Question 1

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary branch of science that integrates which fields to develop products and technologies enhancing human life and the environment?

Accepted Answer

Biology, Technology, Genetics, Microbiology, and Computer Science — Biotechnology combines biology with technology and related fields such as genetics, microbiology, and computer science to create useful products and solve problems in health, agriculture, and industry.

Question 2

Which of the following best defines gene therapy?

Accepted Answer

Introduction, removal, or alteration of genetic material within a patient's cells to treat or prevent disease — Gene therapy involves directly modifying the genetic material in cells to correct defective genes causing disease, unlike conventional treatments that only address symptoms.

Question 3

What are the two main types of gene therapy?

Accepted Answer

Somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy — Somatic gene therapy targets non-reproductive cells affecting only the treated individual, while germline gene therapy modifies reproductive cells and can be inherited by future generations.

Question 4

Which viral vectors are commonly used in gene therapy to deliver functional genes into patient cells?

Accepted Answer

Genetically modified viruses that are safe for gene delivery — Gene therapy uses genetically modified viral vectors that have been rendered safe to deliver functional genes into patient cells without causing disease.

Question 5

Gene therapy has shown promise in treating which of the following diseases?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and certain cancers — Gene therapy targets genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and some cancers by correcting defective genes responsible for these diseases.

Question 6

What is a major challenge faced in gene therapy related to the patient's immune system?

Accepted Answer

Immune response against viral vectors used for gene delivery — The immune system may recognize viral vectors as foreign and mount an immune response, which can reduce the effectiveness of gene therapy or cause adverse effects.

Question 7

_____ gene therapy targets non-reproductive cells and affects only the treated individual without passing changes to offspring.

Accepted Answer

Somatic — Somatic gene therapy involves modifying the genes in somatic (non-reproductive) cells, so the genetic changes affect only the treated individual and are not inherited.

Question 8

Describe the key steps involved in the process of gene therapy using viral vectors.

Accepted Answer

Gene therapy involves isolating defective cells from the patient, inserting a functional gene into these cells using genetically modified viral vectors, and then reintroducing the corrected cells back into the patient. This process targets the root cause of genetic disorders by correcting the defective gene. — Gene therapy steps include: (1) Isolation of patient's defective cells, (2) Insertion of functional gene using viral vectors, (3) Reintroduction of corrected cells into the patient to restore normal function.

Question 9

Explain the difference between somatic and germline gene therapy with respect to inheritance.

Accepted Answer

Somatic gene therapy modifies non-reproductive cells and the genetic changes affect only the treated individual, not their offspring. Germline gene therapy modifies reproductive cells, so the changes can be passed on to future generations, affecting offspring as well. — Somatic gene therapy targets somatic cells, with no inheritance of changes. Germline gene therapy targets germ cells, making the genetic changes heritable.

Question 10

Which molecular diagnostic technique amplifies specific DNA sequences to detect minute quantities of genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) — PCR is a technique that amplifies specific DNA sequences exponentially, allowing detection of very small amounts of DNA.

Question 11

What is the role of nucleic acid hybridization in molecular diagnostics?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acid hybridization detects specific DNA or RNA sequences by using complementary base pairing between a labeled probe and the target sequence. It helps identify the presence of genetic markers or pathogens. — This technique relies on the principle that complementary DNA or RNA strands anneal, allowing detection of specific sequences in samples for diagnosis.

Question 12

DNA microarrays allow the analysis of how many genes simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Thousands — DNA microarrays can analyze the expression or presence of thousands of genes simultaneously, enabling comprehensive genetic profiling.

Question 13

List three applications of molecular diagnostics.

Accepted Answer

Molecular diagnostics is used for early detection of genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and cancers. It also aids in prenatal diagnosis, forensic science, and pathogen detection. — Applications include disease diagnosis, monitoring, personalized medicine, prenatal screening, forensic identification, and detecting infectious agents.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes transgenic animals?

Accepted Answer

Animals genetically modified to carry foreign genes inserted into their genome — Transgenic animals have foreign genes deliberately introduced into their genome to study gene function or produce therapeutic proteins.

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of creating transgenic animals in biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

Transgenic animals are created to study gene function, understand human diseases, and produce pharmaceutical proteins such as insulin or clotting factors. — They serve as models for research in gene regulation, developmental biology, and disease mechanisms, and as bioreactors for therapeutic protein production.

Recent Innovations in Biotechnology

Recent Innovations in Biotechnology — Study Notes

Introduction

Gene Therapy

Molecular Diagnostics

Practice Questions — Recent Innovations in Biotechnology

All 13 Chapters in Biotechnology