Biology · Biotechnology and Its Applications · NEET
For emphysema. NCERT is very clear: the human protein alpha-1-antitrypsin, made by transgenic animals, is used to treat emphysema. NCERT only says that 'similar attempts are being made' for phenylketonuria (PKU) and cystic fibrosis — those are future goals, not the answer. So the fixed pair to remember is alpha-1-antitrypsin = emphysema.
Scientists take the portion of human DNA (the gene) that codes for alpha-1-antitrypsin and put it into an animal. The animal now carries this extra foreign gene, so it becomes a transgenic animal and its body makes the human protein. This is called making a 'biological product'. It is cheaper than making the medicine in a lab.
By a protein, not by gene therapy. The patient does not receive a new gene. Instead, the transgenic animal makes the protein alpha-1-antitrypsin, and this protein is given to the patient as medicine. Gene therapy (like for ADA deficiency) is a different topic — do not mix them.
Both come from transgenic animals, but they are different examples. Rosie (1997) was the first transgenic cow, and she produced human protein-enriched MILK (2.4 g/litre). Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a specific human protein made to treat emphysema. NEET can ask either one, so keep them separate in your notes.
Insulin is a simple protein, so bacteria (E. coli) can make it. Human proteins like alpha-1-antitrypsin are made in transgenic animals under 'biological products' in NCERT, because such products are often expensive to make and animals can produce them in useful amounts. For NEET, just remember the NCERT example: alpha-1-antitrypsin from transgenic animals treats emphysema.
The human protein named α-1-antitrypsin, obtained from transgenic animals, is used for the treatment of ______.
Match List I with List II. List I: A. α-1 antitrypsin B. Cry 1Ab C. Cry 1Ac D. Enzyme replacement therapy List II: I. Cotton bollworm II. ADA deficiency III. Emphysema IV. Corn borer Choose the correct answer.
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
It is a human protein used to treat emphysema. In NCERT, it is made by transgenic animals as a biological product.
By putting the human gene (DNA) that codes for the protein into an animal. That animal becomes a transgenic animal and makes the protein.
No. Rosie (1997) was the first transgenic cow and produced human protein-enriched milk. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a separate protein example that treats emphysema.
No. NCERT says only that 'similar attempts' are being made for PKU and cystic fibrosis. The confirmed use of alpha-1-antitrypsin is emphysema.
It is a direct fact that has been asked in NEET 2024 (match-list) and NEET 2026 (direct question). The safe pair to memorise is alpha-1-antitrypsin = emphysema.
