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Biology

Class 12 · Science & Environment

Ch 9 · Biotechnology: Principles and Processes

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Prelims 2019 · Q93

With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a)Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
(b)Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
(c)A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
(d)Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Biology, Ch 9 (Biotechnology: Principles and Processes); Class 12 Biology, Ch 10 (Biotechnology and its Applications).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 12 Biology, ch 9–10: NCERT shows artificial recombinant DNA made in labs (b), DNA copied outside cells by PCR (c), and cells grown in culture (d). Since those three are true, the incorrect statement must be (a). Answer (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 93 ↗

Prelims 2021 · Q65

With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements:

1.Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2.Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Biology, Ch 7 (Human Health and Disease); Class 12 Biology, Ch 9 (Biotechnology: Principles and Processes).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 12 Biology, ch 7: recombinant DNA technology makes pathogens' antigen proteins in bacteria or yeast for vaccines — genetic engineering (1). Ch 9: Agrobacterium, a bacterium, and disarmed retroviruses are used as vectors to deliver genes (2). Answer (c).

Beyond NCERT: a recombinant vector vaccine uses a harmless virus or bacterium as a carrier (vector) to take a disease-causing agent's genetic material into our cells. Source: NIAID (US National Institutes of Health), 'Vaccine Types', niaid.nih.gov (content last reviewed July 2019)

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2021), question 65 ↗

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