Biotechnology and its Applications Test - 4

M.S. Swaminathan is known as father of green revolution. Green revolution increased the food production about three times the previous one. Use of hybrid seeds, fertilizers and modern method of agriculture results this achievement.

Golden rice is enriched in Vitamin A. This variety of rice is obtained by adding gene into wild variety that produces vitamin A enriched seeds.

Bt toxin is obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis bacterium that can kill certain insects like tobacco budworm, armyworm, beetles and flies.

Bt toxin is coded by a gene named Cry. There are a number of them, the protein encoded by these cryIAc and cryIIAb control the cotton bollworms.

Specific Bt toxin gene is isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into several crop plants. The protein encoded by gene CryI Ab controls corn borer.

RNA interference (RNAi) is present in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense. This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to complementary dsRNA molecules that binds and prevents translation of the mRNA.

Cry gene is present in plasmid of bacterium. This gene can be easily separated from plasmid and included into another crops to provide resistance against pests and insects.

Pectin present in cell wall of plant cell is responsible for hardness of fruit coat. Polygalacturonase is induced into the fruit that degrade the pectin and soften the fruit.

Biofortification is the method to enhance the nutritional value of seeds by changing the gene of the crop that produces more protein, vitamins or other nutrient.

Successful graft reaction can be done by using Xenotransplantation to get two kinds of products from single plant.

Genetically modified plants are more tolerant to abiotic stress like cold, drought, heat etc. GM plants enhance nutritional value of food such as vitamin A enriched rice. Genetically modified plants are not carcinogenic or cancer causing.

Insulin is a hormone released by pancreas that control sugar level in blood. Diabetic patients take insulin in form of injection to control blood sugar level.

Earlier time insulin required for controlling blood sugar was obtained from slaughtered cattle and pigs. This insulin caused allergy in diabetic patients.

Through DNA sequencing, genomic information is used to create maps of the DNA of different organisms. RED Biotechnology, or the use of biological agents for technological progression, has applications in medicine, agriculture, and in industry, which include processes such as fermentation and the production of biofuels.

First gene therapy was done in 1990 to a 4 year old girl with a ADA deficiency. ADA enzyme is essential for proper functioning of immune system.

ELISA is abbreviation of Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. It is used to detected the disease at early stage.

Expanded form of RIA is Radio immuno assay.

In 1983, the American company Eli Lily prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B and introduced into plasmid of E.coli to produce insulin chain.

An antibody is protein or glycoprotein produced by our body due to infection from microbes.

The first transgenic cow is Rosie which produced human protein riched milk having alpha-lactalbumin, which is more balanced than conventional cow’s milk.

Transgenic animals have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express foreign gene. Transgenic cow, rat, rabbits and fish have been produced.

Dolly sheep is made by implanting oocyte at blastocyst stage into uterus of surrogate mother for further development.

Transgenic organisms produce useful biological products. Human protein α-1-antitrypsin is used to treat emphysema is also obtained from transgenic animal.

Transgenic animals are made to carry gene that make them sensitive to toxic substance than non-transgenic animals and exposed to toxic substance. Toxicity testing in transgenic animals allows us to obtain results in less time.

Biopiracy is the use of biological resources without proper authorization from country or people concerned without compensate payment.