Question 1

The polymerase chain reaction is used to
A) create millions of copies of an interesting piece of DNA.
B) speed the rate of DNA replication in cells.
C) make more copies of DNA polymerase.
D) copy protein into RNA.
E) make RNA in the cell nucleus.

Accepted Answer

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence, creating millions of copies of that piece of DNA. PCR is commonly used in genetic research, medical diagnostics, and forensics. It involves the repeated cycles of heating and cooling a DNA sample with specific primers and polymerase enzymes to create copies of the target DNA sequence.

Question 2

Which technique amplifies viral RNA in a patient's blood specimen?
A) antisense engineering
B) a knockout gene
C) a knockin gene
D) transcription-mediated amplification
E) traditional PCR

Accepted Answer

Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) is a technique that amplifies RNA by using a combination of reverse transcription and RNA polymerase amplification. It has high sensitivity and specificity and can detect and quantify low levels of viral RNA in a patient's blood specimen.

Question 3

A cDNA library represents
A) all the DNA that comprises a genome.
B) all the possible DNA codons used to specify amino acids.
C) all the books in a science library that mention DNA.
D) all the protein-encoding genes in a genome.
E) all the non protein-encoding DNA sequences of a genome.

Accepted Answer

A cDNA (complementary DNA) library is made up of DNA copies of all the mRNA molecules in a cell. Since mRNA is only made from protein-encoding genes, a cDNA library represents all the protein-encoding genes in a genome.

Question 4

The first patent on a living organism was granted in
A) 1790, when the U.S. passed patent law.
B) 1873, for Louis Pasteur's use of yeast.
C) 1900, when Mendel's laws were rediscovered.
D) 1953, when Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA.
E) 1978, when modern biotechnology began with recombinant insulin.

Accepted Answer

The first patent on a living organism was granted in 1873 to Louis Pasteur for his method of using yeast to make beer, marking the first time a living organism was patented.

Question 5

The requirements for patenting of an invention involving DNA in the U.S.are that it
A) be new, useful, and not obvious to an expert in the field.
B) be obvious, but no one had previously been able to accomplish it.
C) be helpful and affordable.
D) be new, useful, and predicted by experts in the field.
E) combine DNA from different species in the same cell.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office requires that an invention involving DNA must meet the requirements of being novel (new), useful, and non-obvious to an expert in the field in order to be patented. This is in line with the general requirements for patentability, which apply to all types of inventions.

Question 6

Restriction enzymes are useful in creating recombinant DNA molecules because they
A) generate "sticky ends" by cutting at the same sequence on both strands.
B) are found only in human cells, where they naturally mend broken DNA strands.
C) are only attracted to and act on DNA sequences from different species.
D) are used to encapsulate and transport foreign DNA into cells of the target organism.
E) stimulate DNA amplification so that the desired cells or their products can be scaled up.

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes cut double-stranded DNA at specific recognition sites, which often result in overhanging "sticky ends". These sticky ends base pair with complementary sticky ends generated by the same restriction enzyme on other DNA fragments, allowing fragments from different sources to be easily joined. This property makes restriction enzymes useful in creating recombinant DNA molecules. The other choices are incorrect.

Question 7

A multicellular organism that carries a specific genetic change in each cell because of an intervention at the fertilized egg stage is
A) transverted.
B) translocated.
C) transgenic.
D) transformed.
E) transliterate.

Accepted Answer

A multicellular organism that carries a specific genetic change in each cell because of an intervention at the fertilized egg stage is referred to as transgenic. This is often achieved through genetic engineering techniques such as inserting foreign DNA into the fertilized egg or modifying existing genes within the egg. Transverted, translocated, transformed, and transliterate are not appropriate terms to describe this type of genetic modification.

Question 8

Bacteriophages can be used as vectors in recombinant DNA experiments because they
A) are small and made of double-stranded DNA.
B) are circular and easily imported into bacteria or yeast.
C) insert their genetic material into bacteria.
D) are resistant to protective restriction systems.
E) infect human and other animal cells.

Accepted Answer

Bacteriophages insert their genetic material into bacteria, making them useful as vectors in recombinant DNA experiments. Option A is incorrect because not all bacteriophages are made of double-stranded DNA. Option B is incorrect because not all bacteriophages are circular and can be easily imported into bacteria or yeast. Option D is partially correct because bacteriophages can be resistant to protective restriction systems but this alone does not make them appropriate vectors for recombinant DNA experiments. Option E is incorrect because bacteriophages do not infect human or other animal cells but rather infect bacteria.

Question 9

What innovation has improved on the thermal cycler in speeding PCR?
A) layered silicon
B) layered DNA
C) a new algorithm
D) using DNA polymerase from a cheetah
E) alternating DNA and RNA polymerase

Accepted Answer

Layered silicon has improved the thermal cycler by allowing for quicker heating and cooling, leading to faster PCR amplification.

Question 10

Which of the following are required for PCR?
A) knowing a protein's amino acid sequence
B) primers complementary to the entire target DNA sequence
C) the four nucleotides in the proportions of the target DNA sequence
D) Taq2 RNA polymerase
E) knowing part of the target DNA sequence that you want to amplify

Accepted Answer

PCR requires short nucleotide primers that are complementary to the target DNA sequence. Therefore, knowing part of the target DNA sequence that you want to amplify is a requirement for PCR. A protein's amino acid sequence and Taq2 RNA polymerase are not necessary components of PCR. Additionally, while the proportions of the four nucleotides are important, they do not need to be in the exact proportions of the target DNA sequence as long as they are present in sufficient quantities for the reaction to proceed.

Question 11

Patent law as it pertains to biotechnology has had to change in recent years in response to
A) the changeable nature of the genetic code.
B) the number of people asking for genetic tests.
C) the increasing number of human genes.
D) the greatly accelerated speed of DNA sequencing.
E) the fact that not as many lawyers are going into patent law.

Accepted Answer

The greatly accelerated speed of DNA sequencing has led to more discoveries and innovations in biotechnology, necessitating changes in patent law to address new challenges and opportunities in the field.

Question 12

In 1975,scientists convened in Asilomar,California and
A) determined that restriction enzymes could cut DNA.
B) created the first transgenic animals.
C) reviewed the use of drugs produced by recombinant DNA technology.
D) drew up guidelines to regulate recombinant DNA technology.
E) developed PCR for amplifying DNA.

Accepted Answer

The Asilomar Conference was convened in 1975 to discuss the potential risks associated with recombinant DNA technology, and the scientists in attendance drew up guidelines to regulate the use of this technology.

Question 13

Automated PCR machines use a heat stable
A) DNA ligase.
B) helicase.
C) primase.
D) DNA polymerase.
E) amino acid synthetase.

Accepted Answer

Automated PCR machines use a heat stable DNA polymerase, such as Taq polymerase, which can withstand the high temperatures required during the denaturation step of PCR. This polymerase enzyme is responsible for amplifying the target DNA sequence. Other options listed (ligase, helicase, primase, amino acid synthetase) are not involved in the PCR amplification process.

Question 14

A molecule that consists of a piece of DNA from one organism combined with the DNA from a member of another species is called
A) restricted DNA.
B) recombinant DNA.
C) transgenic DNA.
D) bioengineered DNA.
E) mutant DNA.

Accepted Answer

Recombinant DNA refers to a molecule that has been created by combining DNA sequences from two different sources or organisms. This process involves using techniques such as genetic engineering to transfer specific genes or DNA segments between organisms. The resulting recombinant DNA molecule can be used for various purposes, such as creating genetically modified organisms, studying gene function, or producing therapeutics.

Question 15

Proteins isolated from bacteria and used in recombinant DNA technology to cut DNA at specific sequences are
A) restriction enzymes.
B) bacteriophage enzymes.
C) plasmids.
D) methylating enzymes.
E) telomerases.

Accepted Answer

Proteins used in recombinant DNA technology to cut DNA at specific sequences are called restriction enzymes. Bacteriophage enzymes are not typically used for this purpose, plasmids are used to transfer DNA between bacteria, methylating enzymes modify DNA by adding a methyl group, and telomerases are enzymes that add repetitive sequences to the ends of chromosomes.

Question 16

A naturally-occurring,small,circle of DNA used as a vector to transmit DNA is a
A) plasmid.
B) prion.
C) liposome.
D) lipofectin.
E) ring chromosome.

Accepted Answer

Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that are naturally found in bacteria and can be used as vectors to transmit or transfer DNA between cells. They are commonly used in genetic engineering and biotechnology applications. Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause disease, liposomes and lipofectin are lipid-based delivery systems for introducing DNA into cells, and ring chromosomes are abnormal chromosomes that result from a genetic mutation.

Question 17

The field of biotechnology began
A) in 2001, when the human genome was sequenced.
B) in 1961, when the genetic code was deciphered.
C) in 1953, when the structure of DNA was discovered.
D) in the early 1900s, when Mendel's laws were rediscovered.
E) with the advent of agriculture, about 10,000 years ago.

Accepted Answer

Biotechnology began with the advent of agriculture, as humans began to use biological processes for practical purposes, such as breeding plants and animals.

Question 18

A genomic library consists of
A) a list of human genes whose functions have been identified and that have been mapped to a chromosomal locus.
B) a list of human genes, including SNPs and mutations.
C) recombinant bacteria that collectively include several copies of a genome.
D) a facility that stores books about genetics.
E) a set of DNA probes corresponding to a genome.

Accepted Answer

A genomic library is a collection of recombinant DNA clones that collectively represent the entire genome of an organism. These clones are usually propagated in bacterial or viral vectors, and each clone typically carries a randomly selected piece of the genome. Therefore, choice C is the best answer as it describes a collection of recombinant bacteria that contain multiple copies of the genome. The other choices, though related to genetics or genomics, do not accurately reflect the nature of a genomic library.

Question 19

The term "patent thicket" refers to
A) genetic modification of trees.
B) the fact that many people are requesting genetic tests from their doctors as well as taking direct-to-consumer tests on the Web.
C) the backlog at the patent office.
D) the requirement for companies that offer genetic test panels to license every piece of DNA or gene that they put into kits.
E) the fact that the DNA sequence, exon pattern, SNP pattern, or gene expression pattern of a gene can be patented separately.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term "patent thicket" refers to
A) genetic...

Question 20

Genetic modification
A) alters the genetic codes so that one species' code is like another's.
B) alters, deletes or adds sugars and phosphates in a nucleus.
C) alters, deletes, or adds DNA to a cell.
D) removes RNA from a cell.
E) substitutes entire nuclei to genetically engineer a cell.

Accepted Answer

Genetic modification involves the deliberate alteration of an organism's genetic material. This alteration can be achieved through various techniques, such as deleting or adding DNA to a cell, which is described in option C. Option A is incorrect because altering the genetic code of one species to match another is not genetic modification but rather cloning. Option B is incorrect because altering sugars and phosphates in a nucleus is not a method of genetic modification. Options D and E are also incorrect because removing RNA from a cell or substituting entire nuclei in genetic engineering do not involve modifying the DNA of the cell.

Quiz 19: Genetic Technologies: Amplifying, Modifying, and Monitoring DNA

The polymerase chain reaction is used to

Which technique amplifies viral RNA in a patient's blood specimen?

A cDNA library represents

The first patent on a living organism was granted in

The requirements for patenting of an invention involving DNA in the U.S.are that it

Restriction enzymes are useful in creating recombinant DNA molecules because they

A multicellular organism that carries a specific genetic change in each cell because of an intervention at the fertilized egg stage is

Bacteriophages can be used as vectors in recombinant DNA experiments because they

What innovation has improved on the thermal cycler in speeding PCR?

Which of the following are required for PCR?

Patent law as it pertains to biotechnology has had to change in recent years in response to

In 1975,scientists convened in Asilomar,California and

Automated PCR machines use a heat stable

A molecule that consists of a piece of DNA from one organism combined with the DNA from a member of another species is called

Proteins isolated from bacteria and used in recombinant DNA technology to cut DNA at specific sequences are

A naturally-occurring,small,circle of DNA used as a vector to transmit DNA is a

The field of biotechnology began

A genomic library consists of

The term "patent thicket" refers to

Genetic modification