Question 1

What type of cell is the Cas9 enzyme naturally found in?

Accepted Answer

A)  plant 
B)  animal 
C)  prokaryote 
D)  fungi 
A)  plant 
B)  animal 
C)  prokaryote 
D)  fungi

Question 2

Researchers are using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to genetically engineer organisms in order to study gene function and to attempt to help patients with genetic diseases. In 2016, a research team used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to genetically alter pig zygotes so that they would have muscular dystrophy, a type of genetic disease that results in muscle wasting and loss of muscle mass. This disease often results from a lack of the protein dystrophin in skeletal muscle tissue. Researchers sometimes develop animal models of diseases so that they can develop therapies to treat the human version of the disease.
The researchers compared the molecular biology and physiology of two types of pigs: healthy, normal pigs (WT) and those that were modified when they were zygotes with the CRISPR-Cas9 system (CRISPR). The data below show the dystrophin levels in various tissues from both types of pigs.
   Source: Adapted from Yu, H. H., Zhao, H., Qing, Y. B., Pan, W. R., Jia, B. Y., Zhao, H. Y., Huang, X. X., et al. (2016). Porcine zygote injection with Cas9/sgRNA results in DMD-modified pig with muscle dystrophy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences,17(10): 1668. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms17101668.
-What can you conclude from the figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  The CRISPR-Cas9 system was mostly successful in specifically targeting the dystrophin gene only in skeletal muscle cells. 
B)  The dystrophin protein is not expressed in heart cells. 
C)  The WT pigs had a higher level of dystrophin mRNA in their intestinal cells when compared to the CRISPR pigs. 
D)  Cas9 acted to hydrolyze the dystrophin protein in all three tissues of the CRISPR pigs. 
A)  The CRISPR-Cas9 system was mostly successful in specifically targeting the dystrophin gene only in skeletal muscle cells. 
B)  The dystrophin protein is not expressed in heart cells. 
C)  The WT pigs had a higher level of dystrophin mRNA in their intestinal cells when compared to the CRISPR pigs. 
D)  Cas9 acted to hydrolyze the dystrophin protein in all three tissues of the CRISPR pigs.

Question 3

The restriction enzyme BamHI recognizes the DNA sequence GGATCC and always cuts between the two G nucleotides. How many bases long is the sticky end of a DNA molecule that has been cut with BamHI?

Accepted Answer

A)  two 
B)  three 
C)  four 
D)  five 
A)  two 
B)  three 
C)  four 
D)  five

Question 4

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that most severely affects the lungs and respiratory tract. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), which regulates the movement of chloride and sodium ions across epithelial cell membranes. When the CFTR gene is mutated in cystic fibrosis, the defective CFTR protein cannot transport ions properly, which results in too little water drawn across the membrane and the buildup of thick and sticky (viscous) mucus, especially in the airways. This leads to difficulty of breathing, frequent lung infections, and ultimately death.
Research has shown that some of the increased thickness and viscosity of the mucus in the respiratory tract is due to the presence of human DNA. If DNA is present in high concentrations in solution, the DNA molecules can get entangled and lead to a thick, viscous solution. To combat this, pharmaceutical companies have developed recombinant forms of the human deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) protein. DNase I, after being translated and modified with sugar groups, is normally produced in human cells and possibly plays a role in DNA breakdown during apoptosis (programmed cell death).
-A scientist produced a batch of recombinant DNase I in E. coli cells and a batch in mammalian cells. She placed 0.1 mg of the E. coli-derived DNase I in a vial containing a solution of DNA, and she placed 0.1 mg of the mammalian cell-derived DNase I in a separate vial containing the same solution of DNA. The initial viscosity of the DNA solutions was identical. What do you expect the viscosity of the DNA solutions to be after 10 minutes have passed, and why?

Accepted Answer

A)  The viscosity of the mammalian cell DNase I vial will be lower than that of the E. coli DNase I vial because the mammalian cell DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
B)  The viscosity of the mammalian cell DNase I vial will be higher than that of the E. coli DNase I vial because the mammalian cell DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
C)  The viscosity of the E. coli DNase I vial will be lower than that of the mammalian cell DNase I vial because the E. coli DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
D)  The viscosity of the E. coli DNase I vial will be higher than that of the mammalian cell DNase I vial because the E. coli DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
A)  The viscosity of the mammalian cell DNase I vial will be lower than that of the E. coli DNase I vial because the mammalian cell DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
B)  The viscosity of the mammalian cell DNase I vial will be higher than that of the E. coli DNase I vial because the mammalian cell DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
C)  The viscosity of the E. coli DNase I vial will be lower than that of the mammalian cell DNase I vial because the E. coli DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA. 
D)  The viscosity of the E. coli DNase I vial will be higher than that of the mammalian cell DNase I vial because the E. coli DNase I will be functional and able to degrade the DNA.

Question 5

Which issue has not been significant in the creation of genetically modified (GM) organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)  some plants carrying genes from other species representing a possible threat to the environment 
B)  inability of GM organisms to be modified to prevent them from reproducing once they pass beyond the experimental stage 
C)  the fact that rogue microbes might transfer dangerous genes into other organisms 
D)  the fact that the protein products of transplanted genes might lead to allergic reactions 
A)  some plants carrying genes from other species representing a possible threat to the environment 
B)  inability of GM organisms to be modified to prevent them from reproducing once they pass beyond the experimental stage 
C)  the fact that rogue microbes might transfer dangerous genes into other organisms 
D)  the fact that the protein products of transplanted genes might lead to allergic reactions

Question 6

Which pieces of evidence would be considered the best for establishing biological relatedness?

Accepted Answer

A)  birth certificates 
B)  pictures from family reunions 
C)  testimony from relatives 
D)  a very close match in the DNA profile 
A)  birth certificates 
B)  pictures from family reunions 
C)  testimony from relatives 
D)  a very close match in the DNA profile

Question 7

Which statement regarding the human genome is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Long stretches of repetitive DNA are prominent at centromeres and ends of chromosomes. 
B)  The human genome is smaller than that of the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae. 
C)  Current estimates are that there are about 21,000 genes in the human genome. 
D)  The human genome contains approximately 19% introns. 
A)  Long stretches of repetitive DNA are prominent at centromeres and ends of chromosomes. 
B)  The human genome is smaller than that of the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae. 
C)  Current estimates are that there are about 21,000 genes in the human genome. 
D)  The human genome contains approximately 19% introns.

Question 8

What can you conclude from this figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nematodes have more genes that mustard plants. 
B)  The size of the genome is negatively correlated with the number of genes. 
C)  Mammals tend to have the largest genomes. 
D)  Animals have the largest numbers of genes. 
A)  Nematodes have more genes that mustard plants. 
B)  The size of the genome is negatively correlated with the number of genes. 
C)  Mammals tend to have the largest genomes. 
D)  Animals have the largest numbers of genes.

Question 9

Biotechnology

Accepted Answer

A)  is a modern scientific discipline that has existed for only a few decades. 
B)  is strictly concerned with the manipulation of DNA. 
C)  has been around since the dawn of civilization. 
D)  is generally considered more harmful than valuable to society. 
A)  is a modern scientific discipline that has existed for only a few decades. 
B)  is strictly concerned with the manipulation of DNA. 
C)  has been around since the dawn of civilization. 
D)  is generally considered more harmful than valuable to society.

Question 10

Golden Rice is golden in color because it is rich in

Accepted Answer

A)  vitamin A. 
B)  vitamin C. 
C)  beta-carotene. 
A)  vitamin A. 
B)  vitamin C. 
C)  beta-carotene.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about DNA technology is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  DNA technology is now used to mass-produce human insulin. 
B)  DNA technology is now used to mass-produce human growth hormone. 
C)  DNA technology is now used to create cells that can identify and kill cancer cells. 
D)  DNA technology is now used to produce vaccines that are harmless mutants of a pathogen. 
A)  DNA technology is now used to mass-produce human insulin. 
B)  DNA technology is now used to mass-produce human growth hormone. 
C)  DNA technology is now used to create cells that can identify and kill cancer cells. 
D)  DNA technology is now used to produce vaccines that are harmless mutants of a pathogen.

Question 12

Why is the whole-genome shotgun method currently the tool of choice for analyzing genomes?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is extremely accurate. 
B)  Multiple genomes can be analyzed simultaneously. 
C)  It is fast and inexpensive. 
A)  It is extremely accurate. 
B)  Multiple genomes can be analyzed simultaneously. 
C)  It is fast and inexpensive.

Question 13

The feature of "sticky ends" that makes them especially useful in DNA recombination is their ability to

Accepted Answer

A)  bind to DNA and thereby activate transcription. 
B)  bind to ribosomes and thereby activate translation. 
C)  form hydrogen-bonded base pairs with complementary single-stranded stretches of DNA. 
D)  allow plasmids to attach to the main bacterial chromosome. 
A)  bind to DNA and thereby activate transcription. 
B)  bind to ribosomes and thereby activate translation. 
C)  form hydrogen-bonded base pairs with complementary single-stranded stretches of DNA. 
D)  allow plasmids to attach to the main bacterial chromosome.

Question 14

DNA ligase binds

Accepted Answer

A)  recombinant DNA to transformed bacterial cells. 
B)  recombinant DNA to recombinant proteins. 
C)  nucleotides in the DNA backbone together. 
D)  nucleotide base pairs from opposite strands together. 
A)  recombinant DNA to transformed bacterial cells. 
B)  recombinant DNA to recombinant proteins. 
C)  nucleotides in the DNA backbone together. 
D)  nucleotide base pairs from opposite strands together.

Question 15

The enzyme that converts information stored in RNA to information stored in DNA is

Accepted Answer

A)  DNA ligase. 
B)  reverse transcriptase. 
C)  a restriction enzyme. 
D)  RNA polymerase. 
A)  DNA ligase. 
B)  reverse transcriptase. 
C)  a restriction enzyme. 
D)  RNA polymerase.

Question 16

What is the function of the Cas9 enzyme?

Accepted Answer

A)  to cut RNA molecules 
B)  to cut DNA molecules 
C)  to hydrolyze proteins 
D)  to transport DNA into cells 
A)  to cut RNA molecules 
B)  to cut DNA molecules 
C)  to hydrolyze proteins 
D)  to transport DNA into cells

Question 17

Biotechnology companies sell kits that allow you to do PCR to amplify STR regions from human blood samples that you have collected. What components would you expect to find in the kit in order to be able to do successful PCR reactions?

Accepted Answer

A)  human DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions only 
B)  heat-stable DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions only 
C)  human DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions, free nucleotides 
D)  heat-stable DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions, free nucleotides 
A)  human DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions only 
B)  heat-stable DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions only 
C)  human DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions, free nucleotides 
D)  heat-stable DNA polymerase, primers that flank STR regions, free nucleotides

Question 18

TPOX is one of the STRs that is used to compare DNA between different people. Why is TPOX useful for comparing DNA between different people?

Accepted Answer

A)  TPOX varies in the number of repeats between different people. 
B)  TPOX varies in sequence between different people. 
C)  TPOX is only present in some people's genomes. 
D)  TPOX is present in different places in different people's genomes. 
A)  TPOX varies in the number of repeats between different people. 
B)  TPOX varies in sequence between different people. 
C)  TPOX is only present in some people's genomes. 
D)  TPOX is present in different places in different people's genomes.

Question 19

Which is a genetically modified organism but not a transgenic organism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Flavr Savr peaches (peaches that express larger quantities of a peach stability enzyme) 
B)  Golden Rice (rice that expresses daffodil and bacteria beta-carotene synthesis enzymes) 
C)  AquAdvantage salmon (Atlantic salmon that expresses Chinook salmon growth hormone) 
D)  Roundup Ready soybeans (soybeans that express bacterial pesticide enzymes) 
A)  Flavr Savr peaches (peaches that express larger quantities of a peach stability enzyme) 
B)  Golden Rice (rice that expresses daffodil and bacteria beta-carotene synthesis enzymes) 
C)  AquAdvantage salmon (Atlantic salmon that expresses Chinook salmon growth hormone) 
D)  Roundup Ready soybeans (soybeans that express bacterial pesticide enzymes)

Question 20

Which genetically modified organism has not been developed by genetic engineers (at least, not yet)?

Accepted Answer

A)  transgenic rice with genes for milk proteins 
B)  transgenic salmon with a growth hormone gene that allows them to grow more quickly 
C)  transgenic corn with the gene for human insulin 
D)  transgenic pigs with a roundworm gene that allows them to make more omega-3 fatty acids 
A)  transgenic rice with genes for milk proteins 
B)  transgenic salmon with a growth hormone gene that allows them to grow more quickly 
C)  transgenic corn with the gene for human insulin 
D)  transgenic pigs with a roundworm gene that allows them to make more omega-3 fatty acids

Exam 12: DNA Technology and Genomics

What type of cell is the Cas9 enzyme naturally found in?

The restriction enzyme BamHI recognizes the DNA sequence GGATCC and always cuts between the two G nucleotides. How many bases long is the sticky end of a DNA molecule that has been cut with BamHI?

Which issue has not been significant in the creation of genetically modified (GM) organisms?

Which pieces of evidence would be considered the best for establishing biological relatedness?

Which statement regarding the human genome is false?

What can you conclude from this figure?

Biotechnology

Golden Rice is golden in color because it is rich in

Which of the following statements about DNA technology is false?

Why is the whole-genome shotgun method currently the tool of choice for analyzing genomes?

The feature of "sticky ends" that makes them especially useful in DNA recombination is their ability to

DNA ligase binds

The enzyme that converts information stored in RNA to information stored in DNA is

What is the function of the Cas9 enzyme?

Biotechnology companies sell kits that allow you to do PCR to amplify STR regions from human blood samples that you have collected. What components would you expect to find in the kit in order to be able to do successful PCR reactions?

TPOX is one of the STRs that is used to compare DNA between different people. Why is TPOX useful for comparing DNA between different people?

Which is a genetically modified organism but not a transgenic organism?

Which genetically modified organism has not been developed by genetic engineers (at least, not yet)?

Biology: Exploring Life

The Chemical Basis of Life

The Molecules of Cells

A Tour of the Cell

The Working Cell

How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy

Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food

The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance

Patterns of Inheritance

Molecular Biology of the Gene

How Genes Are Controlled

How Populations Evolve

The Origin of Species

Tracing Evolutionary History

Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists

The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity

The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity

The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity

Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function

Nutrition and Digestion

Gas Exchange

Circulation

The Immune System

Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Reproduction and Embryonic Development

Nervous Systems

The Senses

How Animals Move

Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction

Plant Nutrition and Transport

Control Systems in Plants

The Biosphere: an Introduction to Earths Diverse Environments

Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment

Population Ecology

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