With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect because although it is possible to create artificial chromosomes by combining segments of DNA from different species, it is not possible to create functional chromosomes using this method.
- Artificial functional DNA segments can be produced in labs, and this is referred to as Artificial Gene Synthesis. Additionally, scientists at Cambridge University have recently developed the world’s first living organism with a completely synthetic and significantly modified DNA code. Statement 2 is correct
- A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory and this is called cloning. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory Petri dishes and this is a process of plant and animal tissue culture technology. Hence statement 4 is correct.
