Biotechnology and Its Application VBQs Class 12 Biology

VBQs for Class 12

VBQs Biotechnology and Its Application Class 12 Biology with solutions has been provided below for standard students. We have provided chapter wise VBQ for Class 12 Biology with solutions. The following Biotechnology and Its Application Class 12 Biology value based questions with answers will come in your exams. Students should understand the concepts and learn the solved cased based VBQs provided below. This will help you to get better marks in class 12 examinations.

Biotechnology and Its Application VBQs Class 12 Biology

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What is biopiracy ?
Answer :
Illegal / non authorized / non compensated use of bioresources by organisations.
Detailed Answer :
Some organisation and multinational companies exploit patent biological resources or bio-resources of other nations without proper authorisation from the countries concerned is called biopiracy. 

Question. What are transgenic animals. Give an example.
Answer :
Animals whose DNA is manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene e.g. Rosie – transgenic cow. 
Detailed Answer :
Transgenic animals are animals whose genes are altered by manipulation (recombinant DNA technology). Example includes Transgenic mouse, silk producing goats, sheep, Rosie – a transgenic cow etc. 

Question. What was the speciality of milk produced by the transgenic cow-Rosie.
Answer :
Rosie was the first transgenic cow. The milk produced by it was protein rich. It contained human alpha lactalbumin. This milk was nutritionally richer and balanced as compared to that of normal cow. 

Question. A multinational company outside India tried to sell new varieties of turmeric without proper rights, what is such an act referred to ?
Answer :
Biopiracy.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. How have transgenic animals proved to be beneficial in :
(i) Production of biological products.
(ii) Chemical safety testing. 
Answer :
 (i) Rosie – transgenic cow produced human protein / alpha lactalbumin enriched milk, alpha-1 antitrypsin used to treat emphysema.
(ii) Toxicity Testing – more sensitive to toxic substances, results obtained in less time. 
Detailed Answer :
Transgenic animals that produce useful biological products can be created by the introduction of the portion of DNA (or genes) which codes for a particular product such as human protein (α-1-antitrypsin) used to treat emphysema, phenylketonuria (PKU) and cystic fibrosis.
Transgenic animals are 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.
Toxicity testing in such animals will allow us to obtain results in less time.

Question. Biopiracy should be prevented. State why and how ? 
Answer :
 Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bioresources by multinational companies and other organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned without compensatory payment.
There has been growing realization of the injustice, inadequate compensation and benefit sharing between developed and under developed countries. Therefore, some nations have developing laws to prevent such unauthorized exploitation of their bioresources and traditional knowledge. 

Question. The Indian Government refuted the attempt by a multinational company (MNC) to patent the antiseptic property of curcumin derived from Turmeric. Analyze the unethical practice adopted by the MNC, state its implications and suggest provisions in the Indian Law to prevent such malpractices 
Answer : 
(i) MNC wanted to encash on our rich legacy by biopiracy. 
(ii) It leads to injustice, inadequate compensation and unauthorized exploitation of traditional knowledge of the country. 
(iii) Second amendment of the Indian Patents Bill takes into consideration issues related with patent terms, emergency provisions and research and development initiative. 

Question. What is GEAC ? What are its objectives ?
Answer :
 GEAC stands for Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. It is an Indian Government organization.
It has following objectives :
(i) To examine the validity of GMO i.e. genetic modification of organisms research.
(ii) Safety of introducing GMOs for public use.