Science and Technology (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

1. The American multinational company, Monsanto, has produced an insect-resistant cotton variety that is undergoing field trials in India. A toxic gene from which one of the following bacteria has been transferred to this transgenic cotton? [2001]

(a) Bacillus subtilis
(b) Bacillus thuringiensis
(c) Bacillus anyloliquifanciens
(d) Bacillus globlii

Correct Answer: (b) Bacillus thuringiensis

Solution:Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an insecticide with unusual properties that make it useful for pest control in certain situation. Br is a naturally occurring bacterium common in soils throughout the world. Several strains can infect and kill insects.

2. With reference to the latest developments in stem cell research, consider the following statements : [2002]

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

2. The stem cells can be derived without caisining 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?

(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (d) 3 and 4

Solution:Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells, that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types.

Sources are:

(i) Embryo formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development.

(ii) Adult tissue (adulstem cells).

3. Which one of the following is the landmark performance of Dr. V. Mohan Reddy, an Indian, born doctor working in U.S.A. during February, 2005? [2005]

(a) Research on human stem cell which is likely to revolutionise treatment of deadly disease like cancer.
(b) Successful open heart procedure called arterial switch performed on an infant.
(c) Research on genetic engineering which can help in treatment of deadly disease like AIDS.
(d) Successful brain surgery to revive the function of nearly dead brain of a premature born infant.

Correct Answer: (b) Successful open heart procedure called arterial switch performed on an infant.

Solution:Dr. V. Mohan Reddy in February 2005 performed successful open heart surgery of premature baby of 700 gms.

4. Which one of the following Union Ministries is implementing the Biodiesel Mission (as Nodal Ministry)? [2008]

(a) Ministry of Agriculture
(b) Ministry of Science and Technology
(c) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(d) Ministry of Rural Development

Correct Answer: (d) Ministry of Rural Development

Solution:The Committee on Development of Bio-fuels set-up by the Planning Commission in July, 2002, in its report of April, 2003, recommended launching of the National Commission on Bio-diesel. Ministry of Rural development was designated as the Nodal Ministry for this Mission.

5. In the context of alternative sources of energy, ethanol as a viable bio-fuel can be obtained from : [2008]

(a) Potato
(b) Rice
(c) Sugarcane
(d) Wheat

Correct Answer: (c) Sugarcane

Solution:Sugarcane ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced by the fermentation of sugarcane juice and molasses. Because it is a clean, affordable and low-carbon biofuel, sugarcane ethanol has emerged as a leading renewable fuel for the transportation sector.

6. In the context of CO₂ emission and Global Warming, what is the name of a market driven device under the UNFCC that allows developing countries to get funds/ incentives from the developed countries to adopt better technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions? [2009]

(a) Carbon Footprint
(b) Carbon Credit Rating
(c) Clean Development Mechanism
(d) Emission Reduction Norm

Correct Answer: (c) Clean Development Mechanism

Solution:The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries.

7. With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumours, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct? [2010]

(a) It is a robotic image guided system.
(b) It delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation.
(c) It has the capability of achieving sub-millimetre accuracy.
(d) It can map the spread of tumour in the body.

Correct Answer: (d) It can map the spread of tumour in the body.

Solution:The statement "It can map the spread of the tumour in the body" is not correct. Cyber Knife is a robotic image-guided system that delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation with the capability of achieving sub-millimetre accuracy. However, it is not used to map the spread of the tumour in the body. Instead, other imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scan, or PET scan are used for the same.

8. Genetically modified "golden rice" has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice? [2010]

(a) The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times 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.

Correct Answer: (b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body.

Solution:Golden rice is genetically modified rice. It contains Beta carotene and other carotenoids. Provitamin A (Beta carotene) which upon ingestion converted to Vitamin A in the body.

9. Recently, "oil zapper" was in the news. What is it ? [2011-1]

(a) It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills
(b) It is the latest technology developed for undersea oil exploration
(c) It is a genetically engineered high biofuel yielding maize variety
(d) It is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused flames from oil wells

Correct Answer: (a) It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills

Solution:The oil zapper feeds on hydrocarbon compounds present in crude oil and oily sludge (a hazardous hydrocarbon waste generated by oil refineries) and converts them into harmless CO₂ and water. The scientific term for the above-mentioned process is bioremediation.

10. A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is : [2011 -1]

(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.

Correct Answer: (a) to make it pest-resistant.

Solution:Bt Brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene cry 1 Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into Brinjal.

This is said to give the Brinjal plant resistance against lepidopteran insects like the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer Leucinodes orbonalis and Fruit Borer Helicoverpa armigera.

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