8 Biotechnology and Its Applications: Solutions

Chapter 8
Biotechnology and its Applications
Solutions
SECTION - A
School/Board Exam. Type Questions
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. Name the protein secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis that is insecticidal in nature.
Sol. Cry protein
2. Suggest a technique to detect cancer in suspected patients.
Sol. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).
3. What is the number of polypeptide chains in proinsulin?
Sol. Three
4. Name the hormone that is being marketed by Eli Lilly to counter diabetes mellitus.
Sol. Insulin
5. The protein human α-lactalbumin was synthesized artificially in which transgenic animal in 1997?
Sol. Rosie – Transgenic cow.
6. Name the nematode that infests the root of tobacco plants.
Sol. Meloidogyne incognita
7. Which bacterium has been used as a vector in RNAi?
Sol. Agrobacterium tumefaciens
8. What was the propelling reason for development of Golden Rice?
Sol. To counter vitamin A deficiency by increasing β-carotene content of rice in developing countries.
9. Which bill amended by Indian parliament takes into consideration unauthorised exploitation of their bioresources
and traditional knowledge?
Sol. Indian Patents Bill – Second amendment.
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36 Biotechnology and its Applications Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
10. List four diseases for which transgenic animals serve as model for disease study.
Sol. Cancer, Cystic fibrosis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Short Answer Type Questions :
11. How many varieties of rice are estimated to be present in India?
Sol. 2,00,000
12. Give the number of documented varieties of Basmati that are grown in India.
Sol. Twenty seven (27)
13. What qualities of Basmati account for its distinct nature?
Sol. (i) Aroma
(ii) Flavour
14. In which year was an American company granted patent rights on Basmati Rice through US patent and
trademark office?
Sol. 1997
15. Write two examples of Indian traditional herbal medicines on which attempts to patent were made.
Sol. Turmeric, Neem
16. Name two enzymes that can be successfully employed in ELISA.
Sol. Peroxidase, Alkaline phosphatase.
17. Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of which vaccine?
Sol. Polio vaccine
18. Name three techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis.
Sol. Recombinant DNA technology, PCR, ELISA.
19. α-1-antitrypsin obtained from transgenic animal is used to counter which disease?
Sol. Emphysema
20. Suggest a disadvantage of GMO.
Sol. Genetic modification of organisms can have impredictable results when such organisms are introduced into
the ecosystem.
21. Why do the toxic insecticidal proteins secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis kill the insect and not the bacteria
itself?
Sol. Alkaline pH required to activate the inactive protoxin occurs in midgut.
22. Describe the responsibility of GEAC, set up by the Indian government.
Sol. GEAC makes decision regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for
public services.
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) Biotechnology and its Applications 37
23. Nematode-specific genes are introduced into the tobacco plants using Agrobacterium vectors to develop
resistance in tobacco plants against nematodes. Explain the events that occur in tobacco plant to develop
resistance.
Sol. Introduced DNA produced both sense and antisense strands in host that formed a dsRNA, initiated RNAi
eventually leading to mRNAi silencing.
24. What is antisense RNA?
Sol. Antisense RNA has sequence complementary to target mRNA
25. RDT has made immense impact in the area of healthcare. Justify.
Sol. (i) Mass production of safe and more therapeutic drugs.
(ii) Recombinant therapeutics do not induce unwanted immunological responses.
26. Can insulin be orally administrated to diabetic patients or not? Why?
Sol. No, it is proteinaceous hormone.
27. Which corrective therapy can be taken for a person born with a hereditary disease?
Sol. Gene therapy ensures insertion of correct copy of gene in cells of individuals lacking the gene since birth.
28. What is porcine insulin? Write disadvantages associated with its use.
Sol. Porcine insulin is obtained from pig pancreas.
Disadvantages – May cause allergies
29. What do you understand by enzyme replacement therapy?
Sol. In enzyme-replacement therapy, functional ADA is given to the patient by injection which has limited halflife.
30. Expand the term ELISA. Write its basis and use.
Sol. ELISA – Enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assey
→ Basis of antigen-antibody interaction.
→ Helps in early detection of pathogen.
Long Answer Type Questions :
31. Write atleast three orders along with their examples under class Insecta that are affected by Bt toxin.
Sol. (i) Lepidoptera : Tobacco bud worm and Army worm
(ii) Coleoptera : Beetles
(iii) Diptera : Flies and Mosquitoes
32. How does the Bt toxin act?
Sol. Bt toxin activated by alkaline pH in midgut can create pores in epithelial cells of midgut lining, causes swelling
and eventually causes death of the insect.
33. Write three benefits of GM crops.
Sol. Three benefits of GM crops :
(i) Enhanced nutritional value of food.
(ii) Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
(iii) Crops more tolerant to abiotic stress.
34. Suggest two sources of incorporating RNA complementary to mRNA to initiate RNAi.
Sol. (i) Infection by virus having RNA genomes.
(ii) Transposons (mobile genetic elements) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.
35. List three benefits of transgenic animals.
Sol. Three benefits of transgenic animals include :
(i) Using transgenic animals to study gene regulation, functioning of normal physiology
(ii) Used for synthesis of biological products such as α-1-antitrypsin to treat Emphysema.
(iii) Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of the polio vaccine.
36. How is a transgenic tobacco plant protected against Meloidogyne incognita? Explain the procedure.
Sol. Pest resistant plants : Several nematodes parasitise a wide variety of plants and animals including human
beings. A nematode Meloidogyne incognita infects the roots of tobacco plants and causes a great reduction
in yield. A novel strategy was adopted to prevent this infestation which was based on the process of RNA
interference (RNAi). RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense. This method
involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents
translation of the mRNA (silencing). The source of this complementary RNA could be from an infection by
viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.
Using Agrobacterium vectors, nematode-specific genes were introduced into the host plant. The introduction
of DNA was such that it produced both sense and antisense RNA in the host cells. These two RNA’s being
complementary to each other formed a double stranded (dsRNA) that initiated RNAi and thus, silenced the
specific mRNA of the nematode. The consequence was that the parasite could not survive in a transgenic host
expressing specific interfering RNA. The transgenic plant, therefore, got itself protected from the parasite.
37. Expand the name of the enzyme ADA. Why is this enzyme essential in the human body? Suggest a gene
therapy for its deficiency.
Sol. The first clinical gene therapy was given in 1990 to a four-year old girl with adenosine deaminase (ADA)
deficiency. This enzyme is crucial for the immune system to function. The disorder is caused due to the
deletion of the gene for adenosine deaminase. In some children, ADA deficiency can be cured by bone marrow
transplantation; in others it can be treated by enzyme replacement therapy, in which functional ADA is given
to the patient by injection. But, the problem with both of these approaches that they are not completely curative.
As a 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 retroviral vector) is then introduced into these lymphocytes, which
are subsequently returned to the patient. However, as these cells are not immortal, the patient requires periodic
infusion of such genetically engineered lymphocytes. However, if the gene isolate from marrow cells producing
ADA is introduced into cells at early embryonic stages, it could be a permanent cure.
38. How has biotechnology helped in improving life of diabetic people?
Sol. Insulin used for diabetes was earlier extracted from pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs. Insulin from an
animal source, though caused some patients to develop allergy or other types of reactions to the foreign protein.
Insulin consists of two short polypeptide chains: chain A and chain B, that are linked together by disulphide
bridges. In mammals, including humans, insulin is synthesised as a pro-hormone (like a pro-enzyme, the pro-
hormone also needs to be processed before it becomes a fully mature and functional hormone) which contains
an extra stretch called the C peptide. This C peptide is not present in the mature insulin and is removed during
maturation into insulin. The main challenge for production of insulin using rDNA techniques was getting insulin
assembled into a mature form. In 1983, Eli Lilly an American company prepared two DNA sequences
corresponding to A and B, chains of human insulin and introduced them in plasmids of E.coli to produce insulin
chains. Chains A and B were produced separately, extracted and combined by creating disulphide bonds to
form human insulin.
39. What is Bt toxin? Name an organism that prodices it. How has man exploited it?
Sol. Bt cotton : Some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis produce proteins that kill certain insects such as
lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm) coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (flies, mosquitoes).
B. thuringiensis forms protein crystals during a particular phase of their growth. These crystals contain a toxic
insecticidal protein. Why does this toxin not kill the Bacillus? Actually, the Bt toxin protein exists as inactive
protoxins but once an insect ingests the inactive toxin, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to the
alkaline pH of the gut which solubilise the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of midgut epithelial
cells and create pores that cause cell swelling and lysis and eventually cause death of the insect.
40. 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?
Sol. Specific Bt toxin genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the several crop plants
such as cotton. The choice of genes depends upon the crop and the targeted pest, as most Bt toxins are
insect-group specific. The toxin is coded by a gene named cry. There are a number of them, for example,
the proteins encoded by the genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control the cotton bollworms, that of cryIAb controls
corn borer.
41. With an example, explain how biotechnology has been applied in each of the following :
(i) In curing diabetes mellitus
(ii) In raising pest resistant plants
(iii) In producing more nutritionally balanced milk
Sol. (i) Diabetes mellitus : By producing recombinant insulin or humulin from transgenic Escherichia coli.
(ii) Pest resistant plants : By mRNA silencing through the technique of RNA interference which produces
both sense and antisense RNAs.
(iii) Transgenic cattle having genes for milk proteins, growth hormones and α-lactalbumin given high yield
of nutritionally balanced milk with high protein content (2.4 g/litre).
42. A multinational company (XYZ) marketed a medicine extracted from medicinal herbs grown in the sprawling
fields in a foreign country. The herb is found in that country and no compensation was paid or permission taken
from relevant authority.
(i) What is the term used to refer such an act committed by the multinational company?
(ii) Justify the meaning of the term.
(iii) What has our government done to prevent such deeds?
Sol. (i) Biopiracy
(ii) Biopiracy is patenting and exploitation of bioresources of other nations without proper authorisation or
access and benefit-sharing agreement.
(iii) India has enacted a comprehensive law to prevent unauthorised exploitation of our bioresources and
traditional knowledge. The government has also fought cases in USA and Europe against granting patents
of these resources, e.g., Basmati Rice, Turmeric, Neem.
43. Two of the steps involved in producing nematode resistant tobacco plants based on the process of RNAi are
mentioned below. Write the missing steps in the proper sequence.
(i) ___________________________
(ii) Using Agrobacterium as vector introduce it into tobacco

(iii) ___________________________
(iv) ___________________________
(v) Initiates RNA interferencing
(vi) ___________________________
(vii) ___________________________
(viii) ___________________________
Sol. (i) Nematode-specific genes
(iii) Production of both sense and antisense RNAs
(iv) Double stranded RNA

(vi) Silencing specific mRNAs of nematodes
(vii) Death of nematodes

(viii) Protection of transgenic plants from nematodes
44. Write a note on transgenic animals.

Sol. Animals that have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene are known as
transgenic animals. Transgenic rats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cows and fish have been produced, although over
95 percent of all existing transgenic animals are mice.
(i) Normal physiology and development : Transgenic animals can be specifically designed to allow the
study of how genes are regulated, and how they affect the normal functions of the body and its
development, e.g., study of complex factors involved in growth such as insulin-like growth factor.
(ii) Study of disease : Many transgenic animals are designed to increase our understanding of how genes
contribute to the development of disease. These are specially made to serve as models for human
diseases so that investigation of new treatments for diseases is made possible. Today transgenic models
exist for many human diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s.
(iii) Biological products : Medicines required to treat certain human diseases can contain biological products,
but such products are often expensive to make. Transgenic animals that produce useful biological products
can be created by the introduction of the portion of DNA (or genes) which codes for a particular product
such as human protein (α-1-antitrypsin) used to treat emphysema. Similar attempts are being made for
treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) and cystic fibrosis. In 1997, the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced
human protein-enriched milk (2.4 grams per litre). The milk contained the human α-lactalbumin and was
nutritionally a more balanced product for human babies than natural cow milk.
(iv) Vaccine safety : Transgenic mice are being developed for use in testing the safety of vaccines before
they are used on humans. Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of the polio vaccine. If
successful and found to be reliable, they could replace the use of monkeys to test the safety of batches
of the vaccine.
(v) Chemical safety testing : This is known as toxicity/safety testing. The procedure is the same as that
used for testing toxicity of drugs. Transgenic animals are made that carry genes which make them more
sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals. They are then exposed to the toxic substances
and the effects studied. Toxicity testing in such animals will allow us to obtain results in less time.
45. List three molecular diagnostic techniques that help detect pathogens from suspected patients. Mention one
advantage of these techniques over conventional methods.
Sol. You know that for effective treatment of a disease, early diagnosis and understanding its pathophysiology is
very important. Using conventional methods of diagnosis (serum and urine analysis, etc.) early detection is
not possible. Recombinant DNA technology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme Linked Immuno-
sorbent Assay (ELISA) are some of the techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis.
Presence of a pathogen (bacteria, viruses, etc.) is normally suspected only when the pathogen has produced
a disease symptom. By this time, the concentration of pathogen is already very high in the body. However,
very low concentration of a bacteria or virus (at a time when the symptoms of the disease are not yet visible)
can be detected by amplification of their nucleic acid by PCR. Can you explain how PCR can detect very low
amounts of DNA? PCR is now routinely used to detect HIV in suspected AIDS patients. It is being used to
detect mutations in genes in suspected cancer patients too. It is a powerful technique to identify many other
genetic disorders.
A single stranded DNA or RNA, tagged with a radioactive molecule (probe) is allowed to hybridise to its
complementary DNA in a clone of cells followed by detection using autoradiography. The clone having the
mutated gene will hence not appear on the photographic film, because the probe will not have complimentarity
with the mutated gene.
ELISA is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction. Infection by pathogen can be detected by the
presence of antigens (proteins, glycoproteins, etc.) or by detecting the antibodies synthesised against pathogen.
SECTION - B
Model Test Paper
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. Name the chains in insulin that are linked by disulphide bonds.
Sol. Chain A and Chain B.
2. What was the fold increase in food production due to Green Revolution?
Sol. Three times.
3. Name two human hormones that have been synthesized by E.coli using RDT.
Sol. Insulin and growth hormone.
4. Do insects eat bacteria?
Sol. Yes.
5. Which roundworm infests the roots of tobacoo plants and causes a great reduction in yield?
Sol. Meloidogyne incognita.
6. Explain why RNAi is shown by all eukaryotic organisms?
Sol. Cellular defense mechanism.
7. Give the full form of ELISA.
Sol. Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.
8. α-1-antitrypsin produced by transgenic animals is used to treat which disease?
Sol. Emphysema.
9. What is a probe?
Sol. A single-stranded DNA or RNA tagged with radioactive molecule.
10. Suggest two conventional methods of diagnosis.
Sol. Serum and urine analysis.
11. What does GEAC stand for? What is its role?
Sol. GEAC : Genetic Engineering Approval Committee.
Role: Makes decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for
public services.
12. Fill the blanks suitably :
(i) Transgenic ________ are being developed for use in testing the safety of vaccines before they are used
on humans.
(ii) The first transgenic cow, ________ produced human protein-enriched milk.
Sol. (i) Mice
(ii) Rosie
13. What do you understand by chemical safety testing?
Sol. This is toxicity or safety testing in which transgenic animals are exposed to toxic substances and their effects
are studied.
14. Define the term biopiracy.
Sol. Term used to refer to the use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organisations without proper
authorisation from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment.
15. What is PCR and write its three uses?
Sol. PCR : Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Uses:
(i) Used to detect HIV in suspected AIDS patient.
(ii) Detect mutations in genes in suspected cancer patients.
(iii) Identify genetic disorders.
16. (i) Name the company involved in manufacturing humulin.
(ii) Can insulin be administered orally? Justify.
Sol. (i) Eli Lilly.
(ii) No, proteinaceous hormone, degraded by proteases.
17. If a person is born with a hereditary disease such as ADA defficiency which permanent corrective measure
can be taken for such a disease?
Sol. Gene therapy can be performed.
(i) It is a collection of methods that allows correction of a gene defect that has been diagnosed in a child/
embryo.
(ii) A permanent cure would involve inserting ADA gene into marrow cells at early embryonic stages.
18. (i) What is RNAi? How is it useful?
(ii) What is the source of complementary RNA used in this technique?
Sol. (i) RNAi – RNA interference.
It helps to generate pest-resistant plants and prevents plant losses in yield.
(ii) Infection by viruses having RNA genomes.
Mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.
Long Answer Type Questions :
19. (i) What are GMO?
(ii) Write five uses of GM plants.
Sol. (i) GMO are Generally Modified Organisms include plants, bacteria, fungi and animals whose genes have
been altered by manipulation.
(ii) Uses of GM plants:
(a) Crops more tolerant to abiotic stress.
(b) Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
(c) Reduce post-harvest loss.
(d) Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants.
(e) Enhanced nutritional value of food.
20. (i) What does ‘Bt’ in Bt cotton represent?
(ii) What are cry proteins and what do they act against?
(iii) Why does the Bt toxin not kill the bacteria?
Sol. (i) Bt – Bacillus thuringiensis.
(ii) cry proteins are crystalline proteins i.e., endotoxins synthesized by bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis. The
proteins encoded by genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control the cotton bollworms and that of cryIAb controls
corn borer.
(iii) The Bt toxin does not kill the bacteria as it is secreated in inactive protoxin form that is activated by
alkaline conditions in midgut of the insect.


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Chapter 8

Biotechnology and its Applications

Very Short Answer Type Questions :

1. Name the protein secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis that is insecticidal in nature.

Sol. Cry protein

2. Suggest a technique to detect cancer in suspected patients.

Sol. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

3. What is the number of polypeptide chains in proinsulin?

Sol. Rosie – Transgenic cow.

6. Name the nematode that infests the root of tobacco plants.

Sol. Meloidogyne incognita

7. Which bacterium has been used as a vector in RNAi?

Sol. Agrobacterium tumefaciens

8. What was the propelling reason for development of Golden Rice?

Sol. Indian Patents Bill – Second amendment.

Sol. Cancer, Cystic fibrosis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Short Answer Type Questions :

11. How many varieties of rice are estimated to be present in India?

Sol. Twenty seven (27)

13. What qualities of Basmati account for its distinct nature?

Sol. (i) Aroma

Sol. Turmeric, Neem

16. Name two enzymes that can be successfully employed in ELISA.

Sol. Peroxidase, Alkaline phosphatase.

Sol. Polio vaccine

Sol. Recombinant DNA technology, PCR, ELISA.

20. Suggest a disadvantage of GMO.

Sol. Alkaline pH required to activate the inactive protoxin occurs in midgut.

22. Describe the responsibility of GEAC, set up by the Indian government.

24. What is antisense RNA?

Sol. Antisense RNA has sequence complementary to target mRNA

Sol. (i) Mass production of safe and more therapeutic drugs.

(ii) Recombinant therapeutics do not induce unwanted immunological responses.

26. Can insulin be orally administrated to diabetic patients or not? Why?

Sol. No, it is proteinaceous hormone.

Sol. Porcine insulin is obtained from pig pancreas.

Disadvantages – May cause allergies

29. What do you understand by enzyme replacement therapy?

Sol. ELISA – Enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assey

→ Basis of antigen-antibody interaction.

→ Helps in early detection of pathogen.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Sol. (i) Lepidoptera : Tobacco bud worm and Army worm

(ii) Coleoptera : Beetles

(iii) Diptera : Flies and Mosquitoes

32. How does the Bt toxin act?

33. Write three benefits of GM crops.

Sol. Three benefits of GM crops :

(i) Enhanced nutritional value of food.

(ii) Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.

(iii) Crops more tolerant to abiotic stress.

Sol. (i) Infection by virus having RNA genomes.

35. List three benefits of transgenic animals.

Sol. Three benefits of transgenic animals include :

(i) In curing diabetes mellitus

(ii) In raising pest resistant plants

(iii) In producing more nutritionally balanced milk

(ii) Justify the meaning of the term.

(iii) What has our government done to prevent such deeds?

Sol. (i) Biopiracy

(ii) Using Agrobacterium as vector introduce it into tobacco

(iii) Production of both sense and antisense RNAs