Question

Consider the following statements.
(i) Transgenic animals are more sensitive to toxic substances than non-transgenic animals.
(ii) Useful biological products can be produced by introducing a portion of DNA into transgenic animals which codes for a particular product.
(iii) Brazzein is a protein produced by a west African plant, Pentadiplandra brazzeana which is approximately 2000 times as sweet as sugar.

Which of the statements given above is correct?
A. (i), (ii), and (iii)
B. (i) and (ii)
C. (i) and (iii)
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Transgenic animals are animals (most often the mice) that have had a foreign gene deliberately inserted into their genome. They are so named because they have their DNA manipulated and hence, they possess and express the foreign gene. Brazzein represents a great substitute for available low-calorie sweeteners. As a can be protein it is safe for diabetics and highly soluble in water.

Complete Step-by-step answer:
Transgenic animals are made to transport genes that make them more sensitive to toxic materials than non-transgenic animals. In 1974, Rudolf Jaenisch produced the first transgenic animal a mouse.
Useful biological products can be generated by introducing into transgenic animals the part of DNA (or genes) that codes for certain products, e.g., human protein (a - 1 -antitrypsin) is used to treat emphysema.
Brazzein is a protein produced by a west African plant, Pentadiplandra brazzeana, which is about 2000 times as sweet as sugar. It is utilised as a low-calorie sweetener. Local people have been using the super sweet berries of this plant for several centuries. But the protein brazzein was patented in the USA.
Therefore the correct answer is Option A.

Note: Transgenic animals are useful as disease models and producers of substances for human welfare. Some transgenic animals are produced for specific economic traits. For example, transgenic cattle were created to produce milk containing particular human proteins, which may help in the treatment of human emphysema. By weight, brazzein is 500 to 2000 times sweeter than sugar, compared to 10% sugar and 2% sugar solution correspondingly.