Important Questions Class 12 Biology Chapter 10, Preparation Tips

Important questions Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 focus on Biotechnology and Its Applications, one of the most scoring and concept-driven chapters in the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus.

Revising Biotechnology and Its Applications Class 12 important questions helps students strengthen their understanding of genetically modified organisms, biopharmaceuticals, gene therapy, and ethical issues related to biotechnology.

With repeated questions asked from this chapter in board exams, practising these important questions improves answer presentation, conceptual clarity, and overall exam performance.

Biotechnology and Its Applications Class 12 Question Answers

Biotechnology and Its Applications class 12 question answers cover important concepts related to genetically modified organisms, biopharmaceuticals, gene therapy, and ethical issues in biotechnology.

To strengthen conceptual understanding and exam accuracy, Biotechnology and Its Applications MCQ below is the most effective way to revise frequently asked objective-type questions based on the latest CBSE pattern.

These Questions and Answers help students quickly test their knowledge, improve retention, and prepare confidently for both board exams and competitive assessments.

1. Golden rice is genetically engineered to be rich in which nutrient?

(1) Iron

(2) Vitamin A

(3) Vitamin B

(4) Protein

Ans. (2)

Golden rice is engineered for high Vitamin A content.

2. Which organism’s gene is used to develop Bt cotton?

(1) Agrobacterium tumefaciens

(2) Escherichia coli

(3) Bacillus thuringiensis

(4) Rhizobium sp.

Ans. (3)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene gives pest resistance in cotton.

3. RNA interference (RNAi) helps plants resist:

(1) Herbicides

(2) Fungal diseases

(3) Insect pests

(4) Nematodes

Ans. (4)

RNAi silences nematode genes for resistance 

4. What is ELISA?

Ans. ELISA stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is a method in which a target antigen is captured in samples using a specific antibody and a target molecule is detected using an enzyme reaction with a substrate.

5. What is Biopiracy?

Ans. Biopiracy is the commercial exploitation of naturally occurring biochemical or genetic material by obtaining patents that restrict its future use without paying any compensation to the native community. 

6. What are the disadvantages of GMOs?

Ans. The disadvantages of GMOs are:

• These can harm the insects that are beneficial to our ecosystem.

• It is not a natural way to cultivate plants and hence can damage the environment.

• It causes unwanted residual effects.

• These create more weeds.

• It threatens crop diversity.

• It increases the cost of cultivation.

• It imposes a risk to human health.

7. How is a probe used in molecular diagnostics?

Ans. A probe is a DNA or RNA fragment of variable length which can be labelled by a radioactive molecule. It hybridises with its complementary DNA and can be detected by autoradiography. 

8. What is GMO? How does it differ from a hybrid?

Ans. GMOs are Genetically Modified Organisms. These are created by inserting the genes from the DNA of a species with desired characteristics into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. A hybrid is produced when the pollen of one plant is used to fertilize some unrelated plant species. Also when the animals of two different species breed, a hybrid is formed. On the contrary, GMOs are created by incorporating the genes with desired characteristics from a plant or animal of one species into the DNA of a different species.

9. What are antigens and antibodies? Name any two diagnostic kits based on that.

Ans. An antigen is a foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body. An antibody is a large Y -shaped protein produced by the plasma cells that neutralize the effect of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses on the immune system. The two diagnostic kits based on this are:

• ELISA for HIV

• Pregnancy test kits

10. What are transgenic animals? Enlist any four areas where they can be used.

Ans. Transgenic animals are those whose genetic material has been altered by a gene of interest using genetic engineering techniques. Four areas where they can be used are:

• Transgenic animals are served as experimental models for the study of various human diseases.

• They are used to test vaccines such as polio vaccines.

• Gene expressions help scientists to understand the normal expression of genes at various stages of growth and development.

• They are used to study the side effects of a particular chemical or drug.
  

Exam Preparation Tips for Biotechnology and Its Applications

Before you start revising this chapter, it is important to focus on both concepts and exam-oriented questions. A strategic approach will help you score better and avoid common mistakes in the exam.

• Focus on core topics like genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Bt crops, insulin production, gene therapy, and DNA vaccines, as these are frequently asked in exams.

• Practice Biotechnology and Its Applications MCQs regularly to improve conceptual clarity and accuracy in objective questions.

• Learn important examples with their applications (Bt cotton, transgenic animals, vaccines) and link them to real-life benefits.

• Revise diagrams and flowcharts carefully, especially steps involved in recombinant DNA technology.

• Go through previous years’ CBSE12th questions to understand the exam pattern and commonly repeated questions.

• Write answers in points with proper keywords to improve presentation and scoring.

• Keep short notes for ethical issues and biosafety concerns, as these are often asked in short-answer questions.