Gene Therapy: Mechanism and Vectors — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptGene therapy is the insertion of genes into an individual's cells and tissues to treat diseases especially hereditary diseases. It does so by replacing a defective mutant allele with a functional one or gene targeting which involves gene amplification. Viruses that attack their hosts and introduce their genetic material into the host cell as part of their replication cycle are used as vectors to transfer healthy genes or more recently portions of genes.
Match the following molecular techniques with their primary functions or principles: Column I (Technique) (P) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (Q) Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA) (R) Autoradiography with a radioactive probe (S) Gene Therapy Column II (Function/Principle) (i) Detection of low pathogen load or genetic mutations by nucleic acid amplification. (ii) Treatment of genetic defects by inserting functional genes into target cells/tissues. (iii) Detection of mutated genes in cell clones by observing the absence of probe hybridization. (iv) Pathogen detection based on specific antigen-antibody interactions.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — P-(i), Q-(iv), R-(iii), S-(ii)
The core concept here is understanding the specific functions and principles of various molecular techniques in biotechnology, particularly those used in diagnosis and therapy, as detailed in the chapter. P: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is used to amplify nucleic acids, enabling the detection of very low concentrations of pathogens or genetic mutations. So, P matches with (i). Q: ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay) is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction to detect pathogens or antibodies against them. So, Q matches with (iv). R: Autoradiography, when used with a radioactive probe, detects mutated genes by the *absence* of hybridization between the probe and the mutated gene, meaning the clone with the mutation will not appear on the film. So, R matches with (iii). S: Gene Therapy is a collection of methods for correcting genetic defects by delivering a normal, functional gene into an individual's cells and tissues. So, S matches with (ii). Therefore, the correct match is P-(i), Q-(iv), R-(iii), S-(ii).
What does NCERT say about Gene therapy insertion genes?
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Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.