Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The GenomeIndia Project is an independent, pan-India initiative launched in January 2020. It is not a part of the international Human Genome Project (which was a global effort that ran from 1990 to 2003). Instead, it was inspired by the Human Genome Project to address the historical underrepresentation of Indian genetics in global databases. Statement 2 is Correct: The project is officially funded and spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Statement 3 is Correct: Its core objective is to map and build a comprehensive catalogue of the genetic diversity of the Indian population. The project successfully sequenced 10,000 whole genomes from 99 distinct ethnic, social, and linguistic groups across India to create a reference genome for the Indian population. Therefore, Option B is correct.

Statement 1 is Correct: Genetic medicines (such as gene therapy and gene editing) treat or prevent diseases at their root cause. They work by introducing, removing, or changing genetic material to correct or compensate for faulty or missing genes responsible for a disease. Statement 2 is Correct: Genetic material cannot simply be injected into the body; it requires a carrier, or "vector," to successfully penetrate target cells. Engineered viruses (like adeno-associated viruses or lentiviruses) are genetically modified to remove their disease-causing properties and are widely used to deliver therapeutic genes. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are highly effective non-viral vectors that encapsulate the genetic payload (such as mRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 tools) in a protective fat layer to safely deliver it into cells. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Genetic medicines do not alter the entire DNA sequence. The human genome contains approximately 3 billion base pairs and over 20,000 genes. Gene therapies are highly precise, targeting only specific localized sequences or single genes (e.g., replacing one defective gene or making a targeted cut) while leaving the vast majority of the patient's native DNA completely unchanged. Therefore, the correct option is C.

Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor). Syngas acts as a fundamental building block for the chemical industry. I is correct: Syngas can be converted into Ethanol through various chemical pathways, including catalytic synthesis or fermentation. II is incorrect: Nitroglycerine is produced through the nitration of glycerol. Glycerol is typically obtained from natural fats/oils or as a byproduct of biodiesel production, not from coal gasification. III is correct: Coal gasification is a major source of hydrogen for producing Ammonia. This ammonia is then reacted with carbon dioxide (also a product of gasification) to produce Urea.

Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that target specific antigens and can be used to treat viral infections like Nipah virus. * ✅ I. Man-made proteins – Created by cloning a single immune cell type. * ✅II. Bind to specific antigens – Help stimulate or guide immune response. * ✅III. Used in viral infections – Applied in treating infections like Nipah virus. All three statements are correct.

* Statement I is incorrect: India does import apples from the USA. In fact, the USA is one of the major sources of apple imports for India. * Statement II is correct: India has stringent regulations regarding the import of Genetically Modified (GM) food. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the competent authority responsible for assessing the safety of GM crops and foods. Importing GM food without GEAC approval is illegal. * Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect, while statement 2 is correct.

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized in the human body by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase from the amino acid arginine. It plays a crucial role in dilating blood vessels, which increases blood flow and reduces blood pressure. This function helps in regulating cardiovascular health. _Why the other options are incorrect:_ B. Nitrous oxide: Used as an anesthetic, not a vasodilator. C. Nitrogen dioxide: A toxic air pollutant, not involved in vasodilation. D. Nitrogen pentoxide: A reactive compound, not related to blood vessel dilation.

Statement 1 is correct:
Hydrogels are widely used in biomedical applications, especially in controlled drug delivery systems. Their high water content, biocompatibility, and ability to swell and release drugs in a controlled manner make them ideal for: - Transdermal drug delivery
- Oral and ocular delivery
- Injectable drug systems Statement 2 is incorrect:
Hydrogels are not commonly used in mobile air-conditioning systems. These systems typically use refrigerants and mechanical components (like compressors, condensers, and evaporators) to provide cooling.
While hydrogels can absorb and release moisture, they are not suitable for the cooling and dehumidification processes involved in air conditioning. Statement 3 is incorrect:
Hydrogels are not used in the formulation of industrial lubricants. Lubricants generally consist of base oils (mineral, synthetic, or vegetable) and additives for enhancing properties like viscosity, anti-wear, and corrosion resistance.
Hydrogels do not possess the required lubricating properties, especially under high pressure and temperature conditions.

* Microsatellite DNA, also known as short tandem repeats (STRs), are highly polymorphic DNA sequences that are widely used in the case of studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna.  * Microsatellite DNA analysis is a powerful tool for studying genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships among different species of animals.  * The variations in the number of repeated DNA sequences in microsatellites can provide insights into the genetic similarities and differences between species, which can be used to infer their evolutionary relationships.

 The Wolbachia method is a biological method that utilises the Wolbachia bacteria to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue fever. * Wolbachia naturally infects some insect species, but not Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary vector for dengue fever transmission. Scientists introduce Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti populations.  Wolbachia reduces the ability of these mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus.  * As Wolbachia spreads through the mosquito population, it can significantly reduce the incidence of dengue fever.  * This method offers a natural and sustainable approach to controlling dengue fever, a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions.

* Metagenomics (also referred to as environmental and community genomics) is the genomic analysis of microorganisms by direct extraction and cloning of DNA from an assemblage of microorganisms. It involves: 1. Isolating DNA from an environmental sample, 2. Cloning the DNA into a suitable vector, 3. Transforming the clones into a host bacterium, 4. And screening the resulting transformants. * Such an approach helps in sampling an entire habitat at one go. Researchers have shown that environmental DNA (e-DNA) can potentially identify and monitor terrestrial animals. Animals shed DNA through their breath, saliva, fur, or faeces into the environment. These samples are called e-DNA. Hence, Statement A is correct.