Prelims Questions: GM Crops | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

PREVIOUS YEAR PRELIMS QUESTIONS
 

1. "Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (2012)
1. To enable them to withstand drought.
2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce.
3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations.
4. To increase their shelf life.
 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4"

Answer: (d)

2. A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is (2011)
(a) To make it pest-resistant

(b) To improve its taste and nutritive qualities

(c) To make it drought-resistant

(d) To make its shelf-life longer

Answer: (a)

3. Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice? (2010)
(a) The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
(b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
(c) Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
(d) Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D.

Answer: (b)

4. Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason: (2010)
(a) It is a genetically modified dwarf variety which is resistant to drought
(b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
(c) It is a genetically modified variety with ten times higher protein content than regular maize crop
(d) It is a genetically modified variety used exclusively for bio - fuel production

Answer: (b)
 

5. Which one of the following statements is correct? (2005)
(a) The First Meeting of the Parties (MOP 1) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in Philippines in the year 2004
(b) India is not a signatory to the Biosafety Protocol/Convention on Biological Diversity
(c) The Biosafety Protocol deals with genetically modified organisms
(d) The United States of America is member of the Biosafety Protocol/Convention on Biological Diversity

Answer: (c)

6. 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 Ministry of (2003)
(a) Agriculture

(b) Environment and Forests

(c) Commerce and Industry

(d) Rural Development

Answer (b)

7. Insect-resistant cotton plants have been genetically engineered by inserting a gene from a/an: (2000)
(a) Virus

(b) Bacteria

(c) Insect

(d) Plant

Answer (b)
 

Previous Year Mains Question:
 

1. The human population is slated to grow to 9 billion by 2050. In this context, many scientists predict that plant genomics would play a critical role in keeping out hunger and preserving the environment. Explain.

(2012)