With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species. ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.

Why the answer is (a)

• The question asks for the statement that is NOT correct.

• Option (a) is the odd one out per the official key: functional chromosomes have been built from chemically synthesised, designed DNA (synthetic yeast chromosomes, Sc2.0), not by stitching together DNA segments taken from different species' cells.

• Option (b) is correct: synthetic DNA and even a synthetic bacterial genome (Venter, 2010) have been made.

• Option (c) is correct: PCR replicates DNA in a test tube; option (d) is correct: cell culture in petri dishes is routine.

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.: This is correct: synthetic functional DNA has been made.
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living…: This is correct: PCR replicates DNA outside cells.
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in…: This is correct: cell culture is routine.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.