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Q93 (IAS/2021) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Human infectious diseases Official Key

The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of

Result
Your answer: —  Âˇ  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4.

The term ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) gained global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an enzyme located on the surface of many cell types in the human body, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys.

  • Viral Entry Mechanism: In the context of the spread of viral diseases, ACE2 acts as the primary cellular receptor (or "gateway") for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The spike protein of the virus binds to ACE2 to enter and infect human cells.
  • Physiological Role: Normally, ACE2 helps regulate blood pressure by modulating the protein angiotensin II.

Options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect as they relate to biotechnology in agriculture (e.g., Bt cotton), space technology (e.g., NavIC), and wildlife conservation (e.g., telemetry), respectively, none of which involve the ACE2 protein.

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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. The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of [A] genes introduced in the genetically modified plants [B] development of India's ow…
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 classic 'Headline Awareness' check. In 2021, ACE2 was the specific receptor cited in every scientific explainer about how SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells. It rewards active reading of the 'Science & Tech' page in newspapers over static book knowledge.

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
Does the term "ACE2" refer to genes introduced in genetically modified plants?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"glycoprotein on the viral surface through binding to the cell-surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)."
Why this source?
  • Defines ACE2 as a cell-surface receptor and gives its full name, showing it is a human/host protein.
  • Places ACE2 in the context of viral entry (SARS‑CoV‑2), not plant genetic modification.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"produced recombinant spike proteins and different forms of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2"
Why this source?
  • Refers to ACE2 as the SARS‑CoV‑2 receptor and discusses producing recombinant forms, indicating a viral/host protein studied in virology.
  • Mentions laboratory production of different ACE2 forms, consistent with it being a protein/receptor rather than a transgene for plants.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Hoffmann, M., ... (2020). SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and"
Why this source?
  • States that SARS‑CoV‑2 cell entry depends on ACE2, reinforcing that ACE2 is a host receptor involved in viral infection.
  • Context is virology/host cells, not genetically modified plants.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS > p. 301
Strength: 5/5
“• 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 GMO/GM crops and states that foreign genes (transgenes) from other organisms are artificially inserted into plant genomes during genetic modification.

How to extend

A student could use this rule to check whether ACE2 is listed as a transgene used in plant modification (e.g., in regulatory or product descriptions of GM crops).

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 342
Strength: 4/5
“GM crops are plants whose DNA (a molecule that encodes the Genetic Information) has been modified using Genetic Engineering. The following are some benefits of GM crops: • More nutritional value• Resistance to bacteria, virus and other components that can damage the plant• Longer shelf life• Less costly GM foods and higher yields The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body for regulating GM crops, in the Ministry of Environment and Forest under the Environment Protections Act 1986. At present, the government allows commercial production of only one GM crop which is BT cotton and is allowed since 2002.”
Why relevant

Explains that GM crops are plants whose DNA has been modified using genetic engineering and lists typical targets (resistance to bacteria, viruses, pests), implying common types of genes introduced.

How to extend

A student could compare the known functional role attributed to ACE2 with typical functions of genes introduced into crops to judge plausibility that ACE2 would be used in plants.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 2019 > p. 359
Strength: 4/5
“GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests. 2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (b) 2 only (a) 1 and 3 only• (d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 2 and 3 only• 17. With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements: • 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. • 2. Soils do not play any role in the sulphur cycle.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete example: GM mustard contains genes from a soil bacterium that confer pest resistance — illustrating that genes named after non-plant sources are used in crops.

How to extend

A student could ask whether ACE2 is such a gene from another organism used for a trait in a crop (and then search GM mustard or regulatory approvals for ACE2).

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.8 Genetically Modified (GM) Crops > p. 343
Strength: 4/5
“In one of the cases before the Delhi High Court, involving Monsanto and Nuziveedu (seed company) and the other with the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Rights (PPVFR) Authority, the Govt. has submitted that the Indian Patents Act 1970 (Section 3(j)) excludes patenting of seeds, plants and their varieties and the patent granted to Monsanto is not legal. Whereas, Monsanto argues that it is not patenting Bt cotton seeds but the genes in them (when you buy a software on a CD, the copyright is for the software even though it is made available via the CD), the Govt. is arguing that under PPVFR Act 2001, once a gene is inserted into the seed it is a plant 'variety' and hence not patentable under the Indian Patent Act 1970.”
Why relevant

Notes the legal/terminological point that companies may claim they are patenting 'genes in seeds' rather than the seed, showing that gene names can be central identifiers in GM crop discussion and documentation.

How to extend

A student could search patent databases or regulatory filings for the gene name ACE2 to see if it appears associated with any plant/seed patents or approvals.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Biotic: Living > p. 111
Strength: 3/5
“Genetic control: Te genetic control of pests involving releasing sterilised pests into the afected area. When these pests made with the female of their species, there are no ofspring, leading to a decline in the number of such pests. Genetic engineering: Te process of artifcially removing specifc genes from one organism and replacing them with genetic information from another. Geography: Te science that studies the interdependence among geographic areas, natural systems, processes, society, and cultural activities over space – a spatial science. Te fve themes of geographic education include: location, place, movement, regions, and human–Earth relationships. Geologic cycle: A general term characterising the vast cycling (hydrology, tectonic and rock) in and on the lithosphere.”
Why relevant

Provides a concise definition of genetic engineering as removing specific genes from one organism and replacing them with genetic information from another, giving a clear mechanism by which any named gene could be introduced into plants.

How to extend

A student could use this mechanism to investigate whether ACE2 has ever been transferred between species for agricultural use by checking scientific or regulatory records.

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Statement analysis

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS ¡ 2018 ¡ Q63 Relevance score: -2.68

With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements : 1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests. 2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization. 3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS ¡ 2003 ¡ Q19 Relevance score: -4.45

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, whose permission is required for cultivation of any genetically modified crop such as Bt-Cotton in India, is under the Union Minister of

CDS-I ¡ 2022 ¡ Q14 Relevance score: -4.85

Which one of the following statements is not correct with regard to genetically modified organisms ?

IAS ¡ 2016 ¡ Q31 Relevance score: -5.08

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