UPSC Prelims 2002 Q129: Science & Technology – Science & Technology History
Match List I (Scientists) with List II (Achievement) and select the correct answer using the
codes given below the lists:
List I (Scientists)
A. Arber and Smith
B. Feldman
C. Mullis
D. Temin and Baltimore
List II (Achievement)
1. Developed transgenic plants with Agrobacterium T - DNA
2. Discovered endonucleases
3. Discovered reverse transcriptase
4. Discovered polymerase chain reaction
- (a) 2 1 4 3
- (b) 1 2 4 3
- (c) 2 1 3 4
- (d) 1 2 3 4
Answer: (a) 2 1 4 3
Explanation
Matching scientists with their achievements
| Scientist | Achievement |
|---|---|
| A. Arber and Smith | 2. Discovered endonucleases (restriction enzymes) |
| B. Feldman | 1. Developed transgenic plants with Agrobacterium T-DNA |
| C. Mullis | 4. Discovered the polymerase chain reaction |
| D. Temin and Baltimore | 3. Discovered reverse transcriptase |
Werner Arber and Hamilton Smith discovered restriction endonucleases. Feldman's work with Agrobacterium T-DNA produced transgenic plants. Kary Mullis invented the PCR, and Howard Temin and David Baltimore discovered reverse transcriptase. The code is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3.
Answer: (a) 2 1 4 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 matches every scientist.
- (b) Incorrect. It gives Arber and Smith the transgenic plants.
- (c) Incorrect. It gives Mullis the discovery of reverse transcriptase.
- (d) Incorrect. It gives Arber and Smith the transgenic plants and Mullis reverse transcriptase.
Key point
Biotech milestones: restriction enzymes (Arber, Smith, Nathans), reverse transcriptase (Temin, Baltimore 1970), PCR (Mullis 1983).
Remember
Arber and Smith: endonucleases. Mullis: PCR.
Common mistakes
- Giving PCR to Temin and Baltimore.
- Mixing endonucleases with reverse transcriptase.
- Not knowing that Mullis is linked with the PCR.
Exam tip
Mullis-PCR and Temin/Baltimore-reverse transcriptase are the surest pairs.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII Biology — Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
- Nobel Prize — The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1978 (Werner Arber, Daniel Nathans and Hamilton O. Smith: restriction enzymes), press release