'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following?
- A.Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna
- B.Stimulating 'stem cells' to transform into diverse functional tissues
- C.Promoting clonal propagation of horticultural plants
- D.Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna. Microsatellites are genetic markers that show how closely related individuals, populations and species are.
Microsatellites, also called short tandem repeats (STRs) or simple sequence repeats, are stretches of DNA in which a short motif of one to six bases, such as CA, is repeated many times. The number of repeats changes quickly from one generation to the next, so the length at a given site differs between individuals and populations. Comparing these lengths lets scientists measure genetic diversity, trace population history and work out relationships between closely related species. The same markers are used in DNA fingerprinting and in wildlife forensics, for example to identify a poached tiger.
B is wrong because turning stem cells into tissues depends on growth factors and signalling molecules, not on markers. C is wrong because clonal propagation uses tissue culture and cuttings. D is wrong because drug efficacy is tested through clinical trials.
Exam tip: Microsatellite = short tandem repeat; used in DNA fingerprinting, population genetics and species relationships.
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following is India's first indigenously designed and developed long-range subsonic cruise missile which can be deployed from multiple platforms?
- A.Astra
- B.Akash
- C.Nirbhay
- D.Shankhnaad
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Nirbhay is the long-range subsonic cruise missile designed and developed in India by the DRDO. Nirbhay was developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bengaluru.
Read the full explanation →"Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge" (MANAK), a scheme under the flagship programme, Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), caters to :
- A.The college students studying in the undergraduate programme in the age group of 19 - 25 years.
- B.The research scholars in recognized research laboratories of national importance.
- C.The college teachers of the country.
- D.The school children studying in classes 6 - 10 in the age group of 10 - 15 years.
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INSPIRE-MANAK is the school-level part of INSPIRE. INSPIRE is run by the Department of Science and Technology to draw young talent into science.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- A.BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile made by India and Russian Federation.
- B.The name BrahMos came from two rivers, Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia.
- C.Indian military scientists were capable of integrating BrahMos cruise missile with Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter.
- D.Defence Research and Development Organization is the manufacturer of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter.
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The Sukhoi-30 MKI is not made by DRDO; it was designed by Russia's Sukhoi bureau and is built in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Nashik.
Read the full explanation →'Tejas' is the name of which one of the following?
- A.Main battle tank
- B.Nuclear submarine
- C.Light combat aircraft
- D.Aircraft carrier
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Tejas is India's indigenous single-engine light combat aircraft built for the Indian Air Force. The Light Combat Aircraft programme was started in the 1980s to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is an indigenous assault rifle developed by DRDO?
- A.Heckler
- B.T91
- C.Tikka
- D.Ugram
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Ugram is a 7.62 mm assault rifle designed in India by DRDO for the armed forces and police. Ugram was developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, a DRDO laboratory, together with a private Hyderabad firm, Dvipa Armour India, and it was unveiled in January 2024.
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