Part 1: Principles of Biotechnology (Q1–Q25)
Chapter 9 – Biotechnology: Principles and Processes (Genetic Engineering / Recombinant DNA Technology)
(NCERT Class 12 Biology, CBSE & NEET UG Focus)
Subtopic Breakdown (Chapter 9 – NCERT)
- Principles of Biotechnology – Core concepts (genetic engineering & bioprocess engineering).
- Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology – Restriction enzymes, ligases, polymerases.
- Cloning Vectors – Plasmids, bacteriophages, features of vectors.
- Competent Host & Methods of Gene Transfer – Transformation, electroporation, biolistics.
- rDNA Technology Process – Isolation of DNA, cutting, joining, insertion.
- Methods of Selection & Screening – Antibiotic resistance, reporter genes, blue-white selection.
- Large-Scale Production & Downstream Processing – Bioreactors, purification.
- Mixed & NEET-Style Application MCQs – Revision & advanced practice.
Part 1: Principles of Biotechnology (Q1–Q25)
Q1. Biotechnology primarily involves:
a) Use of only microorganisms
b) Genetic engineering and bioprocess engineering
c) Cross-breeding of plants and animals
d) Traditional fermentation
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Core principles: genetic engineering + bioprocess engineering.
- a) Microbes are important but not the only tool.
- c & d) Traditional methods are not modern biotechnology.
Q2. Who is known as the father of genetic engineering?
a) Herbert Boyer
b) Paul Berg
c) Stanley Cohen
d) Watson & Crick
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Paul Berg pioneered recombinant DNA technology.
Q3. First recombinant DNA molecule was constructed by:
a) Paul Berg
b) Stanley Cohen & Herbert Boyer
c) Frederick Sanger
d) Alexander Fleming
Answer: a
- a) Correct: Paul Berg constructed first recombinant DNA (1972).
Q4. First recombinant DNA technology experiment in bacteria was performed by:
a) Watson & Crick
b) Stanley Cohen & Herbert Boyer
c) Paul Berg
d) Rosalind Franklin
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Cohen & Boyer introduced rDNA into E. coli.
Q5. Genetic engineering means:
a) Altering genetic material by natural breeding
b) Direct manipulation of genes using biotechnology
c) Gene transfer via pollen
d) None
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Genetic engineering = direct manipulation of DNA/RNA.
Q6. Which is NOT a step in recombinant DNA technology?
a) Isolation of DNA
b) Ligation of DNA fragments
c) Electrophoresis
d) Photosynthesis
Answer: d
- d) Correct: Photosynthesis has no role in rDNA technology.
Q7. Bioprocess engineering involves:
a) Using machines only
b) Maintaining sterile conditions for large-scale production
c) Cross-breeding
d) Only DNA isolation
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Bioprocess engineering = sterile large-scale culture conditions.
Q8. Which of the following is a traditional biotechnological process?
a) Antibiotic production
b) Curd making
c) rDNA technology
d) PCR
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Curd making (Lactobacillus) = traditional biotechnology.
Q9. Modern biotechnology differs from traditional because:
a) It uses only plants
b) It involves genetic engineering and molecular tools
c) It uses microbes for food
d) None
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Modern = rDNA, PCR, molecular cloning.
Q10. Bioreactors are used in biotechnology to:
a) Perform PCR
b) Grow organisms under controlled conditions for product formation
c) Cut DNA
d) Transfer DNA
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Bioreactors = large-scale controlled growth.
Q11. Which one is NOT an application of biotechnology?
a) Gene therapy
b) Biofertilizers
c) Antibiotic misuse
d) Production of insulin
Answer: c
- c) Correct: Antibiotic misuse is not biotechnology.
Q12. First genetically engineered product used in medicine was:
a) Human insulin
b) Interferon
c) Growth hormone
d) Monoclonal antibodies
Answer: a
- a) Correct: Recombinant insulin (Humulin) was first medical product.
Q13. Which of the following is required for genetic engineering?
a) Restriction enzymes
b) Cloning vectors
c) Competent host
d) All of the above
Answer: d
- d) Correct: All are essential for rDNA technology.
Q14. Which technique allows amplification of DNA?
a) PCR
b) rDNA
c) Southern blotting
d) Electrophoresis
Answer: a
- a) Correct: PCR amplifies DNA sequences.
Q15. First animal gene was cloned in bacteria in year:
a) 1953
b) 1973
c) 1980
d) 1990
Answer: b
- b) Correct: 1973 → Cohen & Boyer cloned frog rRNA gene in E. coli.
Q16. Biotechnology is defined as:
a) Use of biotic components for new products
b) Manipulation of organisms for human welfare
c) Direct use of genes for industrial purpose
d) All of the above
Answer: d
- d) Correct: All are correct aspects.
Q17. Bioprocess includes downstream processing which is:
a) Cutting DNA
b) Purification of the product
c) Electrophoresis
d) Only ligation
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Downstream processing = purification of desired product.
Q18. Genetic engineering does NOT involve:
a) Restriction enzymes
b) Ligation
c) Pollination
d) Transformation
Answer: c
- c) Correct: Pollination = plant breeding, not rDNA.
Q19. The ultimate goal of recombinant DNA technology is:
a) To destroy DNA
b) To transfer and express foreign genes in host organisms
c) To block gene expression
d) None
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Gene transfer + expression = aim of rDNA.
Q20. Who coined the term “genetic engineering”?
a) Paul Berg
b) Jack Williamson
c) Watson
d) Cohen
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Jack Williamson coined the term.
Q21. Biotechnological production requires maintaining:
a) Highly contaminated conditions
b) Sterile environment
c) Dirty tanks
d) Only sunlight
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Sterile conditions required.
Q22. The main principle behind genetic engineering is:
a) Cutting DNA at specific sites
b) Introducing it into host
c) Expressing foreign gene
d) All of the above
Answer: d
- d) Correct: All are steps in genetic engineering.
Q23. First genetically engineered vaccine developed was against:
a) Polio
b) Hepatitis B
c) HIV
d) Tuberculosis
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Hepatitis B vaccine was first recombinant vaccine.
Q24. In genetic engineering, selectable markers are used to:
a) Join DNA fragments
b) Identify transformed cells
c) Cut DNA
d) Amplify DNA
Answer: b
- b) Correct: Markers help select transformed host cells.
Q25. Recombinant DNA is:
a) DNA from only one organism
b) Hybrid DNA from two different sources
c) RNA hybrid
d) Mutated DNA only
Answer: b
- b) Correct: rDNA = hybrid DNA from different organisms.
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