Free practice › Class 12 › Biology › Chapter 9
Biotechnology: Principles and Processes — NEET MCQs with answers
Chapter 9 introduces modern biotechnology's two core techniques - genetic engineering (altering the chemistry of genetic material to change the phenotype of the host organism) and bioprocess engineering (maintaining a sterile, contamination-free environment for growing large quantities of cells) - and explains the tools and steps of recombinant DNA technology: restriction enzymes, cloning vectors, transfer into a host, PCR amplification, bioreactors and downstream processing.
Topics in this chapter
- 9.1 Principles of Biotechnology
- 9.2 Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
- 9.3 Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology
Free practice questions
The correct order of operations in the 'cutting' step of rDNA technology is:
- A. Run on gel → cut → stain → amplify
- B. Stain → elute → cut → run on gel
- C. Cut with restriction enzyme → run on agarose gel → stain and view under UV → elute fragment
- D. Elute → cut → stain → run on gel
Show answer
Answer: C — DNA is cut with the restriction enzyme, run on agarose gel (moves to anode, separates by size), stained with ethidium bromide/UV, and the required fragment eluted.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.3 Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is described in NCERT as a pathogen of:
- A. Bacteriophages
- B. Several dicot plants
- C. Animal cells
- D. Monocot plants only
Show answer
Answer: B — Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen of several dicot plants and delivers T-DNA to transform normal plant cells into a tumor.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.2 Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
With respect to variation and preservation of genetic information, NCERT states that:
- A. Both asexual and sexual reproduction only generate variation
- B. Asexual reproduction permits variation; sexual reproduction preserves genetic information
- C. Asexual reproduction preserves genetic information; sexual reproduction permits variation
- D. Both asexual and sexual reproduction only preserve genetic information
Show answer
Answer: C — NCERT states that asexual reproduction preserves the genetic information, while sexual reproduction permits variation. Sexual reproduction provides opportunities for variations and unique genetic combinations.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.1 Principles of Biotechnology
The most commonly used type of bioreactor is the:
- A. Sparged tubular reactor
- B. Packed-bed reactor
- C. Stirred-tank (stirring type) bioreactor
- D. Membrane reactor
Show answer
Answer: C — The most commonly used bioreactors are of the stirring type (stirred-tank bioreactor).
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.3 Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology
In 1963, two enzymes restricting bacteriophage growth in E. coli were isolated; one added methyl groups and the other:
- A. Joined DNA fragments
- B. Cut DNA
- C. Replicated DNA
- D. Removed phosphate groups
Show answer
Answer: B — NCERT: one 'added methyl groups to DNA, while the other cut DNA' - the latter was called restriction endonuclease.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.2 Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
Which statement about DNA ligase and restriction enzyme roles in first rDNA is correct?
- A. Restriction enzyme cuts DNA at specific sites; DNA ligase joins the cut ends
- B. Both enzymes only join DNA
- C. Restriction enzyme joins DNA ends; DNA ligase cuts DNA
- D. Both enzymes only cut DNA
Show answer
Answer: A — Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific locations; DNA ligase joins the ends of the cut DNA molecules.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.1 Principles of Biotechnology
Which of the following is the correct reason a bioreactor is used instead of a flask for a recombinant protein?
- A. Flasks amplify DNA better than bioreactors
- B. Small-volume flask cultures cannot yield appreciable product quantities
- C. Flasks cannot be sterilised at all
- D. Bioreactors avoid the need for expression
Show answer
Answer: B — NCERT: small-volume cultures cannot yield appreciable quantities of products; large-scale production needs bioreactors processing 100-1000 L.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.3 Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology
The matrix most commonly used in gel electrophoresis of DNA, a natural polymer extracted from sea weeds, is:
- A. Sephadex
- B. Agarose
- C. Cellulose
- D. Polyacrylamide
Show answer
Answer: B — The most commonly used matrix is agarose, a natural polymer extracted from sea weeds; it provides the sieving effect that separates fragments by size.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.2 Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
The construction of the first recombinant DNA molecule is credited to:
- A. Gregor Mendel and Thomas Morgan
- B. Watson and Crick
- C. Hershey and Chase
- D. Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer
Show answer
Answer: D — Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer accomplished the construction of the first recombinant DNA in 1972.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.1 Principles of Biotechnology
Which of the following is TRUE about the anode in DNA gel electrophoresis?
- A. It is the negative electrode toward which DNA migrates
- B. It stains the DNA orange
- C. It repels DNA fragments
- D. It is the positive electrode toward which DNA migrates
Show answer
Answer: D — NCERT: DNA is negatively charged, so it moves towards the anode, which is the positive electrode.
NCERT Class 12 Biology · Ch 9 · 9.3 Processes of Recombinant DNA Technology
Practise all 651 questions of Biotechnology: Principles and Processes in timed NEET tests
+4/−1 marking like the real exam · see which topics cost you marks · notes, XP and leaderboards
Start your free trial →