CHAPTER-10

MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE

1. What is the biochemical reaction of yeast fermentation of molasses for alcoholic

fermentation? (C.B.S.E. 2007)
2. What protects nitrogenase? (C.B.S.E. 2007)
3. What is economic value of Spirulina? (C.B.S.E. 2008)
4. Name the group of organisms and the substrate they act on to produce biogas.
(C.B.S.E. 2009)
5. Name the organism commercially used for the production of single cell protein.
(C.B.S.E. 2009)
6. Which of the following is a fee living bacterium that can fix nitrogen in the soil?
Spirulina, Azospirillum, Sonalika. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
7. Milk starts to coagulate when lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are added to warm milk as
starter. Mention any other two benefits LAB provides. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
8. Which of the following is a cyanobacterium that can fix atmospheric nitrogen?
Azospirillum, Ocillatoria, Spirulina. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
9. Which of the following produces single cell proteins?
Sonalika, Spirulina, Saccharomyces. (C.B.S.E. 20090
10. Write the scientific name of the microbe used for fermented malted cereals and fruit
juices. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
11. Mention the source orgsnisms of gene cry I Ac and its target pest.
(C.B.S.E.2011)
12. Mention the role of cyanobacteria as biofertilizers. (C.B.S.E. 20120)
13. Why should biological control of pests and pathogens be preferred to the convential
use of chemical pesticides? Explain hoe the following microbes act as
biocontrolagents : (a) Bacillus thuringiensis (b) Nucleopolyhedrovirus.
(C.B.S.E. 2008)
14. During the secondary treatment of the primary effluent, how does the significant
decrease in BOD occur? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
15. (a) How does activated sludge get produced during sewage treatment?
(b) Explain how this sludge is used in biogas production. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
16. (a) Baculoviruses are excellent candidates for integrated pest management in an
ecological sensitive area. Explain giving two reasons.
(b) What is organic farming? Why is it suggested to switch over to organic
farming? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
17. How does addition of a small amount of curd to fresh milk help in formation of curd?
Mention a nutritional quality that gets added to the curd. (C.B.S.E.2010)
18. Mention the product and its use produced by each of the microbe listed below: (i)
Streptococcus (ii)( Lactobacillus (iii) Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
(C.B.S.E. 2010)
19. How do plants benefit from having mycorrhizal symbiotic association?
(C.B.S.E. 2010)
20. Describe how biogas is obtained from an activated sludge. (C.B.S.E. 2010)
21. An organic farmer relies on natural predation for controlling plant pests and diseases.
Justify giving reasons. Why this is considered to be holistic approach.(C.B.S.E. 2010)
22. (a) Why do farmers prefer biofertilizers to chemical fertilizers these days?
Explain.
(b) How do Anabaena and mycorrhiza act as biofertilisers? (C.B.S.E.2011)
23. Name the enzyme produced by Streptococcus bacterium. Explain its importance in
medical science. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
24. Name the genus to which baculoviruses belong. Describe their roleinthe integrated
pest management programmes. (C.B.S.E. 2011)

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25. Why are some molecules called bioactive molecules? Give two examples of such
molecules. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
26. Give the scientific name of the microbes from which cyclosporine A and statin are
obtained. Write one medical use of each one of these drugs.
(C.B.S.E. 2011)
27. Explain the different steps involved in sewage treatment before it can be released into
natural water bodies. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
28. Why is Rhizobium categorized as a ‘symbiotic”? (C.B.S.E.2012)
29. Name the source of streptokinase/cyclosporine – A/Statin. How does the bioactive
moledule function in our body. (C.B.S.E.2012)
30. How do mycorrhizae act as biofertilizer? Explain. Name a genus of fungi that forms
a mycorrhizal association with plants. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
31. Mention the importance of lactic acid bacteria to humans other than converting milk
into curd. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
32. How do methanogens help in producing biogas? (C.B.S.E. 2012)
33. Name the two different categories of microbes naturally occurring in sewage water.
Explain their role in cleaning sewage water into usable water.
(C.B.S.E. 2012)

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 CHAPTER-11
BIOTECHNOLOGY : PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES
1. How is the action of exonuclease different from that of endonuclease? (C.B.S.E. 2010)
2. What is the host called that produces a foreign gene product? What is this product
called? (C.B.S.E. 2010)
3. How can bacterial DNA be released from the bacterial cell for biotechnology
experiments?
4. Mention the uses of cloning vector in biotechnology. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
5. Biotechnologists refer to Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a natural genetic engineer of
plants. Give reason to support the statement. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
6. Why is it essential to have ‘selectable marker’ in a cloning vector?
(C.B.S.E. 2011)
7. Do eukaryotic cells have restriction endonuclease? Justify your answer.
(C.B.S.E. 2007)
8. What are cDNA libraries? How are they made? (C.B.S.E. 2007)
9. How and why is the bacterium Thermusaquaticus employed in recombinant DNA
technology. Explain. (C.B.S.E. 2008)
10. (a) What are “ molecular scisors”? Give one example.
(b) Explain their role in recombinant DNA technology. (C.B.S.E.2008)
11. Why is Agrobacterium tumefaciens a good cloning vector? Explain.
(C.B.S.E. 2008)
12. DNA being hydrophilic cannot pass through the cell membrane of a host cell.
Explain how do recombinant DNA get introduced into host cell to transform the latter.
(C.B.S.E. 2008)
13. Explain the contribution of Thermusaquaticus in the amplification of a gene of
interest. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
14. What are recombinant proteins? How do bioreactors help in their production?
(C.B.S.E. 2009)
15. How is DNA isolated in purified form from a bacterial cell? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
16. Name and explain the techniques used in separation and isolation of DNA fragments
to be used in recombinant DNA technology. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
17. Name the source of Taq polymerase. Explain the advantage of its use in
biotechnology. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
18.. Name the source organism from which T1 plasmid is isolated. Explain the use of this
plasmid in biotechnology. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
19. What is EcoRI? What does ‘R’ represent in this? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
20. EcoRI is used to cut a segment of foreign DNA and that of a vector DNA to form a
recombinant DNA. Show with the help of schematic diagrams.
(i) The set of palindromic nucleotide sequence of base pairs the EcoRI will
recognize in both the DNA segments. Mark the site at which EcoRI will act and cut
both the segments.
(ii) Sticky end formed on both the segments where the two DNA and foreign
DNA join later to form a recombinant DNA. (C.B.S.E. 2010)
21. A recombinant DNA is formed when sticky ends of vector DNA and foreign DNA
Join. Explain how the sticky ends are formed and get jointed.
(C.B.S.E. 2010)
22. (i) Mention the number of primers required in each cycle of polymerase chain
reaction (PCR). Write the role of primers and DNA polymerase in PCR.
(ii) Give the characteristic feature and source of DNA polymerase used in PCR.
(C.B.S.E. 2010)
23. Explain the action of restriction endonuclease EcoRI (C.B.S.E. 2010)
24. How are the DNA fragments separated by gel electrophoresis visualized and separated
for use in constructing recombinant DNA? (C.B.S.E. 2010)

32
25. Explain the process by which a bacterial cell can be made ‘Competent’ in recombinant
DNA technology. (C.B.S.E. 2010)
26. Why is ‘Origin of replication’ (Ori) required to facilitate cloning into a vector?
(C.B.S.E. 2010)
27. List the key tools used in recombinant DNA technology. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
28. Explain the role of T1 plasmids in biotechnology. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
29. Explain the work carried out by Cohen and Boyer that contributed immensely in
biotechnology. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
30. State the role of DNA ligase in biotechnology. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
31. (a) A recombinant vector with a gene of interest inserted within the gene of a
galactosidase enzyme is introduced into a bacterium. Explain the method that
would help in selection of recombinant colonies from non-recombinant ones.
(b) Why is this method of selection referred to as “ insertional inactivation”
(C.B.S.E. 2012)
32. Name the source organism that possesses,Taq polymerase. What is so special about
the function of this enzyme? (C.B.S.E. 2012)
33. How can the following be made possible for biotechnology experiments?
(a) Isolation of DNA from bacterial cell.
(b) Reintroduction of recombinant DNA into a bacterial cell.
(C.B.S.E. 2012)
34. How is amplification of agene sample of interest carried out using polymerase chain
reaction. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
35.Explain with the help of a suitable example the naming of a restriction endonuclease.
(C.B.S.E. 2014)
VIEW SOLUTION
36.State how has Agrobacterium tumifaciens been made a useful cloning vector to transfer
DNA to plant cells. (C.B.S.E. 2014)
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION:
35 (a) Mention the role of vector s in recombinant DNA technology. Give any two
examples.
(b) With the help of diagrammatic representation only, show the steps of
recombinant DNA technology. (C.B.S.E. 2008)
36. (a) Why are engineered vectors preferred by biotechnologists for transferring the
desired genes into another organism?
(b) Explain how do “ori” selectable markers” and” cloning sites” facilitate cloning
into a vector? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
37. What is bioreactor? Draw a labeled diagram of asparged stirred bioreactor. Explain
its functioning. (C.B.S.E. 2009 comptt.)
38. (i) Describe the characteristics a cloning vector must possess.
(ii) Why DNA cannot passs through cell membrane? Explain. How is a bacterial
cell made competent to take up recombinant DNA from the medium.
(C.B.S.E. 2011)
39. If a desired gene is identified in an organism for some experiments, explain the
process of the following:
(i) Cutting the desired gene at specific location.
(ii) Synthesis of multiple copies of this desired gene.
40. (a) With the help of diagrams show the different steps in the formation of
recombinant DNA by action of restriction endonuclease enzyme EcoRI.
(b) Name the technique that is used for separating the fragments of DNA cut by
restriction endonuclease. (C.B.S.E.2011)

41. How are 'sticky ends' formed on a DNA strand? Why are they so called? 2014
42. Write the role of Ori and 'restriction' site in a cloning vector pBR322. 2014

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 CHAPTER-12
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS

1. A multinational company outside India tried to sell new varieties of turmeric without
proper patent rights. What is such an act referred to? (C.B.S.E. 2008)
2. Suggest any two techniques which can help in early detection of bacterial / viral
infections much before the symptoms appears in the body. (C.B.S.E. 2010
3. How does silencing of specific mRNA in RNA interference prevent parasitic
infestation? (C.B.S.E. 2008 Comptt.)
4. Name any two techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of some bacterial /
viral human diseases. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
5. What is genetically modified food? What are the dis-advantages of this food?
(C.B.S.E. 2005)
6. Write full form of ELISA. Give an example of the clinical application of ‘ELISA’
test.
7. Describe the responsibility of GEAC, set up by the Indian Government.
(C.B.S.E. 2009)
8. Nematode specific genes are introduced into the tobacoo plants using Agrobacterium
vectors to develop resistance in tobacco plants against nematodes. Explain the events
that occur in tobacco plant to develop resistance. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
9. How is a transgenic tobacco plant protected against Meloidogyne incognita? Explain
the procedure. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
10. Expand the name of enzyme ADA. Why is the enzyme essential in the human body?
Suggest a gene therapy for its deficiency.
11. Plasmid is a boon to biotechnology. Justify this statement quoting the production of
human insulin as an example.
12. Highlight any four advantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
13. How did EI Lilly company go about preparing the human insulin? How is the insulin
thus produced different from that produced by the functional human insulin gene?
(C.B.S.E. 2009)
14. Why is introduction of genetically engineered lymphocytes into an ADA deficiency
patients not a permanent cure? Suggest a possible permanent cure.
(C.B.S.E. 2010)
15. How does RNA interference help in developing resistance in Tobacco plant agains
nematode infection. (C.B.S.E.2010)
16. How did Eli Lilly synthesize the humun insulin? Mention one difference between this
insulin and the one produced by the human pancreas.
(C.B.S.E.2010)
17. Name the insect pest that is killed by the product of cry I Ac gene. Explain how the
gene makes the plant resistant to the insect pest. (C.B.S.E. 2010)
18. Why do the toxic insecticidal proteins secreted by Bacillus thurigniensis kill the insect
and not the bacteria? (C.B.S.E. 2010)
19. Name the fist transgenic cow developed and explain the improvement in the quality of
the product produced by it. (C.B.S.E. 2010)
20. Explain the process of RNA interference. (C.B.S.E. 2010)
21. Explain how a hereditary disease can be corrected. Give an example of first
successful attempt made towards correction of such diseases. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
22. How is “Rosie” considered different from a normal cow? Explain.
(C.B.S.E.2011)
23. Biopiracy should be prevented. State why and how. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
24. What happens when Meloidogyneingonnita consumes cells with RNAi gene?
(C.B.S.E. 2012)

34
25. (a) Mention the cause and the body system affected by ADA deficiency in
humans.
(b) Name the vector used for transforming ADA-DNA into recipient cells in
humans. Name the recipient cells. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
26. (a) How does cry I Ac gene express itself in its host?
(b) State the role of this gene in controlling the infestation of bollworm.
(C.B.S.E. 2012)
27. How has recombinant technology helped in large scale production of vaccines?
Explain giving one example. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
28. Name the genes responsible for making Bt cotton plants resistant to bollworm attack.
How do such plants attain resistance against bolloworm attacks? Explain.
(C.B.S.E.2012)
29. (a) Tobacco plants are damaged severaly when infested with Meloidogyne
incognita. Name and explain the strategy that is adopted to stop this infestation.
(b) Name the vector used for introducing nematode specific gene in Tobacco
plant. (C.B.S.E. 2012)
30. Explain the synthesis of genetically engineered human insulin. (C.B.S.E.2012)
31. What is gene therapy? Illustrate using the example of adenosine deaminase (ADA)
deficiency. (C.B.S.E. 2007)
32. (a) What is plasmid? (b) What is meant by ADA deficiency? How is gen therapy a
solution to this problem? Why is it not a permanent cure?
(C.B.S.E. 2008)
33. Explain the steps involved in the production of genetically engineered insulin.
(C.B.S.E. 2008)
34. One of the main objectives of biotechnology is to minimize the use of insecticides on
cultivated crops. Explain with the help of suitable example how insect resistant crops
have been developed using techniques of biotechnology. (C.B.S.E.2009)
35. (a) How is mature insulin different from proinsulin secreted by pancreas in
humans?
(b) Explain how was human functional insulin produced using rDNA technology.
(c) Why is the functional insulin thus produced considered better than the ones
used earlier by diabetic patients? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
36. What is ADA deficiency? Describe three methods to cure it.
(C.B.S.E. 2009 comptt.)
37. (a) Name the source from which insulin was extracted earlier. Why is this insulin
no more in use by diabetic people?
(b) Explain the process of synthesis of insulin by Eli Lilly company. Name the
technique used by the company.
(c) How is insulin produced by human body different from the insulin produced
by the above mentioned company. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
38. Name the process involved in the production of nematode resistant tobacco plants,
using genetic engineering. Explain the strategy adapted to develop such plants.
(C.B.S.E. 2011)
39. Describe the various stages involved in gene transfer for commercial production of
human insulin by Eli Lily. (C.B.S.E. 2011)
40.How did the process of RNA interference help to control the nematode from infecting the
roots of tobacco plants?
(C.B.S.E. 2014)
41.What is bio-piracy? State the initiative taken by the Indian Parliament against it.2014
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35