Question 1

What is one feature of "engineered" plasmids that is helpful in the isolation and analysis of cloned DNA?

Accepted Answer

Engineered plasmids often contain selectable marker genes, such as antibiotic resistance genes, that allow for the identification and isolation of transformed cells. These markers enable researchers to easily distinguish cells that have successfully taken up the plasmid from those that have not, by growing them on media containing the specific antibiotic.

Question 2

A ____ is required to transfer genes from one organism to another.

Accepted Answer

A vector is a vehicle used to artificially carry foreign genetic material into another cell, where it can be replicated and/or expressed. Examples include plasmids, viruses, and yeast artificial chromosomes. These are essential tools in genetic engineering for transferring genes between organisms.

Question 3

Splicing together DNA from two different organisms is known as:

Accepted Answer

Recombinant DNA technology involves combining DNA from two different sources or organisms, often to insert a gene of interest into a plasmid or other vector for expression in a host organism. This is a fundamental technique in genetic engineering.

Question 4

A large number of copies of any DNA segment can be obtained by:

Accepted Answer

The correct method for obtaining a large number of copies of any DNA segment involves introducing the foreign DNA into a microorganism (such as bacteria) so that it can be replicated. This process is a fundamental aspect of recombinant DNA technology, where the inserted DNA is replicated along with the host's DNA, allowing for the production of multiple copies.

Question 5

DNA ligase links two ____ DNA fragments by ____ bonds.

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase links two linear DNA fragments by forming covalent bonds between the phosphate backbone of the DNA molecules, thereby joining fragments together end-to-end.

Question 6

A chromosome library is a collection of all DNA:

Accepted Answer

A chromosome library is a collection of all the DNA sequences present in a single chromosome of an organism.

Question 7

Bacteriophages are:

Accepted Answer

Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacteria.

Question 8

"Sticky ends" are:

Accepted Answer

Sticky ends are the single-stranded ends of a DNA segment created by some restriction enzymes, which can form hydrogen bonds with complementary sticky ends of other DNA fragments, facilitating the joining of different DNA fragments in recombinant DNA technology.

Question 9

Bacteria methylate their DNA to:

Accepted Answer

Bacteria methylate their DNA primarily as a defense mechanism to protect it from being degraded by their own restriction enzymes. This allows the bacteria to distinguish between its own DNA and foreign DNA (such as that of bacteriophages), targeting the latter for degradation.

Question 10

The use of organisms to develop useful products is called:

Accepted Answer

Biotechnology is the broad area of biology involving living systems and organisms to develop or make products, depending on the tools and applications, it often overlaps with the related fields of bioengineering, biomedical engineering, etc.

Question 11

During the preparation of a human genomic library, plasmids containing human DNA fragments are inserted into:

Accepted Answer

During the preparation of a human genomic library, plasmids containing human DNA fragments are inserted into antibiotic-sensitive E. coli cells. These cells become antibiotic-resistant if they are successfully transformed with plasmids that carry an antibiotic resistance gene, allowing for the selection of transformed cells.

Question 12

The total DNA in a cell is referred to as the:

Accepted Answer

The genome of an organism encompasses all the DNA contained within one complete set of chromosomes, including both the genes and the non-coding sequences.

Question 13

"Bt corn" are corn plants that contain a bacterial gene for the bacterial toxin, Bt. The production of this toxin kills insects that feed on the plant, thereby making the plants pest-resistant. This process is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Bt corn is an example of genetic engineering, where a gene from a bacterium is inserted into the corn's genome to give it pest-resistant properties.

Question 14

A genomic library consists of fragments of all DNA:

Accepted Answer

A genomic library consists of fragments of all DNA that would be found in a typical cell of an organism.

Question 15

Transformation is a process whereby:

Accepted Answer

Transformation refers to the process by which bacteria take up foreign DNA, such as plasmids, from their surroundings.

Question 16

Which DNA sequence below would be a palindromic sequence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which DNA sequence below would be a...

Question 17

A genomic library is a collection of:

Accepted Answer

A genomic library is a collection of the total genomic DNA from an organism. The DNA is fragmented and then inserted into vectors such as plasmids to be maintained in a host organism, usually bacteria. This allows for the storage and analysis of the entire genome.

Question 18

Plasmid cloning vectors can:

Accepted Answer

Plasmid cloning vectors can typically accommodate DNA fragments up to 10 kb. They are used for cloning smaller DNA fragments in bacterial cells.

Question 19

What purpose do restriction enzymes play in bacterial cells?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes serve as a defense mechanism in bacteria, targeting and cutting foreign DNA, such as that from bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), to protect the bacterial cell from invasion and potential destruction.

Question 20

In producing a genomic library, human DNA and plasmid DNA must first be treated with:

Accepted Answer

To produce a genomic library, both human DNA and plasmid DNA must be cut with the same restriction enzyme to ensure that the ends of the human DNA fragments can properly align and ligate with the ends of the opened plasmid DNA, facilitating the insertion of human DNA into the plasmid.

Quiz 15: DNA Technology and Genomics