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Q93 (IAS/2019) Science & Technology â€ș Biotechnology & Health â€ș Genetic engineering basics Official Key

With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A. While artificial gene synthesis processes can be scaled up to create functional genes, multi-gene circuits[1] or even entire synthetic chromosomes or genomes[1], and methods exist for cloning segments of natural chromosomes and programmably assembling them into synthetic chromosomes[2], these processes work with DNA from the same or compatible species. Creating functional chromosomes by joining segments from cells of **different species** is not a standard achievable practice, as cross-species chromosomal assembly faces significant incompatibility issues.

The other options are correct: Functional genes and synthetic chromosomes can be created in laboratories[1] (Option B). DNA amplification allows multiplication of DNA pieces in test tubes into millions of copies, most commonly using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system[3] (Option C). In tissue culture, cells can be cultured in vitro (in glass vessels) where they undergo division and development[5] (Option D).

Sources
  1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_gene_synthesis
  2. [2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10733283/
  3. [3] https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/44b59eaf-ec5d-4773-98ee-a20d02b4b604/content
  4. [4] https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/44b59eaf-ec5d-4773-98ee-a20d02b4b604/content
  5. [5] https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/44b59eaf-ec5d-4773-98ee-a20d02b4b604/content
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Q. With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct? [A] Functional chromosomes c

At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 7.5/10
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This is a 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'. It masquerades as a high-tech Current Affairs question, but Options B, C, and D are actually standard static concepts found in NCERT Class 12 Biology (Biotechnology unit). You solve this by validating the basics you know (PCR, Tissue Culture), not by researching obscure synthetic biology papers.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In recent developments in science, have researchers been able to create functional chromosomes by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Heredity > separate traits, shape and colour of seeds Figure 8.5 > p. 132
Strength: 5/5
“inherited. This is explained by the fact that each gene set is present, not as a single long thread of DNA, but as separate independent pieces, each called a chromosome. Thus, each cell will have two copies of each chromosome, one each from the male and female parents. Every germcell will take one chromosome from each pair and these may be of either maternal or paternal origin. When two germ cells combine, they will restore the normal number of chromosomes in the progeny, ensuring the stability of the DNA of the species. Such a mechanism of inheritance explains the results of the Mendel experiments, and is used by all sexually reproducing organisms.”
Why relevant

Defines chromosomes as separate independent pieces of DNA and notes cells carry two copies (one from each parent), highlighting DNA is organised in modular units.

How to extend

A student could infer that because chromosomes are discrete units, one might test whether joining segments from different sources could form a complete, functioning chromosome and then check compatibility across species.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: How do Organisms Reproduce? > 7.3.1 Why the Sexual Mode of Reproduction? > p. 120
Strength: 4/5
“reproduction incorporates such a process of combining DNA from two different individuals during reproduction. But this creates a major difficulty. If each new generation is to be the combination of the DNA copies from two pre-existing individuals, then each new generation will end up having twice the amount of DNA that the previous generation had. This is likely to mess up the control of the cellular apparatus by the DNA. How many ways can we think of for solving this difficulty? We have seen earlier that as organisms become more complex, the specialisation of tissue increases. One solution that many multi-cellular organisms have found for the problem mentioned above is to have special lineages of cells in specialised organs in which only half the number of chromosomes and half the amount of DNA as compared to the nonreproductive body cells.”
Why relevant

Explains that reproduction involves combining DNA from two individuals and that maintaining correct DNA amount and control is critical.

How to extend

Use the rule that genome dosage and control matters to assess whether chimeric chromosomes from different species would function without disrupting cellular control mechanisms.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Heredity > 8.2.3 How do these Traits get Expressed? > p. 131
Strength: 4/5
“How does the mechanism of heredity work? Cellular DNA is the information source for making proteins in the cell. A section of DNA that provides information for one protein is called the gene for that protein. How do proteins control the characteristics that we are discussing here? Let us take the example of tallness as a characteristic. We know that plants have hormones that can trigger growth. Plant height can thus depend on the amount of a particular plant hormone. The amount of the plant hormone made will depend on the efficiency of the process for making it. Consider now an enzyme that is important for this process.”
Why relevant

Describes a gene as a DNA section encoding a protein, emphasising functional modularity at the gene level.

How to extend

From gene modularity, a student could reason that assembling segments that contain intact genes might produce specific protein functions, but must consider regulatory context and species-specific expression.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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