Question 1

The process of cloning a gene requires

Accepted Answer

A)  the gene to be cut out of the genome using a restriction endonuclease. 
B)  DNA ligase to join the gene and the vector by the formation of phosphodiester bonds. 
C)  a DNA vector and a linear DNA molecule of known sequence, to carry the gene. 
D)  replication of the transformed bacterial cell to produce many copies of the gene. 
E)  a bacterial cell to have the vector/gene construct inserted by transformation. 
A)  the gene to be cut out of the genome using a restriction endonuclease. 
B)  DNA ligase to join the gene and the vector by the formation of phosphodiester bonds. 
C)  a DNA vector and a linear DNA molecule of known sequence, to carry the gene. 
D)  replication of the transformed bacterial cell to produce many copies of the gene. 
E)  a bacterial cell to have the vector/gene construct inserted by transformation. C

Question 2

Reverse transcriptase is used

Accepted Answer

A)  to create cDNA libraries. 
B)  to copy RNA into DNA. 
C)  by retroviruses in their reproductive cycle. 
D)  All of the answers are correct. 
E)  None of the answers are correct. 
A)  to create cDNA libraries. 
B)  to copy RNA into DNA. 
C)  by retroviruses in their reproductive cycle. 
D)  All of the answers are correct. 
E)  None of the answers are correct. D

Question 3

DNA libraries can be searched to find genes of interest using

Accepted Answer

A)  a probe. 
B)  differential hybridisation. 
C)  a selectable marker. 
D)  a probe and differential hybridisation. 
E)  a probe and a selectable marker. 
A)  a probe. 
B)  differential hybridisation. 
C)  a selectable marker. 
D)  a probe and differential hybridisation. 
E)  a probe and a selectable marker. D

Question 4

A linear piece of DNA is cut with restriction enzymes to give the following fragments of DNA:
HindIII 3.5 kb and 2 kb
EcoRI 1 kb and 4.5 kb
HindIII and EcoRI 1 kb 2.5 kb and 2 kb
Which of the following restriction maps shows the positions of the restriction enzyme cutting sites, and the sizes of the resulting fragments?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 kb 2.5 kb 2 kb
 ___| ________
 EcoRI HindIII 
B)  1 kb 2 kb 2.5 kb
 ___| __________
 EcoRI HindIII 
C)  1 kb 4.5 kb
 ___|__________________
 HindIII 
D)  1 kb 2.5 kb 4.5 kb
 ___| __________________
 HindIII EcoRI 
E)  1 kb 3.5 kb 2 kb 4.5 kb
 ___| ____|______________
 EcoR1 HindIII EcoR1 HindIII 
A)  1 kb 2.5 kb 2 kb
 ___| ________
 EcoRI HindIII 
B)  1 kb 2 kb 2.5 kb
 ___| __________
 EcoRI HindIII 
C)  1 kb 4.5 kb
 ___|__________________
 HindIII 
D)  1 kb 2.5 kb 4.5 kb
 ___| __________________
 HindIII EcoRI 
E)  1 kb 3.5 kb 2 kb 4.5 kb
 ___| ____|______________
 EcoR1 HindIII EcoR1 HindIII

Question 5

Southern, Northern and Western blots respectively are used to detect specific molecules of

Accepted Answer

A)  mRNA, DNA and protein. 
B)  protein, mRNA and DNA. 
C)  DNA, mRNA and protein. 
D)  protein, DNA and mRNA. 
E)  cDNA, mRNA and protein. 
A)  mRNA, DNA and protein. 
B)  protein, mRNA and DNA. 
C)  DNA, mRNA and protein. 
D)  protein, DNA and mRNA. 
E)  cDNA, mRNA and protein.

Question 6

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is

Accepted Answer

A)  the process that repeatedly replicates a selected segment of DNA. 
B)  the process that repeatedly forms a polypeptide chain from a selected segment of DNA. 
C)  a reaction used to hybridise complementary DNA. 
D)  the integration of a DNA sequence into the genome. 
E)  a reaction that forms a DNA molecule from an RNA molecule. 
A)  the process that repeatedly replicates a selected segment of DNA. 
B)  the process that repeatedly forms a polypeptide chain from a selected segment of DNA. 
C)  a reaction used to hybridise complementary DNA. 
D)  the integration of a DNA sequence into the genome. 
E)  a reaction that forms a DNA molecule from an RNA molecule.

Question 7

Stem cells may provide treatments for diseases and injuries because

Accepted Answer

A)  they can be injected into a person to repair tissue. 
B)  in vitro, they can be made to generate specific cell types required by a patient. 
C)  the tissues they produce could counteract the effects of some genetic diseases. 
D)  in vitro, they can be made to generate specific cell types required by a patient and the tissues they produce could counteract the effects of some genetic diseases. 
E)  they can be injected into a person to repair tissue and the tissues they produce could counteract the effects of some genetic diseases. 
A)  they can be injected into a person to repair tissue. 
B)  in vitro, they can be made to generate specific cell types required by a patient. 
C)  the tissues they produce could counteract the effects of some genetic diseases. 
D)  in vitro, they can be made to generate specific cell types required by a patient and the tissues they produce could counteract the effects of some genetic diseases. 
E)  they can be injected into a person to repair tissue and the tissues they produce could counteract the effects of some genetic diseases.

Question 8

Ligation refers to the process of

Accepted Answer

A)  making double-stranded DNA from single-stranded DNA. 
B)  making multiple copies of a DNA sequence. 
C)  separating fragments of DNA. 
D)  splicing the unattached ends of DNA fragments together. 
E)  making a cDNA library. 
A)  making double-stranded DNA from single-stranded DNA. 
B)  making multiple copies of a DNA sequence. 
C)  separating fragments of DNA. 
D)  splicing the unattached ends of DNA fragments together. 
E)  making a cDNA library.

Question 9

A farmer asks you about the use of GM technology in agriculture. Using your knowledge of biotechnology, which of the following statements would you tell the farmer to describe the economic and/or environmental benefits of GM to agriculture?

Accepted Answer

A)  Top-soil erosion has been reduced by 90% by the use of conservation tillage practices with herbicide resistant GM crops. 
B)  GM crops annually reduce CO2 emissions by billions of tons. 
C)  The use of agricultural chemicals has been reduced by hundreds of millions of kilograms since the introduction of GM crops. 
D)  Both the research and production of all GM organisms in Australia is regulated by an independent government entity (OGTR). 
E)  All of the statements listed here are correct. 
A)  Top-soil erosion has been reduced by 90% by the use of conservation tillage practices with herbicide resistant GM crops. 
B)  GM crops annually reduce CO2 emissions by billions of tons. 
C)  The use of agricultural chemicals has been reduced by hundreds of millions of kilograms since the introduction of GM crops. 
D)  Both the research and production of all GM organisms in Australia is regulated by an independent government entity (OGTR). 
E)  All of the statements listed here are correct.

Question 10

Reverse transcriptase is

Accepted Answer

A)  the process that repeatedly replicates a selected segment of DNA. 
B)  a segment of DNA that will hybridise with a known sequence of bases. 
C)  an enzyme that forms a cDNA molecule from an mRNA molecule. 
D)  a process that replicates plasmids. 
E)  the enzyme that transcribes a DNA sequence into a complementary strand. 
A)  the process that repeatedly replicates a selected segment of DNA. 
B)  a segment of DNA that will hybridise with a known sequence of bases. 
C)  an enzyme that forms a cDNA molecule from an mRNA molecule. 
D)  a process that replicates plasmids. 
E)  the enzyme that transcribes a DNA sequence into a complementary strand.

Question 11

In the work done to discover the position and function of the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene, chromosome walking was used to

Accepted Answer

A)  determine which chromosome the CF gene was on. 
B)  clone segments of DNA on one chromosome closer and closer to the CF gene. 
C)  identify which chromosome the MET gene was on, as MET and the CF gene are linked. 
D)  create a DNA probe of the appropriate region of chromosome 7. 
E)  identify DNA polymorphysims on chromosome 7. 
A)  determine which chromosome the CF gene was on. 
B)  clone segments of DNA on one chromosome closer and closer to the CF gene. 
C)  identify which chromosome the MET gene was on, as MET and the CF gene are linked. 
D)  create a DNA probe of the appropriate region of chromosome 7. 
E)  identify DNA polymorphysims on chromosome 7.

Question 12

In recombinant DNA technology, the term cloning refers to the process of

Accepted Answer

A)  splitting DNA molecules into two strands. 
B)  extracting DNA from bacterial cells. 
C)  separating DNA fragments. 
D)  ligation of sticky ends of DNA. 
E)  making many copies of recombinant DNA. 
A)  splitting DNA molecules into two strands. 
B)  extracting DNA from bacterial cells. 
C)  separating DNA fragments. 
D)  ligation of sticky ends of DNA. 
E)  making many copies of recombinant DNA.

Question 13

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is initiated by

Accepted Answer

A)  inserting a vector into a specific host. 
B)  inserting a DNA fragment into a vector. 
C)  binding a primer at a specific site in the DNA molecule. 
D)  ligating the DNA sequence into the plasmid. 
E)  separating the DNA fragments on an electrophoresis gel. 
A)  inserting a vector into a specific host. 
B)  inserting a DNA fragment into a vector. 
C)  binding a primer at a specific site in the DNA molecule. 
D)  ligating the DNA sequence into the plasmid. 
E)  separating the DNA fragments on an electrophoresis gel.

Question 14

Different vectors are used to insert DNA fragments into cells for cloning. Which of the following vector types would be most appropriate to determine the function of a gene of 15 kb?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plasmid 
B)  Bacteriophage 
C)  Cosmid 
D)  YAC (yeast artificial chromosome) 
E)  BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) 
A)  Plasmid 
B)  Bacteriophage 
C)  Cosmid 
D)  YAC (yeast artificial chromosome) 
E)  BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome)

Question 15

After radioactive labelling of the 5' end of the clones of a 10-base segment of DNA, they were randomly broken at A, C, G, and T bases. The length of each fragment was determined from an autoradiographed gel. The fragments that broke at A were 3, 5 and 10 bases long, fragments that broke at C were 1, 2 and 7 bases long, at a G were 4 and 6 bases long, and at a T were 8 and 9 bases long. The nucleotide sequence of the original clone must have been

Accepted Answer

A)  3' -CCAGAGCTTA- 5'. 
B)  5' -CCAGAGCTTA- 3'. 
C)  5' -CCAGAGCTTA-5'. 
D)  3' -AATCATCACA- 5'. 
E)  5' GGUCUCGAAU 3'. 
A)  3' -CCAGAGCTTA- 5'. 
B)  5' -CCAGAGCTTA- 3'. 
C)  5' -CCAGAGCTTA-5'. 
D)  3' -AATCATCACA- 5'. 
E)  5' GGUCUCGAAU 3'.

Question 16

Which of the following statements in relation to the use of plasmids in biotechnology is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plasmid DNA is associated with histones. 
B)  Plasmids can be transformed into a bacterial host. 
C)  Plasmids are self-replicating once transformed. 
D)  Plasmid DNA can be quickly and easily purified. 
E)  Plasmids can promote production of recombinant proteins. 
A)  Plasmid DNA is associated with histones. 
B)  Plasmids can be transformed into a bacterial host. 
C)  Plasmids are self-replicating once transformed. 
D)  Plasmid DNA can be quickly and easily purified. 
E)  Plasmids can promote production of recombinant proteins.

Question 17

Variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTRs) provide us with genetic fingerprints because

Accepted Answer

A)  they create restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) by interrupting restriction enzyme recognition sites. 
B)  they make Western blot analysis easy, because of the large amount of transcript. 
C)  the number of repeats can vary significantly and can be identified using Southern blot analysis. 
D)  differences are easily identified between the two alleles. 
E)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  they create restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) by interrupting restriction enzyme recognition sites. 
B)  they make Western blot analysis easy, because of the large amount of transcript. 
C)  the number of repeats can vary significantly and can be identified using Southern blot analysis. 
D)  differences are easily identified between the two alleles. 
E)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 18

Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries are made

Accepted Answer

A)  because DNA in eukaryotes cannot be cloned. 
B)  to allow analysis of the coding gene regions. 
C)  as there are no restriction enzymes for non-coding regions of the genome. 
D)  by using restriction endonuclease digestion of DNA and then ligation of the fragments into the genome. 
E)  because they are easier to sequence than genomic DNA libraries. 
A)  because DNA in eukaryotes cannot be cloned. 
B)  to allow analysis of the coding gene regions. 
C)  as there are no restriction enzymes for non-coding regions of the genome. 
D)  by using restriction endonuclease digestion of DNA and then ligation of the fragments into the genome. 
E)  because they are easier to sequence than genomic DNA libraries.

Question 19

You are analysing two individual genomes and want to determine if there are any differences in their respective DNA sequences. You hypothesise that the sequences have only very minor single base pair changes. What method would you use to test this hypothesis and why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Northern blots of restriction endonuclease digests, as single base pair changes would alter the recognition sites of the enzymes, thus producing different banding patterns 
B)  RFLP or Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis, as a lack of polymorphisms will indicate there are single base pair differences 
C)  Southern blots of restriction endonuclease digests, as single base pair changes would alter the recognition sites of the enzymes, thus producing different banding patterns 
D)  By probing with a radio-labelled probe that is complementary to the polymorphic sequences, as the probe will only bind to tandem repeats 
E)  Using microsatellite analysis via specific primers designed to anneal either side of the single base pair changes, as this would selectively amplify polymorphic sequences which could then be identified 
A)  Northern blots of restriction endonuclease digests, as single base pair changes would alter the recognition sites of the enzymes, thus producing different banding patterns 
B)  RFLP or Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis, as a lack of polymorphisms will indicate there are single base pair differences 
C)  Southern blots of restriction endonuclease digests, as single base pair changes would alter the recognition sites of the enzymes, thus producing different banding patterns 
D)  By probing with a radio-labelled probe that is complementary to the polymorphic sequences, as the probe will only bind to tandem repeats 
E)  Using microsatellite analysis via specific primers designed to anneal either side of the single base pair changes, as this would selectively amplify polymorphic sequences which could then be identified

Question 20

In humans, the cystic fibrosis gene was found to be on chromosome 7 because

Accepted Answer

A)  it was linked to the MET gene known to be on that chromosome. 
B)  of deletion mapping of that chromosome. 
C)  it was mapped to this chromosome from family history of inheritance. 
D)  a probe for the gene attached to that chromosome. 
E)  it was discovered in a DNA library of that chromosome. 
A)  it was linked to the MET gene known to be on that chromosome. 
B)  of deletion mapping of that chromosome. 
C)  it was mapped to this chromosome from family history of inheritance. 
D)  a probe for the gene attached to that chromosome. 
E)  it was discovered in a DNA library of that chromosome.

Exam 15: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

The process of cloning a gene requires

Reverse transcriptase is used

DNA libraries can be searched to find genes of interest using

Southern, Northern and Western blots respectively are used to detect specific molecules of

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is

Stem cells may provide treatments for diseases and injuries because

Ligation refers to the process of

A farmer asks you about the use of GM technology in agriculture. Using your knowledge of biotechnology, which of the following statements would you tell the farmer to describe the economic and/or environmental benefits of GM to agriculture?

Reverse transcriptase is

In the work done to discover the position and function of the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene, chromosome walking was used to

In recombinant DNA technology, the term cloning refers to the process of

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is initiated by

Different vectors are used to insert DNA fragments into cells for cloning. Which of the following vector types would be most appropriate to determine the function of a gene of 15 kb?

Which of the following statements in relation to the use of plasmids in biotechnology is NOT correct?

Variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTRs) provide us with genetic fingerprints because

Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries are made

You are analysing two individual genomes and want to determine if there are any differences in their respective DNA sequences. You hypothesise that the sequences have only very minor single base pair changes. What method would you use to test this hypothesis and why?

In humans, the cystic fibrosis gene was found to be on chromosome 7 because

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