Same chapter3 marksDifficulty: Medium
What is RNA interference and how is it used to protect plants?
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3 marksDifficulty: Medium
What is genetically engineered insulin, and why was it needed?
Original Khojo Papers practice question — not from a past board paper.
Answer
Human insulin made by recombinant DNA technology is produced by inserting the genes for the A and B chains into Escherichia coli, growing the bacteria and then joining the two chains by disulphide bonds. It was needed because insulin extracted from the pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs differed slightly from human insulin and caused allergic reactions in some patients, and the supply was limited.
No citable source has been recorded for this record. Treat it as practice material, not as fact.
Explanation
The product is marketed as humulin.
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