Microtheme: "Genetics,Biotechnology" —
26 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2026] Which of the following statements with regard to Genome India Project is/are correct?
   1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
   2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
   3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 2 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
2. [2026] Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?
   1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.
   2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.
   3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 2 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
3. [2024] “Membrane Bioreactors” are often discussed in the context of:
   • (a) Assisted reproductive technologies
   • (b) Drug delivery nanotechnologies
   • (c) Vaccine production technologies
   • (d) Wastewater treatment technologies*
   Correct Answer: (D) Wastewater treatment technologies*
4. [2023] ‘Microsatellite DNA’ is used in the case of which one of the following?
   • (a) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna
   • (b) Stimulating ‘stem cells’ to transform into diverse functional tissues
   • (c) Promoting clonal propagation of horticultural plants
   • (d) Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population
   Correct Answer: (A) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna
5. [2023] ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations?
   • (a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
   • (b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
   • (c) Using air-borne devices to colect blood samples from moving animals
   • (d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
   Correct Answer: (A) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
6. [2022] Consider the following statements :
   DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :
   1. assess the age of a plant or animal.
   2. distinguish among species that look alike.
   3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 2
   • (d) 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 2 and 3
7. [2022] Consider the following statements :
   1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
   2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
   3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
8. [2022] Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body ?
   • (a) They protect the body from environmental allergens.
   • (b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
   • (c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
   • (d) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
   Correct Answer: (D) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
9. [2021] Consider the following:
   1. Bacteria
   2. Fungi
   3. Virus
   Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
10. [2021] The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of
    • (a) genes introduced in the genetically modified plants
    • (b) development of India’s own satellite navigation system
    • (c) radio collars for wildlife tracking
    • (d) spread of viral diseas
    Correct Answer: (D) spread of viral diseas
11. [2021] In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements:
    1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of the egg.
    2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from the mother and not from the father.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
12. [2020] Consider the following statements:
    (1) Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
    (2) A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
    (3) Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 2 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
13. [2020] In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for
    • (a) fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
    • (b) genetic modification of sperm producing cells
    • (c) development of stem cells into functional embryos
    • (d) prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
    Correct Answer: (D) prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
14. [2019] ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?
    1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
    2. It can be used in developing therapies for-the treatment of cancer.
    3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
    4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1, 2 and 4
    • (b) 2 and 3
    • (c) 1 and 3
    • (d) 1 and 4 only
    Correct Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 4
15. [2019] With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?
    • (a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
    • (b) a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
    • (c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
    • (d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.
    Correct Answer: (A) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
16. [2019] Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?
    1. Genetic predisposition of some people
    2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
    3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming
    4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1 and 2
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) e) 1, 3 and 4
    • (d) 2, 3 and 4
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
17. [2019] The word ‘Denisovan’ is sometimes mentioned in media in reference to
    • (a) fossils of a kind of dinosaurs
    • (b) an early human species
    • (c) a cave system found in North-East India.
    • (d) a geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent
    Correct Answer: (B) an early human species
18. [2019] What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?
    • (a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing
    • (b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients
    • (c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
    • (d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops
    Correct Answer: (A) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing
19. [2017] What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
    • (a) Production of biolarvicides
    • (b) Manufacture of biodegradable plastics
    • (c) Reproductive cloning of animals
    • (d) Production of organisms free of diseases
    Correct Answer: (C) Reproductive cloning of animals
20. [2017] With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of `genome sequencing’, often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future?
    1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers far disease resistance and
    drought tolerance in various crop plants.
    2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop
    plants.
    3. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops.
    Select the correct- answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
21. [2016] In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes
    seen in the news, refers to
    • (a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing
    • (b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
    • (c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression
    • (d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells
    Correct Answer: (B) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
22. [2013] Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to
    (1). resist drought and increase absorptive area
    (2). tolerate extremes of pH
    (3). resist disease infestation
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
23. [2013] Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred
    (1). across different species of plants
    (2). from animals to plants
    (3). from microorganisms to higher organisms
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
24. [2012] With reference to ‘stem cells’, frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. 2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. 3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies.
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
25. [2011] At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us? 1. It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock. 2. It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases. 3. It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds.
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
26. [2009] In the context of genetic disorders, consider the following :
    A woman suffers from colour blindness while her husband does not suffer from it. They have a son and a daughter. In this context, which one of the following statements is most probable) correct ?
    • (a) Both children suffer from colour blindness.
    • (b) Daughter suffers from colour blindness while son does not suffer from it.
    • (c) Both children do not suffer from colour blindness.
    • (d) Son suffers from colour blindness while daughter does not suffer from it.
    Correct Answer: (D) Son suffers from colour blindness while daughter does not suffer from it.