Question

Match the following techniques or instruments with their usage:

(a)	Bioreactor	(i)	Separation of DNA fragments
(b)	Electrophoresis	(ii)	Production of large quantities of products
(c)	PCR	(iii)	Detection of pathogen, based on antigen - antibody
(d)	ELISA	(iv)	Amplification of nucleic acids

Select the correct option from following:

• A. (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
• B. (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
• C. (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
• D. (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

Answer 1

The correct option is B (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)

Bioreactors are large vessels that are used for large scale culturing of cells (plant, animal or microbial cells) to obtain specific gene products for commercial use.

A bioreactor provides appropriate conditions, such as, optimum temperature, pH, nutrients, oxygen (aerobic bioreactors), etc., for the optimal growth of cells under culture. Hence, a-ii.

Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique based on the principle of movement of charged particles towards oppositely charged electrodes under the influence of electric field.

This is used for the separation of a mixture of DNA (a negatively charged molecule) fragments of varying sizes on agarose gel (a natural biopolymer) matrix under the influence of an electric field. Hence, b-i.

PCR or polymerase chain reaction is a technique used in molecular biology to amplify short segments of a DNA (nucleic acid) molecule. Hence, c-iv.

ELISA is the basic assay technique, known as Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay which is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction.

ELISA can detect infection by pathogen in two ways: either by detecting the presence of antigens or by detecting the antibodies synthesized against the pathogen. Hence, d-iii.