1. Which marine phylum has the highest species diversity?
A. Porifera
B. Mollusca
C. Arthropoda
D. Echinodermata
2. The deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench, lies in which ocean?
A. Atlantic Ocean
B. Indian Ocean
C. Southern Ocean
D. Pacific Ocean
3. What is the primary photosynthetic organism in the marine ecosystem?
A. Diatoms
B. Dinoflagellates
C. Cyanobacteria
D. All of the above
4. The term “blue biotechnology” refers to:
A. Terrestrial agriculture
B. Marine-based biotechnology
C. Industrial enzyme production
D. Biotechnology using freshwater organisms
5. Which of the following marine organisms is a known producer of bioactive compounds like conotoxins?
A. Sea urchins
B. Cone snails
C. Sea stars
D. Jellyfish
6. Marine snow refers to:
A. Frozen sea water
B. Biogenic particles falling from upper layers
C. Algal blooms
D. Coral bleaching
7. Which of the following is a marine extremophile studied for polymerase enzymes?
A. Thermus aquaticus
B. Pyrococcus furiosus
C. Halobacterium
D. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
8. Which marine biotechnology tool is used to identify species via genetic barcode?
A. RAPD
B. SDS-PAGE
C. DNA barcoding
D. CRISPR-Cas
9. Which pigment allows deep-sea organisms to perform chemosynthesis?
A. Chlorophyll
B. Phycoerythrin
C. Bacteriorhodopsin
D. None; they use sulfur compounds
10. What is the major threat to coral reefs globally?
A. Overfishing
B. Oil drilling
C. Climate change and ocean acidification
D. Submarine cables
11. Which of the following is a marine invasive species?
A. Caulerpa taxifolia
B. Sargassum muticum
C. Carcinus maenas
D. All of the above
12. Which marine compound is used in anti-cancer drug Ara-C?
A. Spongothymidine
B. Fucoidan
C. Agarose
D. Chitosan
13. Marine biofouling is a major concern for:
A. Coral reefs
B. Aquaculture nets and ship hulls
C. Mangroves
D. Marine mammals
14. Fish that can live in both freshwater and saltwater are known as:
A. Euryhaline
B. Stenohaline
C. Demersal
D. Pelagic
15. The productivity of coastal upwelling zones is due to:
A. High salinity
B. Nutrient-rich deep water
C. Lack of predators
D. Coral reef presence
16. Marine biotechnology applications in aquaculture include:
A. Disease diagnostics
B. Genetic improvement
C. Feed development
D. All of the above
17. Which marine molecule has anticoagulant properties?
A. Alginate
B. Fucoidan
C. Carrageenan
D. Agar
18. Which molecular marker is commonly used for marine population genetics?
A. 16S rRNA
B. COI
C. ITS1
D. SSR
19. A marine organism studied extensively for its green fluorescent protein (GFP) is:
A. Aequorea victoria
B. Hydractinia echinata
C. Ciona intestinalis
D. Mytilus edulis
20. Which marine zone has the highest light penetration?
A. Bathypelagic
B. Abyssopelagic
C. Epipelagic
D. Hadalpelagic
101. Which technique is widely used for metagenomic analysis of marine microbes?
A. Sanger sequencing
B. RAPD
C. Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
D. RFLP
102. Bioprospecting in marine environments primarily aims to:
A. Count fish stocks
B. Discover novel organisms
C. Discover bioactive natural products
D. Identify coral species
103. The term “Marine Protected Area (MPA)” is associated with:
A. Fishing technology
B. Marine biodiversity conservation
C. Oil and gas exploration
D. Deep-sea mining
104. Which compound from Halichondria spp. has shown anti-cancer properties?
A. Ecteinascidin
B. Halichondrin B
C. Conotoxin
D. Bryostatin
105. CRISPR-Cas systems in marine biotechnology are used for:
A. Phytoplankton imaging
B. Environmental monitoring
C. Genome editing
D. Algal bloom prediction
106. Deep-sea organisms adapt to high pressure by:
A. Increasing metabolic rate
B. Using rigid membranes
C. Accumulating piezolytes
D. Increasing temperature
107. In marine systems, the term “holoplankton” refers to organisms that:
A. Are only planktonic during larval stage
B. Are planktonic throughout life
C. Are benthic feeders
D. Live in estuaries only
108. Which marine invertebrate has a regenerative ability and is a model for stem cell research?
A. Starfish
B. Sea cucumber
C. Sponge
D. All of the above
109. Which group of organisms is crucial for marine nitrogen fixation?
A. Diatoms
B. Dinoflagellates
C. Cyanobacteria
D. Ciliates
110. The most productive marine ecosystems are:
A. Deep-sea vents
B. Coral reefs
C. Open ocean
D. Coastal upwelling zones
111. What is the primary cause of eutrophication in marine waters?
A. Oil spills
B. Sedimentation
C. Nutrient runoff
D. Thermal pollution
112. Which marine alga is used for the commercial production of agar?
A. Ulva
B. Laminaria
C. Gracilaria
D. Sargassum
113. The concept of “marine genomics” involves:
A. Study of genome structure of freshwater organisms
B. Genetic mapping of terrestrial plants
C. Functional and structural genomics of marine organisms
D. DNA fingerprinting of birds
114. A gene that gives thermotolerance in marine thermophiles can be classified as:
A. Structural gene
B. Regulatory gene
C. Heat shock gene
D. Housekeeping gene
115. Which marine microbe is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids?
A. Prochlorococcus
B. Thraustochytrids
C. Trichodesmium
D. Alcanivorax
116. Coral bleaching is a result of:
A. Sediment accumulation
B. Pathogen invasion
C. Loss of symbiotic zooxanthellae
D. Shell dissolution
117. The ocean zone that lies between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain is called:
A. Intertidal zone
B. Neritic zone
C. Bathyal zone
D. Hadal zone
118. Which technique is best suited for biodiversity assessment in marine microbiomes?
A. NMR spectroscopy
B. DNA metabarcoding
C. Immunoblotting
D. ELISA
119. Which bioactive compound was first isolated from a marine tunicate and led to the development of an anti-cancer drug?
A. Trabectedin
B. Halaven
C. Cytarabine
D. Vincristine
120. Which marine vertebrate is known for producing venom used in neurological research?
A. Sea turtle
B. Cone snail
C. Pufferfish
D. Moray eel
121. What is the significance of osmolytes in marine animals?
A. Energy production
B. UV protection
C. Osmoregulation
D. Digestive aid
122. In aquaculture biotechnology, triploid fish are developed primarily to:
A. Increase fertility
B. Produce more offspring
C. Prevent reproduction and increase growth
D. Improve disease resistance
123. Which marine process is vital for the carbon pump system?
A. Nitrification
B. Phytoplankton photosynthesis
C. Coral calcification
D. Hydrothermal venting
124. Which analytical technique is most suitable for detecting marine toxins in seafood?
A. SDS-PAGE
B. GC-MS
C. Immunodiffusion
D. PCR
125. Chitin and chitosan are extracted mainly from:
A. Mollusks
B. Seaweeds
C. Crustacean shells
D. Coral skeletons
126. Bioinformatics in marine biotechnology is used for:
A. Gene annotation
B. Phylogenetic analysis
C. Protein structure prediction
D. All of the above
127. The term “bioremediation” in marine context often refers to:
A. Use of robots for cleaning oil spills
B. Use of microbes to degrade pollutants
C. Mechanical removal of plastics
D. Ocean water desalination
128. Which zone is referred to as the “twilight zone” of the ocean?
A. Epipelagic
B. Mesopelagic
C. Bathypelagic
D. Hadal
129. Marine microbial loop helps in:
A. Carbon sequestration
B. Recycling dissolved organic matter
C. Increasing predation
D. Detoxifying metals
130. Which marine bacterium is used in quorum sensing studies?
A. Bacillus subtilis
B. Vibrio fischeri
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Escherichia coli
201. Which enzyme from marine extremophiles is used in PCR processes requiring high thermal stability?
A. DNA ligase
B. Taq polymerase
C. Pfu polymerase
D. S1 nuclease
202. Which marine resource is the primary source of alginate?
A. Green algae
B. Red algae
C. Brown algae
D. Cyanobacteria
203. Marine biotoxins such as saxitoxin are produced primarily by:
A. Diatoms
B. Dinoflagellates
C. Cyanobacteria
D. Radiolarians
204. Which coral type is responsible for reef-building?
A. Soft coral
B. Black coral
C. Stony coral
D. Fire coral
205. The process of ocean acidification is primarily driven by:
A. Methane release
B. Nitrogen deposition
C. Increased CO₂ absorption
D. Salinity increase
206. Which marine metabolite is known for its use in anti-viral drug development?
A. Marizomib
B. Avarol
C. Calicheamicin
D. Manoalide
207. The term “benthic” refers to:
A. Water column above 2000m
B. Open ocean region
C. Ocean floor or bottom habitat
D. Midwater current
208. Which marine organism uses bioluminescence for counterillumination?
A. Jellyfish
B. Lanternfish
C. Sea anemone
D. Starfish
209. Which marine-derived compound inhibits tubulin polymerization and has anti-cancer properties?
A. Cytarabine
B. Eribulin
C. Ecteinascidin
D. Spongistatin
210. Which marine invertebrate is a model system for embryological development studies?
A. Sponge
B. Sea urchin
C. Jellyfish
D. Octopus
211. Which of the following plays a key role in maintaining coral reef health?
A. Sea otters
B. Parrotfish
C. Sea urchins
D. Moray eels
212. Which genome editing technique is revolutionizing marine genetic research?
A. Gene gun
B. RNAi
C. CRISPR-Cas9
D. ZFNs
213. Marine bacteria such as Pseudoalteromonas are known for:
A. Producing alginates
B. Degrading hydrocarbons
C. Antifouling properties
D. Nitrogen fixation
214. A key threat to marine biodiversity today is:
A. Algal blooms
B. Overfishing
C. Shipping lanes
D. All of the above
215. One Health approach in marine systems addresses:
A. Aquatic plant conservation
B. Human, animal, and ecosystem health connections
C. Global fisheries trade
D. Coral reef mapping
216. The primary lipid class in marine fish oils is:
A. Phospholipids
B. Triglycerides
C. Sterols
D. Glycolipids
217. Biofloc technology in marine aquaculture enhances:
A. Oxygen supply
B. Waste removal
C. Microbial nutrition recycling
D. Water temperature
218. Which phylum contains the majority of marine mollusks?
A. Echinodermata
B. Mollusca
C. Annelida
D. Chordata
219. Marine snow contributes primarily to:
A. Primary production
B. Sediment accumulation
C. Carbon export to deep sea
D. Coral spawning
220. Which fish species is widely used in marine ecotoxicological studies?
A. Zebrafish
B. Atlantic cod
C. Medaka
D. Sheepshead minnow
221. Which of the following is an abiotic stressor for marine organisms?
A. Predation
B. Competition
C. Temperature
D. Parasitism
222. What is the role of “siderophores” in marine microbial interactions?
A. Light production
B. Signal transduction
C. Iron acquisition
D. pH regulation
223. The upwelling regions of the ocean are considered biological hotspots due to:
A. Warm temperatures
B. Light penetration
C. Nutrient availability
D. Low predator density
224. A marine source of carrageenan is:
A. Gelidium
B. Sargassum
C. Kappaphycus
D. Ulva
225. Marine finfish cryopreservation is commonly applied for:
A. Gene knock-in
B. Fertilization rate reduction
C. Germplasm conservation
D. Feed enhancement
226. Which of the following is a non-selective marine antifouling compound?
A. Tributyl tin
B. Fucoidan
C. Alginic acid
D. Astaxanthin
227. Which technique is ideal for profiling marine transcriptomes?
A. cDNA library
B. Sanger sequencing
C. RNA-Seq
D. qPCR
228. Larval settlement in many marine invertebrates is influenced by:
A. Magnetic fields
B. Water color
C. Biofilms
D. Oxygen content
229. What is the ecological function of seagrass beds?
A. Food source only
B. Spawning and nursery habitats
C. Increases salinity
D. Dissolves oxygen
230. Which metal is most toxic in marine environments due to bioaccumulation?
A. Calcium
B. Magnesium
C. Mercury
D. Iron
231. What is the main purpose of establishing Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)?
A. Restrict tourism
B. Encourage deep-sea mining
C. Control over marine resources
D. Reduce carbon emissions
232. Ocean fertilization is a controversial method proposed to:
A. Enhance fish stocks
B. Reduce sea-level rise
C. Promote carbon sequestration
D. Increase ocean salinity
233. Which marine group includes some of the most efficient filter feeders?
A. Cephalopods
B. Sponges
C. Crustaceans
D. Cnidarians
234. Which of the following marine fungi is recognized for halotolerance?
A. Aspergillus sydowii
B. Trametes versicolor
C. Fusarium oxysporum
D. Phytophthora infestans
235. Which technology enables visualization of deep-sea biota without trawling?
A. ROVs
B. CTDs
C. Sonobuoys
D. GIS
236. A major role of marine viruses is:
A. Photosynthesis
B. Carbon fixation
C. Microbial loop regulation
D. Light production
237. Which fish is an example of a broadcast spawner in marine aquaculture?
A. Grouper
B. Tuna
C. Salmon
D. Clownfish
238. Which is a common indicator of marine eutrophication?
A. Coral cover increase
B. Jellyfish blooms
C. Red tide
D. Bioluminescence
239. Coral reefs are primarily made of:
A. Silica
B. Cellulose
C. Calcium carbonate
D. Chitin
240. Which of the following is an anti-inflammatory agent from marine algae?
A. Ulvan
B. Astaxanthin
C. Lauric acid
D. Carotene
301. Which marine structure serves as a natural carbon sink?
A. Mangrove forests
B. Coral reefs
C. Sandy beaches
D. Submarine canyons
302. The primary purpose of barcoding marine species is to:
A. Identify trophic level
B. Determine age
C. Classify species genetically
D. Track migration
303. Which compound from marine cyanobacteria shows potent anti-tumor activity?
A. Aplidin
B. Cryptophycin
C. Bryostatin
D. Salinosporamide
304. What is the function of the notochord in marine chordates?
A. Protection
B. Respiration
C. Skeletal support
D. Reproduction
305. Which group of marine animals is characterized by a water vascular system?
A. Mollusca
B. Cnidaria
C. Echinodermata
D. Arthropoda
306. The dominant primary producers in the open ocean are:
A. Macroalgae
B. Diatoms
C. Dinoflagellates
D. Cyanobacteria
307. Which of the following is used in the genetic improvement of marine aquaculture species?
A. Crossbreeding
B. Marker-assisted selection
C. Genetic engineering
D. All of the above
308. Ocean deoxygenation primarily results from:
A. Photosynthesis
B. Ocean acidification
C. Global warming
D. Increased salinity
309. In marine biotechnology, biosensors are commonly used to detect:
A. Nitrate levels only
B. Microbial biomass
C. Environmental pollutants
D. Salinity
310. Marine sponges are a rich source of:
A. Mycotoxins
B. Enzymes
C. Bioactive secondary metabolites
D. Hemoglobin
311. Which of the following is a marine-derived neurotoxin?
A. Saxitoxin
B. Mycotoxin
C. Botulinum
D. Ricin
312. Which marine organism is used for its fluorescent protein in cell biology?
A. Octopus
B. Jellyfish (Aequorea victoria)
C. Sea cucumber
D. Anemone
313. The term “nekton” refers to:
A. Drifting organisms
B. Surface dwellers
C. Free-swimming organisms
D. Sessile animals
314. What is the role of Salinispora in marine biotechnology?
A. Nutrient cycling
B. Carbon sequestration
C. Antibiotic production
D. Photosynthesis
315. Which mineral is extracted from marine evaporite deposits?
A. Bauxite
B. Gypsum
C. Manganese
D. Zircon
316. Which marine environment is typically the most stable in terms of temperature and salinity?
A. Estuaries
B. Coral reefs
C. Deep-sea
D. Intertidal zones
317. Which technique is most appropriate for analyzing marine microbial diversity?
A. Electrophoresis
B. Flow cytometry
C. 16S rRNA sequencing
D. Western blotting
318. Marine-derived Aspergillus species are known to produce:
A. Plant hormones
B. Fungal spores
C. Mycotoxins and bioactives
D. Enzymes only
319. Which seaweed pigment allows photosynthesis in deep waters?
A. Fucoxanthin
B. Phycocyanin
C. Chlorophyll b
D. Carotene
320. Which marine actinomycete is a well-known producer of anti-cancer drugs?
A. Streptomyces griseus
B. Micromonospora spp.
C. Salinispora tropica
D. Actinomyces marina
321. An invasive marine species example is:
A. Crown-of-thorns starfish
B. Box jellyfish
C. Nautilus
D. Blue whale
322. The symbiotic algae in coral tissues are known as:
A. Cyanophytes
B. Phytoplankton
C. Zooxanthellae
D. Dinoflagellates
323. Which marine mineral is widely used in pharmaceutical laxatives?
A. Sodium chloride
B. Magnesium hydroxide
C. Calcium carbonate
D. Potassium sulfate
324. Which of the following is a photoreceptor pigment in marine algae?
A. Chlorophyll a
B. Anthocyanin
C. Retinol
D. Hemocyanin
325. The term “blue carbon” refers to:
A. Oceanic nitrogen pools
B. Carbon captured by marine organisms
C. CO₂ dissolved in water
D. Fossil fuels extracted from oceans
326. Biofouling on marine vessels can be prevented using:
A. Zincs
B. Biocidal coatings
C. pH buffers
D. Polypropylene
327. What is the function of lateral lines in marine fish?
A. Respiration
B. Feeding
C. Motion detection and navigation
D. Digestion
328. Which marine process is associated with massive carbon dioxide release during upwelling?
A. Denitrification
B. Methanogenesis
C. Organic matter remineralization
D. Biomagnification
329. Which molecular marker is most widely used in marine phylogeographic studies?
A. 5S rDNA
B. ITS1
C. COI (cytochrome oxidase I)
D. GFP
330. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents harbor ecosystems based on:
A. Photosynthesis
B. Bioluminescence
C. Chemosynthesis
D. Methanogenesis
331. Which protein derived from marine organisms has antifreeze properties?
A. Glycoprotein
B. Tropomyosin
C. Antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP)
D. Albumin
332. Which of the following regulates marine fisheries in international waters?
A. FAO
B. IMO
C. UNCLOS
D. UNFCCC
333. The marine sponge metabolite Discodermolide has been investigated as:
A. Antibiotic
B. Anticoagulant
C. Anti-cancer agent
D. Antiviral compound
334. Which is an example of a halophilic marine microorganism?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Haloferax volcanii
C. Clostridium botulinum
D. Thermus aquaticus
335. Which method is used to identify microbial consortia in marine biofilms?
A. Microarray
B. DGGE
C. ELISA
D. SDS-PAGE
336. Which zone of the ocean is completely devoid of sunlight?
A. Epipelagic
B. Mesopelagic
C. Bathypelagic
D. Abyssopelagic
337. Which bioindicator is best for assessing heavy metal pollution in marine ecosystems?
A. Seagrass
B. Coral
C. Mussels
D. Diatoms
338. A typical marine biogeochemical cycle includes:
A. Water, air, and soil only
B. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus
C. Salinity and pH only
D. Temperature and pressure
339. Sea cucumbers contribute to:
A. Coral reef building
B. Water filtration
C. Sediment bioturbation
D. Predation control
340. Which marine macroalga is a commercial source of iodine?
A. Sargassum
B. Ulva
C. Gracilaria
D. Codium
341. What type of immunity do marine invertebrates rely on?
A. Adaptive
B. Passive
C. Innate
D. Antigen-specific
342. Which tool is used to model marine ecosystem dynamics?
A. GIS
B. ROV
C. Ecopath
D. Nanopore
343. Which marine microbial pigment protects against UV radiation?
A. Xanthophyll
B. Bacteriorhodopsin
C. Scytonemin
D. Anthocyanin
344. What is the function of otoliths in marine fish?
A. Light detection
B. Salt balance
C. Balance and hearing
D. Digestion
345. Which molecular tool is ideal for studying gene expression in marine algae?
A. ELISA
B. RNA-Seq
C. Flow cytometry
D. Isoenzyme profiling
346. Which fatty acid is abundant in marine fish oil?
A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. EPA
D. Stearic acid
347. Marine secondary metabolites are important because they:
A. Enhance digestion
B. Serve structural functions
C. Exhibit pharmacological properties
D. Fix nitrogen
348. What is the chief component of the exoskeleton of marine crustaceans?
A. Collagen
B. Cellulose
C. Chitin
D. Glycoprotein
349. Which country leads in marine biodiversity research in the Indo-Pacific region?
A. USA
B. Australia
C. Norway
D. China
350. The Red Sea is known for:
A. Low temperature biodiversity
B. High salinity and endemic species
C. Upwelling systems
D. Deep trenches
401. Which gene editing tool is increasingly used in marine invertebrates for functional genomics?
A. TALEN
B. ZFN
C. CRISPR-Cas9
D. RNAi
402. Which marine organism produces domoic acid, responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning?
A. Karenia brevis
B. Pseudo-nitzschia
C. Alexandrium fundyense
D. Dinophysis acuminata
403. Which is the most common marine habitat on Earth?
A. Coral reefs
B. Deep-sea floor
C. Intertidal zone
D. Continental shelf
404. Marine-derived Halichondrin B is the precursor for which anti-cancer drug?
A. Vinblastine
B. Eribulin
C. Taxol
D. Bleomycin
405. Which analytical method is used to identify metabolic fingerprints in marine samples?
A. ELISA
B. GC-MS
C. PCR
D. RFLP
406. Which of the following is considered a sustainable marine resource?
A. Overfished tuna
B. Coral mining
C. Seaweed farming
D. Trawling
407. Which zone is located between high and low tide marks?
A. Neritic
B. Pelagic
C. Intertidal
D. Abyssal
408. Which marine compound has been used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent?
A. Manoalide
B. Brevetoxin
C. Domoic acid
D. Conotoxin
409. The majority of marine viruses infect:
A. Zooplankton
B. Bacteria
C. Fish
D. Corals
410. Which marine biotechnology tool is used to study metabolomes?
A. Metabarcoding
B. Metagenomics
C. Metabolomics
D. Proteomics
411. Which marine phylum includes organisms with radial symmetry and a water vascular system?
A. Chordata
B. Cnidaria
C. Echinodermata
D. Mollusca
412. Bioprospecting in marine environments involves:
A. Mining minerals
B. Finding new fish stocks
C. Discovering new bioactive compounds
D. Coral reef bleaching
413. Which pigment allows red algae to photosynthesize in deeper waters?
A. Phycocyanin
B. Chlorophyll a
C. Phycoerythrin
D. Carotene
414. The movement of larvae away from natal sites to adult habitats is called:
A. Vertical migration
B. Advection
C. Dispersal
D. Upwelling
415. Which process is crucial for nutrient regeneration in marine benthic zones?
A. Photosynthesis
B. Decomposition
C. Respiration
D. Sedimentation
416. Which compound is used in marine biotechnology as a cryoprotectant?
A. Chitin
B. DMSO
C. Alginate
D. Fucoidan
417. What distinguishes marine myxobacteria in biotechnology?
A. High resistance to salinity
B. Antibiotic and enzyme production
C. High metal accumulation
D. Biofilm formation
418. Which of the following is a climate-driven marine threat?
A. Overharvesting
B. Hypoxia
C. Plastic pollution
D. Coral bleaching
419. Which is a legal tool to protect marine genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction?
A. CITES
B. UNCLOS
C. Nagoya Protocol
D. MARPOL
420. What is the main ecological role of krill in polar ecosystems?
A. Herbivorous grazers
B. Apex predators
C. Decomposers
D. Algae regulators
421. Which marine group includes the largest number of bioluminescent organisms?
A. Crustaceans
B. Cephalopods
C. Coelenterates
D. Dinoflagellates
422. Which coral symbiosis breakdown leads to coral bleaching?
A. Loss of chlorophyll
B. Expulsion of zooxanthellae
C. Calcium depletion
D. Disruption of nematocysts
423. The term “marine microbiome” refers to:
A. Marine phytoplankton
B. Entire bacterial communities
C. Cultured marine microbes
D. Microbes in sediments only
424. Which environmental DNA (eDNA) tool is used for marine biodiversity monitoring?
A. ELISA
B. qPCR
C. Mass spectrometry
D. FTIR
425. What does the “Ocean Health Index” evaluate?
A. Ocean current strength
B. Salinity levels
C. Biodiversity, fisheries, and ecosystem services
D. Nutrient loads
426. Which marine resource is increasingly being used for bioplastic production?
A. Chitin
B. Agar
C. Fucoidan
D. Alginates
427. Which of these marine biotechnology sectors has grown fastest in recent years?
A. Marine cosmetics
B. Marine pharmaceuticals
C. Marine vaccines
D. Marine feed additives
428. Marine invasive species typically spread via:
A. Upwelling
B. Ballast water discharge
C. Wind dispersal
D. Tectonic activity
429. What is the key limiting nutrient in many open ocean ecosystems?
A. Carbon
B. Nitrogen
C. Phosphorus
D. Iron
430. The “twilight zone” of the ocean refers to:
A. Mesopelagic zone
B. Epipelagic zone
C. Abyssopelagic zone
D. Bathyal zone
431. Which oceanic zone experiences the greatest hydrostatic pressure?
A. Bathypelagic
B. Epipelagic
C. Hadalpelagic
D. Mesopelagic
432. Which coral metabolite has shown antimicrobial activity?
A. Fucoidan
B. Zooxanthin
C. Pseudopterosin
D. Phloroglucinol
433. Which deep-sea fish possesses the ability to produce light via symbiotic bacteria?
A. Anglerfish
B. Grouper
C. Swordfish
D. Tuna
434. Ocean acidification decreases the availability of which ion essential for calcifying organisms?
A. Phosphate
B. Sulfate
C. Calcium
D. Carbonate
435. Which of the following is a hallmark of marine biotechnology?
A. Agriculture enhancement
B. Biofilm disruption
C. Natural product discovery
D. Heavy metal mining
436. Which genetic technique is essential for detecting marine gene flow?
A. Metagenomics
B. AFLP
C. DNA barcoding
D. Microsatellite analysis
437. Which habitat serves as a nursery for many marine fish?
A. Abyssal plain
B. Salt marsh
C. Seamount
D. Mid-ocean ridge
438. Which marine biotoxin acts by blocking sodium channels?
A. Okadaic acid
B. Saxitoxin
C. Tetrodotoxin
D. Brevetoxin
439. Which country pioneered large-scale marine bioprospecting in the Antarctic?
A. USA
B. Australia
C. Japan
D. Norway
440. Which is a cold-adapted marine enzyme useful in low-temperature washing powders?
A. Lipase
B. Cellulase
C. Protease
D. Amylase
441. Which ocean is most productive in terms of marine fisheries?
A. Pacific
B. Atlantic
C. Indian
D. Arctic
442. Which bioinformatic tool is commonly used in marine metagenomics?
A. BLAST
B. MaxEnt
C. FASTQC
D. MEGA
443. Which microorganism dominates deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems?
A. Diatoms
B. Sulfur bacteria
C. Cyanobacteria
D. Algae
444. Which marine plankton form calcium carbonate shells?
A. Diatoms
B. Radiolarians
C. Dinoflagellates
D. Coccolithophores
445. Which type of marine algae is mainly used for agar extraction?
A. Red algae
B. Brown algae
C. Blue-green algae
D. Green algae
446. Which marine-based enzyme is thermostable and used in PCR reactions?
A. Thermolysin
B. Pfu DNA polymerase
C. Taq DNA polymerase
D. DNA ligase
447. Which factor does not typically affect marine biotechnological fermentation processes?
A. Salinity
B. pH
C. Light
D. Sound
448. What are polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine sources known for?
A. Detoxification
B. Immunosuppression
C. Cardiovascular benefits
D. Dehydration
449. Which marine actinobacteria is renowned for anti-infective compound production?
A. Salinispora arenicola
B. Mycobacterium marinum
C. Streptomyces scabies
D. Actinomadura madurae
450. Which marine feature is essential in modulating global climate?
A. Coral atolls
B. Upwelling zones
C. Thermohaline circulation
D. Ocean trenches
451. Which regulatory framework governs marine biotechnology patents?
A. TRIPS
B. MARPOL
C. UNCLOS
D. CMS
452. The primary cellular site of lipid storage in marine microalgae is:
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondria
C. Chloroplast
D. Cytoplasmic lipid body
453. Which is a stress protein found in marine organisms under heat or cold stress?
A. HSP70
B. Actin
C. Trypsin
D. Ferritin
454. Which type of coral is most sensitive to warming oceans?
A. Brain coral
B. Soft coral
C. Staghorn coral
D. Fire coral
455. Which element is vital for marine diatom frustule formation?
A. Iron
B. Silicon
C. Calcium
D. Phosphorus
456. What is the main limiting factor for phytoplankton in oligotrophic oceans?
A. Light
B. Temperature
C. Iron
D. Salinity
457. Which molecule is a known marine-derived anti-parasitic agent?
A. Emamectin
B. Artemisinin
C. Praziquantel
D. Salinosporamide A
458. Which imaging technique is used for marine plankton identification?
A. SEM
B. CT scan
C. PET
D. XRD
459. Which marine genetic resource has been used for cold-tolerant crop development?
A. Sea urchin gene
B. Antifreeze protein gene
C. Coral immune gene
D. Algal pigment gene
460. What is the main concern of biopiracy in marine biotechnology?
A. Data leakage
B. Commercial overfishing
C. Unauthorized use of marine genetic resources
D. Marine pollution
461. Which molecule allows deep-sea fish to stabilize proteins under high pressure?
A. Taurine
B. Betaine
C. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)
D. Urea
462. Marine polysaccharide alginate is primarily obtained from:
A. Red algae
B. Brown algae
C. Green algae
D. Cyanobacteria
463. Marine mammal blubber serves as:
A. Buoyancy organ
B. Digestive aid
C. Energy storage and insulation
D. Salt excretion system
464. Which microbial process in marine sediments leads to methane production?
A. Denitrification
B. Sulfate reduction
C. Methanogenesis
D. Nitrification
465. Which pigment gives brown algae their distinctive color?
A. Fucoxanthin
B. Phycoerythrin
C. Xanthophyll
D. Chlorophyll b
466. Which marine bioresource is a key ingredient in wound dressings and scaffolds?
A. Chitosan
B. Collagen
C. Alginate
D. Agarose
467. Bioluminescence in marine organisms is often triggered by:
A. Enzyme activation of luciferase
B. Photosynthetic pigments
C. Heat shock proteins
D. Magnetoreception
468. Which phylum dominates coral reef biodiversity?
A. Porifera
B. Arthropoda
C. Cnidaria
D. Mollusca
469. Marine biotechnology uses Thraustochytrids mainly for:
A. Bioremediation
B. Omega-3 fatty acid production
C. Gel production
D. Oil degradation
470. Which part of seagrasses stabilizes marine sediments?
A. Rhizomes
B. Leaves
C. Seeds
D. Flowers
471. Which marine peptide toxin causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)?
A. Saxitoxin
B. Domoic acid
C. Brevetoxin
D. Okadaic acid
472. Which process enables DNA extraction from marine plankton for metagenomics?
A. Density centrifugation
B. CTAB method
C. Alkaline lysis
D. Phenol-chloroform extraction
473. Marine biofouling is primarily caused by:
A. Zooplankton
B. Bacteria and algae
C. Mollusks
D. Crustaceans
474. Which molecular marker is ideal for assessing marine species diversity?
A. COI gene
B. 16S rRNA
C. ITS region
D. Rubisco gene
475. Which marine organism produces tetrodotoxin?
A. Pufferfish
B. Cone snail
C. Sea cucumber
D. Sea anemone
476. Which marine enzyme can degrade cellulose at low temperatures?
A. Cellulase
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Protease
477. The Great Barrier Reef is primarily composed of:
A. Mollusks
B. Coralline algae
C. Hard corals
D. Soft corals
478. Which protein from Antarctic fish prevents ice crystal formation?
A. Myoglobin
B. Actin
C. Antifreeze glycoprotein
D. Hemocyanin
479. What is the main product of Spirulina in biotechnology?
A. DHA
B. Beta-carotene
C. Phycocyanin
D. Chlorophyll
480. Which marine biotechnology technique uses pressure to enhance extraction?
A. Cold maceration
B. Microwave-assisted extraction
C. Ultrasound-assisted extraction
D. Supercritical fluid extraction
481. The marine zone with minimal light penetration is:
A. Epipelagic
B. Mesopelagic
C. Bathypelagic
D. Photic
482. Which marine sponge compound is a nucleoside analog used in anti-viral drugs?
A. Cytarabine
B. Brevetoxin
C. Conotoxin
D. Halichondrin
483. Which marine crustacean forms a crucial link in Arctic food webs?
A. Shrimp
B. Lobster
C. Krill
D. Barnacle
484. Which bioinformatic software is commonly used for marine gene annotation?
A. ORF Finder
B. SPAdes
C. BLAST2GO
D. Phred
485. In biotechnology, marine tunicates are explored for:
A. Lipid storage
B. Antimicrobial peptides
C. Photosynthetic pigments
D. Cellulose production
486. Which method detects real-time gene expression in marine organisms?
A. qPCR
B. SDS-PAGE
C. Northern blot
D. DGGE
487. Which marine bacterium is used in quorum sensing studies?
A. Vibrio fischeri
B. Pseudomonas putida
C. Escherichia coli
D. Bacillus subtilis
488. The marine ecosystem with the highest primary productivity is:
A. Coral reefs
B. Open ocean
C. Estuaries
D. Hydrothermal vents
489. Which marine fish migrates between freshwater and saltwater to breed?
A. Tuna
B. Clownfish
C. Salmon
D. Cod
490. What is the function of marine cyanobacteria in nitrogen cycling?
A. Denitrification
B. Ammonification
C. Nitrogen fixation
D. Nitrification
491. Which imaging method is ideal for studying coral microstructure?
A. MRI
B. Confocal microscopy
C. TEM
D. CT scan
492. Which enzyme is used in marine biosensors for pollution detection?
A. Laccase
B. Luciferase
C. Tyrosinase
D. Xylanase
493. Which mineral forms the shell of many marine mollusks?
A. Gypsum
B. Aragonite
C. Quartz
D. Halite
494. Which marine organism contributes most to oxygen production?
A. Mangroves
B. Phytoplankton
C. Seaweed
D. Coral
495. Marine snow is composed of:
A. Only fecal pellets
B. Dead plankton, detritus, and mucus
C. Sand grains
D. Coral fragments
496. What type of molecule is fucoidan?
A. Protein
B. Polyphenol
C. Sulfated polysaccharide
D. Lipid
497. Which marine organism is a source of potent analgesics being tested for human use?
A. Cone snail
B. Sea cucumber
C. Starfish
D. Octopus
498. The term “biomining” in the marine context refers to:
A. Gold extraction
B. Microbe-assisted metal recovery
C. Coral harvesting
D. Oil drilling
499. Which marine strategy is most effective in combating invasive species?
A. Ballast water exchange
B. Artificial reefs
C. Genetic modification
D. Overharvesting
500. Marine biotechnology contributes to blue economy by:
A. Promoting overfishing
B. Extracting fossil fuels
C. Developing sustainable bioresources
D. Encouraging marine piracy