Biotechnology — UPSC Prelims practice questions

Q: How many Biotechnology MCQs are available for UPSC Prelims practice?

PrelimsAI currently has 80+ Biotechnology MCQs under Science. This page shows 12 sample questions in full.

Q: How many Biotechnology previous year questions are included?

30+ questions in this chapter are tagged as UPSC Prelims PYQs. PYQs are prioritised in the visible sample set when available.

Q: Do these Biotechnology questions include explanations?

Yes. The 12 visible sample questions show the correct option and explanation on this page.

Q: Where should I go after practising Biotechnology?

Continue with Disease, Immunity and Public Health or Space Science and Astronomy, or return to the Science subject page for more chapter-wise practice.

Question 1

In which of the following are hydrogels used?
1. Controlled drug delivery in patients
2. Mobile air-conditioning systems
3. Preparation of industrial lubricants
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. Hydrogels are used in drug delivery (controlled release matrices), air-conditioning systems (desiccant cooling), and as bases for industrial lubricants.

Question 2

'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations? (A) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go (B) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat (C) Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals (D) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies

Accepted Answer

(A) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go — Correct. Aerial metagenomics involves sampling environmental DNA (eDNA) directly from air to catalogue biodiversity in a habitat without capturing organisms.

Question 3

'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following? (A) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna (B) Stimulating stem cells to transform into diverse functional tissues (C) Promoting clonal propagation of horticulture plants (D) Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population

Accepted Answer

(A) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna — Correct. Microsatellite DNA (short tandem repeats) varies between individuals and species, making it a standard molecular marker for phylogenetic and population genetics studies.

Question 4

Consider the following statements:
DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:
1. Assess the age of a plant or animal.
2. Distinguish among species that look alike.
3. Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 3 only (C) 1 and 2 (D) 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 2 and 3 — Correct. DNA barcoding uses short standardised gene regions to distinguish morphologically similar species and to detect adulteration in processed foods.

Question 5

Consider the following statements:
1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. Biofilms form on implants, food surfaces, and exhibit antibiotic resistance due to their protective extracellular polymeric substance matrix.

Question 6

In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 and 3 only — Correct. Sputnik V uses a human adenoviral vector platform, and COVAXIN (by Bharat Biotech) uses a whole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

(C) Both 1 and 2 — Correct. Recombinant vector vaccines use genetic engineering to insert an antigen gene into a harmless viral or bacterial vector that delivers it to the immune system.

Question 8

Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of: (A) Clonal propagation of crop plants (B) Developing genetically modified crop plants (C) Production of plant growth substances (D) Production of biofertilizers

Accepted Answer

(B) Developing genetically modified crop plants — Correct. Bollgard I contains the cry1Ac gene and Bollgard II contains both cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes from Bacillus thuringiensis, making cotton resistant to bollworm.

Question 9

With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:
1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of the human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2, 3 and 4 only (C) 1, 3 and 4 only (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

(C) 1, 3 and 4 only — Correct. Carbon nanotubes serve as drug/antigen carriers, function in biochemical sensors, and certain forms are biodegradable through enzymatic action. They have not been made into artificial blood capillaries.

Question 10

Consider the following statements:
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 2 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. All three represent actual advances: germline editing, pre-birth embryonic genome editing (e.g., He Jiankui experiment), and human-pig chimera research.

Question 11

In the context of recent advances of human reproductive technology, 'Pronuclear Transfer' is used for: (A) Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm (B) Genetic modification of sperm producing cells (C) Development of stem cells into functional embryos (D) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Accepted Answer

(D) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring — Correct. Pronuclear transfer moves the nuclear DNA from a fertilised egg with defective mitochondria into an enucleated donor egg with healthy mitochondria, preventing mitochondrial disease transmission.

Question 12

What is the importance of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in India?
1. It is one of the first vaccines developed entirely in India.
2. It reduces pneumonia-related child mortality.
3. It provides immunity against all strains of Streptococcus bacteria.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 2 only (C) 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(B) 1 and 2 only — Correct. India's PCV (developed by Serum Institute) is among the first pneumococcal vaccines developed domestically, and it substantially reduces child pneumonia deaths. It does not cover all Streptococcus strains.

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