UNIT IX- BIOTECHNOLOGY

1. A press note read as follows:

Kenya wants a share of the sales of a fabric softener that uses
enzymes derived from its Lake Bogoria
In generations past, the people of Kenya, attributed mystical powers to
its water.
Scientists found creatures that reside in one of the Earth's most inhospitable
terrains.
Another country subsequently obtained the water sample of the lake
containing the creatures and their enzyme and cloned them on an industrial
scale for textile companies and biodetergent manufacturers.

What is your interpretation of the above report? Explain (2)

Answer:
Value: Biopiracy. (1/2)
Critical thinking: Definition of biopiracy, the use bio-resources
by organization without proper authorisation or concern or without
compensatory payment. (1+1/2)

2. Two groups of students A and B discussed STEM CELL RESEARCH.

Group A explained stem cells created by reprogramming adult cells
back to an embryonic-like state.
Group B explained the use of embryonic stem cells.
Give your opinion on the above discussions. (2)

Answer:
Value: Concern for using or killing embryos.
OR Bioethics. (1)
Concept: Group A’s explanation is logical as other cells from
adult organs can be used to generate stem cells.
**Critical thinking: Umbilical cord bank (1)
Group B’s method involves embryo cells that require damaging or
killing embryos, an ethical issue.
Value: Concern for using or killing embryos OR Bioethics. (1)

3. Explain how computer simulation can reduce the number of animals

needed in the research and preclinical stages of drug discovery.
 What is your opinion?
List the any two uses of transgenic animals in biotechnology. (3)

Value: Concern for using or killing animals for various clinical trials
OR Bioethics. (1)
Transgenic animals are use to study physiology and development,
disease and treatment methods, validity of biological products, safety
of vaccines and for chemical safety testing.
This leads to ethical issues and harm living organisms.
Simulations help to resolve such issues. (any 2x1)

4. A group of enthusiastic students were disappointed when the teacher

instructed to observe the demonstration of gel electrophoresis of DNA and
strictly prohibited them from attempting the procedure.
Give one reason why the teacher insisted on demonstration only and not
as a student activity? (3)
Answer:
Value: Safety measures to be followed in biotechnology. (1)
Gel electrophoresis uses the following hazardous chemicals that are to
be handled with skill:
Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) used for staining is a mutagen, a suspected
carcinogen.
Ultraviolet (UV) light boxes are often used in visualizing ethidium
bromide gels which pose potential exposures to UV radiation causing
skin irritation (1/2) and prolonged exposure lead to mutations or skin
cancer.(1/2)
Critical thinking:
Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) used for staining is a mutagen, a suspected
carcinogen. (1)
Laboratory personnel may be exposed to thermal hazards posed by
liquefied gels.
 5. A bioproduct from a bioreactor when tested for clinical safety after the
downstream processing was found to be contaminated.

With reference to your knowledge of bioreactor list the possible reasons for
such a contamination. (5)

Answer:
Value and concept: (1)
Sterile maintenance of the bioreactors as the products are life-saving or for
maintaining life quality of human beings.
The bioreactor may not be maintained sterile.
The nutrient culture medium may be contaminated.
The delivery systems for oxygen, foam control, temperature control, pH control
may not be handled safely.
Contamination occurs at the inlet and outlet for culture medium and the
sampling ports may be contaminated.
Contamination may occur during separation and purification. (any 4x1)

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