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4 questions · 2010 · answers as per the UPSC key

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UPSC 2010 · Q5 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason

(a) It is a genetically modified dwarf variety which is resistant to drought
(b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
(c) It is a genetically modified variety with ten times higher protein content than regular maize crop
(d) It is a genetically modified variety used exclusively for bio-fuel production
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Answer: (b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
UPSC 2010 · Q8 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements.

Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?

(a) The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
(b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
(c) Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
(d) Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D
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Answer: (b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
UPSC 2010 · Q57 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills ?

(a) Agrobacterium
(b) Clostridium
(c) Nitrosomonas
(d) Pseudomonas
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Answer: (d) Pseudomonas
UPSC 2010 · Q58 · Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Genetics · Save

Which feature of some species of blue-green algae helps promote them as bio-fertilizers ?

(a) They convert atmospheric methane into ammonia which the crop plants can absorb readily.
(b) They induce the crop plants to produce the enzymes which help convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates.
(c) They have the mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the crop plants can absorb readily.
(d) They induce the roots of the crop plants to absorb the soil nitrates in larger quantities.
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Answer: (c) They have the mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the crop plants can absorb readily.