Genetic Engineering of Animals Practice Questions
36 free Genetic Engineering of Animals practice questions for the Zoology. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Genetic engineering in animals primarily involves:
- A Selective breeding of farm animals only
- B Introducing recombinant DNA into cells
- C Cloning without any DNA modification at all
- D Naturally occurring spontaneous mutation processes
Correct answer: Introducing recombinant DNA into cells
Genetic engineering involves deliberate introduction of recombinant DNA into animal cells. This alters the genetic makeup to express desired traits or products.
A transgenic animal is one that:
- A Is produced by conventional cross-breeding methods
- B Carries foreign DNA integrated into its genome
- C Has undergone natural mutation
- D Is cloned without genetic modification
Correct answer: Carries foreign DNA integrated into its genome
Transgenic animals contain foreign genes stably integrated into their genome. These genes are inherited by subsequent generations.
Which technique is commonly used to introduce genes into animal embryos?
- A Gel electrophoresis
- B Microinjection
- C PCR amplification
- D Chromatography
Correct answer: Microinjection
Microinjection involves directly injecting DNA into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg. It is widely used in producing transgenic animals.
Which animal was the first transgenic mammal successfully produced?
- A Sheep
- B Mouse
- C Cow
- D Pig
Correct answer: Mouse
The first transgenic mammals were mice. They became model organisms for studying gene function and regulation.
Bioreactor animals are genetically engineered mainly to:
- A Increase muscle mass
- B Improve fertility
- C Produce therapeutic proteins
- D Enhance disease resistance only
Correct answer: Produce therapeutic proteins
Bioreactor animals produce valuable therapeutic proteins in their milk, blood, or eggs. This provides an efficient method for large-scale protein production.
Which biotech product is commonly obtained from transgenic animals?
- A Insulin from bacteria
- B Interferon from yeast
- C Human growth hormone from sheep milk
- D Antibiotics from fungi
Correct answer: Human growth hormone from sheep milk
Transgenic animals like sheep have been engineered to produce human growth hormone in milk. This allows efficient and safe protein production.
The gene used as a marker to identify transformed cells is called:
- A Reporter gene
- B Housekeeping gene
- C Structural gene
- D Regulatory gene
Correct answer: Reporter gene
Reporter genes help identify successful gene transfer. Their expression is easily detectable through color or fluorescence.
Which protein has been produced in the milk of transgenic goats?
- A Insulin
- B Hemoglobin
- C Antithrombin III
- D Albumin
Correct answer: Antithrombin III
Transgenic goats have been engineered to produce antithrombin III in milk. This protein is used to prevent blood clotting disorders.
Knockout animals are produced to:
- A Increase expression of endogenous genes
- B Remove or inactivate specific genes
- C Introduce foreign genes only
- D Enhance reproductive ability
Correct answer: Remove or inactivate specific genes
Knockout animals have specific genes deliberately inactivated. They help in understanding gene function and disease mechanisms.
Which developmental stage is most suitable for gene insertion in animals?
- A Adult stage
- B Larval stage
- C Fertilized egg or early embryo
- D Fully developed fetus near term
Correct answer: Fertilized egg or early embryo
Gene insertion at the fertilized egg or early embryonic stage ensures that the gene is present in all cells. It also allows inheritance of the transgene.
Which technology allows precise genome editing in animals?
- A Southern blotting
- B CRISPR-Cas9
- C ELISA
- D Western blotting
Correct answer: CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9 enables targeted modification of specific DNA sequences. It is widely used for precise genome editing.
Transgenic animals are valuable in medicine mainly because they:
- A Replace human clinical trials
- B Provide disease models
- C Eliminate ethical issues
- D Reduce genetic diversity
Correct answer: Provide disease models
Transgenic animals serve as models for studying human diseases. They help in understanding disease progression and testing treatments.
Which of the following is a concern related to genetic engineering of animals?
- A Improved productivity
- B Ethical and ecological risks
- C Increased protein yield
- D Medical advancements
Correct answer: Ethical and ecological risks
Genetic engineering raises ethical and ecological concerns. These include animal welfare issues and potential environmental impacts.
Which vector is commonly used for gene transfer in animal cells?
- A Plasmids only
- B Bacteriophages
- C Viral vectors
- D Ribosomes
Correct answer: Viral vectors
Viral vectors efficiently deliver genes into animal cells. They exploit natural viral infection mechanisms.
The main advantage of producing drugs using transgenic animals is:
- A Low purity of final products
- B Extremely high cost of commercial production
- C Consistent large-scale protein production
- D Short shelf life of proteins
Correct answer: Consistent large-scale protein production
Transgenic animals allow large-scale production of complex proteins. The products are often properly folded and biologically active.
Which animal has been genetically engineered for rapid growth using growth hormone genes?
- A Salmon
- B Chicken
- C Rabbit
- D Frog
Correct answer: Salmon
Transgenic salmon carry growth hormone genes that promote faster growth. This reduces time required to reach market size.
Pharming refers to:
- A Farming of medicinal plants
- B Use of animals to produce pharmaceuticals
- C Drug testing on animals
- D Chemical synthesis of drugs
Correct answer: Use of animals to produce pharmaceuticals
Pharming uses genetically engineered animals to produce pharmaceutical substances. These are usually secreted in milk or eggs.
Which regulatory element ensures tissue-specific expression of a transgene?
- A Enhancer
- B Promoter
- C Operator
- D Terminator
Correct answer: Promoter
Promoters control where and when a gene is expressed. Tissue-specific promoters ensure expression only in desired tissues.
Why are mice commonly used in animal genetic engineering?
- A Large body size
- B Long lifespan
- C Well-understood genetics
- D Low reproductive rate
Correct answer: Well-understood genetics
Mice have a well-characterized genome and short generation time. This makes them ideal for genetic manipulation studies.
One major application of transgenic animals in developmental biology is to:
- A Increase species diversity
- B Study gene regulation during development
- C Prevent natural selection
- D Replace in vitro experiments completely
Correct answer: Study gene regulation during development
Transgenic animals help analyze gene regulation during growth and development. They provide insights into developmental pathways.
Which technique allows targeted and precise editing of animal genomes?
- A PCR
- B CRISPR-Cas9
- C Gel electrophoresis
- D Hybridization
Correct answer: CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9 enables precise genome editing by targeting specific DNA sequences. It allows insertion, deletion, or modification of genes in animals.
What is the primary purpose of creating transgenic animals?
- A Increase lifespan
- B Study gene function
- C Reduce size
- D Enhance mutation rate
Correct answer: Study gene function
Transgenic animals are created to study gene function and regulation. They help understand diseases and biological processes.
Which organism is most commonly used in genetic engineering studies?
- A Elephant
- B Mouse
- C Dog
- D Whale
Correct answer: Mouse
Mice are widely used due to their genetic similarity to humans and short reproductive cycles. They are easy to manipulate genetically.
What is a transgenic animal?
- A An animal with no genes
- B An animal carrying foreign DNA
- C An animal with mutated genes only
- D An animal with fewer chromosomes
Correct answer: An animal carrying foreign DNA
A transgenic animal carries foreign DNA introduced through genetic engineering. This allows expression of new traits.
Which vector is commonly used to introduce genes into animal cells?
- A Plasmid
- B Chromosome
- C Enzyme
- D A virus
Correct answer: A virus
Viruses are commonly used as vectors because they efficiently deliver genetic material into host cells. They can integrate genes into the genome.
Which stage is most suitable for gene insertion in animals?
- A Adult stage
- B Larval stage
- C Aging stage
- D Embryo stage
Correct answer: Embryo stage
Genes are usually inserted at the embryonic stage to ensure all cells carry the modification. This allows stable inheritance.
What is the purpose of a marker gene in genetic engineering?
- A Increase mutation rate
- B Enhance growth rate
- C Produce new proteins
- D Mark transformed cells
Correct answer: Mark transformed cells
Marker genes help identify cells that have successfully incorporated foreign DNA. They often confer antibiotic resistance or fluorescence.
What does 'pharming' refer to in biotechnology?
- A Agricultural crop production
- B Selective animal breeding
- C Random gene mutation
- D Drug production in animals
Correct answer: Drug production in animals
Pharming involves producing pharmaceuticals using genetically modified animals. These drugs are often produced in milk or other secretions.
Which animal has been engineered for rapid growth using growth hormone genes?
- A Cow
- B Sheep
- C Fish
- D Chicken
Correct answer: Fish
Certain fish species have been genetically engineered with growth hormone genes. This leads to faster growth rates.
Which protein has been produced in transgenic goat milk?
- A Insulin
- B Hemoglobin
- C Somatotropin
- D Antithrombin
Correct answer: Antithrombin
Antithrombin is produced in the milk of transgenic goats. It is used as a therapeutic protein to prevent blood clotting.
What is the main advantage of using transgenic animals for drug production?
- A Low cost, high yield
- B Faster mutation
- C Reduced lifespan
- D Less genetic stability
Correct answer: Low cost, high yield
Transgenic animals can produce large amounts of therapeutic proteins at lower cost. This makes drug production more efficient.
What is the purpose of knockout animals?
- A Insert new genes
- B Increase gene expression
- C Remove specific genes
- D Enhance growth
Correct answer: Remove specific genes
Knockout animals have specific genes disabled. This helps study the function of those genes.
What is the function of a promoter in genetic engineering?
- A Stop gene expression
- B Destroy DNA
- C Starts transcription
- D Modify proteins
Correct answer: Starts transcription
Promoters are DNA sequences that initiate transcription of a gene. They control when and where a gene is expressed.
What is a major concern related to genetic engineering of animals?
- A Improved health
- B Increased biodiversity
- C Ethics and welfare
- D Reduced productivity
Correct answer: Ethics and welfare
Ethical concerns include animal welfare and unintended effects. These issues require careful regulation and consideration.
Which animal was the first transgenic mammal produced?
- A Mouse
- B Cattle
- C Goat
- D Swine
Correct answer: Mouse
The mouse was the first transgenic mammal successfully produced. It remains a key model organism in research.
Which regulatory element ensures tissue-specific gene expression?
- A Enhancer
- B Promoter
- C Operator
- D Repressor
Correct answer: Enhancer
Enhancers help regulate gene expression in specific tissues. They increase transcription efficiency in targeted cells.