Biotechnology and its Applications in Agriculture
48 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a primary benefit of using genetically modified (GM) crops?

  • They require more water than traditional crops.
  • They increase the need for chemical fertilizers.
  • They are always larger than non-GM crops.
  • They can be made more tolerant to abiotic stresses. (correct)

    • How has genetic modification helped in pest management?

  • By decreasing crop diversity.
  • By incorporating pest-resistant traits into crops. (correct)
  • By encouraging the growth of pest populations.
  • By creating crops that require more insecticides.

    • What is Bt toxin and why is it significant in agriculture?

  • A bio-pesticide derived from Bacillus thuringiensis. (correct)
  • A natural pesticide that increases soil fertility.
  • A type of fertilizer essential for all crops.
  • A mineral supplement necessary for crop growth.

    • What characteristic does not describe genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

    <p>They are altered through selective breeding over many generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential environmental benefit of genetically modified crops?

    <p>They can help reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following GM crops is noted for its resistance to certain insect pests?

    <p>Bt cotton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does the Bt toxin not harm the Bacillus thuringiensis bacterium that produces it?

    <p>The toxin is activated only in the gut of certain insects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Genetically modified crops have been developed to enhance which of the following characteristics?

    <p>Improved efficiency in mineral usage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggers the conversion of the inactive Bt toxin to its active form?

    <p>Alkaline pH of the insect's gut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Bt toxin gene is specifically noted for controlling corn borer?

    <p>cryIAb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in RNA interference?

    <p>To silence specific mRNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of Bt toxins allows them to be effective against specific insect pests?

    <p>They are insect-group specific.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does RNA interference (RNAi) act as a cellular defense mechanism?

    <p>By silencing specific mRNA molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organism is associated with the nematode Meloidegyne incognitia?

    <p>Tobacco plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of incorporating Bt toxin genes into crop plants?

    <p>To provide resistance to insects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the C peptide in pro-insulin synthesis?

    <p>It is removed during the maturation of insulin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of a plant expressing specific interfering RNA through RNAi?

    <p>Death of the nematode parasite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main challenge in producing insulin using rDNA techniques?

    <p>Assembling insulin into a mature form.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year was the first clinical gene therapy administered?

    <p>1990</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is caused by the deletion of the gene for adenosine deaminase?

    <p>Adenosine deaminase deficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are the A and B chains of human insulin produced?

    <p>They are introduced into E. coli plasmids and produced separately.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of gene therapy?

    <p>To correct a gene defect and treat hereditary diseases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the enzyme adenosine deaminase important to the immune system?

    <p>It plays a key role in the activation of T-cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of inserting a normal gene into an individual's cells during gene therapy?

    <p>The normal gene compensates for the non-functional gene.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one limitation of enzyme replacement therapy for ADA deficiency?

    <p>It does not provide a permanent cure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which technique is useful for early diagnosis of a disease by amplifying nucleic acids?

    <p>Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What method is suggested for potentially providing a permanent cure for ADA deficiency?

    <p>Gene isolation from embryonic cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is typically required for the genetic engineering approach to treating ADA deficiency?

    <p>Regular infusion of genetically engineered lymphocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common use of PCR in medical diagnostics?

    <p>To identify mutations in cancer patients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does PCR facilitate the detection of pathogens before symptoms manifest?

    <p>It amplifies nucleic acids to detectable levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does autoradiography help visualize in genetic analysis?

    <p>The presence of hybridized DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a challenge associated with diagnosing diseases using conventional methods?

    <p>They often miss early detection of pathogens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant characteristic did Rosie, the first transgenic cow, provide in her milk?

    <p>Presence of human alpha-lactalbumin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What potential benefit is anticipated from using transgenic mice in vaccine safety testing?

    <p>They can replace the use of monkeys in testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Transgenic animals used in chemical safety testing are engineered to be more sensitive to which of the following?

    <p>Toxic substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which regulatory body has been established in India to oversee GM research and safety?

    <p>Genetic Engineering Approval Committee</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ethical concern is associated with genetic modification and the granting of patents?

    <p>Loss of indirect benefits for farmers and indigenous peoples</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue arises from the unpredictable results of introducing genetically modified organisms into an ecosystem?

    <p>Potential harm to existing species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key aspect of toxicity testing using transgenic animals?

    <p>Reducing the time required to obtain results</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason ethical standards are necessary in the manipulation of living organisms?

    <p>To assess the moral implications of such actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the total estimated number of rice varieties in India?

    <p>200,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which distinct characteristic is associated with Basmati rice?

    <p>Unique aroma and flavor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue does biopiracy refer to?

    <p>Unauthorized use of bio-resources without compensation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year did an American company obtain patent rights on Basmati rice?

    <p>1997</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of the patent on Basmati rice for other sellers?

    <p>They may face restrictions due to the patent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of traditional knowledge is emphasized in the content?

    <p>It can be exploited for modern applications and commercial benefits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What legislative action has the Indian Parliament recently taken regarding patents?

    <p>Revising the original Indian Patents Bill</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of industrialized nations as mentioned in the content?

    <p>Rich in traditional knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Biotechnology and its Applications

    • Biotechnology is the industrial scale production of biopharmaceuticals and biologicals using genetically modified microbes, fungi, plants, and animals.
    • Applications include therapeutics, diagnostics, genetically modified crops, processed foods, bioremediation, waste treatment, and energy production.
    • Three critical areas of biotechnology are:
      • Providing improved catalysts (microbes or enzymes).
      • Engineering optimal conditions for catalysts.
      • Downstream processing for purifying proteins/compounds.

    Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture

    • Three options for increasing food production:
      • Agro-chemical based agriculture.
      • Organic agriculture.
      • Genetically engineered crop-based agriculture.
    • The Green Revolution tripled food supply, but more methods are needed.
    • Tissue culture (totipotency) allows for faster crop improvement by growing whole plants from explants in a lab.
    • Micropropagation quickly generates genetically identical plants (somaclones) for commercial use.
    • Recovery of healthy plants from diseased ones (virus removal from meristem).
    • Somatic hybridisation: fusion of protoplasts from different varieties to create hybrid plants with desirable traits.

    Biotechnological Applications in Medicine

    • Recombinant DNA technology enables mass production of safe and effective therapeutic drugs.
    • Recombinant therapeutics are identical to human proteins, preventing unwanted immune responses.
    • Insulin production: bacteria can produce human insulin, eliminating the need for animal insulin extraction (and associated complications).
    • Gene therapy: aims to correct genetic defects by introducing normal genes into cells to compensate for non-functional ones.

    Transgenic Animals

    • Transgenic animals have had their DNA altered to express foreign genes.
    • Used to study normal physiology and development by regulating and studying the role of genes in the body.
    • Used to study and model human diseases (e.g., cancer, cystic fibrosis, etc.) for potential treatment development.
    • Used to produce useful biological products (e.g., human proteins for treating diseases).
    • Used in vaccine safety testing and chemical safety testing.

    Ethical Issues

    • Manipulation of living organisms requires ethical considerations.
    • Evaluating the moral and biological significance of genetic modification and its ecosystem effects.
    • Government organizations like GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) regulate GM research in order to ensure its safety.
    • Issues regarding patents on genetic resources belonging to farmers or indigenous communities.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Biotechnology and its Applications PDF

    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of biotechnology and its various applications, especially in agriculture. This quiz covers the industrial production of biopharmaceuticals, genetically modified organisms, and innovative methods to boost food production. Test your knowledge on the Green Revolution, tissue culture, and more.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser