Part 4 – GM Crops: Benefits, Concerns & Examples (Other than Bt)

Q1.

Golden Rice was genetically engineered to produce:
a) Vitamin A (β-carotene)
b) Vitamin C
c) Vitamin D
d) Iron

Answer: a) Vitamin A (β-carotene)

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Golden Rice enriched with β-carotene (precursor of Vitamin A).
(b) Vitamin C → Not modified in rice.
(c) Vitamin D → Produced in humans via sunlight.
(d) Iron → Separate project (Iron-fortified rice).

Q2.

The main health problem targeted by Golden Rice is:
a) Rickets
b) Vitamin A deficiency
c) Scurvy
d) Goiter

Answer: b) Vitamin A deficiency

Explanation:

(a) Rickets → Vitamin D deficiency.
(b) Correct → Golden Rice helps reduce blindness from Vitamin A deficiency.
(c) Scurvy → Vitamin C deficiency.
(d) Goiter → Iodine deficiency.

Q3.

Flavr Savr tomato was developed for:
a) Resistance to fungal diseases
b) Increased vitamin C content
c) Delayed fruit ripening
d) Tolerance to drought

Answer: c) Delayed fruit ripening

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Not for fungi.
(b) Incorrect → Not for vitamins.
(c) Correct → Flavr Savr tomato had suppressed polygalacturonase enzyme, delaying ripening.
(d) Incorrect → Not drought tolerant.

Q4.

Which gene was suppressed in Flavr Savr tomato to delay softening?
a) Polygalacturonase
b) Rubisco
c) Cry1Ac
d) Nif gene

Answer: a) Polygalacturonase

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Enzyme breaks down pectin in cell walls.
(b) Rubisco → Photosynthesis enzyme.
(c) Cry1Ac → Insecticidal gene, not used here.
(d) Nif → Nitrogen fixation, not relevant.

Q5.

Which GM crop was developed to address iron deficiency anemia?
a) Bt brinjal
b) Golden Rice
c) Iron-fortified rice
d) Flavr Savr tomato

Answer: c) Iron-fortified rice

Explanation:

(a) Bt brinjal → Pest resistant.
(b) Golden Rice → Vitamin A, not iron.
(c) Correct → Genetic modification increased iron content.
(d) Flavr Savr → Shelf life.

Q6.

“Terminator seed technology” refers to:
a) Seeds that self-destruct after harvest
b) Sterile seeds preventing re-use by farmers
c) Seeds resistant to drought
d) Seeds that terminate pests

Answer: b) Sterile seeds preventing re-use by farmers

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Not self-destructing.
(b) Correct → Technology prevents seed saving, forcing repurchase.
(c) Incorrect → Not drought resistance.
(d) Incorrect → Not pest control.

Q7.

Which of the following is a major ecological concern of GM crops?
a) Gene flow to wild relatives
b) Increased biodiversity
c) Enhanced soil fertility
d) Zero pesticide use

Answer: a) Gene flow to wild relatives

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Genes may spread to non-GM crops/wild plants.
(b) Incorrect → GM crops may reduce biodiversity.
(c) Incorrect → Fertility not automatically improved.
(d) Incorrect → Pesticide use reduced, but not zero.

Q8.

Herbicide-tolerant soybean was developed to:
a) Increase nitrogen fixation
b) Reduce weeding cost
c) Enhance vitamin content
d) Increase seed size

Answer: b) Reduce weeding cost

Explanation:

(a) Incorrect → Nitrogen fixation not enhanced.
(b) Correct → Farmers can spray herbicide without harming crop.
(c) Incorrect → Vitamin not changed.
(d) Incorrect → Seed size not target.

Q9.

Which herbicide tolerance gene was introduced into crops?
a) Bar gene
b) Nif gene
c) ADA gene
d) Cry1Ab gene

Answer: a) Bar gene

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Bar gene provides resistance to herbicide phosphinothricin.
(b) Nif → Nitrogen fixation, not herbicide resistance.
(c) ADA → Gene therapy enzyme.
(d) Cry1Ab → Insect resistance, not herbicide.

Q10.

Golden Rice is an example of:
a) First-generation GM crop
b) Second-generation GM crop
c) Third-generation GM crop
d) None of the above

Answer: b) Second-generation GM crop

Explanation:

(a) First-generation → Focus on pest resistance/herbicide tolerance.
(b) Correct → Second-generation targets nutritional improvement.
(c) Third-generation → Pharmaceutical crops.
(d) Incorrect.

Q11.

Which of the following is NOT a GM crop?
a) Bt cotton
b) Golden Rice
c) Flavr Savr tomato
d) Hybrid maize

Answer: d) Hybrid maize

Explanation:

(a) Bt cotton → GM pest-resistant crop.
(b) Golden Rice → GM with Vitamin A.
(c) Flavr Savr → GM tomato.
(d) Correct → Hybrid maize is from crossbreeding, not genetic modification.

Q12.

Which of the following is a potential health risk of GM food?
a) Allergenicity
b) Antibiotic resistance transfer
c) Toxic effects
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Novel proteins may be allergens.
(b) True → Marker genes may transfer resistance.
(c) True → Unintended toxins possible.
(d) Correct → All are potential risks.

Q13.

Which organization regulates GM crop approval in India?
a) ICMR
b) GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee)
c) WHO
d) FAO

Answer: b) GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee)

Explanation:

(a) ICMR → Medical research.
(b) Correct → GEAC under Ministry of Environment regulates GM crops.
(c) WHO → International health body, not regulator.
(d) FAO → Food/agriculture org, not regulator.

Q14.

Which was the first GM crop approved for commercial cultivation?
a) Bt cotton
b) Flavr Savr tomato
c) Golden Rice
d) Herbicide-resistant soybean

Answer: b) Flavr Savr tomato

Explanation:

(a) Bt cotton → Later.
(b) Correct → Approved in USA (1994).
(c) Golden Rice → Developed later.
(d) Soybean → Approved after Flavr Savr.

Q15.

Which of the following traits is most commonly introduced in GM crops?
a) Pest resistance
b) Nutritional enhancement
c) Salt tolerance
d) Drought tolerance

Answer: a) Pest resistance

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Pest resistance (Cry genes) is most widespread.
(b) Nutritional enhancement → Limited (e.g., Golden Rice).
(c) Salt tolerance → Still experimental.
(d) Drought tolerance → Still experimental.

Q16.

The term “biopharming” refers to:
a) Using GM crops to produce pharmaceuticals
b) Growing crops without fertilizers
c) Farming using only biopesticides
d) Organic agriculture

Answer: a) Using GM crops to produce pharmaceuticals

Explanation:

(a) Correct → GM plants engineered to produce vaccines, drugs.
(b) Incorrect → Fertilizer-free farming is organic farming.
(c) Incorrect → Biopesticides use is different.
(d) Incorrect → Organic is non-GM farming.

Q17.

Which GM crop is designed to provide resistance against viral infection?
a) Papaya
b) Maize
c) Cotton
d) Rice

Answer: a) Papaya

Explanation:

(a) Correct → GM papaya resists Papaya ringspot virus.
(b) Maize → Mostly Bt maize.
(c) Cotton → Bt cotton, insect resistance.
(d) Rice → Golden Rice for Vitamin A.

Q18.

Transgenic potatoes were developed to:
a) Resist late blight disease
b) Provide edible vaccines
c) Increase starch content
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:

(a) True → Potato engineered against blight.
(b) True → Edible vaccine research in potatoes.
(c) True → Modified starch content.
(d) Correct → All possible.

Q19.

Which of the following crops has been genetically modified to reduce nicotine content?
a) Tobacco
b) Maize
c) Cotton
d) Soybean

Answer: a) Tobacco

Explanation:

(a) Correct → GM tobacco developed with low nicotine.
(b) Maize → GM for Bt.
(c) Cotton → GM for Bt.
(d) Soybean → Herbicide tolerance.

Q20.

Which global agency sets safety guidelines for GM foods?
a) Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO-WHO)
b) NASA
c) ISRO
d) UNDP

Answer: a) Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO-WHO)

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Provides global food safety standards.
(b) NASA → Space agency.
(c) ISRO → Indian space research.
(d) UNDP → Development programs, not GM food safety.

Q21.

A “nutraceutical” GM crop is:
a) GM crop producing more nutrients
b) GM crop with delayed ripening
c) GM crop producing insecticides
d) GM crop producing herbicides

Answer: a) GM crop producing more nutrients

Explanation:

(a) Correct → Example: Golden Rice.
(b) Incorrect → Flavr Savr tomato is not nutraceutical.
(c) Incorrect → Bt crops are not nutraceuticals.
(d) Incorrect → No crop produces herbicides.

Q22.

Which GM crop is called “super banana”?
a) Banana enriched with Vitamin A
b) Banana resistant to fungal disease
c) Banana enriched with Vitamin C
d) Banana with delayed ripening

Answer: a) Banana enriched with Vitamin A

Explanation:

(a) Correct → GM banana biofortified with Vitamin A.
(b) Incorrect → Disease resistance is different.
(c) Incorrect → Vitamin C not enhanced.
(d) Incorrect → Not delayed ripening.

Q23.

The major difference between first and second-generation GM crops is:
a) Method of gene transfer
b) Traits – pest/herbicide resistance vs nutritional enhancement
c) Use of bacteria vs viruses
d) Tissue culture vs cloning

Answer: b) Traits – pest/herbicide resistance vs nutritional enhancement

Explanation:

(a) Method same.
(b) Correct → First-gen = agronomic traits; second-gen = nutritional traits.
(c) Incorrect → Both use bacteria/viruses.
(d) Incorrect → Both use tissue culture.

Q24.

Which country was first to commercially release Golden Rice?
a) India
b) USA
c) Philippines
d) China

Answer: c) Philippines

Explanation:

(a) India → Still under trials.
(b) USA → Not Golden Rice.
(c) Correct → Philippines approved in 2021.
(d) China → Research stage.

Q25.

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of GM crops?
a) Higher yield
b) Reduced pesticide use
c) Elimination of all farming risks
d) Nutritional enhancement

Answer: c) Elimination of all farming risks

Explanation:

(a) True → GM crops increase yield.
(b) True → Reduce pesticide use.
(c) Correct → Farming risks (climate, markets, etc.) cannot be fully eliminated.
(d) True → Golden Rice improves nutrition.

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Part 4 – GM Crops: Benefits, Concerns & Examples (Other than Bt)