UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies

Question 127: Science and Technology

The sequencing of the entire genome (the totality of all genes) of an organism was completed in 1996. The organism was

aalbino mouse

byeast

chuman being

dPlasmodium vivax

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), a single-celled fungus, was the first eukaryote whose whole genome was sequenced, completed in 1996. Some bacteria had been done earlier, such as Haemophilus influenzae in 1995. The human genome came later, with a first draft in 2001 and completion in 2003.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The mouse genome was sequenced in 2002.
(b) Right: yeast, the first eukaryote.
(c) The human genome followed, with a draft in 2001 and completion in 2003.
(d) The genome of Plasmodium vivax was reported in 2008.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.