Biotechnology is an important part of Class 12 Biology, but concepts such as recombinant DNA technology, restriction enzymes, cloning vectors, and gene transfer can be difficult to understand. You may also find it challenging to remember the functions of different enzymes, explain genetic engineering steps, and write accurate answers according to the marks allotted in Kerala Plus Two examinations.
Kerala Board Plus Two Biology Chapter 11 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes helps you revise the chapter through important questions and answers. It covers key concepts and biotechnology techniques in a question-and-answer format, making revision easier. Practising these questions can strengthen your understanding, improve answer-writing skills, and help you prepare for one-mark, two-mark, and three-mark questions in the examination.
Key biotechnology concepts include DNA cutting and joining, cloning vectors, and the transfer of foreign DNA into host cells. These questions and answers cover the chapter’s important topics and help you practise writing clear, exam-focused responses for different mark categories.
Q1. Name the enzyme used to cut DNA at specific sites.
Answer: Restriction endonuclease (restriction enzyme).
Q2. What is a cloning vector?
Answer: A cloning vector is a DNA molecule that carries foreign DNA into a host cell for replication.
Q3. Write any two essential tools of recombinant DNA technology.
Answer:
Restriction endonucleases
DNA ligase
Q4. What are restriction endonucleases? Mention one example.
Answer: Restriction endonucleases are enzymes that cut DNA at specific recognition sequences.
Example: EcoRI.
Q5. Mention any two features of a good cloning vector.
Answer:
It should have an origin of replication (ori).
It should possess selectable marker genes, such as antibiotic resistance genes.
Q6. Explain the major steps involved in recombinant DNA technology.
Answer:
Isolation of the desired DNA and vector DNA.
Cutting both DNAs using restriction enzymes.
Joining the foreign DNA with the vector using DNA ligase.
Introducing the recombinant DNA into a host cell.
Selection and multiplication of transformed cells.
Production and purification of the desired product.
Q7. Explain the role of DNA ligase in recombinant DNA technology.
Answer:
DNA ligase joins DNA fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds.
It seals the foreign DNA with the vector DNA.
It helps form recombinant DNA.
Revise the important topics in Biotechnology: Principles and Processes, including enzyme functions, cloning vectors and gene-transfer methods. Practising the chapter’s questions can help you recall key concepts and improve your answers to both short-answer and long-answer questions.
Check the prescribed topics and chapter-wise coverage through the Kerala HSE Plus Two Biology syllabus to keep your revision aligned with the examination requirements.
Preparing Biotechnology: Principles and Processes becomes easier when you revise key definitions, understand each step of recombinant DNA technology, and practise writing answers according to the marks allotted. Follow these steps for effective revision:
Revise important concepts: Focus on restriction endonucleases, DNA ligase, cloning vectors, selectable markers, and gene-transfer methods such as biolistics and the use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Understand the steps of recombinant DNA technology: Learn the sequence of DNA isolation, cutting, joining, transfer into host cells, selection, multiplication, and product purification. Practise explaining these steps in the correct order.
Practise questions according to marks: Prepare precise definitions for one-mark questions, list two features or functions for two-mark questions, and explain processes with key steps for three-mark questions.
Check the prescribed syllabus: Review the Kerala HSE Plus Two Biology syllabus to confirm the topics included in your examination preparation.
Solve model papers: Practise chapter-related questions alongside the Kerala Plus Two Biology model paper to improve answer presentation and time management.
Review the examination format: Check the Kerala Plus Two exam pattern to understand the question format and marks distribution. Revise the Plus Two grading and marking scheme as well to understand how marks are awarded.
Plan your revision: Use the Kerala Plus Two timetable to plan revision sessions and leave time for practising questions from other Biology chapters.
Biotechnology: Principles and Processes covers essential concepts related to recombinant DNA technology, cloning vectors, restriction enzymes and gene-transfer methods. Revising definitions, learning the functions of biotechnology tools and practising process-based answers can strengthen your understanding. Regular question practice alongside syllabus revision can also help you prepare for the Kerala Plus Two Biology examination.
