Synthetic Biology MCQs helpful for CBSE/ICSE school board students, NEET, CUET, CSIR-NET, GATE, DBT-BET JRF aspirants, as well as medical licensing and international exam candidates (USMLE, PLAB, AMC, SAT Biology, GRE Biology, BMAT, IMAT).

Synthetic Biology MCQs — Part 1 (Q1–Q25)

Q1. Synthetic biology primarily involves:

A. Sequencing DNA
B. Studying fossils
C. Designing and constructing new biological parts and systems ✅
D. Observing ecosystems

A: Sequencing is genomics.
B: Paleontology.
C: Synthetic biology engineers novel functions in living organisms.
D: Ecology, not synthetic biology.

Q2. The “BioBrick” concept in synthetic biology refers to:

A. Chemical catalysts
B. Standardized DNA parts used to build genetic circuits ✅
C. Protein folding domains
D. Nanoparticles

B: BioBricks are modular DNA parts that can be assembled like Lego blocks.

Q3. Which is a major goal of synthetic biology?

A. Archaeological exploration
B. Reprogramming organisms for useful purposes ✅
C. Space navigation
D. Studying fossils

B: Goals include creating microbes to produce medicines, fuels, or materials.

Q4. Which field overlaps most with synthetic biology?

A. Paleontology
B. Genetic engineering and systems biology ✅
C. Botany
D. Astronomy

B: Synthetic biology integrates engineering principles into biology.

Q5. The iGEM competition is related to:

A. Space exploration
B. Fossil research
C. Student projects in synthetic biology ✅
D. Nanotechnology only

C: iGEM encourages students to design and build synthetic biological systems.

Q6. A genetic toggle switch in synthetic biology is:

A. A DNA sequencing method
B. A synthetic gene circuit that flips between two stable states ✅
C. A protein folding model
D. A genome editing enzyme

B: Genetic toggle switches are used to create memory in cells.

Q7. The term chassis organism refers to:

A. Vehicles in biology labs
B. A host organism engineered to carry synthetic circuits ✅
C. A bacterial toxin
D. Plant genome

B: Chassis organisms provide a stable platform for synthetic constructs.

Q8. Which is an example of synthetic biology application?

A. Studying volcanoes
B. Engineering bacteria to produce insulin ✅
C. Observing stars
D. Classifying fossils

B: Microbes engineered for pharmaceuticals is a classic synthetic biology success.

Q9. CRISPR-Cas9 in synthetic biology is used for:

A. Protein folding
B. Precise genome editing ✅
C. Fossil reconstruction
D. Plant pollination

B: CRISPR allows targeted insertion, deletion, or modification of DNA.

Q10. Which software is often used for designing genetic circuits?

A. Photoshop
B. CellDesigner or Geneious ✅
C. MS Excel
D. AutoCAD

B: Specialized bioinformatics tools model and design gene networks.

Q11. The term “minimal genome” means:

A. Entire genome
B. The smallest set of genes required for life ✅
C. No genome
D. Only plant genomes

B: Synthetic biology sometimes creates minimal genomes to study essential functions.

Q12. Which organism is commonly used as a synthetic biology model?

A. E. coli ✅
B. Crocodiles
C. Whales
D. Dinosaurs

A: E. coli is a widely used chassis organism due to ease of manipulation.

Q13. “Kill switches” in synthetic biology are designed to:

A. Destroy labs
B. Prevent engineered organisms from surviving outside labs ✅
C. Stop fossilization
D. Reduce oxygen

B: Biosafety mechanisms like kill switches control synthetic organisms.

Q14. Which branch of science inspires synthetic biology’s design principles?

A. Astronomy
B. Engineering ✅
C. Paleontology
D. History

B: Standardization, modularity, and abstraction come from engineering.

Q15. Which is an ethical issue in synthetic biology?

A. Studying stars
B. Dual-use risks, biosafety, biosecurity ✅
C. Mining fossils
D. Plant classification

B: Concerns include misuse of engineered organisms or accidental release.

Q16. Which of the following is a synthetic genome project?

A. Apollo 11
B. Craig Venter’s synthetic Mycoplasma genome ✅
C. Human Genome Project
D. SETI

B: Venter’s team created the first cell controlled by a synthetic genome in 2010.

Q17. The “central dogma” used in synthetic biology involves:

A. Fossil formation
B. DNA → RNA → Protein ✅
C. Sun → Earth → Moon
D. Plant → Soil → Water

B: Synthetic biology reprograms the flow of information in cells.

Q18. Which industrial field benefits most from synthetic biology?

A. Archaeology
B. Pharmaceuticals and biofuels ✅
C. Astronomy
D. History

B: Applications include drug production, renewable energy, and agriculture.

Q19. Metabolic engineering is a subset of:

A. Fossil research
B. Astronomy
C. Synthetic biology ✅
D. Oceanography

C: Metabolic engineering modifies pathways to increase useful product yields.

Q20. Which tool allows assembling multiple genes in synthetic biology?

A. Light microscope
B. Gibson Assembly ✅
C. Seismograph
D. Telescope

B: Gibson Assembly enables seamless joining of multiple DNA fragments.

Q21. In synthetic biology, a “reporter gene” is used to:

A. Kill cells
B. Monitor gene expression (e.g., GFP, luciferase) ✅
C. Sequence DNA
D. Create fossils

B: Reporters provide measurable signals like fluorescence.

Q22. The concept of “xenobiology” refers to:

A. Alien research
B. Engineering life with alternative genetic codes or molecules ✅
C. Fossil classification
D. Standard biology

B: Xenobiology explores non-standard nucleotides/amino acids.

Q23. Which of the following is a biosensor application?

A. Observing fossils
B. Bacteria engineered to detect toxins ✅
C. Studying planets
D. Rocket design

B: Synthetic biosensors report presence of environmental chemicals.

Q24. A “cell-free system” in synthetic biology means:

A. Cells without nuclei
B. Biological reactions occurring outside living cells ✅
C. Fossils without DNA
D. Empty Petri dishes

B: Cell-free systems use enzymes/ribosomes in vitro to build proteins or circuits.

Q25. Which synthetic biology project aims to create yeast with redesigned chromosomes?

A. Human Genome Project
B. Apollo 17
C. Sc2.0 (Synthetic Yeast Genome Project) ✅
D. Rosetta

C: Sc2.0 is an international project to synthesize an entire yeast genome.

Synthetic Biology MCQs — Part 2 (Q26–Q50)

Q26. Which term describes using computers to design synthetic genes and pathways?

A. Fossil modeling
B. In silico design ✅
C. In vitro analysis
D. In vivo testing

B: “In silico” refers to computational simulations before lab experiments.

Q27. A synthetic oscillator in cells mimics:

A. Seismic activity
B. Biological clocks and rhythms ✅
C. Fossil dating
D. Planetary rotations

B: Synthetic oscillators create periodic gene expression patterns.

Q28. The main advantage of standardized genetic parts is:

A. Random assembly
B. Predictable and modular biological design ✅
C. Irregular mutations
D. Fossil preservation

B: Standard parts simplify constructing and sharing genetic circuits.

Q29. Which of the following is a cell-free protein synthesis system?

A. Photosynthesis
B. PURE system (Protein synthesis Using Recombinant Elements) ✅
C. PCR
D. DNA hybridization

B: PURE system uses enzymes, ribosomes, and tRNAs without intact cells.

Q30. The concept of “synthetic minimal cell” aims to:

A. Increase fossil size
B. Build a cell with only essential genes for survival ✅
C. Create multicellular fossils
D. Remove DNA from cells

B: Minimal cells help study life’s essentials and serve as chassis organisms.

Q31. A biosynthetic pathway engineered in microbes can produce:

A. Fossils
B. Drugs, biofuels, or bioplastics ✅
C. Planets
D. Radio signals

B: Pathway engineering enables sustainable chemical production.

Q32. Which genome-editing technology revolutionized synthetic biology?

A. PCR
B. CRISPR-Cas9 ✅
C. DNA fingerprinting
D. Sanger sequencing

B: CRISPR allows precise, targeted gene modifications.

Q33. Which field is most closely linked to synthetic biology safety concerns?

A. Astronomy
B. Bioethics and biosecurity ✅
C. Fossil analysis
D. Cosmology

B: Biosafety addresses risks of release, misuse, or unintended consequences.

Q34. What is a genetic circuit?

A. An electronic device
B. A network of genes designed to perform logical functions ✅
C. Fossilized DNA
D. Random mutation pattern

B: Circuits mimic logic gates (AND, OR, NOT) using genes and proteins.

Q35. Which is an orthogonal system in synthetic biology?

A. Fossil collection
B. A system that operates independently from native cell processes ✅
C. Standard DNA replication
D. Planetary rotation models

B: Orthogonal systems reduce interference with host cellular machinery.

Q36. Which is an example of a synthetic metabolic product?

A. Fossils
B. Artemisinin (antimalarial drug) from engineered yeast ✅
C. Coal
D. Oil deposits

B: Yeast engineered to produce artemisinin precursor is a success story.

Q37. A riboswitch in synthetic biology is:

A. Fossil record
B. RNA element that regulates gene expression by binding molecules ✅
C. Protein folding model
D. CRISPR enzyme

B: Riboswitches act as molecular sensors in synthetic gene circuits.

Q38. “Golden Gate Assembly” refers to:

A. Fossil excavation
B. DNA assembly technique using type IIS restriction enzymes ✅
C. A planet formation model
D. Protein folding

B: Enables one-pot, scarless assembly of multiple DNA fragments.

Q39. Which biosafety level (BSL) is typical for most synthetic biology labs?

A. BSL-4
B. BSL-3
C. BSL-1 or BSL-2 ✅
D. BSL-5

C: Most synthetic biology work is done under moderate safety levels.

Q40. Which synthetic biology project created the first chemically synthesized bacterial genome?

A. Human Genome Project
B. J. Craig Venter Institute (2010) ✅
C. iGEM
D. Rosetta mission

B: Venter’s team built a synthetic Mycoplasma genome and transplanted it.

Q41. “Gene drives” in synthetic biology are designed to:

A. Fossilize genes
B. Spread engineered traits rapidly in populations ✅
C. Slow mutations
D. Delete genomes

B: Gene drives bias inheritance → potential for controlling pests or vectors.

Q42. Which molecule is often expanded in xenobiology?

A. Fossil resin
B. The genetic alphabet (new bases beyond A, T, G, C) ✅
C. Protein fossils
D. DNA fragments only

B: Xenobiology includes adding synthetic nucleotides (X, Y) to DNA.

Q43. A “toggle switch” in synthetic biology is based on:

A. Fossil dating
B. Mutually repressing genes creating bistable states ✅
C. Solar panels
D. Random enzymes

B: Toggle switches allow cells to ‘remember’ past signals.

Q44. Which is a common chassis organism besides E. coli?

A. Dinosaurs
B. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) ✅
C. Whales
D. Ferns

B: Yeast is widely used for industrial synthetic biology projects.

Q45. Which device concept is borrowed from electronics into synthetic biology?

A. Fossil diggers
B. Logic gates (AND, OR, NOT) ✅
C. Solar cells
D. Satellites

B: Synthetic circuits mimic computational logic using genes/proteins.

Q46. What does SBOL stand for in synthetic biology?

A. Solar Biology Online Lab
B. Synthetic Biology Open Language ✅
C. Space Biology Operation List
D. Standard Bioinformatics Outline

B: SBOL is a standard for describing genetic designs.

Q47. Which strategy prevents engineered organisms from spreading uncontrollably?

A. Random mutations
B. Kill switches and auxotrophy ✅
C. Fossilization
D. Unlimited growth

B: Biosafety designs ensure lab organisms cannot survive in the wild.

Q48. The main difference between synthetic biology and classical genetic engineering is:

A. No use of DNA
B. Synthetic biology uses standardized, modular, design-based approaches ✅
C. Classical engineering uses fossils
D. Synthetic biology ignores genes

B: Synthetic biology emphasizes engineering principles and modularity.

Q49. Which synthetic organism was built with an artificially expanded genetic alphabet?

A. Yeast only
B. Dinosaurs
C. E. coli with extra DNA bases ✅
D. Plants

C: E. coli engineered with six-base DNA shows xenobiology potential.

Q50. Which of the following is a practical application of synthetic biology?

A. Fossil excavation
B. Microbes engineered to produce biodegradable plastics ✅
C. Building telescopes
D. Studying volcanoes

B: Synthetic microbes help create eco-friendly materials.

Synthetic Biology MCQs — Part 3 (Q51–Q75)

Q51. Which technique allows assembling DNA fragments without restriction enzymes?

A. PCR
B. Gibson Assembly ✅
C. Fossil reconstruction
D. Electrophoresis

B: Gibson Assembly uses overlapping ends and enzymes to seamlessly join DNA.

Q52. “Orthogonal ribosomes” are designed to:

A. Study fossils
B. Translate only engineered mRNAs, separate from natural ribosomes ✅
C. Replace all native ribosomes
D. Work in computers

B: Orthogonal ribosomes expand genetic code without disturbing natural protein synthesis.

Q53. Which project aimed to create an entire synthetic yeast genome?

A. Apollo 11
B. Sc2.0 (Synthetic Yeast Genome Project) ✅
C. Rosetta Mission
D. Human Proteome Project

B: Sc2.0 redesigns yeast chromosomes using synthetic biology.

Q54. A synthetic biology biosensor could be used to:

A. Count stars
B. Detect arsenic or pollutants in water ✅
C. Study fossils
D. Heat soil

B: Engineered microbes can fluoresce or change color in the presence of toxins.

Q55. Which principle makes synthetic biology different from classical biotech?

A. Fossil analysis
B. Standardization, modularity, and abstraction ✅
C. Random trial-and-error
D. Ignoring engineering

B: Synthetic biology follows engineering principles to design life.

Q56. Which concept involves recoding genomes with alternative codons?

A. Fossilization
B. Genetic code engineering ✅
C. RNA splicing
D. Evolutionary convergence

B: Recoded genomes allow novel amino acids or biosafety features.

Q57. Which organism has been engineered to produce insulin?

A. Humans
B. E. coli ✅
C. Dinosaurs
D. Yeast only

B: E. coli was one of the first chassis organisms to produce human insulin.

Q58. A biological AND gate requires:

A. Fossil input
B. Two input signals to produce output ✅
C. One random input
D. Zero inputs

B: Mimics electronic AND logic → output occurs only when both inputs are present.

Q59. Which field studies alternative genetic polymers like XNAs?

A. Archaeology
B. Xenobiology ✅
C. Astronomy
D. Ecology

B: Xenobiology explores life beyond natural DNA/RNA.

Q60. Which is a famous synthetic biology success story?

A. Fossil reconstruction
B. Production of artemisinin precursor in engineered yeast ✅
C. Solar eclipse study
D. Planet exploration

B: Artemisinin (antimalarial drug) production is a major milestone.

Q61. What is the main purpose of a cell-free expression system?

A. Fossil DNA studies
B. Protein production without living cells ✅
C. RNA extraction from fossils
D. Sequencing extinct organisms

B: Cell-free systems simplify and accelerate protein expression.

Q62. Which synthetic biology principle is inspired by computer programming?

A. Random assembly
B. Design–build–test–learn cycle ✅
C. Fossil dating cycles
D. Infinite loops in fossils

B: Iterative cycles ensure systematic development of biological designs.

Q63. A kill switch in synthetic organisms is important for:

A. Fossil preservation
B. Biocontainment and biosafety ✅
C. Space exploration
D. DNA sequencing

B: Prevents engineered microbes from surviving outside labs.

Q64. Which is a synthetic genetic oscillator?

A. Fossil clocks
B. Repressilator ✅
C. BioBrick toggle
D. Planetary cycles

B: The repressilator is a synthetic circuit generating oscillatory gene expression.

Q65. Which type of engineering is most directly linked to synthetic biology?

A. Mechanical engineering
B. Electrical engineering (concept of circuits and logic gates) ✅
C. Civil engineering
D. Mining engineering

B: Synthetic biology borrows circuit design ideas from electrical engineering.

Q66. The expanded genetic code allows cells to:

A. Stop protein synthesis
B. Incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins ✅
C. Lose ribosomes
D. Destroy DNA

B: Expanded code enables novel protein functions and materials.

Q67. Which assembly method is based on homologous DNA overlaps?

A. Fossil binding
B. Gibson Assembly ✅
C. PCR
D. Restriction enzyme cloning

B: Uses exonuclease, polymerase, ligase → seamless joining of overlaps.

Q68. Which project aims to create a synthetic human genome?

A. Apollo 17
B. Human Genome Project–Write (HGP-Write) ✅
C. Mars Sample Return
D. Sc2.0

B: HGP-Write focuses on large-scale human genome synthesis.

Q69. What does a reporter gene like GFP indicate?

A. Fossil age
B. Whether a synthetic circuit is active ✅
C. Star brightness
D. Geological layers

B: GFP fluoresces, showing gene expression status.

Q70. Which is an application of synthetic metabolic pathways?

A. Making fossils
B. Producing renewable biofuels ✅
C. Counting stars
D. Creating telescopes

B: Engineered microbes convert biomass into ethanol, butanol, or biodiesel.

Q71. The term bioparts registry refers to:

A. Fossil collection
B. Database of standardized DNA components (e.g., iGEM Registry) ✅
C. Planetary maps
D. Geological samples

B: The Registry of Standard Biological Parts catalogs BioBricks.

Q72. Which synthetic biology approach creates new-to-nature proteins?

A. Fossil reconstruction
B. Directed evolution and genetic code expansion ✅
C. Random sequencing
D. Gene silencing

B: These methods explore new protein folds and functions.

Q73. What does the term biodesign automation (BDA) mean?

A. Fossil scanning
B. Automated design of genetic circuits using software tools ✅
C. Random DNA shuffling
D. Telescope building

B: BDA applies computational design for faster synthetic biology progress.

Q74. Which is a risk of synthetic biology applications?

A. Fossil misidentification
B. Unintended ecological consequences of engineered organisms ✅
C. Too much oxygen on Earth
D. Faster plant growth

B: Biosecurity concerns include ecosystem disruption or misuse.

Q75. Which enzyme is commonly used for DNA synthesis in vitro?

A. Lipase
B. DNA polymerase ✅
C. Amylase
D. Protease

B: DNA polymerases build DNA strands in vitro and are vital for synthetic constructs.

Synthetic Biology MCQs — Part 4 (Q76–Q100)

Q76. The concept of a synthetic chassis cell is to:

A. Study fossils
B. Serve as a simplified host organism for engineered pathways ✅
C. Count chromosomes
D. Predict earthquakes

B: A chassis cell is engineered with minimal components to carry synthetic circuits.

Q77. Which synthetic biology principle is inspired by engineering modular design?

A. Fossil layers
B. Standardized BioBricks ✅
C. Ancient DNA recovery
D. Evolutionary drift

B: BioBricks are modular DNA parts that can be combined systematically.

Q78. The repressilator is an example of:

A. Fossil clock
B. Synthetic gene oscillator circuit ✅
C. Gene drive
D. CRISPR protein

B: It mimics biological oscillations using engineered feedback loops.

Q79. A “toggle switch” in synthetic biology is:

A. Fossil record
B. A bistable genetic circuit with two stable states ✅
C. DNA sequencing tool
D. RNA virus

B: Toggle switches create cellular memory and binary responses.

Q80. What is the role of orthogonal tRNAs?

A. Fossil preservation
B. To decode synthetic codons and insert unnatural amino acids ✅
C. Stop protein synthesis
D. Code for fossils

B: Orthogonal tRNAs expand the genetic code without interfering with normal translation.

Q81. Which synthetic biology method creates libraries of gene variants?

A. Fossil scanning
B. Directed evolution ✅
C. DNA fingerprinting
D. PCR only

B: Directed evolution mimics natural selection in the lab to evolve functions.

Q82. What does cell-free synthetic biology allow?

A. Plant fossils
B. Biological reactions outside of living organisms ✅
C. Protein fossils
D. Random sequencing

B: Cell-free systems enable prototyping without intact cells.

Q83. Which synthetic biology project created the first synthetic bacterial cell?

A. Apollo 11
B. JCVI-syn1.0 (Craig Venter Institute) ✅
C. HGP-Write
D. SETI

B: JCVI-syn1.0 was the first organism controlled by a synthetic genome (2010).

Q84. “Minimal gene sets” help researchers to:

A. Fossilize DNA
B. Identify essential genes required for life ✅
C. Expand codons
D. Silence evolution

B: Defines the bare minimum genetic toolkit for survival.

Q85. Which is a synthetic biology application in agriculture?

A. Fossil dating
B. Nitrogen-fixing engineered crops ✅
C. Astronomy
D. Soil fossilization

B: Crops engineered to fix nitrogen could reduce fertilizer needs.

Q86. What does metabolic flux analysis measure?

A. Fossil density
B. Flow of metabolites through synthetic pathways ✅
C. Number of fossils
D. Plant height

B: Identifies pathway bottlenecks and optimizes yield.

Q87. Which is a synthetic biocontainment strategy?

A. Fossil traps
B. Dependence on synthetic amino acids ✅
C. Unlimited growth
D. Free mutations

B: Organisms engineered to require unnatural amino acids can’t survive outside labs.

Q88. Which tool is used for DNA synthesis at scale?

A. Fossil hammer
B. DNA synthesizer (oligonucleotide synthesizer) ✅
C. Mass spectrometer
D. Microscope

B: DNA synthesizers build synthetic DNA sequences base by base.

Q89. A biological OR gate in synthetic biology requires:

A. Fossil signal
B. One of two inputs to produce an output ✅
C. No inputs
D. Both inputs always

B: Mimics electronic OR logic using gene regulation.

Q90. Which of the following is NOT a synthetic biology application?

A. Biofuel production
B. Insulin synthesis
C. Carbon dating fossils ✅
D. Biodegradable plastics

C: Fossil dating is not related to synthetic biology.

Q91. The HGP-Write Project focuses on:

A. Reading DNA
B. Writing/synthesizing entire human genomes ✅
C. Fossil DNA recovery
D. Sequencing plants

B: HGP-Write aims to design and construct human-scale genomes.

Q92. What is a genetic firewall in synthetic biology?

A. Fossil wall
B. Mechanism preventing gene exchange between synthetic and natural organisms ✅
C. DNA sequencing filter
D. Cell wall proteins

B: Firewalls enhance biosafety by blocking horizontal gene transfer.

Q93. Which synthetic tool mimics neuronal circuits?

A. Fossil layers
B. Synthetic neural networks in cells ✅
C. DNA fossils
D. PCR

B: Genetic circuits can mimic neural logic and memory.

Q94. Which enzyme is critical in cell-free transcription?

A. Lipase
B. RNA polymerase ✅
C. Protease
D. Amylase

B: RNA polymerase transcribes DNA into RNA in vitro.

Q95. Which method combines DNA shuffling to create new variants?

A. Fossil fusion
B. Directed evolution with recombination ✅
C. PCR fingerprinting
D. Random fossil mixing

B: DNA shuffling accelerates evolution of novel proteins.

Q96. Which synthetic biology principle is similar to CAD software in engineering?

A. Fossil modeling
B. Computer-aided design of DNA circuits ✅
C. Manual fossil mapping
D. Random mutations

B: Software tools model genetic designs before lab testing.

Q97. Which project demonstrated artificial gene networks in living cells?

A. SETI
B. Toggle switch and repressilator experiments ✅
C. Fossil DNA extraction
D. Apollo program

B: Landmark synthetic circuits showed feasibility of engineering gene networks.

Q98. A biosynthetic pathway engineered for pharmaceuticals is:

A. Fossil decay
B. Yeast producing opioids or vaccines ✅
C. Star mapping
D. Fossil fuels

B: Synthetic biology enables controlled production of medicines in microbes.

Q99. Which UN body monitors biotechnology and synthetic biology risks?

A. NASA
B. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ✅
C. CERN
D. WTO

B: CBD addresses biosafety and synthetic biology governance.

Q100. The ultimate aim of synthetic biology is:

A. Fossil classification
B. To design and construct novel life forms or useful biological systems ✅
C. To study stars only
D. To eliminate all DNA

B: Synthetic biology seeks to engineer life for medicine, industry, and sustainability.

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