Biotechnology PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q66Biotechnology

   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.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 2 onlyd1, 2 and 3
2. Prelims 2026Q73Biotechnology

   Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia 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.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 2 onlyd1, 2 and 3
3. Prelims 2025Q48Biotechnology

   With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements :

   I.They are man-made proteins.

   II.They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.

   III.They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   aI and II onlybII and III onlycI and III onlydI, II and III
4. Prelims 2023Q69Biotechnology

   ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations?

   aCollecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one gobUnderstanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitatcUsing air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animalsdSending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
5. Prelims 2023Q70Biotechnology

   ‘Microsatellite DNA’ is used in the case of which one of the following?

   aStudying the evolutionary relationships among various species of faunabStimulating ‘stem cells’ to transform into diverse functional tissuescPromoting clonal propagation of horticultural plantsdAssessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population
6. Prelims 2022Q99Biotechnology

   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 ?

   a1 onlyb3 onlyc1 and 2d2 and 3
7. Prelims 2021Q65Biotechnology

   With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements :

   1.Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.

   2.Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
8. Prelims 2021Q66Biotechnology

   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 egg.

   2.A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
9. Prelims 2021Q67Biotechnology

   Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of

   aclonal propagation of crop plantsbdeveloping genetically modified crop plantscproduction of plant growth substancesdproduction of biofertilizers
10. Prelims 2020Q37Biotechnology

    In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for

    afertilization of egg in vitro by the donor spermbgenetic modification of sperm producing cellscdevelopment of stem cells into functional embryosdprevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
11. Prelims 2020Q44Biotechnology

    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 ?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc2 onlyd1, 2 and 3
12. Prelims 2019Q93BiotechnologyAnswer disputed

    With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

    aFunctional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.bPieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.cA piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.dCells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.
13. Prelims 2019Q96Biotechnology

    ‘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.

    a1, 2 and 4b2 and 3c1 and 3d1 and 4 only
14. Prelims 2019Q99Biotechnology

    What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?

    aA molecular scissors used in targeted gene editingbA biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patientscA gene that makes plants pest-resistantdA herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops
15. Prelims 2018Q63Biotechnology

    With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :

    1.GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.

    2.GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.

    3.GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 and 3 onlyb2 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
16. Prelims 2017Q45Biotechnology

    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 for 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 :

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
17. Prelims 2017Q78Biotechnology

    What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology ?

    aProduction of biolarvicidesbManufacture of biodegradable plasticscReproductive cloning of animalsdProduction of organisms free of diseases
18. Prelims 2016Q31Biotechnology

    In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term 'transcriptome', sometimes seen in the news, refers to

    aa range of enzymes used in genome editingbthe full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organismcthe description of the mechanism of gene expressionda mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells
19. Prelims 2014Q72BiotechnologyAnswer disputed

    Consider the following techniques/phenomena :

    1.Budding and grafting in fruit plants

    2.Cytoplasmic male sterility

    3.Gene silencing

    Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3c1 and 3dNone
20. Prelims 2013Q5Biotechnology

    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.

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
21. Prelims 2012Q16Biotechnology

    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.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
22. Prelims 2012Q64Biotechnology

    What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India?

    1.Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome.

    2.The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies.

    3.There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health.

    4.There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    a1, 2 and 3 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc3 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
23. Prelims 2012Q65Biotechnology

    Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created?

    1.To enable them to withstand drought

    2.To increase the nutritive value of the produce

    3.To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations

    4.To increase their shelf life

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    a1 and 2 onlyb3 and 4 onlyc1, 2 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
24. Prelims 2011Q5Biotechnology

    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.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
25. Prelims 2011Q29Biotechnology

    A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is

    aTo make it pest-resistantbTo improve its taste and nutritive qualitiescTo make it drought-resistantdTo make its shelf-life longer
26. Prelims 2010Q5Biotechnology

    Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason

    aIt is a genetically modified dwarf variety which is resistant to droughtbIt is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistantcIt is a genetically modified variety with ten times higher protein content than regular maize cropdIt is a genetically modified variety used exclusively for bio-fuel production
27. Prelims 2010Q8Biotechnology

    Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements.

    Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?

    aThe grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varietiesbIts grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human bodycIts modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acidsdIts modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D
28. Prelims 2010Q57Biotechnology

    Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills ?

    aAgrobacteriumbClostridiumcNitrosomonasdPseudomonas
29. Prelims 2006Q47Biotechnology

    Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

    Recent Scientific Achievement : Country

    aCreating the World’s first mouse : United KingdombCloning a human embryo for the first time : GermanycGuiding a spacecraft for collision with a comet : United States of AmericadLanding a spacecraft on an asteroid : Japan
30. Prelims 2002Q7Biotechnology

    With reference to the latest developments in stem-cell research, consider the following statements:

    1.The only source of human stem cells are the embryos at blastocyst stage.

    2.The stem cells can be derived without causing destruction to blastocysts.

    3.The stem cells can regenerate themselves in vitro virtually forever.

    4.Indian research centres also created a few cell lines which can be developed into many types of tissues.

    Which of these statements are correct?

    a1, 2, 3 and 4b1, 2 and 3c1, 2 and 4d3 and 4