NCERT Questions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 – Biotechnology and its Applications

Important Questions with Solutions of Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 Biotechnology and its Applications

1) How come industrialized nations are misusing the bioresources of industrialized nations? Explain.

Ans – Developing countries like India are resourced and patented the genetic resources by industrialized nations. For instance, Basmati rice is licensed by an American company. Some are licensed and exploited for financial/commercial uses like bioresource-based valuable biomolecules.

2) Define Golden rice. State it’s an advantage.

Ans – A gene for a precursor to vitamin A, golden rice is a transgenic rice. Being high in nutrition and Vitamin A, this pertains to green-yellow grains.

3) Define genetically modified organisms – Mention 2 affecting factors of their behavioral pattern.

Ans – Transgenic organisms, those whose genes have been manipulated are known as genetically modified organisms. Factors affecting their behavioral pattern are:

1. Gene should be double-checked before entering.
2. Genetically modified organisms are harvested with a wish for particular consequences.

4) Define “Biopiracy” – State examples.

Ans – Multinational corporations with other organisms utilize bio-resources not authorized precisely by the countries and people concerned. Take the example of basmati rice planted under a US patent by an American company – grown in India. It is called for its unique flavor and smell.

5) Only insects die by the bacterial toxins, not the bacteria. Elaborate.

Ans. Bacterial toxins are not the reason for the death of Bacillus thuringiensis. While entering an insect body, the poisonous protein which is normally inactive, activates releasing toxins because of the alkaline pH of one’s stomach, dissolving the crystal. This toxin after its activation generates pores which further lead to swelling of the cells and lysis, binding it to the surface of midgut epithelial cells.

6) Elaborate with an example – The reason behind the creation of transgenic or genetically modified animals.

Ans – The reasons behind the transgenic or genetically modified animals being created are:

1. Study of the functioning of genes and improvement of the body along with its regulation. Data gathered about insulin’s biological role in growth factors can also be an example.
2. Study of genes’ contribution to the pathogenesis of the disease.
3. A part of DNA is used as a biological compound encoding the produced in another organism. For example, we can talk about, transgenic organisms that generate Antitrypsin. Emphysema is treated with the utilization of this protein.
4. The safety of the vaccine is rechecked. As, in the Genetically Modified mouse, the polio vaccine was examined.
5. Transgenic animals are used to test the toxicity level of the drug.

7) How to generate a nematode-resistant transgenic plant?

Ans – Meloidogyne incognita is the nematode that infects tobacco plants and minimizes the yields of that plant. Agrobacterium vector brings particular parasite genes of plants into the introduction and can generate sense and antisense RNA.

As RNAs are complementary, double-standard RNA (dsRNA) is formed. RNA interference is a procedure in which nematode RNA is neutralized to restrict the parasite from residing inside the transformed host. This whole process acts as a shield for the plants against the pests.

8) Define Cry Protein and name its source along with its usage.

Ans – A soil bacterium known as Bacillus thuringiensis called ‘Cry protein’ generates a crystal protein, which spreads its toxicity to the larvae of insects like tobacco buds, beetles, and mosquitoes. The generated cry protein is converted from an inactive protoxin to an active toxin.

The insect’s intestinal alkaline pH solubilizes the crystals of cry protein. Pores are developed in the intestinal epithelial cells as the activated form of cry protein binds with the midguts of insects, resulting in cell lysis and death of the insect. The bacterial content in the gene encoding protein makes the crops insect-resistant when incorporated.

Understanding Class 12 Biology Biotechnology and its Applications

Biotechnology is the defined scientific manipulation of living organisms or their parts to manufacture useful products and services. It involves the application of biological processes for technological advancement. The students of Class 12 Biology study the detailed techniques and methods applied in biotechnology, like genetic engineering, cloning, and DNA fingerprinting. The chapter of NCERT Chapter 10 is available in PDF format.

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is a basic elemental part of biotechnology that involves changing the genetic material of an organism to introduce desired traits. It gives scientists the power to make genetically modified organisms with a view to introducing some desirable traits, for example, resistance to pests and raising nutritional value. Students of Biology in Class 12 study its ethical issues and possible benefits in fields of agriculture, medicine, and other such fields.

Applications of Biotechnology

It has applications in industries such as agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. Majorly, class 12 biology, chapter 10 deals with the practical fields of application of Biotechnology and how it has worked towards changing these fields.

Agricultural Biotechnology

The other major application of biotechnology is in agriculture. Biotechnical techniques have resulted in genetically altered crops, which are more resistant to pests, diseases, and unfavorable environmental factors. This leads to increased crop yields and lesser reliance on chemical pesticides. Consequently, food security is enhanced. Students in Class 12 Biology learn how agricultural biotechnology has influenced world food production and sustainability.

Medical Biotechnology

Biotechnology has also given a lot to medicine. From the production of life-saving drugs and vaccines, development of gene therapy for diseases to several other innovative interventions, the biotechnological achievements brought far-reaching change in healthcare. The role of biotechnology in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases is learned by students in Class 12 Biology Chapter 10.

Environmental Biotechnology

Another important application of this technology in the area of environmental science involves remediation of polluted soils, treatment of contaminated water, and mitigation of climate change through biotechnological methods. During the Class 12 Biology course, students will conduct an investigation to determine ways through which biotechnology can contribute to solving environmental challenges as part of sustainable development.