Gene Delivery Methods in Biotechnology — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2023In gene gun method used to introduce alien DNA into host cells, microparticles of ___________ metal are used. (NEET 2023)
In gene gun method used to introduce alien DNA into host cells, microparticles of ___________ metal are used. (NEET 2023)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: D — Tungsten or gold
Gene gun (biolistic method) uses tungsten or gold microparticles to deliver DNA into host cells. These metals are chemically inert, non-toxic, and dense enough to penetrate cell walls effectively. The DNA is coated onto these metal particles and shot into target cells using high pressure. Silver, copper, and zinc are not suitable for this purpose.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
This is not the only way to introduce alien DNA into host cells. In a method known as micro-injection, recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell. In another method, suitable for plants, cells are bombarded with high velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA in a method known as biolistics or gene gun. And the last method uses 'disarmed pathogen' vectors, which when allowed to infect the cell, transfer the recombinant DNA into the host.
NTA focuses on three key methods to introduce alien DNA: micro-injection (direct injection into animal cell nucleus), biolistics or gene gun (gold/tungsten particles coated with DNA, used for plants), and disarmed pathogen vectors (modified pathogens that transfer recombinant DNA). Students often confuse which method is used for plants versus animals—gene gun is specifically for plants, while micro-injection suits animal cells. The trick question asks which particles coat the DNA in gene gun; the answer is gold or tungsten. Remember: biolistics = plants + metal particles, micro-injection = animal nuclei + direct injection, vectors = disarmed pathogens for any cell type.
What does NCERT say about This not only way?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.