Question 1

Biotechnology is a science that explores
A) diseases.
B) foodstuffs.
C) DNA.
D) chemistry.

Accepted Answer

Biotechnology primarily involves the manipulation of living organisms or their parts, such as DNA, to develop products or processes for specific uses, including medical, agricultural, and industrial applications.

Question 2

Biotechnology is
A) a pure science.
B) applied science.
C) technoscience.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

Genetic engineering was the result of the discovery of
A) the structure of DNA.
B) nuclear fission.
C) string theory.
D) laser technology.

Accepted Answer

The discovery of the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 laid the foundation for genetic engineering by revealing how genetic information is stored and transmitted in living organisms.

Question 4

Genentech was an example of
A) a for-profit biotech start-up.
B) government funded research.
C) a nonprofit company.
D) an academic institution.

Accepted Answer

Genentech is known as a pioneering biotech company that operates on a for-profit basis, making significant contributions to the field of biotechnology through the development of innovative pharmaceuticals.

Question 5

The first reports of scientists' ability to play with genes and innovate in new ways resulted in
A) universal rejoicing.
B) public protests.
C) disastrous accidents.
D) disinterest.

Accepted Answer

The first reports of scientists' ability to manipulate genes and innovate in new ways often resulted in public protests due to ethical concerns, fears about the unknown implications of genetic engineering, and potential environmental and health risks.

Question 6

Monsanto's flagship product is Roundup, which is
A) a genetically modified tomato.
B) seed for hybrid corn.
C) insecticide.
D) herbicide.

Accepted Answer

Roundup is a widely used herbicide developed by Monsanto, primarily used to kill weeds that compete with agricultural crops.

Question 7

Debates over genetically modified food have a great resonance with many people because they are more __________ than many genetically modified products.
A) controversial
B) emotional
C) difficult
D) well-known

Accepted Answer

Debates over genetically modified food often evoke strong feelings, making "emotional" the correct choice as it reflects how these debates resonate on a personal level more than the technical aspects of genetically modified products themselves.

Question 8

__________ began when companies started their own research labs, hiring both scientists and engineers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ began when companies started their own...

Question 9

Academic scientists are judged on the basis of the number of their __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Academic scientists are judged on the basis...

Question 10

Scientists turned __________ into an applied science while trying to figure out how to fight viruses and bacteria.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists turned __________ into an applied science...

Question 11

The first human protein created by genetic engineering was __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The first human protein created by genetic...

Question 12

Some people were horrified by the idea of genetic manipulation, accusing scientists of __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some people were horrified by the idea...

Question 13

The NIH created __________ because of the worries about scientists manipulating viruses and bacteria.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The NIH created __________ because of the...

Question 14

Research and development was the province of academic scientists throughout the 20th century.

Accepted Answer

Throughout the 20th century, research and development were conducted not only by academic scientists but also by corporate and government entities, significantly contributing to technological and scientific advancements.

Question 15

During World War II, government funding went primarily to academic scientists.

Accepted Answer

During World War II, government funding was primarily directed towards the military and applied research for the war effort, rather than to academic scientists for basic research.

Question 16

During the Cold War, top-secret military research and development thrived at the expense of innovation for the consumer market.

Accepted Answer

During the Cold War, a significant portion of technological research and development was directed towards military applications, often prioritizing advancements in defense and space exploration over consumer market innovations. This focus on military R&D was driven by the geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to groundbreaking technologies in areas like nuclear energy, aerospace, and computing, but also diverting resources and attention from consumer-oriented innovation.

Question 17

Recombinant DNA is a combination of strands of DNA from at least two different organisms.

Accepted Answer

Recombinant DNA is formed by joining genetic material from two or more different sources, creating sequences that would not otherwise be found in the genome.

Question 18

New guidelines were created for genetic experimentation, nevertheless, several accidents resulted in deaths of scientists.

Accepted Answer

There is no verifiable information or record of new guidelines for genetic experimentation leading to accidents that resulted in the deaths of scientists up to October 2023.

Question 19

The Flavr Savr tomato was the first genetically modified food.

Accepted Answer

The Flavr Savr tomato was the first genetically modified food to be commercialized, introduced in 1994 to improve shelf life and prevent premature ripening.

Question 20

Consumers have always been wary of genetically modified food.

Accepted Answer

Historically, there has been skepticism and concern among consumers regarding the safety, environmental impact, and ethical considerations of genetically modified foods.

Quiz 13: Technoscience and the Biotech Industry

Biotechnology is a science that explores

Biotechnology is

Genetic engineering was the result of the discovery of

Genentech was an example of

The first reports of scientists' ability to play with genes and innovate in new ways resulted in

Monsanto's flagship product is Roundup, which is

Debates over genetically modified food have a great resonance with many people because they are more __________ than many genetically modified products.