DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL KALINGA

QUESTION BANK
BIOTECHNOLOGY PRINCIPLES & PROCESSES
Very Short Answer Questions
1. Write the two components of the first artificial recombinant DNA molecule constructed by Cohen
and Boyer.
2. What is the host called that produces a foreign gene product? What is the product called?
3. Mention the uses of cloning vector in biotechnology.
4. How does an alien DNA gain entry into a plant cell by “biolistics‟ method?
5. Mention the type of host cells suitable for the gene guns to introduce an alien DNA.
6. Why is it not possible for an alien DNA to become part of a chromosome anywhere along its length
and replicate normally?
7. Name the host cells in which micro-injection technique is used to introduce an alien DNA.
8. Write the name of the enzymes that are used for isolation of DNA from bacterial and fungal cells
respectively for Recombinant DNA technology.
Short Answer Questions
9. List the key tools used in recombinant DNA technology.
10. Explain the action of the restriction endonuclease EcoRI.
11. Explain with the help of suitable example the naming of a restriction endonuclease.
12. Why are molecular scissors so called? Write their use in biotechnology.
13. Explain palindromic nucleotide sequence with the help of suitable examples.
14. Write the convention used for naming restriction enzymes.
15. a)What is EcoRI ? What does “R”represent in this?
b) Explain its action.
16. Explain the role of restriction endonucleases in recombinant DNA technology. Name the
endonuclease that was first discovered.
17. Name the natural source of agarose. Mention one role of agarose in biotechnology.
18. Name and describe the technique that helps in separation and isolation of DNA fragments.
19. Write any four ways used to introduce a desired DNA segment into a bacterial cell in
recombinant technology experiments.
20. What is Ti plasmid? Name the organism where it is found. How does it help in genetic
engineering?
21. Expand the following and mention one application of each :
a) PCR b) ELISA
22. What is cloning vector? Explain the technique of using such a vector in E. coli.
23. a) With the help of diagram show the different steps in the formation of recombinant DNA by action of
restriction endonuclease enzyme EcoRI.
b) Name the technique that is used for separating the fragments of DNA cut by restriction
endonucleases.
24. a) Explain the role of EcoRI in the formation of recombinant DNA.
b) Explain insertional inactivation used in the selection of recombinants in biotechnology.
25. Name and describe the technique that help in separating the DNA fragments formed by the use of
restriction endonuclease.
26. a) Mention the difference in the mode of action of exonuclease and endonuclease.
b) How does restriction endonuclease function?
27. How are „sticky ends‟ formed on a DNA strand? Why are they so called?
28. How does a restriction nuclease function? Explain.
29. How can DNA segments, separated by get electrophoresis, be visualised and isolated?
30. A recombinant DNA is formed when sticky ends of vector DNA and foreign DNA join. Explain how the
sticky ends are formed and get joined.
31. EcoRI is used to cut a segment of foreign DNA and that of a vector DNA to form a recombinant DNA.
Show with the help of schematic diagrams.
i) The set of palindromic nucleotide sequence of base pairs the EcoRI will recognise in both the DNA
segments. Mark the site at which EcoRI will act and cut both the segments.
ii) Sticky ends formed on both the segments where the two DNA segments will join later to form a
 recombinant DNA.
32. Draw a schematic sketch of pBR322 plasmid and label the following in it :
a) Any two restriction sites b) ori and rop genes c) An antibiotic resistant gene
33. i) Name the organism in which the vector shown in inserted to get the copies of the desired gene.
ii) Mention the area labelled in the vector responsible for controlling the copy number of the inserted
gene.
iii) Name and explain the role of a selectable marker in the vector shown.
34. Draw a labelled diagram of E.colli cloning vector pBR322.
35. Why and how bacteria can be made „competent‟?
36. How is the amplification of a gene sample of interest carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR)?
37. How are the DNA fragments separated and isolated for DNA finger printing ? Explain.
38. Name the source of the DNA polymerase used in PCR technique. Mention why it is used.
39. How and why is the bacterium Thermus aquaticus employed in recombinant DNA technology?
40. a) Mention the number of primers required in each cycle of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Write the
role of primers and DNA polymerase in PCR.
b) Give the characteristic feature and source organism of the DNA polymerase used in PCR.
41. Name the source organism that possesses Taq polymerase. What is so special about the function of this
enzyme?
42. How are recombinant vectors created? Why is only one type of restriction endonuclease required
for creating one recombinant vector?
43. How DNA isolated in purified form from a bacterial cell?
44. What are recombinant proteins? How do bioreactors help in their production?
45. Name the two commonly used bioreactors. Draw their diagrams and state the importance of using a
bioreactor.
46. a) Why are engineered vectors preferred by biotechnologists for transferring the desired genes into
another organism?
b) Explain how do “ori”, “selectable markers” and “cloning sites” facilitate cloning into a vector.
47. a) Describe the characteristic that a cloning vector must possess.
b) Why DNA cannot pass through the cell membrane? Explain. How a bacterial cell is made
“component” to take up recombinant DNA from the medium?
48. If a desired gene is identified in an organism for some experiments, explain the process of the
following :
a) Cutting this desired gene at specific location.
b) Synthesis of multiple copies of this desired gene.
49. How is the action of exonuclease different from that of endonuclease?
50. Why is essential to have a „selectable marker‟ in a cloning vector?
51. Biotechnologists refer to Agrobacterium tumifaciens as a natural genetic engineer of plants. Give
reasons to support the statement.
52. Why is the enzyme cellulose needed for isolating genetic material from plant cells and not from the
animal cells?
53. a) Explain how to find whether and E.coli bacterium has transformed or not when a
recombinant DNA bearing ampicillin resistant gene is transferred into it.
b) What does the ampicillin resistant gene act as in the above case?
54. How can the following be made possible for biotechnology experiments?
a) Isolation of DNA from bacterial cell.
b) Reintroduction of the recombinant DNA into a bacterial cell.
55. Why is the „origin of replication‟ (ori) required to facilitate cloning into a vector?
56. Why are genes encoding resistance to antibiotics considered useful selactable markers for E.coli cloning
vector? Explain with the help of one example.
57. a) A recombinant vector with a gene of interest inserted within the gene of alpha-galactosidase enzyme,
is introduced into a bacterium. Explain the method that would help in selection of recombinant colonies
from non-recombinant ones.
b) Why is the method of selection referred to as “insertional inactivation”?
58. How is insertional inactivation of an enzyme used as a selectable marker to differentiate
recombinants from non-recombinants ?
 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Very Short Answer questions
1. Mention the source organism of the gene cryIAc and its target pest.
2. How can bacterial DNA be released from the bacterial cell for biotechnology experiments ?
3. Name the molecular diagnostic technique to detect the presence of a pathogen in its early stage of
infection.
4. State the role of transposes in silencing of m RNA in eukaryotic cells.
5. State the purpose for which the Indian Government has set up GEAC.
6. How many polypeptide chains are present in a molecule of insulin ?
7. Name the enzymes that are used for the isolation of DNA from bacterial and fungal cells for
recombinant DNA technology

Short Answer questions

8. Name the source of organism from which Ti plasmid is isolated. Explain the use of this plasmid in biotechnology.
9. Name the insect pest that is killed by the products of cryIAc gene. Explain how the gene makes the plant resistant
to the insect pest.
10. Name the source and the types of cry genes isolated from Bacillus thurengenesis for incorporation into crops by
biotechnologists. Explain how these genes have brought beneficial changes in the genetically modified crops.
11. a) How does cryIAc gene express itself in its host ?
b) State the role of this gene in controlling the infestation of bollworm.
12. Explain the process of RNA interference.
13. Name the genus to which baculoviruses belong. Describe their role in the integrated pest management.
14. Name the process involved in the production of nematode-resistant tobacco plants, using genetic
engineering. Explain the strategy adopted to develop such plants.
15. a) List any four beneficial effects of GM plants.
b) Explain how has Bacillus thuringiensis contributed in developing resistance to cotton b bollworms in
cotton plants.
16. Explain the work carried out by Cohen and Boyer that contributed immensely in biotechnology.
17. Explain the synthesis of genetically engineered human insulin. (or)
Describe the various stages involved in gene transfer for the commercial production of human insulin by Eli
Lilly.
18. Describe the gene therapy procedure for an ADA-deficient patient.
19. a) Name the deficiency for which first clinical gene therapy was given.
b) Mention the causes of and one cure for this deficiency.
20. Explain how a hereditary disease can be corrected. Give an example of first successful attempt made towards
correction of such diseases.
21. Name the first transgenic cow developed and explain the improvement in the quality of the product produced
by it.
22. Describe the responsibility of GEAC, set up by the Indian Government.
23. State how has agrobacterium tumefaciens been made a useful cloning vector to transfer DNA to plant cells.
24. a) List the three steps involved in Polymerase Chain Reaction. (PCR)
b) Name the source organism of Taq Polymerase. Explain the specific role of this enzyme in PCR.
25. What is gene therapy? Name the first clinical case where it was used.
26. What is Bio-piracy? State the initiative taken by the Indian Parliament towards it.
27. Highlight any four advantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
28. a) Why are transgenic animals so called?
b) Explain the role of transgenic animal in
i) Vaccine safety and ii) Biological products with the help of an example each.
29. Why do the toxic insecticidal proteins secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis kill the insect and not the bacteria itself ?
30. Name the genes responsible for making Bt cotton plants resistant to bollworm attack. How do such plants attain
resistance against the pest to increase the yield.
31. What are Cry proteins ? Name an organism that produce it. How has man exploited this protein to his
benefit?
32. Nematode-specific genes are introduced into the tobacco plants using Agro bacterium vectors to
develop resistance in tobacco plants against nematodes. Explain the events that occur in tobacco
plant to develop resistance.
33. a) Tobacco plants are damaged severely when infested with Meloidegyne incognitia. Name and
explain the strategy that is adopted to stop this infestation.
b) Name the vector used for introducing the nematode specific gene in tobacco plant.
34. a) State the role of DNA ligase in biotechnology.
b) What happens when Meloidegyne incognitia consumes cells with RNAi gene ?
35. Why does the Bt toxin not kill the bacterium that produces it but kills the insect that ingests it?
36. How to „Rosie‟ considered different from a normal cow ? Explain.
37. How did Eli Lilly synthesis the human insulin? Mention one difference between this insulin and the
one produced by the human pancreas.
38. List the three molecular diagnostic techniques that help detect pathogens from suspected
patients. Mention one advantage of these techniques over conventional methods.
39. a) Mention the cause and the body system affected by ADA deficiency in humans.
b) Name the vector used for transferring ADA-DNA into the recipient cells in humans. Name
the recipient cells.
40. Write the functions of adenosine deaminase enzyme. State the cause of ADA deficiency in
humans. Mention a possible permanent cure for a ADA deficiency patient.
41. Why is proinsulin so called? How is insulin different from it ?
42. Why is the recombinant insulin produced considered better than the ones used earlier by
diabetic patients?
43. Explain how Eli Lilly, an American company, produced insulin by recombinant DNA
technology.
Long Answer Questions

44. One of the main objectives of biotechnology is to minimise the use of insecticides on cultivated crops.
Explain with the help of a suitable example how insect resistant crops have been developed using
techniques of biotechnology.
45. How is a transgenic tobacco plant protected against Meloidegyne incongnitia ? Explain the
procedure.
46. How did the process of RNA interference help to control the nematode from infecting roots of
tobacco plants? Explain.
HOTS

47. Plasmid is a boon to biotechnology. Justify this statement quoting the production of human insulin
as an example.
48. Why is the introduction of genetically engineered lymphocytes into an ADA deficiency patient not a
permanent cure? Suggest a possible permanent cure.
49. Biopiracy should be prevented. State why and how.
50. How have transgenic animals proved to be beneficial in :
1. Production of biological products.
2. Chemical safety testing.