Chapter 8 – Cell Biology and Biotechnology
1. Fill in the blanks and complete the statements.
a. Methods like artificial insemination and embryo transplant are mainly used for ______.
Ans: animal husbandry
b. ______ is the revolutionary event in biotechnology after cloning.
Ans: Stem cell research
c. The disease related with the synthesis of insulin is ______.
Ans: Diabetes
d. Government of India has encouraged the ______ for improving the productivity by launching NKM-16.
Ans: pisciculture
2. Match the pairs
| ‘A’ group | ‘B’ group |
|---|---|
a. Interferon | 1. Diabetes |
b. Factor | 2. Dwarfness |
c. Somatostatin | 3. Viral infection |
d. Interleukin | 4. Cancer |
5. Haemophilia |
Ans:
| ‘A’ group | ‘B’ group |
|---|---|
a. Interferon | 3. Viral infection |
b. Factor | 5. Haemophilia |
c. Somatostatin | 2. Dwarfness |
d. Interleukin | 4. Cancer |
3. Rewrite the following wrong statements after corrections.
a. Changes in genes of the cells are brought about in non-genetic technique.
Ans: False.
Correct statement: Changes in genes of the cells are brought about in genetic technique.
b. Gene from Bacillus thuringiensis is introduced into soyabean.
Ans: False.
Correct statement: Gene from Bacillus thuringiensis is introduced into cotton and brinjal.
4. Write short notes.
a. Biotechnology: Professional uses.
Ans:
(i) Use of various abilities of microbes like yoghurt production from milk and alcohol from molasses.
(ii) Use of productivity of cells eg. Production of antibiotics and vaccines with the help of specific cells.
(iii) Use of bio-molecules like DNA and proteins in human welfare.
(iv) Development of plants, animals and products of desired quality by gene manipulation.
For example: Production of growth hormone with the help of genetically modified bacteria.
(v) Use of genetic and non-genetic techniques. Non-genetic biotechnology involves use of either cell or tissue. eg. tissue culture, production of hybrid seeds.
b. Importance of medicinal plants.
Ans:
(i) India has been gifted with a great biodiversity. Indian citizens have a strong and humble relation with nature.
(ii) We have a great tradition of ayurveda that cures diseases with the help of natural sources.
(iii) Medicinal plants find applications in the food industry, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and cosmetics.
(iv) There are infinite medicinal plants which come together and form a branch of medical science called ayurveda. Plants like lemon, turmeric, Aloe-Vera, Adulsa, Basil, Neem, Garlic, Ashwagandha, etc. are used to cure many ailments.
(v) Many of these remedies are present in the house itself.
(vi) Many plants have various parts that are used like roots, bark stem, leaves, fruits, etc.
5. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a. Which products produced through biotechnology do you use in your daily life?
Ans:
(i) Biodiesel
(ii) Household products : Washing detergents.
(iii) Bioplastic
(iv) Fabric
(v) Personal care products : Shampoos, skin care, etc.
(vi) Food and drink : Flavours, fragrances, Sweeteners yoghurt, cheese, juicy and pulpy fruits, Golden rice, GM crops, bread, vinegar, wine, beer, etc.
(vii) Healthcare – Vaccines, antibiotics, etc.
b. Which precautions will you take during spraying of pesticides?
Ans:
(i) Pesticides are in fact a type of poison. This poison enters the food web through water, food and its bio-magnification occurs.
(ii) Various pesticides like DDT, malathion, chloropyriphos, etc. are dangerous.
(iii) Precautions to be taken are as follows:
(a) Apply only recommended dose.
(b) Cover nose with cloth before spraying or even filling up the pump can of pesticide.
(c) Always wear gloves while handling the apparatus.
(d) Avoid spillage of pesticides.
(e) Do not smell the pesticide.
(f) Read the instructions carefully.
(g) Do not apply against the wind direction, rains, sunny day.
(h) Containers, buckets used for spraying should not be used for domestic purposes.
(i) Avoid entry of animals and workers in the field during spraying.
c. Why some of the organs in human body are most valuable?
Ans:
(i) Various organs in human body become less efficient or completely functionless, due to various reasons like ageing, accidents, infections etc.
(ii) Life of such persons becomes difficult, miserable, uncomfortable. Sometimes fatality may also occur.
(iii) Many organs in the human body remain functional for a certain period even after death occurs under specific conditions.
(iv) These organs can be transplanted on donation. Hence, certain organs like heart, kidneys, eyes, liver, heart valves, skin, etc. are more valuable.
d. Explain the importance of fruit processing in human life?
Ans:
(i) Fruits are perishable agro – produce.
(ii) Fruits contain vitamins, proteins, minerals and dietary fibers.
(iii) There is a need to process fruits in order to increase their storage or shelf – life significantly.
(iv) Various products are prepared from fruits like chocolates, jams, juices and jellies and are used daily.
(v) Fruit processing is done in such a way that it can be used throughout the year.
(vi) Fruit processing includes various methods ranging from cold storage to drying, salting, air tight packing, pickling, evaporating, etc.
e. Explain the meaning of vaccination.
Ans:
(i) Vaccine is the antigen containing material given to acquire either permanent or temporary immunity against a specific pathogen or disease.
(ii) Traditionally, vaccines were prepared with the help of pathogens which may be completely or partially killed.
(iii) However due to this, there were chances of contracting the disease in certain persons.
(iv) Hence, as an alternative, scientists have given artificially produced vaccines with the help of biotechnology.
(v) A safer vaccine was produced with the help of a gene isolated from the pathogen and an antigen produced from it.
(vi) Now, proteins which act as antigens are injected in pure form instead of injecting the killed or semi killed pathogens.
(vii) These proteins keep the persons away from the disease by keeping the immune system active.
(viii) Vaccines produced with the help of biotechnology are more thermostable and remain active for longer duration.
For example: vaccines of polio, hepatitis, etc.
(ix) Edible vaccines are produced in combination with transgenic potatoes. These potatoes will act against bacteria like Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli and consumption of such raw potatoes will generate immunity against cholera and various other diseases caused by E. coli.
6. Complete the following chart.
Ans:
7. Write the correct answer in blank circles.
Ans:
8. Identify and complete the following correlations.
a. Insulin : Diabetes :: Interleukin : ______
Ans: Cancer
Explanation: Insulin is used to treat diabetes, whereas Interleukin is used to treat cancer.
b. Interferon : ______ :: Erythropoietin : Anaemia.
Ans: Viral Infection
Explanation: Erythropoietin is used for treating conditions like anaemia, whereas interferons are used to treat viral infections.
c. ______ : Dwarfness :: Factor VIII : Haemophilia.
Ans: Somatostatin
Explanation: Factor VIII is used for treating conditions like haemophilia, whereas somatostatin is used for treating dwarfism.
d. White revolution : Dairy :: Blue revolution : ______.
Ans: Aquatic organisms
Explanation: White revolution involves improved production of dairy and dairy products whereas, Blue revolution involves improved production of Aquatic organisms.
9. Write a comparative note on usefulness and harmfulness of biotechnology.
Ans:
Usefulness of biotechnology:
(i) Biotechnology has worked for human welfare.
(ii) There is considerable progress in the field of agriculture, pharmacy, plant as well as animal life.
(iii) Scientists have modified plants, animals, and human beings using various techniques of biotechnology.
(iv) Biotechnology has modified shape, size, taste, seed/seedless fruits and vegetables.
(v) Reliable, rapid and consistent enzymes have been created which play a major role in food processing.
(vi) A number of dairy products are made available to us.
(vii) A number of human and animal diseases have found cure and prevention.
(viii) Biotechnology has modified plants to have their own pest resistant traits.
(ix) Diagnostic kits are available for various diseases.
Harmful effects of Biotechnology are as follows:
(i) High cost of genetic engineering apparatus.
(ii) Crosses between different species give rise to hazardous organisms.
(iii) During experimentation when more Transgenic potatoes are grown, it can be life threatening
(iv) Thus, biotechnology should be balanced.