MCQs on Biotechnology and Its Applications – CBSE Class 12 Biology
MCQs on Biotechnology and Its Applications – CBSE Class 12 Biology (NCERT Based)
Course: CBSE Class 12 Biology
Unit IV: Biotechnology
Topic: Biotechnology and Its Applications
Strictly as per NCERT | CBSE Board Exam Oriented | Concept-Clearing Explanations
Section A: Biotechnology in Medicine (Q1–Q15)
Q1. Recombinant DNA technology is widely used in medicine for
A. plant breeding
B. vaccine production
C. fossil study
D. taxonomy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Recombinant DNA technology helps in large-scale production of vaccines, hormones and therapeutic proteins.
Q2. The first recombinant therapeutic protein produced in bacteria was
A. insulin
B. growth hormone
C. interferon
D. vaccine
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Human insulin was the first recombinant protein produced using E. coli.
Q3. Recombinant human insulin is produced using
A. yeast only
B. animal cells
C. bacterial cells
D. plant cells
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: E. coli is commonly used to produce recombinant insulin.
Q4. Insulin produced by recombinant technology is called
A. animal insulin
B. biosynthetic insulin
C. natural insulin
D. synthetic hormone
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It is produced artificially using genetically engineered microbes.
Q5. Gene therapy is used to
A. cure infectious diseases only
B. replace defective genes
C. increase immunity naturally
D. prevent ageing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gene therapy corrects genetic disorders by introducing functional genes.
Q6. ADA deficiency can be treated using
A. vaccination
B. antibiotics
C. gene therapy
D. chemotherapy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: ADA deficiency is treated by introducing a normal ADA gene.
Q7. Vaccines produced using biotechnology are called
A. live vaccines
B. killed vaccines
C. recombinant vaccines
D. attenuated vaccines
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Recombinant vaccines use specific antigens produced by genetic engineering.
Q8. Hepatitis-B vaccine is produced from
A. bacteria
B. animal tissue
C. yeast cells
D. virus culture
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Yeast cells produce HBsAg protein used in the vaccine.
Q9. Monoclonal antibodies are produced by
A. plasma cells
B. hybridoma technique
C. stem cells
D. bone marrow
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hybridoma technology produces identical antibodies.
Q10. Monoclonal antibodies are used in
A. cancer diagnosis
B. plant breeding
C. pest control
D. nitrogen fixation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: They are used in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Q11. PCR is useful in medical diagnosis because it
A. produces proteins
B. amplifies DNA
C. mutates genes
D. kills pathogens
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: PCR amplifies small DNA samples for early disease detection.
Q12. ELISA test is used to detect
A. blood group
B. viral infections
C. genetic mutations
D. cancer cells
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ELISA detects antigens or antibodies, commonly used in HIV testing.
Q13. Recombinant interferons are used to treat
A. bacterial diseases
B. viral infections
C. genetic disorders
D. malnutrition
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Interferons inhibit viral replication.
Q14. Biotechnology helps in personalized medicine by
A. producing vaccines
B. DNA fingerprinting
C. gene sequencing
D. fermentation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Gene sequencing helps tailor treatments to individuals.
Q15. Pharming refers to
A. drug abuse
B. growing drugs in animals or plants
C. chemical synthesis of drugs
D. vaccination
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Pharming uses transgenic organisms to produce pharmaceuticals.
Section B: Biotechnology in Agriculture (Q16–Q30)
Q16. Genetically modified crops are produced using
A. hybridization
B. mutation breeding
C. recombinant DNA technology
D. tissue culture
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Recombinant DNA technology introduces specific genes into crops.
Q17. Bt cotton is resistant to
A. fungal diseases
B. viral diseases
C. insect pests
D. drought
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bt cotton produces Bt toxin that kills insect larvae.
Q18. The Bt toxin gene is obtained from
A. virus
B. fungus
C. bacterium
D. plant
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bt gene is isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis.
Q19. Cry genes code for
A. enzymes
B. toxins
C. hormones
D. antibiotics
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cry proteins are toxic to specific insects.
Q20. Which crop was the first GM food approved for consumption?
A. Bt cotton
B. Golden rice
C. Flavr Savr tomato
D. Bt brinjal
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Flavr Savr tomato had delayed ripening.
Q21. RNA interference (RNAi) is used to
A. increase protein synthesis
B. silence specific genes
C. amplify DNA
D. produce vaccines
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: RNAi prevents translation of specific mRNA.
Q22. RNAi technology is used in plants to
A. increase yield
B. resist pests
C. control weeds
D. improve flavor
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: RNAi silences genes of pests attacking plants.
Q23. Golden rice is rich in
A. iron
B. vitamin C
C. beta-carotene
D. protein
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A.
Q24. GM crops help reduce usage of
A. irrigation
B. fertilizers
C. pesticides
D. machinery
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pest-resistant crops reduce chemical pesticide use.
Q25. Transgenic plants are those which
A. grow faster
B. contain genes from another organism
C. are hybrid plants
D. are disease free naturally
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Foreign genes are introduced into transgenic plants.
Q26. Herbicide-tolerant crops are developed to
A. kill insects
B. tolerate herbicides
C. improve nutrition
D. reduce water requirement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: They survive herbicide application, controlling weeds.
Q27. GM crops contribute to sustainability by
A. increasing pollution
B. reducing biodiversity
C. improving productivity
D. increasing chemical use
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: They improve yield with fewer inputs.
Q28. Biofortified crops are developed to
A. resist pests
B. increase nutritional quality
C. improve taste
D. increase shelf life only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Biofortification enhances vitamins and minerals.
Q29. Which crop is biofortified with vitamin A?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Maize
D. Potato
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Golden rice contains vitamin A precursor.
Q30. Biotechnology helps farmers by
A. increasing cost
B. reducing yield
C. improving crop resistance
D. eliminating crops
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Improved resistance increases productivity.
Section C: Transgenic Animals, Ethical Issues and Environmental Applications (Q31–Q50)
Q31. Transgenic animals are produced to
A. reduce biodiversity
B. study gene function
C. increase pollution
D. cause diseases
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: They help in studying gene expression and diseases.
Q32. Which animal was the first transgenic animal?
A. Cow
B. Sheep
C. Mouse
D. Goat
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Transgenic mice were first produced for research.
Q33. Transgenic animals are used in
A. food production only
B. drug testing
C. pest control
D. vaccination
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: They test safety and efficacy of drugs.
Q34. Rosy is a transgenic
A. cow
B. goat
C. pig
D. sheep
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Rosy produced human alpha-1 antitrypsin in milk.
Q35. Biopiracy refers to
A. illegal cloning
B. unethical use of bioresources
C. genetic modification
D. drug abuse
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It is exploitation of biological resources without permission.
Q36. GEAC regulates
A. drug prices
B. GM organisms
C. hospitals
D. vaccines
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Genetic Engineering Approval Committee oversees GM research.
Q37. Bioethics deals with
A. plant breeding
B. moral issues in biology
C. industrial processes
D. genetic drift
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bioethics addresses ethical issues in biotechnology.
Q38. Bioremediation uses organisms to
A. increase pollution
B. remove pollutants
C. cause disease
D. kill plants
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Microbes clean environmental pollutants.
Q39. Oil spills can be cleaned using
A. fungi
B. genetically modified microbes
C. insects
D. algae only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Modified microbes degrade hydrocarbons.
Q40. Biopesticides are
A. chemical pesticides
B. toxic metals
C. biological agents
D. synthetic hormones
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: They use microbes or natural enemies.
Q41. Which is a biopesticide?
A. DDT
B. BHC
C. Bt toxin
D. Malathion
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Bt toxin is biologically derived.
Q42. Biotechnology helps environment by
A. increasing waste
B. causing pollution
C. eco-friendly solutions
D. resource depletion
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: It provides sustainable solutions.
Q43. DNA fingerprinting is used in
A. agriculture only
B. forensic science
C. fermentation
D. cloning
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It helps in crime investigation and paternity tests.
Q44. Transgenic fish are produced to
A. reduce size
B. grow faster
C. change color only
D. reduce lifespan
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Growth hormone genes increase growth rate.
Q45. Ethical concern in biotechnology arises due to
A. food production
B. genetic manipulation
C. irrigation
D. fertilization
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gene manipulation raises moral questions.
Q46. Biotechnology laws aim to
A. stop research
B. ensure safety
C. increase pollution
D. reduce productivity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Regulations protect health and environment.
Q47. Biotechnological applications should be
A. profit oriented only
B. unethical
C. safe and ethical
D. secret
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Responsible use is essential.
Q48. Environmental biotechnology promotes
A. deforestation
B. sustainability
C. extinction
D. toxicity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It supports sustainable development.
Q49. Biotechnology and its applications mainly aim at
A. exploitation of nature
B. human welfare
C. pollution increase
D. population control
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The core aim is improving quality of life.
Q50. The future of biotechnology depends on
A. ethical use and regulation
B. uncontrolled experiments
C. excessive exploitation
D. ignoring safety
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Ethical and regulated use ensures sustainable benefits.
✅ End of MCQs – Biotechnology and Its Applications (Class 12 Biology, NCERT)