VBQs Class 12 Biology Biotechnology: and its Application

Please refer to VBQs for Class 12 Biology Biotechnology: and its Application. All value based questions for Biology Class 12 have been provided with solutions. We have provided below important values questions and answers. Students should learn these solved VBQs for Class 12 Biology as these will help them to gain more marks and help improve understanding of important topics.

Biotechnology: and its Application VBQs Class 12 Biology with Answers

Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Write the possible source of RNA interference (RNAi) gene.
Answer. Mobile genetic elements (transposons) and infection by viruses having RNA genomes are the possible sources of RNAi gene.

Question. How does dsRNA gain entry into a eukaryotic cell to cause RNA interference? 
Answer.The dsRNA gains entry into a eukaryotic cell either through
(i) infection by viruses having RNA genomes
(ii) mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.

Question. State the role of transposons in silencing of mRNA in eukaryotic cells. 
Answer. Transposons also called as jumping genes, are the source of complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of mRNA (silencing).

Question. How are tobacco plants benefitted when nematode specific genes are introduced into them using certain vectors? Name the vectors used. 
Answer. Tobacco plants are protected because they are made transgenic and show RNA interference against parasite. Thus parasite could not survive inside the transgenic host plant. The vector used is Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What does ‘cry’ genes in Bacillus thuringiensis code for? State its importance in cotton crop.
Answer. cry genes code for certain crystal (cry) proteins that are toxic to insect larvae. The genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control cotton bollworm. When these genes are introduced into cotton plants through genetic engineering, these plants become resistant to the attack of cotton bollworm.

Question. Name the soil bacterium that produces a protein/chemical that is toxic to insect pests.Show with example that these are encoded by different forms of the genes.
Answer. Soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces proteins that kill certain insects like lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm), coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (flies, mosquitoes) etc. B. thuringiensis forms some protein crystals. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein. This toxin does not kill the Bacillus (bacterium) because it exists as inactive protoxins in them. But, once an insect ingests the crystals, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to the alkaline pH of the alimentary canal that solubilises the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of mid gut epithelial cells and creates pores which cause cell swelling and lysis and finally cause death of the insect.
cry genes code for certain crystal (cry) proteins that are toxic to insect larvae. The genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control cotton bollworm. When these genes are introduced into cotton plants through genetic engineering, these plants become resistant to the attack of cotton bollworm.

Question. How does ‘RNA interference’ take place in eukaryotes? Mention its importance.
Answer. RNA interference (RNAi) is the phenomenon of inhibiting activity of a gene through production of sense and antisense RNA. RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense. This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA (silencing). The source of this complementary RNA could be from an infection by viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate.

Question. Explain the process of RNA interference.
Answer. Different steps involved in RNA silencing are as follows:
(i) Double-stranded RNAs are processed into approximately 21-23 nucleotide RNAs with two nucleotides. An RNase enzyme called Dicer cuts the dsRNA molecules (from a virus, transposon, or through transformation) into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).
(ii) Each siRNA complexes with ribonucleases
(distinct from Dicer) to form an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC).
(iii) The siRNA unwinds and RISC is activated.
(iv) The activated RISC targets complementary mRNA molecules. The siRNA strands act as guides where the RISCs cut the transcripts in an area where the siRNA binds to the mRNA. This destroys the mRNA.
(v) When mRNA of the parasite is destroyed no protein is synthesised. It results in the death of the parasite in the transgenic host.

Question. How is Bt cotton made to attain resistance against bollworm? 
Answer. Two genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control cotton bollworms. These two genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into cotton plant. The genetically modified plant is called Bt cotton as it contains Bt toxin genes. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces Bt toxin proteins in mature form. When the insect larvae ingest any plant part, toxin becomes active in the alkaline pH of the gut and kills the insect pests. That is how Bt cotton attains resistance against bollworm.

Question. Nematode specific genes are introduced into the tobacco plants using Agrobacterium vectors to develop resistance in tobacco plants against nematodes. Explain the events that occur in tobacco plant to develop resistance.
Answer. Using Agrobacterium vectors nematode specific genes are introduced into the tobacco plant. The introduction of DNA produces both sense and antisense RNA in tobacco plant cells. The two RNAs being complimentary to each other form dsRNA that initiates RNA interference.
Different steps involved in RNA silencing are as follows:
(i) Double-stranded RNAs are processed into approximately 21-23 nucleotide RNAs with two nucleotides. An RNase enzyme called Dicer cuts the dsRNA molecules (from a virus, transposon, or through transformation) into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).
(ii) Each siRNA complexes with ribonucleases
(distinct from Dicer) to form an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC).
(iii) The siRNA unwinds and RISC is activated.
(iv) The activated RISC targets complementary mRNA molecules. The siRNA strands act as guides where the RISCs cut the transcripts in an area where the siRNA binds to the mRNA. This destroys the mRNA.
(v) When mRNA of the parasite is destroyed no protein is synthesised. It results in the death of the parasite in the transgenic host.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What are cry proteins? Name an organism that produces it. How has man exploited this protein to his benefit? 
Answer. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is a common soil bacterium which produces a protein toxin that kills certain insects. The toxin is a crystal (cry) protein. There are several kinds of cry proteins which are toxic to different groups of insects. The gene encoding cry protein is called cry gene. Biotechnologists have been able to isolate the gene responsible for production of toxin and introduce it into a number of plants to produce genetically modified plants resistant to insects, e.g., Bt cotton (resistant to bollworm) and GM tobacco (resistant to hornworms).

Question. What is GMO? List any five possible advantages of a GMO to a farmer. 
Answer. Bacteria, fungi, plants and animals whose genes have been altered by manipulation are called genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Applications of genetically modified plants are as follows:
(i) Genetically modified plants are resistant to (a) diseases resulting from viral, bacterial and fungal infections (b) pests, such as nematodes and insects and (c) pesticides.
(ii) GM plants can tolerate adverse abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, salt, heat.
(iii) GM plants show increased eciency of mineral usage (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil).
(iv) GM plants have high nutritional value, e.g., vitamin A enriched rice.
(v) Plants such as poplar (Populus) trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy pollution from contaminated soil.
(vi) These plants helped to reduce post harvest losses e.g., Flavr savr transgenic tomato.

Question. One of the major contribution of biotechnology is to develop pest-resistant varieties of cotton plants. Explain how it has been made possible.
Answer. Two genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control cotton bollworms. These two genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into cotton plant. The genetically modified plant is called Bt cotton as it contains Bt toxin genes. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces Bt toxin proteins in mature form. When the insect larvae ingest any plant part, toxin becomes active in the alkaline pH of the gut and kills the insect pests. That is how Bt cotton attains resistance against bollworm.

Question. Why is Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation described as natural genetic engineering in plants?
Answer. The vector used to introduce new genes into plant cells is most often a plasmid from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In nature this bacterium infects all broad-leaved agricultural crops such as tomato, soybean, sunflower and cotton etc. and induces formation of cancerous growth called a crown gall tumour. This transformation of plant cells is due to the effect of Ti plasmid carried by the pathogenic bacterium. Hence, is called natural genetic engineer. For genetic engineering purposes, Agrobacterium strains are developed in which tumor-forming genes are deleted. These transformed bacteria can still infect plant cells.

Question. Describe any three potential applications of genetically modified plants.
Answer. Applications of genetically modified plants are as follows:
(i) Genetically modified plants are resistant to (a) diseases resulting from viral, bacterial and fungal infections (b) pests, such as nematodes and insects and (c) pesticides.
(ii) GM plants can tolerate adverse abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, salt, heat.
(iii) GM plants show increased eficiency of mineral usage (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil).
(iv) GM plants have high nutritional value, e.g., vitamin A enriched rice.
(v) Plants such as poplar (Populus) trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy pollution from contaminated soil.
(vi) These plants helped to reduce post harvest losses e.g., Flavr savr transgenic tomato. 

Question. Name the pest that destroys the cotton bolls.Explain the role of Bacillus thuringiensis in protecting the cotton crop against the pest to increase the yield.
Answer. The pest that destroy the cotton bolls are cotton bollworms.
Two genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control cotton bollworms. These two genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into cotton plant. The genetically modified plant is called Bt cotton as it contains Bt toxin genes. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces Bt toxin proteins in mature form. When the insect larvae ingest any plant part, toxin becomes active in the alkaline pH of the gut and kills the insect pests. That is how Bt cotton attains resistance against bollworm.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Explain the application of biotechnology in producing Bt cotton. 
Answer. Bt cotton is produced by using biotechnology. Soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces proteins that kill certain insects like lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm), coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (fiies, mosquitoes) etc. B. thuringiensis forms some protein crystals. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein. This toxin does not kill the bacteria because it exists as inactive protoxins in them. But, once an insect ingests the crystals, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to the alkaline pH of its alimentary canal that solublises the crystals.
Through genetic engineering Bt toxin genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the several crop plants such as cotton. The choice of genes depends upon the crop and targeted pest, as most Bt toxins are insect-group specific. The toxin is coded by a gene named cry. Two cry genes cryIAc and cryIIAb have been incorporated in cotton. The genetically modified crop is called Bt cotton as it contains Bt toxin genes against cotton bollworms. Similarly, cryIAb has been introduced in Bt corn to protect the same from corn borer.

Question. (a) Why are certain cotton plants called Btcotton plants?
(b) Explain how Bt-cotton is resistant to pests.
Answer. (a) Cotton plants resistant to insect pests, e.g., cotton bollworms are produced through genetic engineering by the introduction of Bt toxin genes.These genes are cryIAc and cryIIAb.
(b) Two genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control cotton bollworms. These two genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into cotton plant. The genetically modified plant is called Bt cotton as it contains Bt toxin genes. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces Bt toxin proteins in mature form. When the insect larvae ingest any plant part, toxin becomes active in the alkaline pH of the gut and kills the insect pests. That is how Bt cotton attains resistance against bollworm.

Question. One of the main objectives of biotechnology is to minimise 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.
Answer. Bt cotton is produced by using biotechnology. Soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces proteins that kill certain insects like lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm), coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (fiies, mosquitoes) etc. B. thuringiensis forms some protein crystals. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein. This toxin does not kill the bacteria because it exists as inactive protoxins in them. But, once an insect ingests the crystals, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to the alkaline pH of its alimentary canal that solublises the crystals.
Through genetic engineering Bt toxin genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the several crop plants such as cotton. The choice of genes depends upon the crop and targeted pest, as most Bt toxins are insect-group specific. The toxin is coded by a gene named cry. Two cry genes cryIAc and cryIIAb have been incorporated in cotton. The genetically modified crop is called Bt cotton as it contains Bt toxin genes against cotton bollworms. Similarly, cryIAb has been introduced in Bt corn to protect the same from corn borer. 

Biotechnological Applications in Medicine

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Suggest any two possible treatments that can be given to a patient exhibiting adenosine deaminase deficiency. 
Answer. The possible treatments that can be given to a patient exhibiting adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency are:
(i) bone marrow transplantation
(ii) enzyme replacement therapy.

Question. Name a molecular diagnostic technique to detect the presence of a pathogen in its early stage of infection. 
Answer. Recombinant DNA technology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the some of the techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of bacterial/viral diseases.

Question. How two short polypeptide chains of insulin are linked together? 
Answer. Insulin consists of two short polypeptide chains : A and B, that are linked together by two disulphide bridges.

Question. A boy has been diagnosed with ADA deficiency. Suggest any one possible treatment.
Answer. The possible treatments that can be given to a patient exhibiting adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency are:
(i) bone marrow transplantation
(ii) enzyme replacement therapy.

Question. Name any two techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of some bacterial/viral disease. 
Answer. Recombinant DNA technology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the some of the techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of bacterial/viral diseases. 

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why is proinsulin so called? How is insulin different from it? 
Answer. Proinsulin is the prohormone which needs to be processed before it becomes a fully mature and functional hormone. Proinsulin contains an extra stretch called the C peptide. This C peptide is not present in the mature insulin and is removed during maturation into insulin.

Question. (a) Name the deficiency for which first clinical gene therapy was given.
(b) Mention the cause of and one cure for this deficiency.
Answer.  (a) Gene therapy is the technique of genetic engineering which involves replacement of a faulty gene by a normal healthy functional gene. The first clinical gene therapy was given in 1990 to a 4 years old girl with adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA deficiency). This enzyme is very important for the immune system to function.
(b) ADA deficiency is caused by the deletion of ADA gene.
The possible treatments that can be given to a patient exhibiting adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency are:
(i) bone marrow transplantation
(ii) enzyme replacement therapy.

Question. Write the functions of adenosine deaminase enzyme. State the cause of ADA deficiency in humans. Mention a possible permanent cure for an ADA deficiency patient. 
Answer. Adenosine deaminase enzyme is necessary for the proper functioning of our immune system.ADA deficiency is caused by the defect in the gene coding for enzyme adenosine deaminase.
The possible treatments that can be given to a patient exhibiting adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency are:
(i) bone marrow transplantation
(ii) enzyme replacement therapy.

Question. (a) List the three molecular diagnostic techniques that help detect pathogens from suspected patients.
(b) Mention the advantage of these techniques over conventional methods.
Answer.(a) Recombinant DNA technology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the some of the techniques that serve the purpose of early diagnosis of bacterial/viral diseases.
(b) Using conventional methods of diagnosis like serum and urine analysis etc., early detection of pathogen is not possible. But molecular diagnostic techniques serve the purpose of early diagnosis.

Question. Mention the steps undertaken during gene therapy to treat an ADA-deficient patient.
Answer.The first step towards gene therapy for an ADA deficient patient is extraction of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cells, are extracted from the bone marrow of the patient and are grown in a culture outside the body. A functional ADA cDNA (using a retroviral vector) is then introduced into these lymphocytes, which are reinjected to the patient’s bone marrow.

Question. Why is the introduction of genetically engineered lymphocytes into an ADA deficiency patient not a permanent cure? Suggest a possible permanent cure. 
Answer. In gene therapy, genetically engineered lymphocytes are introduced into an ADA deficiency patient. But as these cells do not always remain alive, the patient requires periodic infusion of such genetically engineered lymphocytes. However, if the isolated gene from bone marrow cells producing ADA is introduced into cells at early embryonic stages, it can be a permanent cure.

Question. List any two molecular diagnostic techniques and write one application of each of them.
Answer.(a) PCR is polymerase chain reaction. It is used to detect HIV infection and mutations in genes in suspected cancer patient.
(b) ELISA is Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay It is used to detect infections by pathogens.

Question. How is recombinant DNA technology helping in detecting the presence of mutated gene in cancer patients? 
Answer. PCR is used to detect mutations in gene in suspected cancer patient. A single stranded DNA or RNA joined with a radioactive molecule (probe) is allowed to hybridise to its complementary DNA in a clone of cells. It is followed by detection using autoradiography. The clones having the mutated gene will not appear on the photographic film, because the probe will not have the complementarity with the mutated gene.

Question. Expand ELISA. On what principle is ELISA test based? List two ways by which an infection can be detected by this test. 
Answer. ELISA stands for Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. ELISA is based on the principle of antigen – antibody interaction. Infection by pathogen can be detected by the presence of very small amount of proteins, glycoproteins, etc. or by detecting the antibodies synthesised against the pathogen.

Question. State the principle on which ELISA technique is based. How does it help in early detection of a disease?
Answer. ELISA stands for Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. ELISA is based on the principle of antigen – antibody interaction. Infection by pathogen can be detected by the presence of very small amount of proteins, glycoproteins, etc. or by detecting the antibodies synthesised against the pathogen.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Explain enzyme- replacement therapy to treat adenosine deaminase deciency. Mention two disadvantages of this procedure. 
Answer. 
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme is crucial for the immune system to function. Its deficiency is caused due to the deletion of the gene for adenosine deaminase. In some patients, ADA deficiency can be cured by the bone marrow transplantation. It can be treated by enzyme replacement therapy, in which functional ADA is given to the patient by injection. Two disadvantages of enzyme replacement therapy are :
(i) It is not permanent cure because the replacement patient of ADA deficiency do not have functional T-lymphocytes, they cannot provide immune responses against invading pathogens.
(ii) It is a costly method.

Question. Recombinant DNA-technology is of great importance in the field of medicine. With the help of a flow chart, show how this technology has been used in preparing genetically engineered human insulin. 
Answer. The recombinant DNA technology process has made great impact in the area of health care by mass production of safe and more effective therapeutic drugs. Further, the recombinant therapeutics do not induce unwanted immunological responses. Flow chart showing preparation of genetically engineered human insulin is as follows:

Question. ‘Plasmid is a boon to biotechnology’. Justify this statement quoting the production of human insulin as an example. 
Answer. Plasmids are extra-chromosomal, self replicating, usually circular, double-stranded, DNA molecules found naturally in many bacteria. Plasmid is a boon to biotechnology. It has certain characteristics which make it a good vector in production of human insulin. These are discussed as follows :
(i) It has specific restriction sites where the enzyme restriction endonucleases make a cut and segment of DNA which codes for human insulin is inserted.
(ii) It has number of orgin of replication (ori) where replication starts.
(iii) Recombinant plasmid is introduced into E.coli host cell where it replicates and produces large amount of insulin. 

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question. (a) Name the source from which insulin was extracted earlier. Why is this insulin no more used by diabetic people?
(b) Explain the process of synthesis of insulin by Eli Lilly company. Name the techniques used by the company.
(c) How is the insulin produced by human body different from the insulin produced by the above mentioned company?
Answer.(a) Earlier insulin was extracted from pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pig. This insulin is not in use, as some diabetic patients developed allergic reaction to it.
(b) Human insulin is made up of 51 amino acids arranged in two polypeptide chains, chain A having 21 amino acids and chain B with 30 amino acids. e two polypeptide chains are interconnected by two disulphide bridges or S-S linkages. In mammals, including humans, insulin is synthesised as a prohormone which contains an extra stretch called the C peptide. This C peptide is not present in the mature insulin and is removed during maturation into insulin. The main challenge for production of insulin using rDNA technique was getting insulin assembled into a mature form.
In 1983, Eli Lilly an American company, first prepared two DNA sequences corresponding to A and B chains of human insulin and introduced them in plasmids of Escherichia coli to produce insulin chains. Chains A and B were produced separately, extracted and combined by creating disulfide bonds to form human insulin (humulin). It is recombinant DNA technological process. Therefore, the difference between humulin (insulin synthesised by Eli Lilly) and insulin produced by the human pancreas is that humulin consists of two polypeptide chains (A and B) produced separately, extracted and combined by creating disulfide bond while insulin produced by human pancreas contains chains A, B and C and during maturation chain C is removed. 

Question. Give a schematic representation of gene therapy. 
Answer.Steps of gene therapy are summarised in the given diagram:

Question. Briefly explain the principle, procedure and role of ELISA. 
Answer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a non-isotopic immunoassay. ELISA is based on the immunochemical principles of antigen antibody reaction. It is more rapid and simple process hence is recommended for detection of antigens. The stages of ELISA are summarised as follows:
The antibody against the protein to be determined is fixed on an inert solid such as polystyrene. The biological sample containing the protein to be estimated is applied on the antibody coated surface. The protein antibody complex is then reacted with a second protein specific antibody to which an enzyme is covalently linked. Peroxidase, amylase and alkaline phosphatase are commonly used. After washing the unbound antibody linked enzyme, the enzyme bound to the second antibody complex is assayed. The enzyme activity is determined by its action on a substrate to form a product (usually coloured). This is related to the concentration of the protein being estimated.
ELISA is widely used for the determination of small quantities of proteins (hormones, antigens, antibodies) and other biological substances. The most commonly used pregnancy test for the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine is based on ELISA. ELISA is also been used for diagnosis of HIV viruses in AIDS patient. 

Transgenic Animals

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What are transgenic animals? Give an example.
Answer. Transgenic animals are those animals which contain in their genome, a foreign gene introduced by recombinant DNA technology. Such gene is called transgene. Examples of transgenic animals are transgenic mice and transgenic rabbit etc.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. How have transgenic animals proved to be beneficial in:
(a) Production of biological products
(b) Chemical safety testing 
Answer. 
(a) Transgenic animals that produce useful biological products can be created by the introduction of the DNA segment (or gene) which code for a particular product such as human protein (a-1-antitrypsin) used to treat emphysema. Similar attempts are being made for treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) and cystic fibrosis.
(b) Transgenic animals are being made that carry genes which make them more sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals. They are then exposed to the toxic substances and the effects are studied.

Question. Highlight any four advantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 
Answer. Advantages of genetically modified organisms are as follows:
(i) Genetically modified organisms such as mice are being formed for use in testing the safety of vaccines before they are used on human beings. Transgenic mice are being used to test the safety of the polio vaccine.
(ii) Several bacteria have been modified by introduction of foreign genes to control, (i) insects by prodcution of endotoxins, (ii) fungal diseases by production of chitinases, which suppress fungal flora in the soil and (iii) by production of antibiotic which will degrade the toxin produced by pathogen.
(iii) Genetically modified organisms are developed that carry genes exposed to the toxic substance and their effects are studied.
(iv) Genetically modified plants have higher nutritional value e.g., golden rice is rich in vitamin A. 

Ethical Issues

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Mention two objectives of setting up GEAC by our Government. 
Answer. GEAC is Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. It makes decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM organisms for public services. The objectives of setting up GEAC by our government is as follows:
(i) To permit the use of GM organisms and their products for commercial applications.
(ii) To adopt procedures for restriction, production, import, export and application of GM organisms.
(iii) To approve for conduct of large scalefield trials and release of transgenic crops in the environment.
(iv) To authorise agencies or persons to have large scale production and release of GM organisms into the environment or curb and take punitive action against them.

Question. A multinational company outside tried to sell new varieties of turmeric without proper patent
rights. What is such an act referred to?
Answer.The use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organisations without proper authorisation from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment is called as biopiracy.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. (a) What is biopiracy?
(b) State the initiative taken by the Indian parliament against it. 
Answer.(a) Biopiracy refers to the exploitation or patenting of biological resource of a nation by some organisations or multinational companies without proper authorisation from the concerned countries.
(b) The Indian parliament has recently passed the second amendment of the Indian patent bill that considers issue related to patent terms, emergency provisions and research and development initiative.

Question. Biopiracy should be prevented. State why and how? 
Answer. Some multinational companies of industrialised nations have a good economic status but are poor in biodiversity and are exploiting biodiversity of developing and underdeveloped countries without authorisation and proper compensation.
There has been growing realisation of the injustice,inadequate compensation and benefit sharing between developed and developing countries.
Therefore, some nations are developing laws to prevent such unauthorised exploitation of their bioresources and traditional knowledge.