Biotechnology is one of the most conceptual, high-scoring, and fascinating units in the entire NEET Biology syllabus. A strong grasp of how genetic engineering works at a molecular level is absolutely essential for securing a top rank in the exam. To help you test your knowledge and sharpen your concepts, we have compiled a high-yield set of NEET MCQs Biotechnology Principles and Processes. Unlike standard practice tests, every single question below comes with a detailed, step-by-step explanation. This ensures you aren’t just memorizing the correct options, but truly understanding the science behind recombinant DNA technology!
NEET MCQs Biotechnology Principles and Processes
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NEET MCQs Biotechnology Principles and Processes- Sample
1. First hormone prepared by genetic engineering is:
- a) Insulin
- b) Oxytocin
- c) Adrenaline
- d) Somatotropin
- Correct Answer: a) Insulin
- Explanation: In 1983, the American company Eli Lilly successfully prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to the A and B chains of human insulin and introduced them into plasmids of E. coli to produce insulin chains. This genetically engineered insulin is called Humulin.
2. Retroviruses in animals including humans are able to change normal cells into:
- a) Germ cell
- b) Cancerous cells
- c) Cosmid
- d) Vector
- Correct Answer: b) Cancerous cells
- Explanation: Retroviruses have the ability to transform normal cells into cancerous (tumor) cells by integrating their viral genome into the host’s DNA and disrupting normal cell cycle regulation.
3. The restriction enzyme responsible for the cleavage of following sequence is
5′−G−T−C−G−A−C−3′
3′−C−A−G−C−T−G−5′
- a) Alu I
- b) Bam HI
- c) Hind II
- d) Eco RI
- Correct Answer: c) Hind II
- Explanation: Hind II always cuts DNA molecules at a particular point by recognizing a specific sequence of six base pairs, which is $5′-GTCGAC-3’$.
4. pBR322 was the first artificial cloning vector developed in …A… by …B… and …C… from E.coli plasmid. Here A, B and C can be:
- a) A-1976, B-Boliver, C-Rodriquez
- b) A-1975, B-Tiselius, C-Rodriquez
- c) A-1977, B-Boliver, C-Rodriquez
- d) A-1978, B-HO Smith, C-KW Wileox
- Correct Answer: c) A-1977, B-Boliver, C-Rodriquez
- Explanation: The pBR322 plasmid was created in 1977 by Herbert Boyer’s lab colleagues, Francisco Bolivar and Raymond Rodriguez. The “BR” in pBR322 stands for Bolivar and Rodriguez.
5. Transfer of any gene into a completely different organism can be done through:
- a) Genetic engineering
- b) Tissue culture
- c) Transformation
- d) None of these
- Correct Answer: a) Genetic engineering
- Explanation: Genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology) involves cutting a specific gene from one organism and artificially introducing it into the genome of a completely different organism to alter its phenotype.
6. An environmental agent that triggers transcription from an operon is a:
- a) Depressor
- b) Inducer
- c) Regulator
- d) Controlling element
- Correct Answer: b) Inducer
- Explanation: In an inducible operon (like the lac operon), an inducer is a specific environmental molecule (like lactose) that binds to the repressor protein, inactivating it and allowing RNA polymerase to trigger transcription.
7. Recombinant DNA have integrated fragment of:
- a) Antibiotic resistant gene
- b) Diseases resistant gene
- c) Allergy resistant gene
- d) All of these
- Correct Answer: d) All of these
- Explanation: Recombinant DNA is essentially a customized piece of DNA. Depending on the goal of the biotechnologist, any of these beneficial genes (antibiotic, disease, or allergy resistance) can be integrated into the vector.
8. In plants, the tumour inducing plasmid (Ti) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used as a cloning vector. This statement is:
- a) True
- b) False
- c) Sometimes (a) and sometimes (b)
- d) Neither (a) nor (b)
- Correct Answer: a) True
- Explanation: Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a natural genetic engineer of plants. Scientists modify its Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid by removing the disease-causing genes and replacing them with genes of interest, effectively using it as a delivery vector for plant cells.
9. If recombinant DNA carrying antibiotic resistance (e.g., ampicillin) is transferred into E.coli cell, the host cell is transformed into ampicillin-resistant cells. The ampicillin resistant gene in this case is called a:
- a) Vectors
- b) Plasmid
- c) Selectable marker
- d) Cloning sites
- Correct Answer: c) Selectable marker
- Explanation: A selectable marker helps identify and eliminate non-transformants while selectively permitting the growth of the transformants. Here, the ampicillin resistance gene allows researchers to “select” only the E. coli that successfully took up the recombinant DNA.
10. Boviene spongiform encephalopathy disease is equal to:
- a) Kala Azar
- b) Parkinson’s disease
- c) Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
- d) None of the above
- Correct Answer: c) Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
- Explanation: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as “mad cow disease,” is a prion disease in cattle. Its human equivalent or variant is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).
11. Known sequence of DNA that is used to find complementary DNA strand is:
- a) Vector
- b) Plasmid
- c) DNA probe
- d) Recombinant DNA
- Correct Answer: c) DNA probe
- Explanation: A DNA probe is a short, single-stranded sequence of DNA (or RNA) that is labeled (usually radioactively or fluorescently) and used to search for its complementary sequence in a sample genome.
12. Proteins are removed by treatment with:
- a) Ribonuclease
- b) Chitinase
- c) Cellulase
- d) Protease
- Correct Answer: d) Protease
- Explanation: During the isolation of genetic material, pure DNA is extracted by breaking down other cellular macromolecules using specific enzymes. Proteases are used to degrade proteins (like histones), while ribonucleases degrade RNA.
13. Which of the following key factors, makes plasmid, the vector in genetic engineering?
- a) It is resistant to antibiotics
- b) It is resistant to restriction enzymes
- c) Its ability to carry a foreign gene
- d) Its ability to cause infection in the host
- Correct Answer: c) Its ability to carry a foreign gene
- Explanation: The defining feature of a vector is its ability to act as a vehicle. Plasmids have an origin of replication (ori), allowing them to carry a foreign piece of DNA and independently replicate it within a host cell.
14. I. Ori also controls the copy numbers of the linked DNA. II. If a foreign DNA ligates at the Bam HI site of tetracycline resistance gene in the vector pBR322, the recombinant plasmid loses the tetracycline resistance due to insertion of foreign DNA.
Choose regarding the above statements:
- a) I is true, II is false
- b) II is true, I is false
- c) Both are true
- d) Both are false
- Correct Answer: c) Both are true
- Explanation: The ori sequence regulates replication initiation and copy number. In pBR322, the Bam HI recognition site is located right in the middle of the tetracycline resistance gene. Inserting foreign DNA there disrupts the gene, causing insertional inactivation.
15. When scientists make an animal superior by view of genotype, introducing some foreign genes in it, the phenomenon is called:
- a) Tissue culture
- b) Biotechnology
- c) Genetic engineering
- d) Immunisation
- Correct Answer: c) Genetic engineering
- Explanation: The direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology to introduce new, superior traits is known as genetic engineering (creating transgenic animals).
16. Many copies of a DNA molecule in a test tube are produced by:
- a) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- b) Molecular chain reaction (MCR)
- c) Ephemeral chain reaction (ECR)
- d) All of them
- Correct Answer: a) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Explanation: PCR is an in vitro technique used to exponentially amplify a specific region of DNA, creating millions of copies in a matter of hours using Taq polymerase.
17. Producing a ‘giant mouse’ in the laboratory was possible through:
- a) Gene mutation
- b) Gene duplication
- c) Gene synthesis
- d) Gene manipulation
- Correct Answer: d) Gene manipulation
- Explanation: By isolating the human growth hormone gene and microinjecting it into a mouse embryo, scientists manipulated the genetic makeup of the mouse, resulting in a transgenic “giant mouse” that grew twice normal size.
18. Downstream process includes:
- I. Separation of the product from the reactor
- II. Purification of the product
- III. Formation of the product with suitable preservatives
- IV. Quality control testing and clinical trials in case of drugs
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a) I, II and III
- b) I, II and IV
- c) II, III and IV
- d) I, II, III and IV
- Correct Answer: d) I, II, III and IV
- Explanation: Downstream processing encompasses all the steps taken after the biosynthetic stage in a bioreactor is complete. This includes separation, rigorous purification, formulation with preservatives, and necessary clinical trials for medical products.
19. More advancement in genetic engineering is due to:
- a) Restriction endonuclease
- b) Reverse transcription
- c) Protease
- d) Zymase
- Correct Answer: a) Restriction endonuclease
- Explanation: The discovery of restriction endonucleases (molecular scissors) revolutionized biology. By allowing scientists to cut DNA at highly specific, predictable locations, they made recombinant DNA technology possible.
20. Plasmid are suitable vectors for gene cloning because:
- a) These are small circular DNA molecules, which can integrate with host chromosomal DNA
- b) These are small circular DNA molecules with their own replication origin site
- c) These can shuttle between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- d) These often carry antibiotic resistance genes
Explanation: While plasmids do carry antibiotic resistance genes, their primary suitability as vectors lies in possessing an ori (origin of replication). This allows them to replicate autonomously within the host cell, independent of the chromosomal DNA.
Correct Answer: b) These are small circular DNA molecules with their own replication origin site
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