Biotechnology Applications in Agriculture

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Questions and Answers

Which of these options are correct? (Select all that apply) Biotechnology, as you would have learnt from the previous chapter, essentially deals with industrial scale production of biopharmaceuticals and biologicals using genetically modified microbes, fungi, plants and animals. The applications of biotechnology include:

Genetically modified crops for agriculture (correct)
Waste treatment (correct)
Therapeutics (correct)
Energy production (correct)
Diagnostics (correct)
Bioremediation (correct)
Processed food (correct)

What are the three critical research areas of Biotechnology?

Providing the best catalyst in the form of improved organism usually a microbe or pure enzyme. Creating optimal conditions through engineering for a catalyst to act, and Downstream processing technologies to purify the protein/organic compound.

Which of the following is NOT a major approach to increasing food production?

genetically modified animal-based agriculture (correct)
organic agriculture
genetically engineered crop-based agriculture
agro-chemical based agriculture

The Green Revolution primarily focused on:

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

Traditional breeding techniques were able to keep pace with the increasing demand for food and provided sufficiently fast and efficient systems for crop improvement.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does tissue culture mean in the context of agriculture?

Tissue culture refers to the ability to regenerate whole plants from explants (small pieces of plant tissue) grown in a sterile environment with special nutrient media. It is based on the principle of totipotency - the ability of a single cell to develop into a whole plant. Signup and view all the answers

What is micropropagation and why is it important?

Micropropagation is a method of producing a large number of plants through tissue culture. It is important because it generates genetically identical copies of the original plant, allowing for rapid mass production of plants with desired traits. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following agricultural practices with their descriptions:

Agrochemical-based agriculture = Relies heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase yields. Organic agriculture = Emphasizes sustainable practices that promote soil health and biodiversity, avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Genetically engineered crop-based agriculture = Uses genetically modified crops to enhance yield, nutritional value, or pest resistance. Signup and view all the answers

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be used to create crops that are more tolerant to abiotic stresses like cold, drought, salt, and heat.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can help reduce the need for chemical pesticides, leading to a decrease in post-harvest losses.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can increase the efficiency of mineral usage by plants and contribute to the enhancement of the nutritional value of food.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Explain the mechanism of how Bt toxin works as a bio-pesticide in plants.

Bt toxin, produced by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, exists in an inactive form within the bacteria. When ingested by insects, the alkaline pH of the insect's gut activates the toxin. The activated toxin binds to the insect's gut lining, creating pores that disrupt the digestive system, leading to cell lysis and ultimately causing death. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the cry genes in Bt cotton, and how do they protect the crop?

The cry genes in Bt cotton code for specific proteins, called Cry proteins, which are toxic to certain insect pests. The Cry proteins interfere with the digestive system of the target insects, leading to their death. Signup and view all the answers

What is RNA interference(RNAi) and how does it help in pest resistance?

RNA interference is a natural defense mechanism in eukaryotic organisms that involves silencing specific genes by degrading their corresponding mRNA. In pest-resistant plants, scientists introduce a gene that produces a double-stranded RNA molecule complementary to the mRNA of the pest. This dsRNA triggers RNAi, silencing the pest's gene and preventing its survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the recombinant DNA technology in the field of healthcare?

Recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized healthcare by enabling the mass production of safe, effective, and affordable therapeutic drugs. By using genetically engineered organisms, we can produce human proteins like insulin, growth hormones, and clotting factors, addressing the limitations of traditional extraction methods. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of genetically engineered insulin advantageous over extracting insulin from animal sources?

Genetically engineered insulin, produced using bacteria, is identical to human insulin, minimizing allergic reactions and immunological complications. It is a more reliable and consistent source, ensuring a steady supply of this critical medication. Signup and view all the answers

What is gene therapy and how could it potentially address hereditary diseases?

Gene therapy is a revolutionary approach that aims to correct genetic defects by introducing a functional copy of a gene into the patient's cells. By replacing or supplementing the faulty gene, it holds the potential to cure diseases caused by a single gene mutation. Signup and view all the answers

The first clinical gene therapy was administered to a 4-year-old girl suffering from adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Early diagnosis of diseases is essential for effective treatment and understanding the underlying pathophysiology.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques are used for early diagnosis of diseases?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) work?

PCR is a technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences. It involves repeated cycles of heating and cooling, allowing the DNA to denature, primers to attach, and a new strand of DNA to be synthesized. This process exponentially increases the number of DNA copies, making it possible to detect even minute amounts of DNA for diagnosis of diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is ELISA and how is it used for disease diagnosis?

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a technique that utilizes the principle of antigen-antibody interaction to detect the presence of specific antigens or antibodies in a sample. Antibodies attached to an enzyme are used to bind to the specific antigen, and the enzymatic reaction produces a detectable signal, indicating the presence of the antigen or antibody. Signup and view all the answers

What are transgenic animals and why are they important?

Transgenic animals are organisms that have had an extra (foreign) gene introduced into their genome. These animals are used for various purposes such as studying gene function, producing valuable biopharmaceuticals, and serving as models for human diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the increasing production of transgenic mice compared to other animals?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

Transgenic animals can be used for the study of:

All of the above (F) Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of biopiracy.

Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized use of biological resources and traditional knowledge from developing countries by multinational companies or other organizations without proper authorization or compensation. Signup and view all the answers

The Indian Parliament has passed amendments to the Indian Patent Bill to address the concerns of biopiracy.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Biotechnology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by producing crops with increased yields, improved nutritional value, and enhanced resistance to various stresses.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized healthcare by enabling the mass production of safe and effective therapeutic drugs, particularly for diseases that require human proteins.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Gene therapy offers a promising approach to treat genetic disorders by replacing or supplementing defective genes with functional counterparts.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques are extensively used in early disease diagnosis?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

Transgenic animals are created by introducing foreign genes into their genome, leading to a range of applications in research, medicine, and agriculture.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Biopiracy involves the unauthorized use and exploitation of biological resources and traditional knowledge from developing countries without proper compensation or authorization.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

The Indian government has taken steps to address the concerns of biopiracy by enacting legislation to protect its traditional knowledge and genetic resources.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Totipotency

The ability of a single cell to develop into a whole plant. This is a crucial aspect of tissue culture, allowing scientists to regenerate whole plants from small explants.

Micropropagation

A method that enhances plant propagation by generating thousands of genetically identical plants from a single explant in a short period.

Somaclones

Genetically identical copies of plants produced through micropropagation.

Somatic Hybridisation

The process of fusing protoplasts (cells without cell walls) from different plant varieties to create a hybrid with desirable traits. This is a potential for developing new plant varieties.