Important Questions for Class 12 CBSE Board Biotechnology

Benefits of solving the Important Questions for class 12 biotechnology 

Important Questions For CBSE Class 12 Biotechnology: Chapter-wise Guide

Biotechnology is a pivotal unit in the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus, with significant weightage in board exams and relevance for future studies in life sciences, medicine, and research. Focusing on important questions helps you revise key concepts, understand exam trends, and practice answer-writing skills essential for scoring high marks. Here’s a comprehensive, chapter-wise guide to the most important questions for CBSE Class 12 Biotechnology, along with answer approaches and tips.

Why Focus on Important Questions for Biotechnology?

• Exam-Oriented Preparation: These questions are selected based on past year trends and high-weightage topics, ensuring you cover what matters most for the board exam.

• Concept Clarity: Practicing these questions helps reinforce your understanding of principles, processes, and applications.

• Answer Writing Practice: Reviewing solutions teaches you how to structure responses for maximum marks.

Chapter 11: Biotechnology – Principles and Processes

1. What is recombinant DNA?
Answer: Recombinant DNA is a DNA molecule formed by combining genetic material from different sources through genetic engineering techniques, enabling the introduction of new traits into organisms.

2. What are palindromic nucleotide sequences? Why are they significant in biotechnology?
Answer: Palindromic sequences read the same forward and backward (e.g., GAATTC). They are recognition sites for restriction enzymes, which cut DNA at these locations to create sticky or blunt ends for cloning.

3. Explain the principle and steps of recombinant DNA technology.
Answer:

• Identification and isolation of the gene of interest

• Insertion of the gene into a suitable vector

• Introduction into a host cell

• Selection and multiplication of transformed cells

• Expression and harvesting of the gene product.

4. What is the role of restriction endonucleases in genetic engineering?
Answer: Restriction endonucleases cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences, producing fragments with sticky or blunt ends, essential for gene cloning.

5. How is a DNA fragment visualized after gel electrophoresis?
Answer: The DNA is stained with ethidium bromide and visualized as orange bands under UV light.

6. What is the function of selectable markers in a cloning vector?
Answer: Selectable markers help distinguish between transformed and non-transformed cells, usually through antibiotic resistance.

7. How are competent cells prepared for transformation?
Answer: Cells are treated with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) to increase membrane permeability, allowing uptake of foreign DNA.

8. What are bioreactors? Name the most common type used in industry.
Answer: Bioreactors are vessels for large-scale biological reactions, such as fermentation. The stirred-tank bioreactor is the most common type.

Chapter 12: Biotechnology and Its Applications

1. What is a recombinant vaccine? Give an example.
Answer: A recombinant vaccine is produced using recombinant DNA technology, such as the Hepatitis B vaccine.

2. Explain the process of synthesis of artificial insulin using recombinant DNA technology.
Answer:

• The human insulin gene is inserted into plasmids

• Plasmids are introduced into E. coli bacteria

• Bacteria express the insulin gene and produce insulin, which is then harvested and purified.

3. What is RNA interference (RNAi)? State its significance.
Answer: RNAi is a process where double-stranded RNA silences specific gene expression. It is used in developing pest-resistant plants and gene therapy.

4. What is the role of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in plant genetic engineering?
Answer: Agrobacterium contains the Ti plasmid, which can be modified to deliver desired genes into plant cells without causing disease.

5. How are transgenic animals beneficial? List any four benefits.
Answer:

• Production of therapeutic proteins

• Disease models for research

• Improved livestock traits

• Production of organs for transplantation.

6. What are the ethical issues related to biotechnology?
Answer:

• Biopiracy

• GMOs and food safety

• Environmental impact

• Patenting of life forms.

Answer Writing Tips

• Structure your answers: Start with a definition, explain the concept, and give examples or diagrams where applicable.

• Use diagrams: Labelled diagrams for processes like gel electrophoresis, bioreactor, or genetic engineering steps can fetch extra marks.

• Highlight keywords: Use scientific terms and underline or highlight them for emphasis.

Solving the printable biotechnology Important Questions for Class 12 has various advantages. We've highlighted a handful of them below.

1. Important Questions are based on past year questions which will help you to score better marks in your school exams as well as in your competitive exams.

2. These Important Questions are curriculum-based and cover all of the essential biotechnology concepts.

3. Students will be more engaged with the topics if they practice questions from these Important Questions.

4. Important Questions will assist pupils in gaining a solid understanding of the subjects presented in school.

5. Students' analytical and problem-solving skills will increase due to completing Important Questions.

6. These Important Questions will help you establish a study regimen.