Question

The recombinant protein obtained from transgenic animals that could be used to treat emphysema is :

• A. Humulin
• B. \( \alpha \)-lactalbumin
• C. \( \alpha \)-1-antitrypsin
• D. Iodothyronine

Hint:

\( \alpha \)-1-antitrypsin blocks the lung-damaging enzyme elastase, so it is used to treat emphysema.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understand the question:
Emphysema is a lung disease. The air sacs (alveoli) get damaged by the enzyme elastase.
A protein that blocks this enzyme can protect the lung. We need the protein that does this job.

Step 2: Recall the NCERT fact:
\( \alpha \)-1-antitrypsin is a protein that inhibits elastase. A lack of it leads to emphysema.
This protein is made in transgenic animals such as sheep, and it is used to treat the disease.

Step 3: Check option (A):
Humulin is human insulin made in E. coli by Eli Lilly. It treats diabetes, not emphysema. So (A) is wrong.

Step 4: Check option (B):
\( \alpha \)-lactalbumin is a milk protein. It was made in the transgenic cow Rosie, and the milk was richer in nutrition for babies. It does not treat emphysema. So (B) is wrong.

Step 5: Check option (C):
\( \alpha \)-1-antitrypsin is the protein used against emphysema. So (C) is right.

Step 6: Check option (D):
Iodothyronine is a thyroid hormone, not a transgenic protein used for emphysema. So (D) is wrong.

Final Answer:
The protein is \( \alpha \)-1-antitrypsin, option (C). \[ \boxed{\text{(C)}} \]