Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology – rDNA, GMOs, Bioreactors, Gene Therapy, Biosafety Quiz - ICSE Class 12 Biology

Free practice quiz: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology – rDNA, GMOs, Bioreactors, Gene Therapy, Biosafety (ICSE Class 12 Biology). 50 multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations. Play online, no sign-up needed.

This ICSE Class 12 Biology practice quiz has 50 multiple-choice questions on Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology – rDNA, GMOs, Bioreactors, Gene Therapy, Biosafety, and 50 of them come with an explanation. Try the 5 sample questions below (tap an option to check yourself), then play the full quiz online. No sign-up needed.

Sample questions

1. Which restriction enzyme recognizes the palindromic sequence 5'-GAATTC-3' and cuts between G and A?

   1. HindIII
   2. EcoRI
   3. BamHI
   4. PstI
   Show answer

   Answer: B. EcoRI

   EcoRI is a restriction enzyme that recognizes the palindromic sequence 5'-GAATTC-3' and produces sticky ends by cutting between the guanine (G) and adenine (A) bases on both strands.

2. What is the purpose of a containment strategy in a biosafety framework for genetically modified organisms?

   1. To enhance the growth rate of GMOs.
   2. To prevent the escape of GMOs from the laboratory or cultivation site.
   3. To accelerate the process of gene expression.
   4. To increase the efficiency of DNA replication.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. To prevent the escape of GMOs from the laboratory or cultivation site.

   Containment refers to the physical, biological, or administrative measures put in place to ensure that genetically modified organisms remain confined to their intended environment and do not pose a risk to the wider ecosystem or public health.

3. In gene therapy, retroviral vectors are often used. What is a unique characteristic of retroviral integration into the host genome?

   1. It is a transient integration.
   2. It involves reverse transcription of viral RNA into DNA, followed by integration.
   3. It only occurs in non-dividing cells.
   4. It is reversible.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It involves reverse transcription of viral RNA into DNA, followed by integration.

   Retroviruses utilize the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into double-stranded DNA. This DNA is then integrated into the host cell's genome, becoming a permanent part of it.

4. In bioreactor design, what is the purpose of a sparger?

   1. To remove carbon dioxide.
   2. To introduce air or oxygen into the liquid medium.
   3. To maintain a constant temperature.
   4. To break down complex nutrients.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. To introduce air or oxygen into the liquid medium.

   A sparger is a device that disperses gas (usually air or oxygen) into the liquid culture medium in fine bubbles, increasing the surface area for gas transfer and thus supplying oxygen to the respiring cells.

5. The process of genetically engineering a bacterium to produce human insulin involves inserting the human insulin gene into a bacterial plasmid. What is the source of the bacterial plasmid?

   1. A plant cell
   2. A yeast cell
   3. A bacterial cell
   4. A virus
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A bacterial cell

   Bacterial plasmids are naturally occurring, extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria. They serve as versatile vectors in genetic engineering because they can be easily isolated, manipulated, and reintroduced into host bacteria.

More questions in this quiz

Answers and explanations are in the full quiz.

1. A gene that confers antibiotic resistance is commonly used as a selectable marker in rDNA technology. If a plasmid carrying a gene for ampicillin resistance is used to transform bacteria, and the bacteria are grown on a medium containing ampicillin, what will be the outcome?
2. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a good cloning vector?
3. What is the primary function of a bioreactor in industrial biotechnology?
4. In the context of bioreactors, what is the significance of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels?
5. What does the term 'sterilization' refer to in the operation of a bioreactor?
6. Which of the following is a primary objective of gene therapy?
7. What is the primary challenge in delivering therapeutic genes to target cells in gene therapy?
8. SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) is a genetic disorder that has been targeted for gene therapy. In this context, what is the genetic defect?
9. Which of the following is a primary concern related to biosafety in genetic engineering?
10. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement that aims to:
11. A transgenic plant expresses a gene that confers resistance to a specific herbicide. This is an example of what type of genetic modification?
12. Which of the following statements best describes a 'genetically modified organism' (GMO)?
13. Golden Rice, engineered to produce beta-carotene, is a prime example of a GMO developed to address a specific nutritional deficiency. What vitamin does beta-carotene contribute to?
14. In the process of creating a recombinant DNA molecule, which enzyme is primarily responsible for joining the DNA fragments together?
15. What is the function of a promoter sequence in a cloning vector?
16. The process of transformation in bacteria, as used in rDNA technology, refers to:
17. Which of the following is a key parameter controlled in a bioreactor to optimize microbial growth and product formation?
18. What is the primary role of a 'feed' in a fed-batch bioreactor system?
19. Ex vivo gene therapy involves:
20. Which of the following is a potential risk associated with the use of viral vectors in gene therapy?
21. A genetically modified crop plant is engineered to express a Bt toxin gene. What benefit does this confer upon the plant?
22. What is the primary purpose of using a selectable marker gene in conjunction with a gene of interest in a cloning vector?
23. Which of the following is a key component of a bioreactor that ensures adequate mixing and mass transfer?
24. In the context of biosafety, 'biosafety level' (BSL) refers to:
25. CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary gene editing tool. What is its primary function?
26. What is the principal advantage of using a shuttle vector in rDNA technology?
27. What is the term for the process of inserting a gene into the host genome using a viral vector?
28. Which regulatory mechanism is often employed in bioreactors to maintain optimal microbial growth and product yield by controlling the feeding rate of nutrients?
29. What is a primary ethical concern surrounding germline gene therapy?
30. The Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) is an information-sharing mechanism established under which international agreement?
31. When creating a genetically modified organism, the goal is to introduce a specific gene that confers a desired trait. What is this introduced gene called?
32. The 'blotting' techniques (Southern, Northern, Western) are used to detect specific nucleic acids or proteins. Which blotting technique is used to detect DNA?
33. Which of the following is a major limitation of using plasmid vectors for cloning large DNA inserts (e.g., >10 kb)?
34. In a continuous culture system within a bioreactor, what is the key characteristic?
35. Which biological agent is commonly used as a vector for gene therapy due to its ability to efficiently infect cells and integrate its genetic material into the host genome?
36. What is the purpose of 'gene silencing' in the context of GMOs, such as using RNA interference (RNAi)?
37. In a bioreactor, maintaining a constant pH is crucial. Which component is typically used for pH control?
38. Which of the following is a form of somatic gene therapy?
39. What does the term 'gene gun' (biolistic method) refer to in genetic engineering?
40. Consider a genetically modified organism that expresses a gene conferring enhanced nutrient uptake. What potential biosafety concern might arise from its widespread cultivation?
41. What is the role of a terminator sequence in a gene construct intended for expression in a host organism?
42. The term 'GMO labelling' relates to biosafety and consumer information. What is a common debate surrounding GMO labelling?
43. Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing DNA from an RNA template, a process crucial for retroviral gene therapy vectors?
44. A transgenic organism is created by introducing foreign DNA. The foreign DNA that is introduced is known as:
45. What is the primary goal of a 'containment strategy' in a biosafety framework for genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs)?

More quizzes

• Human Reproduction – Systems, Gametogenesis, Fertilisation, Pregnancy▶ Play
• Microbes in Human Welfare – Antibiotics, Fermentation, Waste Treatment, Biofertilizers, Biocontrol▶ Play
• Molecular Basis of Inheritance – DNA Replication, Genetic Code, Gene Expression▶ Play
• Principles of Inheritance & Variation – Mendel, Multiple Alleles, Polygenic, Chromosomal Theory▶ Play
• Reproduction in Organisms (Asexual & Sexual modes)▶ Play
• Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants▶ Play

Browse all Biology quizzes

More to play