Question 1

Insertion of a gene into another organism's DNA so that it can be transferred to another organism like a bacterium is called
A) vector transfer.
B) PCR.
C) DNA amplification.
D) gene therapy.
E) DNA translocation.

Accepted Answer

Vector transfer involves using a vector, such as a plasmid or virus, to insert a gene into another organism's DNA, allowing it to be transferred to another organism like a bacterium.

Question 2

During PCR, the enzyme DNA ligase is added to the mixture to promote the addition of nucleotides to the growing DNA chain.

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase is not used in PCR; instead, DNA polymerase is the enzyme that adds nucleotides to the growing DNA chain during PCR.

Question 3

Gene therapy is currently under investigation as a possible way to cure cystic fibrosis. How is the viral vector carrying the normal gene delivered to the affected cells?
A) injection
B) bacterial plasmid
C) nasal spray
D) ingestion
E) application to skin

Accepted Answer

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis often involves delivering the viral vector carrying the normal gene directly to the respiratory tract, typically using a nasal spray or inhalation method, to target the affected lung cells.

Question 4

Plasmids are useful to scientists involved in recombinant DNA technology because DNA can be manipulated and inserted back into bacteria using them.

Accepted Answer

Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can replicate independently within bacterial cells, making them ideal vectors for inserting and propagating foreign DNA in recombinant DNA technology.

Question 5

Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate a mixture of DNA fragments. During this process, large DNA fragments move longer distances than small DNA fragments when an electric current is applied.

Accepted Answer

In gel electrophoresis, smaller DNA fragments move faster and travel longer distances through the gel matrix than larger DNA fragments when an electric current is applied.

Question 6

Small pieces of DNA can be amplified by a process known as polymerase chain reaction.

Accepted Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to amplify small segments of DNA, creating millions of copies for analysis.

Question 7

Which one of the following is an example of "gene pharming"?
A) the production of human insulin by E. coli
B) the production of beta carotene in golden rice
C) the production of goat milk that contains human antithrombin III protein
D) the production of HBV vaccines in yeast

Accepted Answer

Gene pharming involves the use of genetically modified animals to produce pharmaceuticals, such as the production of human antithrombin III protein in goat milk.

Question 8

One of the main problems associated with treating human diseases through gene therapy is
A) finding human cells that could potentially be genetically engineered.
B) the inability to clone human cells.
C) finding a delivery system that would target specific cell types.
D) finding the correct form of the gene to be delivered.
E) determining a disorder that could be cured through gene therapy.

Accepted Answer

Finding a delivery system that targets specific cell types is a major challenge in gene therapy, as it is crucial to ensure that the therapeutic gene reaches the intended cells without affecting others.

Question 9

The goal of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is to determine the sequence of nucleotides in a stretch of DNA.

Accepted Answer

PCR is used to amplify specific DNA sequences, not to determine the sequence of nucleotides. Sequencing methods are used for determining nucleotide sequences.

Question 10

Pharmaceutical companies prefer to genetically engineer large animals with human genes because it may be possible to obtain large amounts of the resulting protein from the animals'
A) milk.
B) fur.
C) blood.
D) meat.
E) bones.

Accepted Answer

Genetically engineered animals can produce human proteins in their milk, which can be collected and purified in large quantities for pharmaceutical use.

Question 11

Restriction enzymes are used in genetic engineering to cut DNA between specific base pairs in a DNA strand, resulting in DNA segments that are then used for further study and analysis.

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes recognize specific sequences in DNA and cut the DNA at or near these sites, allowing for the manipulation and study of DNA segments.

Question 12

Which one of the following explanations does not describe why generating transgenic animals is more difficult than plants?
A) The intracellular environment of an animal can be much different than bacteria and even plants.
B) Animal cells do not readily take up plasmid DNA like plant cells.
C) The techniques for cloning animals from a single cell are more challenging than for plants.
D) Genetic material must be inserted into a fertilized egg, then implanted into a living animal; plants can be grown in culture media, and thus, there is no need for implantation.
E) Genetic material is introduced to animal cells in culture media and the animal is allowed to mature in the culture media.

Accepted Answer

Explanation: Option E is incorrect because it inaccurately describes the process of generating transgenic animals. Unlike plants, animals cannot mature entirely in culture media; they require implantation into a living organism.

Question 13

Plasmid DNA from humans has been successfully inserted and expressed in bacteria.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Plasmid DNA from humans has been successfully...

Question 14

The first successful treatment of a human genetic disorder through gene therapy was with a disorder known as
A) severe combined immunodeficiency disease.
B) diabetes mellitus.
C) human dwarfism.
D) hemophilia.
E) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The first successful gene therapy treatment was for severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), specifically the ADA-SCID variant, in 1990.

Question 15

The first successful treatment of a genetic disorder by gene therapy was the curing of a 4-year-old girl who had severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Because the engineered cells did not live forever, this child supplemented her treatment with regular doses of
A) adenosine deaminase (ADA).
B) insulin.
C) hemoglobin.
D) bacteria.
E) B lymphocytes.

Accepted Answer

The girl had severe combined immunodeficiency disease due to a deficiency in the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA). Regular doses of ADA were used to supplement her treatment.

Question 16

Through genetic engineering, it is possible for scientists to identify the sequence of bases in DNA, determine the location of certain genes in DNA, and create more DNA from DNA samples.

Accepted Answer

Genetic engineering techniques such as sequencing, gene mapping, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allow scientists to analyze and manipulate DNA.

Question 17

Which one of the following is a problem associated with traditional vaccines as opposed to vaccines produced by transgenic organisms?
A) Traditional vaccines are always in short supply.
B) Traditional vaccines may result in disease symptoms because they contain killed or weakened organisms.
C) Traditional vaccines can only be given after infection; they cannot prevent infection.
D) Traditional vaccines must be given in larger quantity.
E) Traditional vaccines are more expensive.

Accepted Answer

Traditional vaccines may cause disease symptoms because they contain killed or weakened forms of the pathogen, which can sometimes revert to a virulent form or cause mild symptoms.

Question 18

The idea of manipulating DNA through cutting and splicing, essential to the science of recombinant DNA technology, is not necessarily a new process since nature has been recombining DNA for billions of years.

Accepted Answer

Nature has been recombining DNA through processes like sexual reproduction and horizontal gene transfer, which involve the mixing and rearranging of genetic material.

Question 19

Which one of the following genetically engineered vaccines is presently on the market?
A) vaccine for HIV
B) vaccine for malaria
C) vaccine for hepatitis B
D) vaccine for influenza
E) vaccine for human papillomavirus

Accepted Answer

The hepatitis B vaccine is a genetically engineered vaccine that has been on the market for many years. It is produced using recombinant DNA technology.

Question 20

Which one of the following human proteins, produced by transgenic bacteria, is used to prevent or break down blood clots?
A) insulin
B) tissue plasminogen activator
C) erythropoietin
D) growth hormone
E) factor VIII

Accepted Answer

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a protein that is produced by transgenic bacteria and is used to prevent or break down blood clots. tPA is a thrombolytic agent, which means that it helps to dissolve blood clots. It is used to treat conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Quiz 20: DNA Technology and Genetic Engineering

Insertion of a gene into another organism's DNA so that it can be transferred to another organism like a bacterium is called

During PCR, the enzyme DNA ligase is added to the mixture to promote the addition of nucleotides to the growing DNA chain.

Gene therapy is currently under investigation as a possible way to cure cystic fibrosis. How is the viral vector carrying the normal gene delivered to the affected cells?

Plasmids are useful to scientists involved in recombinant DNA technology because DNA can be manipulated and inserted back into bacteria using them.

Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate a mixture of DNA fragments. During this process, large DNA fragments move longer distances than small DNA fragments when an electric current is applied.

Small pieces of DNA can be amplified by a process known as polymerase chain reaction.

Which one of the following is an example of "gene pharming"?

One of the main problems associated with treating human diseases through gene therapy is

The goal of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is to determine the sequence of nucleotides in a stretch of DNA.

Pharmaceutical companies prefer to genetically engineer large animals with human genes because it may be possible to obtain large amounts of the resulting protein from the animals'

Restriction enzymes are used in genetic engineering to cut DNA between specific base pairs in a DNA strand, resulting in DNA segments that are then used for further study and analysis.

Which one of the following explanations does not describe why generating transgenic animals is more difficult than plants?

Plasmid DNA from humans has been successfully inserted and expressed in bacteria.

The first successful treatment of a human genetic disorder through gene therapy was with a disorder known as

The first successful treatment of a genetic disorder by gene therapy was the curing of a 4-year-old girl who had severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Because the engineered cells did not live forever, this child supplemented her treatment with regular doses of

Through genetic engineering, it is possible for scientists to identify the sequence of bases in DNA, determine the location of certain genes in DNA, and create more DNA from DNA samples.

Which one of the following is a problem associated with traditional vaccines as opposed to vaccines produced by transgenic organisms?

The idea of manipulating DNA through cutting and splicing, essential to the science of recombinant DNA technology, is not necessarily a new process since nature has been recombining DNA for billions of years.

Which one of the following genetically engineered vaccines is presently on the market?

Which one of the following human proteins, produced by transgenic bacteria, is used to prevent or break down blood clots?