Modern Techniques in Plant Breeding MCQ

1. Which of the following techniques is used to generate genetically modified plants by introducing foreign genes into their genome?
(A) Somatic hybridization
(B) CRISPR-Cas9
(C) Polyploidization
(D) Genetic engineering

2. In Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS), molecular markers are used to:
(A) Induce mutations in the plant genome
(B) Select desirable traits based on their genetic linkage to known markers
(C) Create genetically modified organisms
(D) Introduce foreign genes into a plant’s genome

3. Which of the following methods is primarily used to generate new genetic variability in a plant population by exposing seeds or tissues to mutagenic agents like chemicals or radiation?
(A) Mutation breeding
(B) Hybridization
(C) Somatic embryogenesis
(D) Genome editing

4. Which technique uses an enzyme to induce specific, targeted changes in a plant’s DNA by cutting and repairing the genome at designated sites?
(A) Transgenesis
(B) Polyploidization
(C) CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
(D) Protoplast fusion

5. In plant breeding, the creation of polyploid plants is beneficial because it:
(A) Reduces genetic diversity
(B) Increases the number of chromosomes, often leading to larger plant size and improved yield
(C) Allows the transfer of genes between species
(D) Introduces random mutations into the genome

6. Which method is used to recover hybrid plants that cannot be obtained through normal fertilization due to incompatibilities or sterility, often by rescuing the embryo before it aborts?
(A) Protoplast fusion
(B) Embryo rescue
(C) Hybridization
(D) Somatic embryogenesis

7. Gene pyramiding is a technique used to:
(A) Introduce a single gene for disease resistance into a plant
(B) Combine multiple genes for different traits into a single genotype
(C) Introduce transgenes into a plant using CRISPR-Cas9
(D) Create genetically uniform plants by self-pollination

8. Which of the following is an application of somatic hybridization in plant breeding?
(A) Creating genetically modified plants by introducing foreign DNA
(B) Developing hybrid plants through protoplast fusion from different species
(C) Using molecular markers to select for desired traits
(D) Editing specific genes using CRISPR-Cas9 technology

9. Which of the following is the primary goal of marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) in plant breeding?
(A) To produce transgenic plants
(B) To introgress a single trait into an elite variety
(C) To create genetic variability through mutagenesis
(D) To achieve high-yielding hybrid plants

10. Which of the following is NOT a method used for producing hybrid plants in modern breeding?
(A) Protoplast fusion
(B) Cross-pollination
(C) Polyploidization
(D) In-vitro mutagenesis

11. Which of the following is a primary advantage of using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in plant breeding over traditional breeding methods?
(A) It introduces random mutations into the plant genome
(B) It requires no molecular markers for trait selection
(C) It allows precise, targeted modifications of specific genes
(D) It is not dependent on the plant’s reproductive cycle

12. Which of the following is a limitation of using transgenic approaches in plant breeding?
(A) It is slow and labor-intensive
(B) It is limited to a few crops
(C) Public opposition and regulatory hurdles
(D) It does not allow the transfer of traits between species

13. Which of the following techniques allows the creation of genetically uniform plants in a relatively short period by doubling the chromosome number?
(A) Polyploidization
(B) Somatic embryogenesis
(C) Mutation breeding
(D) CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing

14. Which method is used to combine desirable traits from two different species by fusing their protoplasts?
(A) Hybridization
(B) Somatic hybridization
(C) Gene pyramiding
(D) Marker-assisted selection

15. Which of the following is a key feature of gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR, in modern plant breeding?
(A) It involves the random insertion of foreign DNA into the plant genome
(B) It is used to produce polyploid plants
(C) It can make precise, targeted changes in the plant genome
(D) It only works on plants with high genetic diversity