Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture & Medicine

1 Mark Questions

1. State the role of C-peptide in human insulin. [All India 2014]

Ans. The C-peptide is an extra stretch of the peptides that connects the A and B-polypeptide chains of insulin, in prohormone. During processing to release mature and functional insulin, this C-peptide is removed

1. A boy has been diagnosed with ADA (Adenosine Deaminase) deficiency. Suggest any one possible treatment. [Delhi 2014C]

Ans. The boy diagnosed with ADA deficiency may undergo gene therapy for treatment, but it is not a permanent cure.3. Write the possible source of RNA interference (RNAi) gene. [Delhi 2013c]

Ans. Mobile genetic elements, i.e. transposons are the possible source of RNA interference (RNAi) gene.

1. Name any two techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of some

bacterial/viral human diseases. [Foreign 2011]

or Name a molecular diagnostic technique to detect the presence of a pathogen in its early stage of infection. [Delhi 2010; All India 2008]

Ans. Techniques that serves the purpose of early diagnosis of some bacterial/viral human diseases.

1. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
2. DNA recombinant technology and
3. ELISA are the techniques for early diagnosis of bacterial/viral diseases

How does ds RNA gain entry into eukaryotic cell to cause RNA interference? [Delhi 2011c]

Ans. dsRNA gain entry into eukaryotic cell either through:

1. infection by virus having RNA genome or
2. mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.

6. Name the source organism of the gene cry IAc and its target pest. [Foreign 2011]

Ans. Source of gene crylAc is Bacillus thuringiensis and its target pest-cotton bollworms.

7. What is the host called that produces a foreign gene product? What is this product called? [Foreign 2010]

Ans. Transgenic organisms or genetically modified organisms are hosts that produces a foreign gene product. Recombinant proteins are the product.

8. Name the cry genes that control cotton bollworm and com borer respectively. [All India 2009c]

Ans. The cry genes that control Cotton boll worm – cry IAc and cry IIAb Corn borer-cry IAb

9. What is the significance of the process of RNA interference (RNAi) in eukaryotic organisms? [Foreign 2008]

Ans. RNA interference (RNAi) acts as cellular defence in all eukaryotic organisms

10. State the principle on which ELISA Works. [Foreign 2008]

Ans. ELISA is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction.

11. How does silencing of specific mRNA in RNA interference prevent parasitic infection? [Delhi 2008C]

Ans. Parasitic infection can be prevented by using RNA interference (RNAi) process, as the nematode cannot live in the transgenic host that expresses the specific interfering RNA thus, making it double stranded and unable to translate the protein or product.

12. How are tobacco plants benefited when nematode specific genes are introduced into them using certain vectors? Name the vectors used. [Delhi 2008C]

Ans. Nematode specific genes when introduced into the host plants, initiate the process of RNAi and hence, silenced the specific mRNA of nematode. The parasite cannot survive in transgenic host, so prevent the plants from pests. Vector used is Agrobacterium.

2 Marks Questions

13. State how was Agrobacterium tumefaciens been made as a useful cloning vector to transfer DNA to plant Cells. [Delhi 2014]

Ans. The bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens is known to be natural vector capable of passing its DNA to plants and induce tumour by integrating its DNA with host genome. The