Biotechnology, Health and Diseases — UPSC Prelims PYQs (Set 1)

Q1. Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ?
1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.
2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.
3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.
Select the answer using the code given below : UPSC Prelims 2026

Question 1 optionsA1 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 2 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q2. Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ?
1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
Select the answer using the code given below : UPSC Prelims 2026

Question 2 optionsA1 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 2 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements :
I. They are man-made proteins.
II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.
Which of the statements given above are correct? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 3 optionsAI and II onlyBII and III onlyCI and III onlyDI, II and III
Q4. Consider the following statements :
I. No virus can survive in ocean waters.
II. No virus can infect bacteria.
III. No virus can change the cellular transcriptional activity in host cells.
How many of the statements given above are correct? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 4 optionsAOnly oneBOnly twoCAll the threeDNone
Q5. Which one of the following is synthesised in human body that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow ? UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 5 optionsANitric oxideBNitrous oxideCNitrogen dioxideDNitrogen pentoxide
Q6. "Membrane Bioreactors" are often discussed in the context of : UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 6 optionsAAssisted reproductive technologiesBDrug delivery nanotechnologiesCVaccine production technologiesDWastewater treatment technologies
Q7. Consider the following statements :
1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
2. Some mushrooms have psycho-active properties.
3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.
How many of the above statements are correct? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 7 optionsAOnly oneBOnly twoCOnly threeDAll four
Q8. ‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 8 optionsAControlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoesBConverting crop residues into packing materialCProducing biodegradable plasticsDProducing biochar from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass
Q9. ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 9 optionsACollecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one goBUnderstanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitatCUsing air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animalsDSending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
Q10. ‘Microsatellite DNA’ is used in the case of which one of the following? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 10 optionsAStudying the evolutionary relationships among various species of faunaBStimulating ‘stem cells’ to transform into diverse functional tissuesCPromoting clonal propagation of horticultural plantsDAssessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population
Q11. Consider the following statements :
1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 11 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q12. Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :
1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 12 optionsA1 onlyB2 onlyC1 and 3D2 and 3
Q13. In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements :
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 13 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q14. Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body ? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 14 optionsAThey protect the body from environmental allergens.BThey alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.CThey act as immunosuppressants in the body.DThey protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
Q15. Consider the following statements : DNA Barcoding can be a tool to
1. assess the age of a plant or animal.
2. distinguish among species that look alike.
3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? UPSC Prelims 2022

Question 15 optionsA1 onlyB3 onlyC1 and 2D2 and 3
Q16. Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?
1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
Select the correct answer using the code given below. UPSC Prelims 2021

Question 16 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q17. With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements :
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? UPSC Prelims 2021

Question 17 optionsA1 onlyB2 onlyCBoth 1 and 2DNeither 1 nor 2

0 of 17 answered

Biotechnology, Health and Diseases — UPSC Prelims PYQs (Set 1)

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