Applications of Biotechnology

Question 1

Transgene

Answer 1

Transgene is a foreign gene artificially transferred into an organism.
Organism that constains the transgene is called Transgenic Organism

Question 2

Recombinant DNA

Answer 2

The vector DNA with the inserted DNA fragment is called the Recombinant DNA

Question 3

If rice is the plant species transformed, what tolerance is attained? + scientific name

Answer 3

Oryza sativa
Tolerance to salt, cold and drought

Question 4

If maize is the plant species transformed, what tolerance is attained? + scientific name

Answer 4

Zea mays
Cold and drought tolerance

Question 5

If tobacco is the plant species transformed, what tolerance is attained? + scientific name

Answer 5

Nicotiana tabacum
Heat stress tolerance

Question 6

If modified tomatoes is the plant species transformed, what tolerance is attained? + scientific name

Answer 6

Flavr Savr
Delayed ripening, better flavour

Question 7

Gene for resistance to chilling

Answer 7

Gene introduced into tobacco plants for resistance to chilling

codes for the enzyme Glycerol-1-phosphate acyl transferase taken from Arabidopsis

Question 8

Production of pest resistant plants

Answer 8

1. Bt toxin is produced by Bacillus thuringiensis
2. THe toxin is coded by a gene called cry gene
3. B. thuringiensis produces protein crystals which contain the insecticidal toxin
4. The toxin does not kill the bacterium
5. The toxin exists as inactive protoxins in the bacterium
6. When the insect pest ingests the toxin, the alkaline pH of the gut of the insect solubilizes the crystals
7. Activated toxins creates pores in the gut epithelium leading to the death of the insecr
8. The Bt toxin gene is isolated from the bacterium and incorporated into crop plants like Cotton

Question 9

Nematode parasite found to be adversely infecting the roots of tobacco plants

Answer 9

Meloidogyne incognita was adversely affecting the roots of tobacco plants and reducing the yield

Question 10

Which vector was used to address the problem of Meloidogyne incognita and what did the genes introduced do?

Answer 10

1. The Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used as a vector to introduce specific genes into the tobacco plant cells
2. These genes produced both sense and anti-sense RNA in the tobacco cells
3. TThese two RNA strands were complementary to each other, thus forming a dsRNA

Meloiodogyne incognita is the nematode parasite which was found to be adversely affectin the roots of tobacco plant

Question 11

Which enzyme acts upon the dsRNA and what does it do

Answer 11

1. When a dsRNA is introduced in a eukaryotic cell, it is first picked up by a special protein called Dicer (RNAase enzyme)
2. The Dicer cleaves the dsRNA into small fragments called siRNA (short interfering rRNA molecules)

Question 12

What happens to siRNA

Answer 12

1. siRNA binds to a protein called Argonuate (also called Slicer) to form RISC ( RNAi Silencing complex)
2. In the RISC, unwinding of two strands of siRNA occurs. One strand is removed and later digested.
3. Now the RISC has ssRNA

Question 13

What happens when the nematode infects the tobaco cells?

Answer 13

1. When the nematode infects the tobacco cells, the ssRNA binds to the target mRNA of the nematode
2. The RISC cleaves off the mRNA into fragmentes, blocks translation and the nematode cannot survive in the tobacco plant cells

Question 14

What is RNAi?

Answer 14

The silencing of a gene using RNA molecule is termed as RNA interference or RNAi.

It is the most popular mechanism of controlling gene expression

Question 15

Name biofortified crops and also what is so special about them

Answer 15

• Atlas 66- Wheat variety with high protein content
• Golden Rice- Rice variety with high Vitamin A content

Question 16

Transgenic animals

Answer 16

Animals whose DNA has been manipulated to express a foreign gene

Question 17

What are transgenic mice used for

Answer 17

Transgenic mice are used to check the safety of vaccines before they are given to humans

Question 18

Use of transgenic animals

Answer 18

Transgenic animals are used to obtain desirable bio-products such as anti-trypsin, used in the treatment of emphysema

Question 19

Rosie (cow)

Answer 19

1. In 1997, the first transgenic cow, Rosie, produced human protein entiched milk
2. The milk contained the human alpha-lactalbumin
3. It is a more balanced milk product for human babies than natural cow’s milk

Question 20

GEAC

Answer 20

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee

The GEAC is the apex biotech regulatory body in India.

• Its approval is mandatory before genetically modified organisms and products derived from them can be used commercially.
• It assesses proposals regarding the release of genetically engineered products and organisms into the environment, and this includes experimental field trials as well.

Question 21

Biopatent

Answer 21

A biological patent is a legal document that grants the patent holder the right to prevent others from using, selling, creating, or importing the protected invention for a set period.

E.g. India patented Basmati rice
India patented Turmeric

Question 22

Biopiracy

Answer 22

Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other organisations without proper authorisation from the countries and people concerned and without compensatory payment

Question 23

Examples of biopiracy

Answer 23

E.g. US companies granted biopatent on the neem tree of india, and also on indigenous knowledge of its many uses

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly earns millions of dollars by deriving drugs from the rosy periwinkle which is indigenous to Madagascar. The country receives nothing in return