CBSE Class 12 Biology – Chapter 12 Biotechnology and Its Applications | Very Short Answer Questions (NCERT Based)

Course & Examination Details

• Course: CBSE Class XII Biology
• Board: Central Board of Secondary Education
• Unit: IV – Biotechnology
• Chapter: 12 – Biotechnology and Its Applications
• Prescribed By: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
• Question Type: Very Short Answer (VSA)
• Answer Length: 20–30 words
• Exam Relevance: CBSE Class 12 Board Examination

CBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 12 – Biotechnology and Its Applications | 50 Very Short Answer Questions (NCERT)

SECTION A: Biotechnology in Agriculture (Q1–Q8)

Q1. What is the main objective of biotechnology in agriculture?
Ans: The main objective is to increase crop yield, improve quality, and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides through genetic modification.

Q2. Name one abiotic stress addressed using biotechnology.
Ans: Drought stress is addressed using biotechnology by introducing genes that help plants tolerate water deficiency conditions.

Q3. What is biofortification?
Ans: Biofortification is the process of increasing the nutritional value of crops by enhancing their vitamin, mineral, or protein content using biotechnology.

Q4. How does biotechnology reduce pesticide use?
Ans: Biotechnology develops pest-resistant crops that produce insecticidal proteins, thereby reducing the need for external chemical pesticide application.

Q5. What type of gene is introduced to make pest-resistant plants?
Ans: Insect-resistant plants are developed by introducing toxin-producing genes derived from Bacillus thuringiensis.

Q6. Mention one advantage of GM crops in agriculture.
Ans: GM crops reduce crop losses due to pests and increase overall agricultural productivity.

Q7. What is the role of recombinant DNA technology in agriculture?
Ans: Recombinant DNA technology allows insertion of desirable genes into crop plants to improve resistance, yield, and nutritional quality.

Q8. Name one genetically modified crop grown commercially.
Ans: Bt cotton is a genetically modified crop grown commercially for insect resistance.

SECTION B: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (Q9–Q15)

Q9. What are genetically modified organisms?
Ans: GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been altered by introducing foreign genes using genetic engineering techniques.

Q10. Why are GMOs developed?
Ans: GMOs are developed to enhance productivity, resistance to pests, tolerance to stress, and nutritional value.

Q11. Name one benefit of GM food crops.
Ans: GM food crops can have improved nutritional quality and longer shelf life.

Q12. What is gene flow in GMOs?
Ans: Gene flow refers to the transfer of modified genes from GM crops to wild relatives through pollination.

Q13. Mention one concern related to GMOs.
Ans: GMOs may cause ecological imbalance by affecting non-target organisms.

Q14. What ensures safety of GM crops?
Ans: Rigorous biosafety testing and regulatory approvals ensure the safety of GM crops before commercial release.

Q15. GMOs are produced using which technique?
Ans: GMOs are produced using recombinant DNA technology.

SECTION C: Bt Crops (Q16–Q22)

Q16. What does Bt stand for in Bt crops?
Ans: Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium producing insecticidal proteins.

Q17. Which protein provides insect resistance in Bt crops?
Ans: Cry protein provides insect resistance in Bt crops.

Q18. In which form is Bt toxin present in plants?
Ans: Bt toxin is present in plants as an inactive protoxin.

Q19. Why is Bt toxin activated only inside insect gut?
Ans: Bt protoxin is activated in the alkaline pH of the insect gut.

Q20. Name one insect controlled by Bt cotton.
Ans: Bollworm is controlled by Bt cotton.

Q21. Why are Bt crops considered environment friendly?
Ans: Bt crops reduce chemical pesticide usage and are specific to target pests.

Q22. Bt crops are an example of which pest control method?
Ans: Bt crops represent biological pest control through genetic engineering.

SECTION D: RNA Interference (RNAi) (Q23–Q27)

Q23. What is RNA interference?
Ans: RNA interference is a cellular process that silences specific mRNA molecules, preventing translation and protein synthesis.

Q24. Which RNA molecules are involved in RNAi?
Ans: Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are involved in RNA interference.

Q25. What is the role of double-stranded RNA in RNAi?
Ans: Double-stranded RNA triggers degradation of complementary mRNA in RNA interference.

Q26. Name one application of RNAi in plants.
Ans: RNAi is used to develop nematode-resistant plants.

Q27. Why is RNAi considered highly specific?
Ans: RNAi targets only complementary mRNA sequences, avoiding effects on non-target genes.

SECTION E: Biotechnology in Medicine (Q28–Q33)

Q28. Name the first therapeutic protein produced using recombinant DNA technology.
Ans: Human insulin was the first therapeutic protein produced using recombinant DNA technology.

Q29. Why is recombinant insulin preferred over animal insulin?
Ans: Recombinant insulin is purer and does not cause allergic reactions.

Q30. Name one hormone produced using biotechnology.
Ans: Human growth hormone is produced using biotechnology.

Q31. What are interferons?
Ans: Interferons are proteins produced by host cells to protect against viral infections.

Q32. How has biotechnology improved disease diagnosis?
Ans: Biotechnology enables early and accurate diagnosis using molecular techniques.

Q33. What is the advantage of recombinant therapeutic proteins?
Ans: They ensure high purity, safety, and large-scale production.

SECTION F: Gene Therapy (Q34–Q38)

Q34. What is gene therapy?
Ans: Gene therapy is the technique of correcting defective genes by introducing functional genes into patient cells.

Q35. Name one disease treated using gene therapy.
Ans: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency is treated using gene therapy.

Q36. What is somatic gene therapy?
Ans: Somatic gene therapy involves modification of body cells and is not inherited by offspring.

Q37. Why is germline gene therapy controversial?
Ans: Germline gene therapy affects future generations and raises ethical concerns.

Q38. What is the aim of gene therapy?
Ans: The aim is to restore normal gene function and cure genetic disorders.

SECTION G: Transgenic Animals (Q39–Q44)

Q39. What are transgenic animals?
Ans: Transgenic animals contain foreign genes introduced through genetic engineering.

Q40. Why are transgenic animals used in research?
Ans: They help study gene regulation and human diseases.

Q41. Name one transgenic animal used for cancer research.
Ans: Transgenic mice are used extensively for cancer research.

Q42. How are transgenic animals useful in medicine?
Ans: They produce therapeutic proteins and help test vaccine safety.

Q43. What is pharming?
Ans: Pharming is the production of pharmaceutical substances using transgenic animals.

Q44. Which body fluid commonly contains human proteins in transgenic animals?
Ans: Human proteins are commonly produced in the milk of transgenic animals.

SECTION H: Ethical Issues in Biotechnology (Q45–Q50)

Q45. What is biopatenting?
Ans: Biopatenting involves granting patents for biological products or processes developed through biotechnology.

Q46. Define biopiracy.
Ans: Biopiracy is the unauthorized use of biological resources without compensating the indigenous communities.

Q47. Why are ethical issues important in biotechnology?
Ans: Ethical issues ensure responsible, safe, and equitable use of biotechnology.

Q48. Name one concern related to biopatenting.
Ans: Biopatenting may restrict access to biological resources for developing nations.

Q49. Who regulates biotechnological practices?
Ans: Regulatory authorities and ethical committees regulate biotechnological practices.

Q50. Why is biosafety testing essential?
Ans: Biosafety testing ensures that GM products are safe for humans and the environment.