Biology · Biotechnology and Its Applications · NEET
Golden Rice is a genetically modified (GM) rice enriched with pro-vitamin A (beta-carotene), the substance that gives it a golden colour. The beta-carotene biosynthesis genes were taken from daffodil (and a bacterium), so it is an example of GM used to enhance the nutritional value of food. Memory hook: "Golden = colour of carotene = Vitamin A; daffodil is a golden flower too."
Golden Rice is made by inserting beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) biosynthesis genes from daffodil into rice, giving a golden grain that enhances nutritional value. It is a nutrition crop, not a pest-resistant Bt crop.
Your doubts, answered
Is Golden Rice pest resistant like Bt cotton?
No. This is the most common trap. Golden Rice is made for enhanced nutritional value (Vitamin A), NOT for pest resistance. Pest resistance comes from Bt crops (Bt cotton, Bt corn) which use the cry gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. Golden Rice has nothing to do with Bt toxin.
Where does the gene in Golden Rice come from?
The beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) biosynthesis genes are introduced from daffodil (a plant) and a bacterium. NCERT and NEET only expect you to link Golden Rice with the daffodil gene and Vitamin A enrichment.
Does Golden Rice contain Vitamin A or pro-vitamin A?
It is enriched with pro-vitamin A, which is beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A. NCERT states it simply as 'Vitamin A enriched rice', so both phrasings are accepted, but the correct chemical is beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A).
Why is Golden Rice golden in colour?
The golden or yellow colour is because of the carotenoid (beta-carotene) that accumulates in the grain due to the introduced genes. The colour is NOT from a primitive rice variety; it is a result of genetic engineering.
Is Golden Rice a GMO?
Yes. Golden Rice is a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) because its genes have been altered by manipulation. It is listed by NCERT as an example of how genetic modification enhances the nutritional value of food.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Golden Rice is pest resistant and made using a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. ✓ Golden Rice is Vitamin A (pro-vitamin A / beta-carotene) enriched, made using a gene from daffodil (and a bacterium). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is for pest resistance, not Golden Rice. 🧠 Golden = colour of carotene = Vitamin A. If the option says 'Bt' or 'pest resistant', it is NOT Golden Rice.
Real NEET questions
NEET 2019
Which of the following is true for Golden rice?
A · It is Vitamin A enriched, with a gene from daffodil ✓
B · It is pest resistant, with a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis
C · It is drought tolerant, developed using Agrobacterium vector
D · It has yellow grains, because of a gene introduced from a primitive variety of rice
Solution: Golden Rice is a GM rice engineered to be enriched in pro-vitamin A (beta-carotene). The biosynthesis genes were introduced from daffodil (and a bacterium), so it is Vitamin 'A' enriched rice. It is not a pest-resistant Bt crop, not drought tolerant, and its colour is due to introduced carotenoid genes, not a primitive rice variety. NCERT Ch 10, p.179.
Solved Biotechnology and Its Applications NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Golden Rice is a genetically modified rice enriched with pro-vitamin A (beta-carotene) using a gene from daffodil, and is an example of GM crops that enhance nutritional value of food.
Which vitamin is Golden Rice enriched with?
Vitamin A. It contains beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), which the body converts into Vitamin A.
From which plant is the Golden Rice gene taken?
From daffodil. NCERT-level answer: the beta-carotene biosynthesis genes come from daffodil (and a bacterium).
Is Golden Rice a Bt crop?
No. Bt crops (like Bt cotton) are pest resistant using the cry gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. Golden Rice is for nutrition (Vitamin A), not pest resistance.
Why is Golden Rice important as a GM example?
It is the standard NCERT example for 'enhanced nutritional value of food', showing biotechnology can fight Vitamin A deficiency in rice-eating populations.
