Genome - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   Which city has the MDR-TB found in Sikkim and Mumbai originated?

a. Beijing
b. Shanghai
c. Qinghai
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Beijing

Explanation:
The virulent Beijing strain was found in multi-drug resistant TB cases in Sikkim and Mumbai.

  • Doctors have found the strains from TB patients indicate 95 percent are drug resistant.
  • Mumbai is India’s TB capital.
  • Genome sequencing of strains found in TB patients in Mumbai has displayed a lot of drug mutation making the case difficult to treat.


2)   Scientists found that a gene permits the off white peppered moth to evolve dark wings to escape predators in industrial England. What is it called?

a. Cortex gene
b. Green gene
c. Blue gene
d. Youth gene
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Cortex gene

Explanation:
The gene was reported for close to 40 species of butterflies to develop flash bright yellow stripes to ward off hungry birds

  • Findings published as a separate set of studies in Nature are important for many reasons
  • Heliconius genus of butterflies branches off from moths on tree of evolution 100 million years ago
  • This much sought after gene called the cortex has been unbelievably stable over a period of time
  • Same gene is responsible for switching colours and patterns in peppered moth


3)   Which gene thought to be inactive in adults plays a vital role in preventing heart attacks and stroke and could also delay ageing?

a. Fountain of youth gene
b. Oct4
c. Oct5
d. Both a and b
e. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
A gene, thought to be inactive in adults, may actually play a vital role in preventing heart attacks and stroke . and could also delay some of the effects of ageing, scientists have found.

  • The gene, Oct4 , plays a key role in the development of all living organisms, but scientists have, until now, thought it was permanently inactivated after embryonic development.
  • Researchers have determined the gene plays a critical protective role during the formation of atherosclerotic plaques inside blood vessels.
  • The rupturing of these plaques is the underlying cause of many heart attacks and strokes.
  • The researchers found that Oct4 controls the movement of smooth muscle cells into protective fibrous "caps" inside the plaques — caps that make the plaques less likely to rupture.
  • They also have provided evidence that the gene promotes many changes in gene expression that are beneficial in stabilising the plaques.


4)   Scientists from Ireland have sequenced the _______ genomes from ancient Irish humans for the first time.

a. Second
b. First
c. Prime
d. Main
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: First

Explanation:
This genome sequencing is now being used for answering pivotal questions regarding the origins of the country’s people as well as their culture. Geneticists from Dublin Trinity College and Queen’s University in Belfast sequenced the genome of a woman living 5200 years ago near Belfast and three men from the Bronze age around 4,000 years ago in this region. Evidence within the genomes sequenced provides clues to massive migration.