Target 2018 UPSC – Science & Technology Current Affairs

Table of Contents

BIOTECHNOLOGY

1. What is the application of Somatic Cell CJ Nuclear
Transfer Technology?
[UPSC (Pre)—
2017]
(a) Production of bio-larvicides
(b) Manufacture of biodegradable
(c) Reproductive cloning of animals
(d) Product
2. With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of ‘genome
sequencing’, often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future? [UPSC (Pre) 2017]
1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease
resistance and drought tolerance n 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:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
3. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term transcriptome,
sometimes seen in the news, refers to [UPSC (Pre)—2016]
(a)  A range of enzymes used in genome editing
(b)  The full range of mRNA molecules expressed by a organism
(c)  The description of the mechanism of gene expression
(d)  A mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cell
4. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted
under the [UPSC (Pre)—2015]
(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
5. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding
vegetative propagation of plants? [UPSC (Pre) —2014]
1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population.
2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
6. Consider the following techniques/phenomena: [UPSC (Pre)—2014]
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?
(a) 1 only
(c) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and3
(d) None
7. Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred [UPSC (Pre)—2013]
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.
(a) 1 only
(c) 1and 3only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
8. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded
sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to [UPSC (Pre)—2013]
1. Resist drought and increase absorptive area
2. Tolerate extremes of pH
3. Resist disease infestation Select the correct answer using the
codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(c) 1and3only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1,2and3
9. Consider the following kinds of organisms:
[UPSC (Pre)—2012]
1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Flowering plants
Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as
bio-pesticides?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1and3only (d) 1,2and3
10. With reference to ‘stem cells’, frequently in the news, which of
the following statements is/are correct? [UPSC (Pre)—2012]
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:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
11. What are the reasons for the people’s resistance to the introduction of
Bt brinjal in India? [UPSC (Pre)—2012]
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:
(a) 1,2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
12. At present, scientists can determine the  arrangement or
relative positions of genes
or DNA sequences on a chromosome.
How does this knowledge benefit us?
[UPSC (Pre)—2011]
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 statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1and3only
(b) 2 only
(d) 1,2and3
13. A genetically engineered form of brinjal known as the
Bt brinjal has been devel- oped. The objective of this is [UPSC (Pre)—2011]
(a)  To make it pest-resistant
(b)  To improve its taste and nutritive qualities.
(c)  To make it drought-resistant.
(d)  To make its shelf-life longer.
14. Which bacterial strain developed from natural isolates by
genetic manipulations can be used for treating oil spills?
(a) Agrobacterium   (b) Clostridium
(c) Nitrosomonas     (d) Pseudomonas
15. Genetically modified ‘golden rice’ has been engineered to
meet human nutritional requirements.
Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?
[UPSC (Pre)—2010]
(a)  The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three limes
higher grain yield per acre than other high-yielding varieties
(b)  Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted
to vitamin A in the human body
(c)  Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids.
(d)  Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D.