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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 Biotechnology and its Applications

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 Biotechnology and its Applications

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jun 20, 2025 10:37 AM IST | #CBSE Class 12th
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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 Biotechnology and Its Applications teaches students about the numerous applications of biotechnology in agriculture, medicine, industry, and environmental conservation. This chapter provides an outline of important aspects such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene therapy, biopesticides, biofertilizers, and the generation of transgenic plants and animals. It discusses how biotechnology can be used to improve crop yield, produce vaccines, and address issues of waste and pollution. The chapter also covers the moral issues and responsibilities involved with the use of genetic engineering and sophisticated biotechnological techniques. The NCERT solutions explain the chapter very easily with a proper explanation of complex concepts, which is beneficial for the students.

This Story also Contains
  1. NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Biology Chapter 10
  2. Access Detailed Chapter 10 Class 12 NCERT Solutions
  3. Approach to solve NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 questions
  4. Important Question in Chapter 10
  5. What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?
  6. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter-wise
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 Biotechnology and its Applications
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 Biotechnology and its Applications

The NCERT Solutions Class 12 Biology for this chapter helps students to understand how biotechnology is used in their day-to-day lives, for example, in finding new drugs, removing environmental toxins (bioremediation), and introducing sustainable development. With these solutions, students will get to know the significant contribution biotechnology makes to society and what the future holds. These answers simplify for students both the scientific and social importance of biotechnology and prepare them for further studies as well as real-life scenarios. Students can follow the explanations which are discussed in the NCERT Solutions for class 12 for proper guidance.

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NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Biology Chapter 10

Students can download the complete questions with detailed answers in a PDF of this chapter for better learning:

Download PDF

Access Detailed Chapter 10 Class 12 NCERT Solutions

The detailed answers to all the questions in this chapter are given below:

Ques 1: Which part of the plant is best suited for making virus-free plants and why?

Ans: Meristematic tissue (e.g., shoot apical meristem) is most appropriate for the production of virus-free plants since it is generally free from viral infections. This is because viruses find it difficult to reach actively dividing cells in the meristem.

Ques 2: What is the major advantage of producing plants by micropropagation?

Ans: Micropropagation enables one to produce large numbers of genetically uniform plants rapidly. It can be applied for the propagation of disease-free plants and the conservation of rare or endangered species.

Ques 3: Find out what the various components of the medium used for propagation of an explant in vitro are.

Ans: The medium used for in vitro propagation includes nutrients like sucrose (source of energy), minerals (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), vitamins, plant growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins), and agar (gelling agent).

Ques 4: Crystals of Bt toxin produced by some bacteria do not kill the bacteria themselves because-

(a) Bacteria are resistant to the toxin

(b) The toxin is immature

(c) Toxin is inactive

(d) Bacteria enclose toxins in a special sac.

Ans: Bt toxin crystals formed in bacteria do not kill the bacteria because the toxin is inactive. The Bt toxin is in an inactive state inside the bacteria and is only activated when it is ingested by insects, where it is activated by the alkaline pH of the insect gut.

Hence, the correct answer is (c) Toxin is inactive

Ques 5: What are transgenic bacteria? Illustrate using any one example.

Ans: Transgenic bacteria are those whose genomes have been altered by recombinant DNA technology to include foreign genes. A good example is transgenic E. coli, which has been genetically modified to produce human insulin by the introduction of DNA sequences encoding the A and B chains of insulin, thus allowing it to synthesise insulin for the treatment of diabetes.

Transgenic bacteria

Ques 6: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the production of genetically modified crops.

Ans: The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of GM crops:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Increased productivity and yield

Potential risk to wild species due to transgenes

Enhanced nutritional quality (e.g., golden rice)

Possible allergenicity and transfer of antibiotic resistance markers

Insect pest resistance reduces chemical pesticide use

Environmental concerns regarding genetic contamination

Tolerance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity)

Impact on biodiversity and ecosystem balance

Reduced post-harvest losses


Ques 7: What are Cry proteins? Name an organism that produces it. How has man exploited this protein to his benefit?

Ans: Cry proteins are insecticidal proteins carried by the cry genes, which are produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). They are toxic to many insect larvae, especially those belonging to the order Lepidoptera. Humans have utilised Cry proteins by transferring the cry genes into genetically modified crops like Bt cotton and Bt brinjal, rendering them resistant to certain insect pests.

Ques 8: What is gene therapy? Illustrate using the example of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency.

Ans: Gene therapy includes methods to fix or substitute faulty genes that cause disease occurrence. ADA deficiency, for example, is a result of a mutation in the gene for the adenosine deaminase enzyme. In one important case, a 4-year-old patient received gene therapy in which his lymphocytes were grown, a viable ADA cDNA was introduced with a retroviral vector, and afterwards, these converted cells were administered back into the patient's circulation. The diagram given below illustrates gene therapy for Adenosine deaminase deficiency.

gene therapy

Ques 9: Diagrammatically represent the experimental steps in cloning and expressing a human gene (say the gene for growth hormone) into a bacterium like E. coli.

Ans: Below is the diagram to represent the steps in DNA cloning.

A diagrammatic representation of the steps in DNA cloning

DNA Cloning

Ques 10: Can you suggest a method to remove oil (hydrocarbon) from seeds based on your understanding of rDNA technology and the chemistry of oil?

Ans: By recombinant DNA technology, it is possible to silence genes involved in the synthesis of glycerol and fatty acids in seeds, thereby lowering or even abolishing oil content (hydrocarbons). This is possible through methods like RNA interference (RNAi).

Ques 11: Find out from the internet what golden rice is.

Ans: Golden rice is a genetically modified rice variety engineered to synthesise beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, in its endosperm instead of merely in its leaves. This was achieved by introducing two genes: psy from daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and crtI from the bacterium Erwinia uredovora, both driven by endosperm-specific promoters.

Ques 12: Does our blood have proteases and nucleases?

Ans: Blood has no proteases or nucleases; rather, it has protease inhibitors that safeguard proteins from breakdown by proteases when circulating.

Ques 13: Consult the internet and find out how to make orally active protein pharmaceuticals. What is the major problem to be encountered?

Ans: To prepare orally active protein drugs, proteins or peptides are encapsulated in liposomes along with penetration enhancers for oral administration. The principal difficulty encountered is that the proteins can be hydrolysed by the proteases of the stomach before exerting their therapeutic action, which requires alternative routes of administration directly to target locations.

Also, check the NCERT Books and the NCERT Syllabus here:

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Approach to solve NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter 10 questions

To solve the textbook questions effectively, one needs to understand the concepts first. The chapter has certain key terms, such as GM crops, genetically engineered insulin and transgenic animals. Making notes of the chapter is important, highlighting all the important key points. The NCERT class 12 Biology chapter 10 solutions have all the solved exercise questions, with to-the-point answers and necessary information. Therefore, one should practice these solutions to have an overall idea of the chapter and to answer the questions in the exams.

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Important Question in Chapter 10

Below is an important question in the chapter:

Question 1: Which of the following steps are catalysed by Taq DNA polymerase in a PCR reaction?

  1. Denaturation of template DNA
  2. Annealing of primers to template DNA
  3. Extension of the primer end on the template DNA
  4. All of the above

Answer:

The extension of the primer end on the template DNA occurs during DNA replication or PCR amplification. Once the primer binds to the template strand, DNA polymerase extends the primer by adding complementary nucleotides to the growing strand. This process occurs in the 5' to 3' direction, with the polymerase synthesising the new strand based on the template sequence. The extension continues until the entire segment of DNA has been replicated or amplified.

Hence, the correct answer is option (3) Extension of the primer end on the template DNA

NCERT Solutions for Class 12- Subject-wise

What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?

Here is a table for all the important topics from the chapter:

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter-wise

Below are the chapter-wise solutions:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the key topics covered in NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter 10?

This chapter covers biotechnological applications in agriculture and medicine, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene therapy, RNA interference (RNAi), transgenic animals, bioethics, biopatents, and the Human Genome Project.

2. How does biotechnology help in agriculture and healthcare?

In agriculture, biotechnology helps develop pest-resistant crops (Bt cotton), biofertilizers, and high-yield varieties. In healthcare, it enables gene therapy, vaccine production, and recombinant medicines like insulin.

3. What is gene therapy, and how is it explained in NCERT Biology?

Gene therapy is a technique used to treat genetic disorders by introducing functional genes into a patient’s cells. NCERT explains it using ADA deficiency, where a healthy ADA gene is inserted into immune cells to restore function.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

Advantages: Higher yield, pest resistance, reduced pesticide use.
Disadvantages: Ethical concerns, environmental risks, and possible allergic reactions in humans.

5. How does RNA interference (RNAi) work in pest resistance?

RNAi is a method where double-stranded RNA silences specific genes in pests, preventing their survival. It is used in crops like tobacco and rice to develop resistance against viruses and harmful insects.

6. What is Bt cotton, and why is it important in biotechnology?

Bt cotton is a genetically modified crop containing Cry genes from Bacillus thuringiensis, which produce insecticidal proteins. It protects crops from bollworm infestations, reducing pesticide use and increasing yield.

7. How do bio-patents and bioethics impact biotechnology applications?

Biopatents protect intellectual property in biotechnology innovations, while bioethics ensures responsible research, preventing misuse of genetic engineering and protecting biodiversity and human rights.

8. What are transgenic animals, and how are they used in research?

Transgenic animals carry foreign genes inserted into their DNA. They are used for medical research, studying diseases, drug testing, and producing therapeutic proteins like insulin and growth hormones.

9. What role does biotechnology play in environmental protection?

Biotechnology helps in bioremediation (using microbes to clean pollutants), waste management, and developing biodegradable plastics. It also aids in controlling oil spills and reducing industrial waste.

10. How does NCERT define the Human Genome Project and its significance?

The Human Genome Project aimed to sequence the entire human DNA, identifying all genes and their functions. It helps in understanding genetic disorders, gene mapping, and personalised medicine advancements.

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A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

How many moles of magnesium phosphate, Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

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