NEET Biotechnology: Principles and Processes PYQs & Practice Questions

10 free NEET Biology questions on Biotechnology: Principles and Processes, starting with previous year questions (2016–2026). Tap “Show answer” to check each one. No login needed.

Topics: Why Dough Rises · Virus-Mediated Gene Transfer Between Bacteria · Meaning of 'Restriction' in Restriction Enzymes · Nobel Prize for PCR · Fate of Foreign DNA Transferred into Alien Organism · Restriction Enzymes · Agrobacterium Ti Plasmid · pBR322 Cloning Vector Map · Bioreactors · Cloning Vectors · PCR · Recombinant DNA Technology

Q1NEET 2026Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology - Cloning Vector Features
Match List-I with List-II List-I: A. Transformation, B. Cloning site, C. Selection, D. Ori List-II: I. Restriction enzyme, II. Transfer DNA to host bacteria, III. Replication, IV. Antibiotic Choose the correct answer from the options given below
- A. A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III
- B. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
- C. A-IV, B-I, C-III, D-II
- D. A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
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Answer: C — A-IV, B-I, C-III, D-II
Transformation refers to the process of transferring (recombinant) DNA into host bacteria (II). The cloning site is where restriction enzymes cut to insert foreign DNA (I). Selection of transformants is typically done using antibiotic resistance markers (IV). Ori (origin of replication) is responsible for autonomous replication of the vector DNA (III). So A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III.
Q2NEET 2026Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Steps
During PCR, primers bind to the DNA strands in the______step.
- A. extension
- B. annealing
- C. ligation
- D. denaturation
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Answer: A — extension
PCR has three main steps: denaturation (DNA strands separate at high temperature), annealing (primers bind/anneal to the complementary single-stranded DNA template), and extension (DNA polymerase extends the primers to synthesize new DNA strands). Primers bind during the annealing step.
Q3NEET 2026Plasmids - Properties
Given below are two statements: Statement I: Plasmids are autonomously replicating DNA. Statement II: Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
- A. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
- B. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
- C. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
- D. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
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Answer: C — Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Plasmids are circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that exist independently of the bacterial chromosome and are capable of autonomous (independent) replication -- Statement I is correct. They are indeed extrachromosomal, i.e., separate from the main bacterial chromosome -- Statement II is correct. Both statements are correct.
Q4NEET 2025Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies DNA following the equation.
- A. N²
- B. 2ⁿ
- C. 2n+1
- D. 2N²
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Answer: A — N²
PCR amplifies DNA exponentially in geometric progression — the DNA doubles with each cycle, following 2ⁿ where n is the number of cycles.

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Q5NEET 2025Selectable Markers - Insertional Inactivation
In the represented plasmid (pBR322-like, with BamH1, Tet R, Ori, EcoR1, β-Galactosidase, and amp marked) an alien piece of DNA is inserted at EcoRI site. Which of the following strategies will be chosen to select the recombinant colonies?
- A. Using ampicillin & tetracyclin containing medium plate.
- B. Blue color colonies will be selected.
- C. White color colonies will be selected.
- D. Blue color colonies grown on ampicillin plates can be selected.
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Answer: B — Blue color colonies will be selected.
Insertion of the alien DNA at the EcoRI site (within the β-galactosidase gene) causes insertional inactivation of β-galactosidase, so recombinant colonies appear white (no blue colour due to no enzyme activity on X-gal), while non-recombinant colonies remain blue. So white colonies are selected.
Q6NEET 2025Bioreactor Components
Identify the part of a bio-reactor which is used as a foam braker from the given figure (labelled A, B, C, D on a stirred-tank bioreactor diagram).
- A. A
- B. B
- C. D
- D. C
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Answer: C — D
In a stirred-tank bioreactor diagram, the foam breaker is marked as 'C' (per NCERT Class 12, Page 174 diagram).
Q7NEET 2025Gel Electrophoresis and Recombinant DNA Construction
Given below are two statements: Statement I: The DNA fragments extracted from gel electrophoresis can be used in construction of recombinant DNA. Statement II: Smaller size DNA fragments are observed near anode while larger fragments are found near the wells in an agarose gel. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
- A. Both statement I and statement II are correct
- B. Both statement I and statement II are incorrect
- C. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
- D. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct
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Answer: —
Both statements are correct. DNA fragments eluted from gel electrophoresis are used to construct recombinant DNA. In agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments move towards the anode (positive electrode) based on size, with smaller fragments moving faster/farther (near anode) and larger fragments remaining closer to the wells. Class 12th NCERT Page - 168.
Q8NEET 2025Enzymes NOT Essential for Gene Cloning
Which of the following enzyme(s) are NOT essential for gene cloning? A. Restriction enzymes B. DNA ligase C. DNA mutase D. DNA recombinase E. DNA polymerase Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A. C and D only
- B. A and B only
- C. D and E only
- D. B and C only
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Answer: —
Restriction enzymes (A), DNA ligase (B) and DNA polymerase (E) are essential tools for gene cloning. DNA mutase (C) is not a standard enzyme term used in molecular biology, and DNA recombinase (D) helps in crossing over during meiosis-I and is not associated with gene cloning. So C and D only are NOT essential.

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Q9NEET 2025Blue-White Selection - Insertional Inactivation
The blue and white selectable markers have been developed which differentiate recombinant colonies from non-recombinant colonies on the basis of their ability to produce colour in the presence of a chromogenic substrate. Given below are two statements about this method: Statement I: The blue coloured colonies have DNA insert in the plasmid and they are identified as recombinant colonies. Statement II: The colonies without blue colour have DNA insert in the plasmid and are identified as recombinant colonies. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
- A. Both statement I and statement II are correct
- B. Both statement I and statement II are incorrect
- C. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
- D. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct
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Answer: C — Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
Insertion of DNA into the lacZ gene region disrupts (inactivates) the gene, so recombinant colonies (with the DNA insert) cannot produce the enzyme that acts on the chromogenic substrate, and appear WHITE (colourless), not blue. Non-recombinant colonies (without insert) retain a functional lacZ gene and appear blue. So Statement I is incorrect, Statement II (colonies without blue colour = recombinant) is correct. 12th NCERT Page - 170 (Insertional inactivation).
Q10NEET 2024Fate of Foreign DNA Transferred into Alien Organism
What is the fate of a piece of DNA carrying only gene of interest which is transferred into an alien organism? A. The piece of DNA would be able to multiply itself independently in the progeny cells of the organism. B. It may get integrated into the genome of the recipient. C. It may multiply and be inherited along with the host DNA. D. The alien piece of DNA is not an integral part of chromosome. E. It shows ability to replicate. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- A. B and C only
- B. A and E only
- C. A and B only
- D. D and E only
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Answer: —
A foreign DNA piece (gene of interest alone, without an origin of replication) cannot multiply independently - it needs to either integrate into the host genome (B) or be part of a vector that replicates along with host DNA (C) to be inherited. So B and C only. 12th NCERT Page No. 164.

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