Reverse transcriptaseCorrect
- C. DNA ligase
- D. Ribonuclease H
Explanation. In RT-PCR, the RNA template must first be converted into complementary DNA (cDNA). This step is catalyzed by the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
Q9
What term is used to describe a genetically engineered organism in which one or more specific genes on its chromosomes have been deliberately made non-functional or inoperative?
- A. Transgene carrier
- B. Gene knock outCorrect
- C. Somatic hybrid
- D. Autosomal aneuploid
Explanation. A gene knock out refers to an organism engineered to have specific genes inactivated, allowing researchers to study the function of those genes.
Q10
In the cloning of Dolly the sheep, how many reconstructed embryos were actually implanted into surrogate mothers after six days of culture?
- A. 277
- B. 29Correct
- C. 5
- D. 12
Explanation. While 277 somatic cells were fused with enucleated eggs, only 29 developed embryos were implanted into surrogate mothers, resulting in a single successful clone.
Q11
Which Indian statutory committee under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is specifically responsible for issuing permits for research involving genetically engineered organisms?
- A. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)
- B. Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)Correct
- C. Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)
- D. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RDAC)
Explanation. The Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), operating under the Department of Biotechnology, is responsible for issuing research permits.
Q12
Which was the first living organism ever to be patented, following its genetic engineering in 1971 by scientist Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty?
- A. Escherichia coli
- B. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- C. Pseudomonas putidaCorrect
- D. Trichoderma polysporum
Explanation. Pseudomonas putida, modified to degrade hydrocarbons, was engineered by Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty in 1971 and patented in 1980, making it the first patented living organism.
Q13
What term is used to describe the exploitation of biological resources by multinational companies without proper authorization or compensatory payment to the source country or its people?
- A. BiopiracyCorrect
- B. Bioethics
- C. Bioprospecting
- D. Patent infringement
Explanation. Biopiracy is the unauthorized commercial exploitation of native biological resources or traditional knowledge without fair compensation or permission.
Q14
Which of the following products from Tamil Nadu is specifically mentioned in the textbook as having received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag?
- A. Kancheepuram silkCorrect
- B. Tirunelveli halwa
- C. Salem mango
- D. Nilgiri tea
Explanation. The textbook highlights several GI tagged products from Tamil Nadu, including Kancheepuram silk, Coimbatore wetgrinders, and Thanjavur paintings.
Q15
For how many years does a government-issued patent typically grant an inventor the exclusive right to manufacture, use, or sell their biotechnological invention?
- A. 10 years
- B. 20 yearsCorrect
- C. 30 years
- D. 50 years
Explanation. A patent is a legal document that safeguards an inventor's rights by providing a temporary monopoly for a defined period, which is usually 20 years.
