UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2019

With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
  2. Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
  3. A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
  4. Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.

Answer

Correct Answer

Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.

Explanation

Synthetic DNA fragments can be made in the laboratory, DNA can be replicated outside cells (e.g., PCR), and plant/animal cells can be cultured in petri dishes. According to the official key, the statement about creating functional chromosomes by joining DNA segments from different species is the one that is not correct.

Topics: artificial dna, biotechnology, chromosomes and cell culture, genetic engineering and synthetic biology, science and technology