UPSC Prelims 2007 Q22: Science & Technology – Science & Technology History
What is the broad area in which the Nobel Prize winners for the year 2006 in Physiology or
Medicine worked to get the prize?
- (a) Prevention of weakening due to ageing
- (b) Flow of genetic information
- (c) Immunology and disease resistance
- (d) Adult stem - cell research
Answer: (b) Flow of genetic information
Explanation
2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
| Field option | Correct? |
|---|---|
| Ageing prevention | No |
| Flow of genetic information | Yes — RNA interference |
| Immunology/disease resistance | No |
| Adult stem-cell research | No |
Andrew Fire and Craig Mello won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering RNA interference (RNAi) — a gene-silencing mechanism controlling the flow of genetic information within cells.
Answer: (b) Flow of genetic information.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Not related to ageing prevention.
- (b) CORRECT. RNA interference regulates the flow of genetic information (gene silencing).
- (c) Incorrect. Not primarily an immunology discovery.
- (d) Incorrect. Not related to adult stem-cell research.
Key point
2006 Nobel (Physiology/Medicine): Fire and Mello, for RNA interference — regulating the flow of genetic information.
Remember
2006 Nobel Medicine: RNA interference — flow of genetic information.
Common mistakes
- Confusing RNA interference with unrelated genetics discoveries like stem-cell research.
- Not knowing the specific laureates, Andrew Fire and Craig Mello.
- Mixing up this year's prize with other recent Medicine Nobel topics.
Exam tip
2006 Medicine Nobel = RNA interference (Fire & Mello) = gene-silencing = flow of genetic information.
Sources
- Nobel Prize — The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2006 (Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello), press release
- NCERT Class XII Biology — Biotechnology and its Applications (RNA interference)