🌿 class 12 biology · chapter 10
Biotechnology and its Applications
Biotechnology and its Applications is Chapter 10 of Class 12 CBSE Biology, worth around 8 marks of the 70-mark board paper. It's a moderate-difficulty chapter — plan roughly 4 hours to cover it properly. Recent CBSE papers asked 9 questions from it, on Gene Therapy & Insulin, RNA Interference, Bt Cotton, Molecular Diagnosis. Examiner's note: Bt cotton, RNAi, gene therapy — application/case-based.
Real board questions from this chapter
(a) Explain the procedure of gene therapy using the example of ADA deficiency. (b) How is human insulin produced using recombinant DNA technology? Why was insulin produced this way an improvement over insulin extracted from animals?
Explain how RNA interference (RNAi) has been used to develop nematode-resistant tobacco plants.
What is Bt cotton? Explain how the Bt toxin kills the insect pest but does not harm the bacterium that produces it.
Explain how (i) PCR and (ii) ELISA are used in the early diagnosis of diseases. Why are these methods more effective than conventional methods for detecting pathogens?
What are transgenic animals? State any two purposes for which transgenic animals are produced, giving one example each.
What is biopiracy? Why did the Indian Government amend the Patents Act in relation to the Basmati rice and turmeric cases?
List any three advantages of genetically modified (GM) crops to farmers. Mention one ethical concern associated with GMOs.
What is meant by 'molecular farming'? Give one example.
What is GEAC? State the two main functions it performs in the context of genetically modified organisms in India.
Quick answers
How many marks is Biotechnology and its Applications worth in the Class 12 board exam?
Around 8 marks of the 70-mark CBSE Biology theory paper, based on the official unit-wise weightage. Bt cotton, RNAi, gene therapy — application/case-based.
Is Biotechnology and its Applications easy or hard?
It's rated medium — a moderate-difficulty chapter in Class 12 Biology. Most students need about 4 hours to cover it well.
What should I focus on in Biotechnology and its Applications?
Going by the board papers themselves, the recurring areas are Gene Therapy & Insulin, RNA Interference, Bt Cotton, Molecular Diagnosis, Transgenic Animals — that's where the marks actually sit.
What questions come from Biotechnology and its Applications in board exams?
Between 2018–2024, CBSE board papers asked questions from this chapter on Gene Therapy & Insulin, RNA Interference, Bt Cotton, Molecular Diagnosis — 1- to 5-mark questions.
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