MP Board Class 12th Biology Solutions Chapter 12 Biotechnology And its Application
Biotechnology And its Application NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Crystals of Bt toxin produced by some bacteria do not kill the bacteria themselves because:
(a) Bacteria are resistant to the toxin,
(b) Toxin is immature
(c) Toxin is inactive
(d) Bacteria enclose toxin in a special sac
Answer:
(c) Toxin is inactive. This is because it exists as protoxin, inactive form in bacteria.
Question 2.
What are transgenic bacteria? Illustrate using any one example.
Answer:
The bacteria whose DNA is manipulated to carry and express a foreign DNA is called transgenic bacteria. These microbes are used for producing important biochemicals. They have been synthesizing alcohol, enzymes, steroids and antibiotics. Example: Bacillus thuringiensis for Bt cotton, hirudin from transgenic Brassica napus seed. Hirudin is a protein which prevents blood clotting. Its gene was chemically synthesized and introduced in Brassica napus, in which hirudin accumulates in the seed from where it is extracted, purified and used as a medicine.
Question 3.
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the production of genetically modified crops.
Answer:
Advantages:
- Crop plants can be made to grow fast and produce high yields through genetic modification.
- G.M crops increased the efficiency of mineral usage by plants.
- G.M crops helped to reduce post-harvest losses.
- It enhances the nutritional value of food, eg: Vitamin A enriched rice.
- Transgenic plants can produce pharmaceuticals like insulin, interferons blood clotting factors, hormones, etc.
- Resistance to viral diseases has been introduced in Tobacco, potato, tomato, and rice. Cry gene from bacillus has been introduced in Bt. cotton and Bt. Corn. Nematode infection has been overcome in some plants through RNA interference.
- Plants have been modified genetically to produced biodiesel and other commercial products.
Disadvantages:
- G.M. crops may cause problems in human health by supplying allergens and transferring antibiotic resistance markers.
(b)These crops may come damage to the natural environment. - Weedicide genes are being introduced into crop plants some of these crops may become superweeds
- Trans genes can be transferred from one plant to another plant, microbes, and even animals. It shall disturb the genetic set of organisms and cause ecological imbalance.
- Cry genes being introduced in crop plants can pass into wild vegetation. Insects feeding on pollen and other parts will be killed resulting in the destruction of pollination and disseminators.
Question 4.
What are Cry proteins? Name an organism which produces it How has man exploited this protein to his benefit?
Answer:
Cry proteins are toxic proteins (insecticidal proteins) secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis in crystal form during a particular phase of their growth. The toxin is coded by a gene called cry.
The genes encoding cry proteins called Bt-toxin genes were isolated from B. thuringiensis and incorporated into several crop plants such as Bt cotton, Bt com, etc. to provide resistance against insect pests.
Question 5.
What is gene therapy? Illustrate using the example of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.
Answer:
It is the therapeutic treatment of defective heredity by the introduction of healthy and functional gene which also silence the defective genes of an individual.
OR
The replacement of a nonfunctional or defective gene with a normal functional gene is called gene therapy. A person with defect in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) suffers with SC1D (Severe Combined Immuno Deficiency) The enzyme ADA is crucial for the immune system. Ideally gene therapy should be applied to the zygotes so that the progeny of defective individual also gets rid of effect. It is, however, generally applied to somatic cells where the defect occurs.
At first step towards gene therapy, lymphocytes from the blood of the patient are grown in a culture outside the body. A functional ADA cDNA (using a retrovirus vector) is then introduced into these lymphocytes which are subsequently returned to the patient. Since these cells are not immortal, the patient requires periodic infusion of such genetically engineered lymphocytes.
Question 6.
Diagrammatically represent the experimental steps in cloning and expressing a human gene (say the gene for growth hormone) into a bacterium like E. coli.
Answer:
Question 7.
Can you suggest a method to remove oil (hydrocarbon) from seeds based on your understanding of rDNA technology and chemistry of oil?
Answer:
Oil is synthesized by the condensation of 3 fatty acids with a molecule of glycerol. Fatty acids are formed through an enzyme complex called fatty acid synthetase. The oil from the seeds can be removed by preventing the synthesis of either glycerol or the enzyme lipase which catalyzes the synthesis of oil. It can be achieved by knocking out the genes coding for the enzyme lipase or the enzyme fatty acid synthetase.
Question 8.
Find out from the internet what is golden rice.
Answer:
Golden rice is a variety of rice produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin ‘A’ in the edible parts of rice. It is intended to produce a fortified food to be grown and consumed in areas with a shortage of dietary vitamin ‘A’.
Question 9.
Does our blood have proteases and nucleases?
Answer:
No, our blood does not contain enzymes proteases and nucleases. If these two enzymes were there in the blood, it causes the degeneration of blood cells and lining cells of blood cells.
Question 10.
Consult the internet and find out how to make orally active protein pharmaceuticals. What is the major problem to be encountered?
Answer:
For making any oral drug or nutritional supplement, the action of digestive enzymes has to be taken into account. Most of the antibiotics and vitamin supplements are made in capsule form to prevent the action of HC1 in the stomach. For protein preparation, the major source is groundnut shells. The protein extracted from the source is predigested so, as to make it absorbable by the digestive system.
Biotechnology And its Application Other Important Questions and Answers
Biotechnology And its Application Objective Type Questions
1. Choose the Correct Answer:
Question 1.
Triticum aestivum wheat is:
(a) Haploid
(b) Diploid
(c) Tetraploid
(d) Hexaploid.
Answer:
(c) Tetraploid
Question 2.
Man-made cereal is:
(a) Potato
(b) Triticale
(c) Triticum
(d) Sugarcane.
Answer:
(b) Triticale
Question 3.
Wheat grain is a:
(a) Fruit
(b) Seed
(c) Embryo
(d) Glume.
Answer:
(b) Seed
Question 4.
Removal of stamens from the flower during hybridization is called:
(a) Cutting
(b) Self-fertilization
(c) Emasculation
(d) Topnin.
Answer:
(c) Emasculation
Question 5.
New crop is:
(a) Triticale
(b) Rye
(c) Winged bean
(d) Wheat.
Answer:
(a) Triticale
Question 6.
Wheat used in bread is:
(a) Triticum aestivum
(b) Triticale
(c) All species of triticum
(d) Secale.
Answer:
(a) Triticum aestivum
Question 7.
Sonera-64 and Lerma roja-64 A are the varieties of:
(a) Wheat
(b) Rice
(c) Pea
(d) Maize.
Answer:
(a) Wheat
Question 8.
Haploid male plants can be produced by the culturing of:
(a) Filament
(b) Pollen grains
(c) Stamens
(d) Androecium.
Answer:
(b) Pollen grains
Question 9.
Ti plasmid which is used in genetic engineering is found in:
(a) Escherichia coli
(b) Bacillus thuringiensis
(c) Agrobacterium rhizogenes
(d) Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Answer:
(d) Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Question10.
Bt-Toxin is:
(a) Intercellutar lipid
(b) Intercellular crystal protein
(c) Extracellular crystal protein
(d) Lipid.
Answer:
(c) Extracellular crystal protein
Question 11.
The function of Bacillus thuringiensis is:
(a) Bio-metallurgy technique
(b) Bio-insecticides plant
(c) Bio-fertilizers
(d) Bio-mineralization process.
Answer:
(b) Bio-insecticides plant
Question 12.
Non-toxic crystal of Bt are made by bacteria but bacterias are not killed by own because:
(a) Non-toxic is immature
(b) Bacteria is immune resistant
(c) Non-toxic is inactive
(d) Bacteria has non-toxic sac.
Answer:
(c) Non-toxic is inactive
Question 13.
Genetic transfer through viruses is called:
(a) Sexduction
(b) Transduction
(c) Conjugation
(d) Transformation.
Answer:
(b) Transduction
Question 14.
Biopiracy is realated with:
(a) Discovery of biomolecules and genes
(b) Cultural knowledge
(c) Bio-research
(d) All of these.
Answer:
(d) All of these.
Question 15.
Golden rice is rich in which vitamin:
(a) Vitamin A
(b) Vitamin B
(c) Vitamin C
(d) Vitamin D.
Answer:
(a) Vitamin A
2. Fill in the Blanks:
- …………………………. is the appropriation of another’s knowledge of use of biological resources.
- A ……………………………. is a patent granted by the government to the inventor for biological entities.
- ………………………………….. is a loosely used term for molecules that are present in organisms.
- …………………………………… is a group of standards which is used in control of relations between our work and bio-diversity.
- The production of product, its extraction and process is called ……………………………….
Answer:
- Biopiracy
- Biopatent
- Bio-molecules
- Bio-code of conduct
- Downstream.
3. Match the Following:
Answer:
- (b)
- (d)
- (a)
- (c).
4. Answer in One Word/Sentence:
- Give the name of first transgenic crop.
- What is the name of insect-resistant protein which is transferred in Bt Cotton?
- What is the name of first man-made insulin?
- In which organism nif-genes are found?
- Give the name of an antiviral protein.
Answer:
- Tobacco
- Cry protein
- Humulin
- Rhizobium
- Interferon.
Biotechnology And its Application Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why is the gene encoding Cry protein inserted into crop plant?
Answer:
When the gene encoding cry protein inserted into a crop plant, the plant becomes resistant to insect pests.
Question 2.
Name the crops which are prepared with the help of biotechnology.
Answer:
Bt cotton, Bt maize, paddy, tomato, potato and soya been.
Question 3.
State the principle on which ELISA works?
Answer:
The principle is antigen-antibody interaction.
Question 4.
By which Bt toxin is coded?
Answer:
By cry genes Bt toxin is coded.
Question 5.
What is biopiracy?
Answer:
The use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned.
Question 6.
Name the therapy which is the help of missing or defective ones in order to correct genetic disorders.
Answer:
Gene therapy.
Question 7.
What is the role of the organization GEACf.
Answer:
It checks (Delhi 2008)
- The validity of G.M crops
- The safety of introducing genetically modified organisms for public services.
Biotechnology And its Application Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
(a) Why is traditional knowledge related to bio-resources exploited? Give 2 reasons.
(b) Name 2 patents on Indian bio-resources that have been revoked.
Answer:
(a) Traditional knowledge is exploited to
- Develop modem applications of the resources
- Save time, effort, expenditure in the process of commercialization of bio-resources.
(b) The two Indian patents include
- Pesticide property of neem
- Healing and antiseptic property of turmeric.
Question 2.
Write down the advantage of GM Crops.
Answer:
Advantages of GM crops :
- Genetic modification has made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, heat, salt.)
- Viral resistance can be introduced.
- Over ripening losses can be reduced. Example: Flavr Savr Tomato.
- Enhanced nutritional value of food. Example: Golden Rice.
- Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
Disadvantages of GM crops :
- Transgenes in crop plants can endanger native species. Example: The gene for Bt toxin expressed in pollen may end natural pollinators such as honeybees.
- Weeds also become resistant.
- Products of transgenes may be allergic or toxic.
- They cause damage to the natural environment.
Question 3.
What is perfect agriculture? How is this method better than traditional method? Explain.
Answer:
Perfect agriculture is a method of agriculture which is sustainable, perfect and harmless. Green revolution and there after the production of agricultural crops has definitely increased due to use of new and high yielding varieties, development of irrigation facilities, increased irrigated area, use of fertilizers etc. but it results many problems such as loss of soil fertility, pollution of food and water and diseases. The resistance power of plants and human heings falls slowly. Food and water borne diseases affecting the health of human beings and animals.
All of these conditions and events taking place due to the modem commercial agriculture. Therefore, it would become necessary to develop a method of agriculture which would be free from above-mentioned demerits. This kind of agriculture is called to be as perfect or sustainable agriculture. Organic agriculture is the best example of perfect agriculture.
Question 4.
What is organic cropping? What are its basis?
Answer:
Organic agriculture: Organic agriculture is a method of agriculture which does not allow the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, weedicides, plant growth regulators, substances of animal origin and genetically modified bacteria. In this method biofertilizers, crop rotation methods are used to increase crop production and biopesticides are used to control insects and weeds.
Thus, organic farming is a holistic way of agriculture which tries to bridge the widening gap between man and nature. If has the commitment of meeting production needs on one hand and sustaining resources tand ecosystem function on the other hand. Thus, organic farming is an alternative agriculture production system which avoid or largely excludes the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides and growth regulating hormones and live stock additives.
Basics of Organic agriculture :
- Organic agriculture is based on improvement of soil, plants, animals, man and global scinery and make it sustainable.
- Organic agriculture is based on those ecosystems and biocycles which utilize that organisms which would be promoted.
- It is based on the principle which are related with making pollution free environment and possibilities of life.
- It is also based on saving environment and health of present and future generations.
Question 5.
What is gene library?
Answer:
Gene library: Several clones of cells, each clone containing one or a few foreign genes representing almost all the genes of an organism is referred to as genes library. From this gene library it is possible to identify a clone containing gene of interest. In order to obtain gene library of an organism, its genome is first cut into smaller DNA fragments containing one or a few genes such as fragments can be cloned into a cell which may brfthat of bacteria, yeast, insects, plant or animal cell.
When such a cell multiplies to form a group of cells, all cells will contain the same foreign DNA fragment which was introduced initially. These cells which have similar foreign DNA fragment are referred to as a clone of cells. Several clones of cells each clone containing one or a few foreign genes are finally obtained and is called gene library.
Biotechnology And its Application Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What is eugenics? Write importance of eugenics.
Answer:
Eugenics: The branch of biology which deals with the study of improvements of human race is called eugenics.
Importance:
- Development of selective reproduction in similar species.
- Transfer of genetic materials in various organisms.
- Development of GM food and GM crops.
- Gene cloning
- Gene therapy, etc.
Question 2.
Explain the following in brief:
- Biopiracy,
- Biopatent.
Answer:
1. Biopiracy: Some organizations and multinational companies exploit biological resources and genetic resources indigenous to a country without proper authorisation. This is called biopiracy. In fact it is illegal removal of biological material. The process of biopyracy involves collection of samples of biological sources, which can be done unnoticed. This biological material is then subjected to product development for use on a commercial scale.
Today a range of biological resources are facing biopiracy. It includes plants and animals, micro-organisms genetic materials etc. Western companies are getting great benefits from using the knowledge and biological resources of the third world communities.While the companies stand to make huge revenue from this process, the local communities are unrewarded and infact, may have to buy the products of these companies at high prices.
To check illegal exploitation of biological resources Government of India has signed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which opens country natural resources for foreign exploitation.
2. Biopatent : The protection given by government to an inventor of biological material to secure him for a specific time the exclusive right of manufacturing, exploiting, using and selling of an invention is called biopotent.
Today manufacturing companies are being granted patents for products and technologies that make of biological resources, such as plants and animals, genetic materials which was identified developed and used by farmers and indegenous peoples.
There is growing worldwide opposition to the granting of patents on biological materials such as genes, plants, animals and human. Farmers and indegenous peoples are outaged that’ plants that they developed are being ‘hijacked’ by companies. Groups are diverse as religious leaders, parliamentarians and environment NGOs are intensifying campaign against corporate patenting of living things.
Question 3.
Describe by giving one example for each of why transgenic animals are produced.
Answer:
- Transgenic animals are designed to allow the study of how genes are regulated and how they affect the normal functions of the body and its development
eq: Information is obtained as to how insulin has a role as growth factor - They are designed to increase our understanding as to how genes could control the development of disease, they serve as models of human disease.
- They produce useful biological compounds created by introducing a portion of the DNA that code for the products.
eg: a-1 antitrypsin is produced for treating emphysema - They are being developed to test the safety vaccines, eg: Polio vaccines has been tested on mice
- Transgenic animals with more sensitivity to toxic substance are being developed to test the toxicity of drugs.