Biotechnology

Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor). Syngas acts as a fundamental building block for the chemical industry.

I is correct: Syngas can be converted into Ethanol through various chemical pathways, including catalytic synthesis or fermentation.

II is incorrect: Nitroglycerine is produced through the nitration of glycerol. Glycerol is typically obtained from natural fats/oils or as a byproduct of biodiesel production, not from coal gasification.

III is correct: Coal gasification is a major source of hydrogen for producing Ammonia. This ammonia is then reacted with carbon dioxide (also a product of gasification) to produce Urea.

All three plants—Groundnut, Horse-gram, and Soybean—belong to the pea family, scientifically known as Leguminosae or Fabaceae. This family is characterized by plants that produce legumes (pods containing seeds). Here's a breakdown of each:

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea):

* Groundnut, also known as peanut, belongs to the Leguminosae family. It produces peanuts, which grow underground in pods, typical of legumes.

* It is part of the subfamily Faboideae, a major division within the pea family.

Horse-gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum):

* Horse-gram is another plant in the Leguminosae family. It is commonly cultivated in tropical regions and is known for its high protein content and use in animal feed and food.

* It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae as well.

Soybean (Glycine max):

* Soybean, one of the most important leguminous crops, also belongs to the Leguminosae family. It is widely grown for its edible beans and oil extraction.

* Soybean is part of the subfamily Faboideae too.

All three plants are legumes, characterized by their pod-like fruit and ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their root nodules.

* Microsatellite DNA, also known as short tandem repeats (STRs), are highly polymorphic DNA sequences that are widely used in the case of studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna.

* Microsatellite DNA analysis is a powerful tool for studying genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships among different species of animals.

* The variations in the number of repeated DNA sequences in microsatellites can provide insights into the genetic similarities and differences between species, which can be used to infer their evolutionary relationships.

Aerial metagenomics refers to the scientific technique of collecting and analyzing DNA samples directly from the air to identify the biological community present in a habitat.

* Metagenomics: This is the study of genetic material (genomes) recovered directly from environmental samples (like soil, water, or air). It bypasses the need for isolating and culturing individual species in a lab. * Environmental DNA (e-DNA): Organisms shed DNA into their surroundings through various means such as breath, skin, fur, or waste. This genetic material found in the environment is known as e-DNA. * Aerial Sampling: In 'Aerial' metagenomics, researchers use specialized filters or vacuum systems to capture this e-DNA from the air. This allows for the simultaneous monitoring of multiple species (animals, plants, fungi, and microbes) in a specific area at one go, providing a non-invasive way to track biodiversity.

Hence, option A is correct.

* Statement 1 is correct: Biofilms are a major concern in healthcare. They can form on implanted devices like catheters, heart valves, and artificial joints within human tissues. These biofilms can harbour bacteria that are difficult to eradicate with antibiotics, leading to chronic infections and potential implant failure.

* Statement 2 is correct: Biofilms can also form on food and food processing surfaces. This can contaminate food with bacteria and contribute to spoilage. Biofilms on these surfaces are also challenging to remove due to their protective matrix.

* Statement 3 is correct: Bacteria within biofilms can exhibit increased resistance to antibiotics. The biofilm matrix acts as a barrier, making it harder for antibiotics to reach and kill the bacteria. Additionally, bacteria within biofilms can communicate and share genetic material, potentially promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.

All three statements are correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. DNA Barcoding cannot assess the age DNA barcoding primarily focuses on identifying species based on their unique genetic sequences.

Statement 2 is correct. DNA barcoding is a valuable tool for distinguishing between species that appear similar morphologically. By analyzing short, standardized DNA sequences, scientists can efficiently and accurately identify different species, even if they look very alike.

Statement 3 is correct. DNA barcoding can be used to identify the origin and composition of food products. This can help detect cases where cheaper or undesirable ingredients (food adulteration) are substituted for the ones listed on the label. For example, it can be used to identify different types of meat in processed foods.

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

- Ants are well-known as cultivators of fungi. Certain ant species, particularly those in the tribe Attini, have evolved a symbiotic relationship with specific fungi. These ants cultivate the fungus within their nests, providing it with food and a controlled environment. In return, the fungus provides the ants with nutrients. This is a fascinating example of mutualism in nature.

- Cockroaches are omnivores and scavengers. They do not cultivate fungi.

- Crabs are primarily scavengers or predators. They are not known to cultivate fungi.

- Spiders are predators and capture their prey (insects) in webs. They do not cultivate fungi.

Statement 1 is Correct: Gucchi (Morchella esculenta) is a species of fungus belonging to the Morchellaceae family. It is highly prized for its honeycomb-like appearance and unique flavor.

Statement 2 is Correct: These mushrooms grow naturally in the temperate forest areas of the Himalayas, specifically in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. They are typically found in conifer forests following the snowmelt.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: Gucchi mushrooms cannot be commercially cultivated on a large scale; they are wild-harvested by local communities. Furthermore, they are primarily associated with the Western Himalayas rather than north-eastern India.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Covishield, produced by the Serum Institute of India, is a viral vector vaccine. It uses a weakened chimpanzee adenovirus vector to carry genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus into human cells.

Statement 2 is correct: Sputnik V is a vector-based vaccine, similar to Covishield. It uses two different human adenovirus vectors to deliver genetic material coding for SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.

Statement 3 is correct: COVAXIN, developed by Bharat Biotech, is an inactivated virus vaccine. This means the SARS-CoV-2 virus used in the vaccine is inactivated (killed) so it cannot cause infection, but it still triggers an immune response.

Statement 1 is correct. Probiotics can be made from both bacteria and yeast. Some common probiotic strains include bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and yeasts like Saccharomyces boulardii.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The organisms in probiotics are naturally found in the human gut. We have a complex gut microbiome with trillions of bacteria and other microbes, some of which are beneficial. Probiotics are supposed to introduce specific strains of these beneficial microbes to improve gut health.

Statement 3 is correct. Probiotics might help with lactose digestion, but it depends. Lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose (milk sugar) in the gut. Some probiotic strains might produce lactase, potentially aiding digestion in lactose-intolerant individuals.

The Lemongrass plant is known to be an excellent mosquito repellant.

According to a study conducted in 2011, around 95% of mosquitos from a specific range of species were either killed or completely repelled due to the intense odour of lemongrass oil.

Commonly known as Citronella oil, the impact of the essential oil from Lemongrass is known to last for around two and a half hours. For some species of mosquitos, it is even more.

Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of developing genetically modified (GM) cotton plants resistant to insect pests.

* Bollgard I: This was India's first commercially approved GM crop technology introduced in 2002. It incorporates a single gene (Cry1Ac) from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into cotton plants. This Bt gene produces an insecticidal protein that targets and kills certain insect pests, particularly the American Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera).

* Bollgard II: This is a more advanced technology introduced in mid-2006. It incorporates two genes (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) from Bt into cotton. This provides broader resistance against a wider spectrum of insect pests, including lepidopteran caterpillars like the Spodoptera species, in addition to the American Bollworm.

Statement 1 is correct. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is a reproductive technique used to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from mother to child. It involves replacing defective mitochondria in an egg or embryo with healthy mitochondria from a donor. MRT can be performed either before or after in vitro fertilization to ensure that the resulting embryo does not inherit mitochondrial diseases.

Statement 2 is correct. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is responsible for encoding genes essential for mitochondrial function, is inherited exclusively from the mother. Therefore, mitochondrial diseases caused by mutations in mtDNA are passed down maternally, and a child cannot inherit mitochondrial diseases from the father.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

Pronuclear transfer, in the context of human reproductive technology, is used for preventing mitochondrial diseases in offspring.

Here's why - Mitochondria: These are cellular organelles with their own DNA (mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA) separate from nuclear DNA. Mutations in mtDNA can cause various inherited mitochondrial diseases that can affect organs like muscles, nerves, and the brain. - Pronuclear Transfer Technique: This technique involves the fertilization of an egg with sperm. Then, the pronuclei (nuclei before fusion) from both sperm and egg are removed. These pronuclei are then injected into a donor egg that has had its own pronuclei removed, but has healthy mtDNA.

Statement 1 is correct: Germline gene editing involves making genetic changes in the cells that produce eggs or sperms (germ cells). These changes are heritable and can be passed on to future generations. Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 have made this scientifically possible.

Statement 2 is correct: Genome editing can be performed on early-stage embryos (zygotes or blastocysts) before they are implanted in the uterus. This allows for the correction of genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases at the earliest stages of development.

Statement 3 is correct: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. Research has successfully demonstrated the injection of these human cells into pig embryos to create 'chimeras'. This technology is used to study organ development and explores the potential of growing human organs for transplantation in the future.

Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Statement 1 is Correct: Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are widely used in precision agriculture for the targeted spraying of pesticides and liquid fertilizers, which helps in reducing chemical waste and minimizing human exposure to toxins. Statement 2 is Correct: Drones equipped with thermal cameras and gas sensors are used to inspect the craters of active volcanoes, allowing scientists to gather data from hazardous environments that are inaccessible or too dangerous for humans. Statement 3 is Correct: Researchers use specialized drones (such as the 'SnotBot') to fly through the blow (breath) of spouting whales to collect biological samples containing DNA, hormones, and microbiomes for non-invasive health monitoring.

* The word 'Denisovan' is mentioned in the media about ancient humans (or an extinct human relative).

* Denisovans were a mysterious group of archaic humans who lived in Asia tens of thousands of years ago. They are most known for being discovered through genetic analysis of fossils, rather than complete skeletal remains.

Option A is the incorrect statement: While synthetic biology has enabled the creation of synthetic genomes (such as the synthetic bacterium *Mycoplasma mycoides*), creating a fully functional chromosome by joining DNA segments from different species is not currently feasible. Chromosomes are highly complex structures requiring specific regulatory elements and structural proteins that are often species-specific.

Option B is a correct statement: Synthetic biology and genetic engineering allow for the chemical synthesis of artificial DNA sequences with specific functions in a laboratory.

Option C is a correct statement: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a standard laboratory technique used to replicate or amplify specific DNA segments outside of a living cell (in vitro).

Option D is a correct statement: Cell culture and tissue culture techniques allow cells extracted from plants and animals to be grown and undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes using artificial nutrient media.

RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is a conserved biological response to double-stranded RNA that mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.

Statement 1 is correct. RNAi is a powerful tool for developing gene-silencing therapies. It allows researchers to target specific genes and reduce their expression, which can be beneficial in treating various diseases.

Statement 2 is also correct. RNAi is being actively explored for cancer therapy. By targeting genes involved in cancer cell growth and proliferation, RNAi has the potential to be a novel approach for cancer treatment.

Statement 3 is incorrect. RNAi is not typically used in developing hormone replacement therapies. Hormone replacement therapies introduce hormones into the body, while RNAi focuses on silencing gene expression within cells.

Statement 4 is correct. RNAi can be used to develop crop plants resistant to viral pathogens. By introducing specific RNA molecules that target the virus, plants can be made more resistant to viral infections, improving agricultural yields.

* Cas9 protein is a revolutionary tool in the field of genetic engineering.


* Cas9 is an RNA-guided endonuclease, an enzyme. It acts like molecular scissors, capable of cutting DNA at specific locations within a cell's genome.

* Cas9 plays a crucial role in the CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technique, a powerful gene editing tool.

Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11, otherwise known as DMH - 11, is a genetically modified hybrid variety of the mustard species Brassica juncea.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The GM mustard developed in India does not have the property of pest-resistance. It has been genetically modified for hybridization and increased yield, not for pest-resistance.

Statement 2 is correct. The GM mustard has been developed with genes that allow it to cross-pollinate, leading to hybridization and increased yield.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The GM mustard was developed by scientists at Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), not by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

So, only statement 2 is correct.


Pair 1 is correct: Lead is a heavy metal that has been found in some lipstick formulations, which is concerning due to its potential toxic effects.

Pair 2 is correct: Brominated vegetable oils (BVOs) are a type of food additive used in some soft drinks to help distribute flavours. BVOs have been controversial and banned in many countries due to potential health concerns.

Pair 3 is correct: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer commonly used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines, including fast food. There have been concerns about the potential side effects of MSG consumption.

Therefore, all three pairs are correctly matched.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) technology is primarily used for the purpose of reproductive cloning of animals.


SCNT can be used to create genetically identical copies of animals. This involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic (body) cell into an egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed. The egg cell is then stimulated to divide and develop into an embryo, which is then implanted into a surrogate mother to produce a cloned individual. This technique is called reproductive cloning.

Statement 1 is correct. Genome sequencing can help identify specific genes or genetic markers associated with desirable traits like disease resistance and drought tolerance in crop plants, which can then be used for selective breeding and genetic improvement.

Statement 2 is correct. Genome sequencing can accelerate the process of developing new crop varieties by providing a better understanding of the genetic makeup and facilitating more targeted breeding programs, thereby reducing the time required for varietal development.

Statement 3 is correct. Genome sequencing can help researchers understand the genetic interactions between crop plants and their pathogens, which can aid in developing better strategies for disease management and resistance.

Therefore, all the statements regarding the use of genome sequencing in agriculture in the immediate future are correct.


The transcriptome refers to the complete set of RNA molecules present in a single cell or a population of cells at a given time. It can include all types of RNA or be limited to messenger RNA (mRNA), depending on the experiment's focus.


Unlike the exome, which represents only the protein-coding regions of DNA, the transcriptome captures the actively expressed genes by identifying RNA molecules and their relative abundance. This provides crucial insights into gene expression patterns, cellular functions, and responses to environmental changes.

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of banana, Musa indandamanensis, in the remote tropical rainforests of Little Andaman Island. This remarkable species stands out for its exceptional height, reaching up to 11 meters, nearly three times taller than common banana plants.

Located 16 km inside the Krishna Nalah forest, this species is globally distinct due to its unique green flowers, an unusually large fruit bunch axis (lux) thrice the size of regular banana species, and cylindrical-shaped flowers instead of the typical conical form. Additionally, the fruit pulp is orange, differing from the usual white or yellow found in common bananas.

This discovery adds significant value to botanical research and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the unique flora of the Andaman Islands.

Neem-coated Urea dissolves more slowly compared to normal Urea, which helps prevent leaching and ensures a gradual release of nitrogen into the soil. Neem has inhibitory properties that reduce nitrogen loss at multiple stages, including volatilization and denitrification. By slowing down the conversion of Urea into nitrate, it minimizes excess nitrate accumulation, reducing denitrification losses and improving nitrogen use efficiency in crops.

To curb misuse and diversion of highly subsidized Urea to the chemical industry, the Government of India made it mandatory for all Urea manufacturers to Neem-coat 100% of their production. This move not only ensures that Urea is used exclusively for agriculture but also enhances soil fertility and crop productivity by improving nitrogen retention.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

- The GEAC is responsible for the appraisal of proposals involving the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

A transgenic crop is a genetically modified organism (GMO).

Transgenic indicates that a transfer of genes has occurred using recombinant DNA technology. Generally, a transgenic crop contains one or more genes that have been inserted artificially either from an unrelated plant or from different species altogether.

Technique 1 is incorrect: Budding and grafting in fruit plants does not include genetic editing or modification. Thus, option 1 is eliminated.

Technique 2 is correct: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a condition where plants cannot produce viable pollen. It is typically controlled by genes in the cytoplasm. While CMS can occur naturally, it can also be introduced or manipulated using genetic engineering techniques to create transgenic lines for more efficient hybrid seed production.

Technique 3 is correct: Gene silencing technique uses engineered genetic material to specifically suppress the expression of certain genes in a plant. This allows scientists to modify the plant's characteristics at the genetic level, which is the hallmark of transgenic crops.

Thus, the right answer is option 'B'.

Statement 1 is Correct: Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction where new plants are grown from the vegetative parts (roots, stems, or leaves) of a single parent. Since there is no fusion of gametes, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent, forming a clonal population.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: This method does not eliminate viruses; rather, it tends to propagate them. If the parent plant is infected with a virus, the pathogen is typically transmitted to the new plant because the offspring is developed directly from the infected parent's tissues.

Statement 3 is Correct: Unlike sexual reproduction, which is dependent on specific seasonal cycles of flowering, pollination, and seed formation, vegetative propagation can be practiced throughout most of the year as it relies on mature vegetative organs that are often available regardless of the plant's reproductive phase.