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UPSC CDS Science — practice by topic

Browse 300 questions across 11 Science topics. Choose what you want to revise, then open a question to check its answer and worked solution.

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Science topics

Science & Technology (300)Current Affairs (180)Environment & Ecology (180)Agriculture (150)Indian Economy (90)Indian Geography (60)Minerals & Industries (60)Biotechnology (30)Indian Society (30)Organisations (30)Physical Geography (30)

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A farmer plants cotton whose genes were altered to resist bollworms. Such an organism is a:Read the answer and worked solution →Golden rice was engineered to enhance which nutrient?Read the answer and worked solution →Bt toxin is produced by the bacterium:Read the answer and worked solution →The Bt toxin stays inactive as a protoxin until it meets the insect gut's:Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

A farmer plants cotton whose genes were altered to resist bollworms. Such an organism is a:

  1. Genetically Modified Organism
  2. Conventional hybrid variety
  3. Naturally occurring wild type
  4. Certified organic crop
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Correct answer: A. Genetically Modified Organism

1. Its genes were altered by manipulation. 2. Bt cotton is the classic example. 3. It is a Genetically Modified Organism. _Source: syllabus Biology, Chapter 12, Biotechnology and its Applications._

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Golden rice was engineered to enhance which nutrient?

  1. Vitamin C
  2. Vitamin A
  3. Iron salts
  4. Protein
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Correct answer: B. Vitamin A

1. GM crops can improve nutritional value. 2. Golden rice is the textbook case. 3. It carries Vitamin A. _Source: syllabus Biology, Chapter 12, Biotechnology and its Applications._

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Bt toxin is produced by the bacterium:

  1. Bacillus thuringiensis
  2. Escherichia coli strain
  3. Agrobacterium species
  4. Salmonella bacteria
Show answer and solution

Correct answer: A. Bacillus thuringiensis

1. Bt is short for the bacterium's name. 2. Its toxin gene was cloned into crops. 3. The bacterium is Bacillus thuringiensis. _Source: syllabus Biology, Chapter 12, Biotechnology and its Applications._

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