Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q96 (IAS/2019) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Genetic engineering basics Official Key

'RNA interference (RNAi)' technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why? 1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies. 2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer. 3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies. 4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A (statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct).

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing technology with great potential in cancer therapy[1], which directly supports statements 1 and 2. RNAi is a significant biological mechanism in which the existence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) inhibits the specific gene expressions with a homologous sequence to the dsRNA[2], confirming its role in gene silencing. Silencing by siRNA, and RNA interference (RNAi) has the potential to be used in the treatment of genetic diseases and cancer[3], further validating statements 1 and 2.

For statement 4, although animals generally express fewer variants of the Dicer enzyme than plants, RNAi in some animals produces an antiviral response[4], indicating RNAi's role in antiviral mechanisms that can be applied to crop plants.

Statement 3 regarding hormone replacement therapies is incorrect, as none of the sources mention RNAi being used for this purpose. RNAi works by silencing specific genes rather than replacing hormones, making it unsuitable for hormone replacement therapy.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.985670/full
  2. [2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.985670/full
  3. [3] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.985670/full
  4. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
89%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest preview
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. 'RNA interference (RNAi)' technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why? 1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapi…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 7.5/10
You're seeing a guest preview. The Verdict and first statement analysis are open. Login with Google to unlock all tabs.

This question masquerades as Current Affairs but is actually a 'Definition Logic' test. If you understand that RNAi is a 'silencing' mechanism (it destroys mRNA), you can logically deduce it cannot be used for 'Hormone Replacement' (which requires creating/adding proteins). The source is general science news, but the solution lies in basic biological concepts.

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
Can RNA interference (RNAi) be used in developing gene-silencing therapies?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing technology with great potential in cancer therapy"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names RNAi as a gene-silencing technology applicable to therapy.
  • Specifically cites its potential in cancer therapy, showing practical therapeutic use.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"silencing by siRNA, and RNA interference (RNAi) has the potential to be used in the treatment of genetic diseases and cancer."
Why this source?
  • States RNAi (siRNA) has potential to be used in treatment of genetic diseases and cancer.
  • Provides an example where siRNA delivered by biomimetic nanoparticles enabled gene silencing in lungs.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"RNA interference (RNAi) is a significant biological mechanism in which the existence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) inhibits the specific gene expressions with a homologous sequence to the dsRNA."
Why this source?
  • Describes the RNAi mechanism (dsRNA inhibits specific gene expression), explaining how gene silencing is achieved.
  • Mentions siRNAs and miRNAs as the molecular agents used in RNAi, supporting feasibility for therapeutic application.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Heredity > 8.2.3 How do these Traits get Expressed? > p. 131
Strength: 5/5
“If this enzyme works efficiently, a lot of hormone will be made, and the plant will be tall. If the gene for that enzyme has an alteration that makes the enzyme less efficient, the amount of hormone will be less, and the plant will be short. Thus, genes control characteristics, or traits. If the interpretations of Mendelian experiments we have been discussing are correct, then both parents must be contributing equally to the DNA of the progeny during sexual reproduction. We have disscussed this issue in the previous Chapter. If both parents can help determine the trait in the progeny, both parents must be contributing a copy of the same gene.”
Why relevant

States that genes control characteristics/traits and that changes in gene function alter phenotype.

How to extend

A student could infer that deliberately reducing a gene's activity (via RNAi) could alter a trait or disease-related function and so might be therapeutic.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS > p. 301
Strength: 4/5
“• According to WHO, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are the plants, animals or microorganisms in which the hereditary material (DNA) is altered in a manner that does not happen normally by mating or potentially regular recombination. It is also known as modern biotechnology/gene technology.• When genetic modification of a plant is performed, foreign gene (transgene) or gene of some other organism is artificially inserted into the plant's own genes. This is gene modification.”
Why relevant

Defines genetic modification as altering hereditary material by inserting foreign genes, showing that molecular alteration of genes is a recognized intervention.

How to extend

Combine this idea with knowledge of RNAi as a method to modify gene expression (without inserting transgenes) to judge feasibility of gene-silencing therapies.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.17. DNA BARCODING > p. 248
Strength: 4/5
“A MoU signed between Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization under MoEF&CC, and International Barcode of Life (iBOL), a Canadian not-for-profit corporation. ZSI and iBOL have come together for further efforts in DNA barcoding, a methodology for rapidly and accurately identifying species by sequencing a short segment of standardized gene regions and comparing individual sequences to a reference database. iBOL is a research alliance involving nations that have committed both human and financial resources to enable expansion of the global reference database, the development of informatics platforms, and/or the analytical protocols needed to use the reference library to inventory, assess, and describe biodiversity.”
Why relevant

Describes DNA sequencing/ barcoding as a method to identify standardized gene regions and build reference databases.

How to extend

A student could reason that sequencing allows precise identification of target genes/transcripts, a prerequisite for designing specific RNAi therapeutics.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > Goals: > p. 249
Strength: 3/5
“• Deliver DNA barcoding technology for 5 million species. • Develop the informatics platform and analytical protocols required for the development of a DNA barcode reference library. • Establish a core facility to provide sequencing and informatics support. • Complete the census of all multicellular species. • Establish a global biosurveillance program. • Construct a 'library of life' by preserving DNA extracts from all species.”
Why relevant

Lists goals to develop sequencing, informatics, and analytical protocols and to preserve DNA extracts—indicating capacity for molecular identification and analysis.

How to extend

Use this to support the idea that necessary molecular tools and infrastructure exist to develop targeted gene-silencing agents like RNAi.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > BY MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY > p. 617
Strength: 2/5
“• Technology Development Board under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has invited proposals from Indian companies and start-ups to fund the development of indigenous technology needed to fight COVID-19. Major areas for which financial support is available are surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control. • Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) to fund R&D proposals under IRHPA Ø”
Why relevant

Notes funding calls for indigenous technology development and support for R&D under science boards, implying institutional support for biotech solutions.

How to extend

A student could infer that financial and institutional resources may be available to develop RNAi-based therapies if scientifically justified.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

How to study

This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.

Login with Google to unlock study guidance.

Micro-concepts

Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.

Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.

The Vault

Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.

Login with Google to unlock The Vault.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2020 · Q69 Relevance score: -6.09

With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct ? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm. 2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication. 3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth. 4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

IAS · 2016 · Q31 Relevance score: -7.25

In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term 'transcriptome', sometimes seen in the news, refers to

CDS-II · 2018 · Q36 Relevance score: -7.25

Which one of the following statements explains higher mutation rate and faster evolution found in RNA virus?

IAS · 2013 · Q30 Relevance score: -7.59

Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred. 1. Across different species of plants 2. From animals to plants 3. From microorganisms to higher organisms Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

IAS · 2015 · Q32 Relevance score: -7.64

With reference to 'Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields. 2. NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other. 3. NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information. Select the correct answer using the code given below.