1.

A multinational company outside India tried to sell new varieties of turmeric without proper
patent rights. What is such an act referred to?

This act is referred to as biopiracy. Biopiracy is the exploitation of biological resources or indigenous
knowledge without permission or compensation, often by foreign companies.

2. Suggest any two techniques which can help in early detection of bacterial/viral infections much
before symptoms appear in the body.

Two techniques for early detection are:

 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Amplifies DNA to detect pathogens at early stages.

 ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Detects specific antigens or antibodies

associated with infections.

3. How does silencing of specific mRNA in RNA interference prevent parasitic infestation?

RNA interference (RNAi) silences specific mRNA by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules to
degrade mRNA, preventing the translation of harmful genes in parasites, thus protecting the host
from infestation.

4. Name any two techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of bacterial/viral human
diseases.

 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Detects pathogens by amplifying their DNA/RNA.

 Real-Time PCR: Monitors amplification in real-time, enabling early disease detection.

5. What is genetically modified food? What are the disadvantages of this food?

Genetically modified (GM) food is produced from organisms with altered genetic material to improve
qualities like pest resistance. Disadvantages include potential allergies, antibiotic resistance, and
ecological risks.

6. Write full form of ELISA. Give an example of the clinical application of ‘ELISA’ test.

ELISA stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is used in HIV testing to detect the
presence of HIV antibodies in blood samples.

7. Describe the responsibility of GEAC, set up by the Indian Government.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) regulates the use and release of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) and ensures they are safe for environmental and human health.

8. Nematode-specific genes are introduced into tobacco plants using Agrobacterium vectors to
develop resistance in tobacco plants against nematodes. Explain the events that occur in tobacco
plants to develop resistance.

Nematode-specific genes produce RNA molecules that trigger RNA interference (RNAi) to silence
essential genes in nematodes, reducing nematode infestation.

9. How is a transgenic tobacco plant protected against Meloidogyne incognita? Explain the
procedure.
The transgenic tobacco plant expresses siRNA molecules that silence essential genes in the
nematode Meloidogyne incognita, preventing it from developing and protecting the plant from
infestation.

10. Expand the name of enzyme ADA. Why is the enzyme essential in the human body? Suggest a
gene therapy for its deficiency.

ADA stands for Adenosine Deaminase. ADA is crucial for immune function. For ADA deficiency, gene
therapy involves introducing a functional ADA gene into the patient's immune cells.

11. Plasmid is a boon to biotechnology. Justify this statement quoting the production of human
insulin as an example.

Plasmids are used as vectors to introduce foreign genes into host cells. In insulin production, human
insulin genes are inserted into bacterial plasmids, allowing bacteria to produce human insulin.

12. Highlight any four advantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

 Increased yield.

 Pest and disease resistance.

 Reduced pesticide use.

 Enhanced nutritional content.

13. How did Eli Lilly company go about preparing the human insulin? How is the insulin thus
produced different from that produced by the functional human insulin gene?

Eli Lilly produced insulin by using recombinant DNA technology to insert human insulin genes into
bacteria. This insulin, called humulin, is bioidentical to human insulin.

14. Why is the introduction of genetically engineered lymphocytes into an ADA deficiency patient
not a permanent cure? Suggest a possible permanent cure.

Engineered lymphocytes have a limited lifespan. A permanent cure could be achieved through stem
cell therapy or CRISPR gene editing.

15. How does RNA interference help in developing resistance in Tobacco plant against nematode
infection?

RNA interference silences genes essential for nematode survival, providing resistance to nematode
infections in tobacco plants.

16. How did Eli Lilly synthesize the human insulin? Mention one difference between this insulin
and the one produced by the human pancreas.

Eli Lilly used recombinant DNA technology to produce insulin in bacteria. The insulin produced is
bioidentical but lacks the natural post-translational modifications present in human insulin.

17. Name the insect pest that is killed by the product of cry I Ac gene. Explain how the gene makes
the plant resistant to the insect pest.

The cry I Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces a protein toxic to the cotton bollworm.
When ingested by the pest, the protein disrupts its digestive system, killing it.
18. Why do the toxic insecticidal proteins secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis kill the insect and not
the bacteria?

The protein is activated in the alkaline gut of insects, forming pores in their gut cells, but it remains
inactive in the acidic environment of the bacteria.

19. Name the first transgenic cow developed and explain the improvement in the quality of the
product produced by it.

The first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced milk with higher levels of human protein alpha-
lactalbumin, enhancing nutritional quality.

20. Explain the process of RNA interference.

RNA interference involves the use of small RNA molecules to silence specific mRNA, preventing gene
expression and protein production, used in genetic research and pest resistance.

21. Explain how a hereditary disease can be corrected. Give an example of the first successful
attempt made towards correction of such diseases.

Gene therapy can replace or correct defective genes. An example is the first successful treatment of
ADA-SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) using ADA gene therapy.

22. How is “Rosie” considered different from a normal cow? Explain.

"Rosie" is genetically modified to produce milk enriched with human protein alpha-lactalbumin,
offering better nutrition compared to normal cow milk.

23. Biopiracy should be prevented. State why and how.

Biopiracy exploits indigenous resources and knowledge without compensation. It can be prevented
through stronger patent laws, fair trade practices, and by respecting indigenous rights.

24. What happens when Meloidogyne incognita consumes cells with RNAi gene?

When Meloidogyne incognita consumes cells with the RNAi gene, the RNAi silences essential genes
in the nematode, impeding its development and protecting the plant.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

I’ll continue answering each question related to biotechnology and its applications from the second
image.
25.

(a) Mention the cause and body system affected by ADA deficiency in humans.

 Cause: ADA (Adenosine Deaminase) deficiency is caused by a genetic mutation that affects
the production of the ADA enzyme.

 Body system affected: The immune system, specifically T and B lymphocytes, leading to
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).

(b) Name the vector used for transforming ADA-DNA into recipient cells in humans. Name the
recipient cells.

 Vector: A retrovirus is commonly used as a vector.

 Recipient cells: T-lymphocytes (T cells).

26.

(a) How does cry I Ac gene express itself in its host?

 The cry I Ac gene, derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), expresses itself in transgenic
plants by producing a toxic protein that becomes active in the alkaline environment of an
insect’s gut, killing pests like the cotton bollworm.

(b) State the role of this gene in controlling the infestation of bollworm.

 When ingested by bollworms, the Cry I Ac protein damages the gut lining of the insect,
leading to its death and thereby protecting the plant from infestation.

27. How has recombinant technology helped in large-scale production of vaccines? Explain giving
one example.

 Recombinant DNA technology allows for the mass production of antigens or weakened forms
of pathogens in safe hosts. Example: The Hepatitis B vaccine, produced by inserting the gene
coding for the Hepatitis B surface antigen into yeast cells, which then produce the antigen for
the vaccine.

28. Name the genes responsible for making Bt cotton plants resistant to bollworm attack. How do
such plants attain resistance against bollworm attacks? Explain.

 Genes responsible: cry I Ac and cry II Ab.

 Mechanism: These genes produce proteins toxic to certain insects. When bollworms
consume any part of the Bt cotton plant, the protein activates in their gut, leading to gut cell
rupture and death of the insect.
29.

(a) Tobacco plants are damaged severely when infested with Meloidogyne incognita. Name and
explain the strategy that is adopted to stop this infestation.

 Strategy: RNA interference (RNAi). In this method, double-stranded RNA is introduced to

silence specific nematode genes, disrupting their development and preventing infestation.

(b) Name the vector used for introducing nematode-specific gene in Tobacco plant.

 Vector: Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used to introduce the RNAi constructs into tobacco
plants.

30. Explain the synthesis of genetically engineered human insulin.

 Human insulin synthesis involves inserting the insulin gene into bacterial plasmids, which are
introduced into E. coli bacteria. The bacteria then produce insulin, which is harvested and
purified for medical use. This process is called recombinant DNA technology.

31. What is gene therapy? Illustrate using the example of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.

 Gene therapy is the introduction of normal genes into cells with defective genes to correct
genetic disorders. For ADA deficiency, functional ADA genes are inserted into the patient’s
cells to restore immune function.

32.

(a) What is plasmid? (b) What is meant by ADA deficiency? How is gene therapy a solution to this
problem? Why is it not a permanent cure?

 (a) Plasmid: A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria, used as a vector in genetic
engineering.

 (b) ADA deficiency: A genetic disorder causing immune deficiency due to the lack of ADA
enzyme. Gene therapy can temporarily restore immune function by inserting functional ADA
genes into immune cells, but it is not permanent because modified cells do not divide
indefinitely.

33. Explain the steps involved in the production of genetically engineered insulin.

 The human insulin gene is inserted into a bacterial plasmid, which is introduced into E. coli.
The bacteria then produce proinsulin, which is processed into active insulin and purified for
medical use.

34. One of the main objectives of biotechnology is to minimize the use of insecticides on cultivated
crops. Explain with the help of a suitable example how insect-resistant crops have been developed
using biotechnology.

 Insect-resistant crops like Bt cotton have been developed by inserting Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) genes into the plant genome. These genes produce proteins toxic to certain insects,
reducing the need for chemical insecticides.
35.

(a) How is mature insulin different from proinsulin secreted by the pancreas in humans?

 Mature insulin consists of two chains (A and B) linked by disulfide bonds. Proinsulin is the
inactive precursor that includes an additional C-peptide, which is removed to form mature
insulin.

(b) Explain how human functional insulin was produced using rDNA technology.

 Human insulin genes for chains A and B were separately inserted into bacteria, which
produced the respective chains. The chains were later combined to form functional insulin.

(c) Why is the functional insulin thus produced considered better than the ones used earlier by
diabetic patients?

 It is identical to human insulin, reducing allergic reactions and providing more consistent
blood sugar control compared to animal-derived insulin.

36. What is ADA deficiency? Describe three methods to cure it.

 ADA deficiency is a genetic disorder that affects the immune system due to a lack of ADA
enzyme.

 Methods of treatment:

o Gene therapy: Introducing functional ADA genes into T cells.

o Enzyme replacement therapy: Providing synthetic ADA enzyme injections.

o Bone marrow transplant: Replacing defective immune cells with healthy donor cells.

37.

(a) Name the source from which insulin was extracted earlier. Why is this insulin no more in use by
diabetic people?

 Source: Insulin was extracted from the pancreas of pigs and cattle.

 Reason: It could cause allergic reactions and was less effective than human insulin.

(b) Explain the process of synthesis of insulin by Eli Lilly company. Name the technique used by the
company.

 Eli Lilly used recombinant DNA technology to produce human insulin by inserting insulin
genes into bacteria, allowing bacteria to produce human insulin.

(c) How is insulin produced by human body different from the insulin produced by the above
mentioned company?

 Human-produced insulin includes post-translational modifications by the pancreas, while

 recombinant insulin lacks these modifications but is functionally identical.

38. Name the process involved in the production of nematode-resistant tobacco plants, using
genetic engineering. Explain the strategy adapted to develop such plants.

 Process: RNA interference (RNAi).

 Strategy: Genes coding for RNA molecules are introduced into the plant, which silence
essential genes in nematodes, preventing them from infesting the plant.

39. Describe the various stages involved in gene transfer for commercial production of human
insulin by Eli Lilly.

 Stages:

o Gene isolation: Human insulin gene is isolated.

o Cloning into vector: The gene is inserted into a plasmid vector.

o Transformation: The plasmid is introduced into E. coli bacteria.

o Expression and harvesting: Bacteria produce insulin, which is harvested and

purified.

40. How did the process of RNA interference help to control the nematode from infecting the roots
of tobacco plants?

 RNA interference silences specific genes in nematodes, preventing their development and
infestation of tobacco plant roots.

41. What is bio-piracy? State the initiative taken by the Indian Parliament against it (2014).

 Bio-piracy is the exploitation of biological resources or indigenous knowledge without

proper authorization or compensation.

 Initiative: The Indian Parliament passed the Biological Diversity Act to protect biodiversity
and ensure fair compensation for the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.