Question 1

An operon fusion has a transcriptional signal from one gene fused with the translational start and coding sequence from another.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

What is the most important advantage of Pfu polymerase over Taq polymerase?

Accepted Answer

A)  Unlike Taq polymerase, Pfu polymerase functions well at relatively high temperatures. 
B)  It is from a bacterium, not an archaean, so it is more effective for replicating eukaryotic DNA. 
C)  Pfu polymerase removes the need for primers during PCR. 
D)  Unlike Taq polymerase, Pfu polymerase has proofreading activity. 
A)  Unlike Taq polymerase, Pfu polymerase functions well at relatively high temperatures. 
B)  It is from a bacterium, not an archaean, so it is more effective for replicating eukaryotic DNA. 
C)  Pfu polymerase removes the need for primers during PCR. 
D)  Unlike Taq polymerase, Pfu polymerase has proofreading activity.

Question 3

When trying to make a mammalian protein in a bacterium, expression vectors are often used.
Using your knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics, explain why expression vectors are so important.

Accepted Answer

One issue with transcription of the clon

Question 4

The principle behind nucleic acid probe design is that the probe itself must contain

Accepted Answer

A)  a key complementary part of the target gene sequence of interest. 
B)  all of the nucleotide sequence of the gene of interest to conclusively identify the gene. 
C)  an antibody to specifically bind to the gene of interest. 
D)  at least three separate complementary regions of the gene of interest. 
A)  a key complementary part of the target gene sequence of interest. 
B)  all of the nucleotide sequence of the gene of interest to conclusively identify the gene. 
C)  an antibody to specifically bind to the gene of interest. 
D)  at least three separate complementary regions of the gene of interest.

Question 5

One important advantage of eukaryotic cells as hosts for cloning vectors is that they already possess the complex RNA and posttranslational processing systems required for the production of eukaryotic proteins.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

An effective way to introduce DNA into plant cells is using the Ti plasmid, which comes from a plant pathogen.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Modification enzymes typically methylate specific bases within the recognition sequence to prevent digestion of the nucleotide sequence by restriction endonucleases.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

A common reporter protein is green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Cells that have "insertional inactivation" of the lacZ gene are

Accepted Answer

A)  blue. 
B)  white. 
C)  yellow. 
D)  fluorescent green. 
A)  blue. 
B)  white. 
C)  yellow. 
D)  fluorescent green.

Question 10

Defend why codon usage must be considered when cloning a gene into another organism.

Accepted Answer

The primary concern for codon usage is t

Question 11

At which time period(s) during PCR thermocycling is/are hottest in temperature?

Accepted Answer

A)  during DNA denaturation 
B)  during primer annealing 
C)  during primer extension/elongation 
D)  Both the first and last cycles are hotter in temperature than all other cycles. 
A)  during DNA denaturation 
B)  during primer annealing 
C)  during primer extension/elongation 
D)  Both the first and last cycles are hotter in temperature than all other cycles.

Question 12

Explain the process of site-directed mutagenesis, and discuss some applications of this technique.

Accepted Answer

Site-directed mutagenesis involves chang

Question 13

Explain how T7 promoters regulate transcription and why cloning vectors contain them.

Accepted Answer

The bacteriophage T7 polymerase gene is

Question 14

Explain how a metagenomic DNA library is created and what type of vector is needed.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary, but a common method i

Question 15

A(n) ________ gene is a gene that encodes a protein that is easy to detect and assay.

Accepted Answer

A)  encoder 
B)  translational 
C)  reporter 
D)  recorder 
A)  encoder 
B)  translational 
C)  reporter 
D)  recorder

Question 16

DNA ligase mediates the insertion of foreign DNA into a vector, but it will only be able to do so if the inserts and vector have matching sticky or blunt ends.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a limitation to using auxotrophs to prevent the spread of genetically modified genes to wild populations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Auxotrophs may mutate in ways that allow them to synthesize the limiting nutrient. 
B)  Auxotrophs self-destruct using self-toxins when this method is applied. 
C)  Auxotrophs often cross-feed from the metabolites of other organisms in the environment. 
D)  Back mutation to the wild type may occur. 
A)  Auxotrophs may mutate in ways that allow them to synthesize the limiting nutrient. 
B)  Auxotrophs self-destruct using self-toxins when this method is applied. 
C)  Auxotrophs often cross-feed from the metabolites of other organisms in the environment. 
D)  Back mutation to the wild type may occur.

Question 18

Cosmids are a type of

Accepted Answer

A)  bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs). 
B)  cloning vector. 
C)  heat stable polymerase. 
D)  RNA/DNA hybrid. 
A)  bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs). 
B)  cloning vector. 
C)  heat stable polymerase. 
D)  RNA/DNA hybrid.

Question 19

Although various codons often code for the same amino acid, it is important to choose the codon preferred by the expression host itself.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The genes encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and β-galactosidase are typically used in cloning as

Accepted Answer

A)  transcription regulators. 
B)  global control genes. 
C)  promoter sequences. 
D)  reporter genes. 
A)  transcription regulators. 
B)  global control genes. 
C)  promoter sequences. 
D)  reporter genes.

Exam 12: Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

An operon fusion has a transcriptional signal from one gene fused with the translational start and coding sequence from another.

What is the most important advantage of Pfu polymerase over Taq polymerase?

When trying to make a mammalian protein in a bacterium, expression vectors are often used. Using your knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics, explain why expression vectors are so important.

The principle behind nucleic acid probe design is that the probe itself must contain

One important advantage of eukaryotic cells as hosts for cloning vectors is that they already possess the complex RNA and posttranslational processing systems required for the production of eukaryotic proteins.

An effective way to introduce DNA into plant cells is using the Ti plasmid, which comes from a plant pathogen.

Modification enzymes typically methylate specific bases within the recognition sequence to prevent digestion of the nucleotide sequence by restriction endonucleases.

A common reporter protein is green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Cells that have "insertional inactivation" of the lacZ gene are

Defend why codon usage must be considered when cloning a gene into another organism.

At which time period(s) during PCR thermocycling is/are hottest in temperature?

Explain the process of site-directed mutagenesis, and discuss some applications of this technique.

Explain how T7 promoters regulate transcription and why cloning vectors contain them.

Explain how a metagenomic DNA library is created and what type of vector is needed.

A(n) ________ gene is a gene that encodes a protein that is easy to detect and assay.

DNA ligase mediates the insertion of foreign DNA into a vector, but it will only be able to do so if the inserts and vector have matching sticky or blunt ends.

Which of the following is NOT a limitation to using auxotrophs to prevent the spread of genetically modified genes to wild populations?

Cosmids are a type of

Although various codons often code for the same amino acid, it is important to choose the codon preferred by the expression host itself.

The genes encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and β-galactosidase are typically used in cloning as

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