Agricultural Biotechnology MCQs

1. Which of the following techniques is most commonly used to transfer foreign genes into plant cells for genetic modification?
(A) Electroporation
(B) Particle bombardment
(C) Protoplast fusion
(D) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

2. Which of the following crops has been genetically modified to resist herbicides, specifically glyphosate?
(A) Soybean
(B) Rice
(C) Wheat
(D) Maize

3. Which of the following is a major concern associated with the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in agriculture?
(A) Reduced resistance to pests
(B) Gene flow to non-GM crops
(C) Increased genetic diversity in crops
(D) Enhanced soil fertility

4. Which of the following genes is often introduced in Bt crops to provide resistance against insect pests?
(A) Cry genes
(B) EPSPS genes
(C) PAT genes
(D) Bar genes

5. In plant tissue culture, which of the following is used to promote the regeneration of shoots and plantlets?
(A) Cytokinins
(B) Ethylene
(C) Auxins
(D) Gibberellins

6. Which of the following is the primary aim of gene editing in agricultural biotechnology?
(A) To create genetically identical crops
(B) To introduce genes from different species
(C) To precisely alter specific genes to improve traits
(D) To induce mutation for desirable traits

7. Which of the following is a major advantage of genetically modified (GM) crops in agriculture?
(A) Increased genetic diversity in crops
(B) Reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers
(C) Enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses
(D) Lower crop yields

8. Which of the following methods is commonly used for the production of transgenic animals in agricultural biotechnology?
(A) Electroporation
(B) Microinjection
(C) Gene gun
(D) Protoplast fusion

9. Which of the following is NOT a potential application of agricultural biotechnology?
(A) Increasing crop yield
(B) Enhancing nutritional quality of food
(C) Reducing the need for irrigation
(D) Making crops resistant to frost

10. Which of the following is a disadvantage of using Bt crops in agriculture?
(A) Decreased resistance to herbicides
(B) Development of resistance in target pests
(C) Increased genetic variation
(D) Increased cost of production

11. Which of the following is an example of a molecular marker used in agricultural biotechnology to assist in plant breeding?
(A) SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat)
(B) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
(C) RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription PCR)
(D) SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis)

12. In agricultural biotechnology, what is the role of “patent protection” for genetically modified crops?
(A) To ensure crop varieties are produced under sustainable farming practices
(B) To prevent the transfer of transgenic traits to non-GM crops
(C) To give the developer exclusive rights to sell and use the GM crop technology
(D) To eliminate the need for regulatory approval

13. Which of the following is a common concern regarding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture?
(A) GMOs are too expensive for farmers to adopt
(B) GMOs are less productive than traditional crops
(C) GMOs could lead to unintended effects on non-target organisms
(D) GMOs require too much labor to cultivate

14. What is the goal of using RNA interference (RNAi) in agricultural biotechnology?
(A) To increase protein content in crops
(B) To silence specific genes to control pests and diseases
(C) To introduce new genetic material into crops
(D) To increase crop yield under drought conditions

15. What is the significance of “Bt cotton” in agricultural biotechnology?
(A) It has enhanced drought tolerance
(B) It has increased nitrogen fixation ability
(C) It produces a protein toxic to certain pests
(D) It has improved the quality of fiber for textile use