UPSC Prelims 2010 Q57: Science & Technology – Biotechnology & Genetics
Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations, can be
used for treating oil spills ?
- (a) Agrobacterium
- (b) Clostridium
- (c) Nitrosomonas
- (d) Pseudomonas
Answer: (d) Pseudomonas
Explanation
Which bacterial strain treats oil spills
A genetically engineered bacterial strain was specifically developed for oil spill bioremediation.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Agrobacterium | Incorrect | Known mainly for plant genetic engineering (as a gene-transfer vector), not oil spill cleanup |
| (b) Clostridium | Incorrect | Known for various anaerobic fermentation processes, not specifically oil-spill bioremediation |
| (c) Nitrosomonas | Incorrect | Involved in nitrogen cycle processes (nitrification), unrelated to oil degradation |
| (d) Pseudomonas | Correct | Genetically engineered strains of *Pseudomonas* (notably the pioneering 'oil-eating' superbug) are used to degrade hydrocarbons in oil spills |
Pseudomonas and oil spill cleanup:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Natural trait | Some Pseudomonas strains naturally degrade hydrocarbons |
| Genetic engineering | Combined multiple degradation pathways into one superbug strain |
| Application | Bioremediation of oil spills |
Answer: (d) Pseudomonas.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Agrobacterium is primarily a plant genetic-engineering tool, unrelated to oil spill treatment.
- (b) Incorrect. Clostridium is associated with fermentation processes, not oil-spill bioremediation.
- (c) Incorrect. Nitrosomonas is involved in nitrogen cycling, unrelated to hydrocarbon degradation.
- (d) CORRECT. Genetically engineered *Pseudomonas* strains are used to degrade oil-spill hydrocarbons.
Key point
Genetically engineered strains of PSEUDOMONAS bacteria are used to degrade hydrocarbons and treat oil spills — not Agrobacterium, Clostridium, or Nitrosomonas, which serve entirely different biological roles.
Remember
Pseudomonas: the genetically engineered bacterial strain used to treat oil spills via hydrocarbon degradation.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Agrobacterium's plant-genetic-engineering role with oil-spill bioremediation.
- Not knowing Pseudomonas's specific hydrocarbon-degrading capability.
- Mixing up unrelated bacterial genera based on superficial 'genetic engineering' associations.
Exam tip
Oil-spill bioremediation bacteria = Pseudomonas (engineered 'superbug'). A specific, often-tested biotechnology fact.
Sources
- Supreme Court of the United States — Diamond v. Chakrabarty, 447 U.S. 303 (1980)
- NCERT Class XII Biology — Biotechnology and its Applications