Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

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.

B cells and T cells are both key components of the human immune system, which defend the body against harmful invaders like viruses, bacteria, and parasites. B cells produce antibodies that can specifically target and neutralize pathogens. T cells help orchestrate the immune response by directly attacking infected cells or by stimulating other immune cells.

Statement 1 is incorrect. DNA Barcoding cannot assess the age DNA barcoding primarily focuses on identifying species based on their unique genetic sequences. Statement 2 is correct. DNA barcoding is a valuable tool for distinguishing between species that appear similar morphologically. By analyzing short, standardized DNA sequences, scientists can efficiently and accurately identify different species, even if they look very alike. Statement 3 is correct. DNA barcoding can be used to identify the origin and composition of food products. This can help detect cases where cheaper or undesirable ingredients (food adulteration) are substituted for the ones listed on the label. For example, it can be used to identify different types of meat in processed foods. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.