Question

UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

Consider the following

Bacteria

Fungi

Virus

Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1: 1 and 2 only

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Microbes like bacteria and many fungi can be grown on nutritive media to form colonies that can be seen with the naked eye. Thus, both bacteria and fungi can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium. So, points 1 and point 2 are correct.
Viruses are totally dependent on a host cell for replication (i.e., they are strict intracellular parasites). Since viruses lack metabolic machinery of their own and are totally dependent on their host cell for replication, they cannot be grown in synthetic culture media. So, point 3 is not correct

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Recent Developments

Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Last updated on June, 2026

→ UPSC Prelims Result 2026 is now out.

→ UPSC IFoS Prelims Result 2026 is now out.

→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.

→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mentorship Program 2026 for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.

→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mentorship Program 2027 for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.

→ UPSC Prelims Provisional Answer Key 2026 out for GS Paper 1 and CSAT.

→ UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 Out, Download GS Paper 1 PDF conducted on 24th May 2026.

→ UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted from 21st August 2026 onwards, and UPSC Prelims 2027 will be held on 23rd May 2027.

→ UPSC Final Result 2025 is now out.

→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.

→ Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

→ UPSC Notification 2026 & UPSC IFoS Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in.

→ UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.

→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

→ Shakti Dubey secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE Exam 2024.

→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India