Question 1

What is the principle of restriction enzyme analysis of chromosomal DNA?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plasmids are cut into small pieces with restriction enzymes. The resulting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern is analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis; there is transfer to a membrane, then use of a probe to identify specific sequences. 
B)  The chromosomal DNA is denatured, then annealed. The resulting hybrids are electrophoresed, transferred to a membrane, and then analyzed for a specific sequence. 
C)  DNA is extracted and isolated, and digested with a restriction enzyme. The resulting RFLP pattern is analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and transferred to a membrane. 
D)  The serum specimen is electrophoresed, transferred to a membrane, digested, and then reacted with a probe to identify the target. 
A)  Plasmids are cut into small pieces with restriction enzymes. The resulting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern is analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis; there is transfer to a membrane, then use of a probe to identify specific sequences. 
B)  The chromosomal DNA is denatured, then annealed. The resulting hybrids are electrophoresed, transferred to a membrane, and then analyzed for a specific sequence. 
C)  DNA is extracted and isolated, and digested with a restriction enzyme. The resulting RFLP pattern is analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and transferred to a membrane. 
D)  The serum specimen is electrophoresed, transferred to a membrane, digested, and then reacted with a probe to identify the target. C

Question 2

During the denaturation step in PCR

Accepted Answer

A)  DNA polymerase extends the primers. 
B)  oligonucleotide primers are hybridized to the single-stranded DNA. 
C)  native DNA is cut into small pieces with a restriction enzyme. 
D)  the target double-stranded DNA is separated into single strands. 
A)  DNA polymerase extends the primers. 
B)  oligonucleotide primers are hybridized to the single-stranded DNA. 
C)  native DNA is cut into small pieces with a restriction enzyme. 
D)  the target double-stranded DNA is separated into single strands. D

Question 3

The goal of the primer annealing step is to

Accepted Answer

A)  hybridize oligonucleotide primers to the denatured, single-stranded target DNA strands. 
B)  separate the target DNA so that the solution can be electrophoresed and a Northern blot performed. 
C)  cut the native DNA into small pieces with a restriction enzyme. 
D)  amplify exponentially over many cycles of these three reaction steps. 
A)  hybridize oligonucleotide primers to the denatured, single-stranded target DNA strands. 
B)  separate the target DNA so that the solution can be electrophoresed and a Northern blot performed. 
C)  cut the native DNA into small pieces with a restriction enzyme. 
D)  amplify exponentially over many cycles of these three reaction steps. A

Question 4

The steps for performing the Northern blot test include all the following, except:

Accepted Answer

A)  RNA is separated in an agarose gel. 
B)  The separated RNA is transferred from the agarose gel onto a membrane. 
C)  The membrane is then transferred to a gel so that the RNA can be immobilized in the gel. 
D)  The immobilized RNA is detected with a probe that hybridizes to the RNA species of interest. 
A)  RNA is separated in an agarose gel. 
B)  The separated RNA is transferred from the agarose gel onto a membrane. 
C)  The membrane is then transferred to a gel so that the RNA can be immobilized in the gel. 
D)  The immobilized RNA is detected with a probe that hybridizes to the RNA species of interest.

Question 5

The variables that affect the outcome of a given hybridization reaction include all of the following, except

Accepted Answer

A)  organic acid concentration. 
B)  salt strength. 
C)  pH. 
D)  temperature. 
A)  organic acid concentration. 
B)  salt strength. 
C)  pH. 
D)  temperature.

Question 6

What is proteomics?

Accepted Answer

A)  The study of proteins on a cellular level 
B)  The study of serum proteins 
C)  The study of proteins in genes 
D)  The study of the human genome 
A)  The study of proteins on a cellular level 
B)  The study of serum proteins 
C)  The study of proteins in genes 
D)  The study of the human genome

Question 7

Accurate epidemiologic surveillance of specific organisms is needed for all the following reasons, except

Accepted Answer

A)  the rise of large numbers of antibiotic resistant isolates. 
B)  increases in the rates of toxin-producing bacteria. 
C)  the spread of pathogenic microbes across the world. 
D)  the increase in nosocomial infections. 
A)  the rise of large numbers of antibiotic resistant isolates. 
B)  increases in the rates of toxin-producing bacteria. 
C)  the spread of pathogenic microbes across the world. 
D)  the increase in nosocomial infections.

Question 8

The function of the probe is to

Accepted Answer

A)  form a duplex with every complementary sequence available in the reaction. 
B)  make sure that the chromogenic or radioactive label is functional. 
C)  break up the large oligonucleotides into smaller pieces so there will be more complementary pieces with which to pair. 
D)  inhibit the formation of hybrids. 
A)  form a duplex with every complementary sequence available in the reaction. 
B)  make sure that the chromogenic or radioactive label is functional. 
C)  break up the large oligonucleotides into smaller pieces so there will be more complementary pieces with which to pair. 
D)  inhibit the formation of hybrids.

Question 9

The most sensitive technique available for detecting and quantifying messenger RNA is

Accepted Answer

A)  multiplex PCR 
B)  standard PCR 
C)  nested PCR 
D)  reverse-transcription PCR 
A)  multiplex PCR 
B)  standard PCR 
C)  nested PCR 
D)  reverse-transcription PCR

Question 10

What is the purpose of the primer extension?

Accepted Answer

A)  To cut the native DNA into small pieces with a restriction enzyme 
B)  To hybridize the oligonucleotide primers to the single stranded DNA pieces 
C)  To produce PCR products 
D)  To activate the DNA polymerase to form hybrids with the oligonucleotide primers 
A)  To cut the native DNA into small pieces with a restriction enzyme 
B)  To hybridize the oligonucleotide primers to the single stranded DNA pieces 
C)  To produce PCR products 
D)  To activate the DNA polymerase to form hybrids with the oligonucleotide primers

Question 11

Many hybridization assay conditions are based on the expectation that a probe

Accepted Answer

A)  will quickly react with the complementary target sequence. 
B)  is not sterically hindered in the reaction. 
C)  has exact complementarity to the target nucleic acid. 
D)  will not require any oligonucleotides to attach to the target. 
A)  will quickly react with the complementary target sequence. 
B)  is not sterically hindered in the reaction. 
C)  has exact complementarity to the target nucleic acid. 
D)  will not require any oligonucleotides to attach to the target.

Question 12

This method is good for separating large DNA fragments in a low-percentage, low-melt agarose gel by an angled electrical field that periodically changes orientation.

Accepted Answer

A)  RFLP 
B)  Southern blot 
C)  Agarose gel electrophoresis 
D)  PFGE 
A)  RFLP 
B)  Southern blot 
C)  Agarose gel electrophoresis 
D)  PFGE

Question 13

What chemical has been very successful in reducing carryover from PCR assays?

Accepted Answer

A)  Taq DNA polymerase 
B)  Uracil-N-glycosylate 
C)  Thymine 
D)  Bromothymol blue 
A)  Taq DNA polymerase 
B)  Uracil-N-glycosylate 
C)  Thymine 
D)  Bromothymol blue

Question 14

This technique is a popular method of DNA fingerprinting.

Accepted Answer

A)  Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis 
B)  Random amplified polymorphic DNA 
C)  RFLP 
D)  Multilocus sequence typing 
A)  Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis 
B)  Random amplified polymorphic DNA 
C)  RFLP 
D)  Multilocus sequence typing

Question 15

Multiplex PCR is good for

Accepted Answer

A)  simultaneously detecting two or more different targets from one PCR tube. 
B)  being the most sensitive method used to detect transfer RNA. 
C)  detecting PCR products at the lowest levels of any of the PCR tests. 
D)  using more than one DNA polymerase to make three to four times the amount of PCR products than standard PCR. 
A)  simultaneously detecting two or more different targets from one PCR tube. 
B)  being the most sensitive method used to detect transfer RNA. 
C)  detecting PCR products at the lowest levels of any of the PCR tests. 
D)  using more than one DNA polymerase to make three to four times the amount of PCR products than standard PCR.

Question 16

This cation is required for the proper function of the Taq DNA polymerase.

Accepted Answer

A)  Ca 
B)  Na 
C)  K 
D)  Mg 
A)  Ca 
B)  Na 
C)  K 
D)  Mg

Question 17

A Scorpion primer

Accepted Answer

A)  extends the DNA polymerase's range. 
B)  is directed at a specific DNA target sequence. 
C)  uses a single oligonucleotide to prime a specific sequence and to detect accumulated PCR product. 
D)  uses several oligonucleotides to prime sequences and acts as the beacon probe to detect hybrids. 
A)  extends the DNA polymerase's range. 
B)  is directed at a specific DNA target sequence. 
C)  uses a single oligonucleotide to prime a specific sequence and to detect accumulated PCR product. 
D)  uses several oligonucleotides to prime sequences and acts as the beacon probe to detect hybrids.

Question 18

The principle of in-solution hybridization is

Accepted Answer

A)  the hybridization between a labeled probe and target nucleic acids in a liquid solution in tubes or in microtiter wells. 
B)  the hybridization between an immobilized labeled probe and target nucleic acids in a liquid solution in tubes or in microtiter wells. 
C)  the hybridization between a labeled probe in solution and immobilized target nucleic acids. 
D)  when two solutions are combined and hybridization occurs between the probe and the target, then the tube is centrifuged to detect the precipitated hybridized target and probes. 
A)  the hybridization between a labeled probe and target nucleic acids in a liquid solution in tubes or in microtiter wells. 
B)  the hybridization between an immobilized labeled probe and target nucleic acids in a liquid solution in tubes or in microtiter wells. 
C)  the hybridization between a labeled probe in solution and immobilized target nucleic acids. 
D)  when two solutions are combined and hybridization occurs between the probe and the target, then the tube is centrifuged to detect the precipitated hybridized target and probes.

Question 19

In a hybridization reaction, the pH affects

Accepted Answer

A)  the probe's nucleic acids so that they do not lose their hydrogen atoms. 
B)  the breakdown of the oligonucleotide pieces. 
C)  the ability of the mismatches between the probe and the target to duplex. 
D)  the stability of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules in solution. 
A)  the probe's nucleic acids so that they do not lose their hydrogen atoms. 
B)  the breakdown of the oligonucleotide pieces. 
C)  the ability of the mismatches between the probe and the target to duplex. 
D)  the stability of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules in solution.

Question 20

The most commonly used polymerase is

Accepted Answer

A)  Escherichia coli 37 DNA polymerase. 
B)  Taq DNA polymerase. 
C)  Mg DNA polymerase. 
D)  Dds DNA polymerase. 
A)  Escherichia coli 37 DNA polymerase. 
B)  Taq DNA polymerase. 
C)  Mg DNA polymerase. 
D)  Dds DNA polymerase.

Exam 11: Applications of Molecular Diagnostics

What is the principle of restriction enzyme analysis of chromosomal DNA?

During the denaturation step in PCR

The goal of the primer annealing step is to

The steps for performing the Northern blot test include all the following, except:

The variables that affect the outcome of a given hybridization reaction include all of the following, except

What is proteomics?

Accurate epidemiologic surveillance of specific organisms is needed for all the following reasons, except

The function of the probe is to

The most sensitive technique available for detecting and quantifying messenger RNA is

What is the purpose of the primer extension?

Many hybridization assay conditions are based on the expectation that a probe

This method is good for separating large DNA fragments in a low-percentage, low-melt agarose gel by an angled electrical field that periodically changes orientation.

What chemical has been very successful in reducing carryover from PCR assays?

This technique is a popular method of DNA fingerprinting.

Multiplex PCR is good for

This cation is required for the proper function of the Taq DNA polymerase.

A Scorpion primer

The principle of in-solution hybridization is

In a hybridization reaction, the pH affects

The most commonly used polymerase is

Bacterial Cell Structure, Physiology, Metabolism, and Genetics

Hostparasite Interaction

The Laboratory Role in Infection Control

Control of Microorganisms

Performance Improvement in the Microbiology Laboratory

Specimen Collection and Processing

Microscopic Examination of Materials From Infected Sites

Use of Colony Morphology for the Presumptive Identification of Microorganisms

Biochemical Identification of Gram-Negative Bacteria

Immunodiagnosis of Infectious Diseases

Antimicrobial Agent Mechanisms of Action and Resistance Mechanisms

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Staphylococci

Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Other Catalase-Negative, Gram-Positive Cocci

Aerobic Gram-Positive Bacilli

Neisseria Species and Moraxella Catarrhalis

Haemophilus, Hacek, Legionella, and Other Fastidious Gram-Negative Bacilli

Enterobacteriaceae

Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Campylobacter Species

Nonfermenting and Miscellaneous Gram-Negative Bacilli

Anaerobes of Clinical Importance

The Spirochetes

Chlamydia, Rickettsia, and Similar Organisms

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

Medically Significant Fungi

Diagnostic Parasitology

Clinical Virology

Agents of Bioterror and Forensic Microbiology

Biofilms: Architects of Disease

Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Poisoning

Infections of the Central Nervous System

Bacteremia and Sepsis

Urinary Tract Infections

Genital Infections and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Infections in Special Populations

Zoonotic Diseases

Ocular Infections

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