Principles and processes of biotechnology - recombinant DNA technology, gene cloning - One Line Questions
1.
What is a 'stop codon' in the context of gene expression? —
A codon that signals the termination of translation
2.
What is a genomic library? —
A collection of DNA fragments representing the entire genome of an organism
3.
What is a cDNA library? —
A library of DNA sequences representing the genes that are actively transcribed into mRNA
4.
The 'recognition site' for a restriction enzyme is typically: —
A palindromic sequence
5.
Biolistics (gene gun) is a method used for introducing foreign DNA into: —
Plant cells
6.
What is a bacteriophage used for in gene cloning? —
As a vector to deliver foreign DNA into bacteria
7.
Which of the following is a method used to increase the efficiency of transformation in bacterial cells? —
Heat shock or electroporation
8.
Which of the following is a method for screening recombinant cells? —
Blue-white screening
9.
What is the process of separating DNA fragments based on their size using an electric current? —
Gel electrophoresis
10.
What is the term for a plasmid that has been engineered to contain a foreign gene and is used for cloning? —
Recombinant plasmid
11.
The amplification of specific DNA sequences in PCR occurs through repeated cycles of: —
Denaturation, annealing, and extension
12.
Which enzyme is responsible for removing RNA primers during DNA replication and is also used in some molecular cloning techniques? —
DNA polymerase I
13.
In the context of gene cloning, what does the term 'chimeric DNA' refer to? —
DNA molecule composed of fragments from different sources
14.
What is the process of inserting a gene of interest into a specific location in the genome called? —
Gene targeting
15.
What is the term for the process where a gene is inserted into a vector, and this vector is then introduced into a host cell for replication? —
Gene cloning
16.
What is the term for a DNA molecule that is capable of replicating independently of the host chromosome and is used as a vector? —
Replicon
17.
To overcome the challenge of introns, scientists often clone the gene's: —
cDNA
18.
What does the 'ampR' gene on a plasmid typically confer resistance to? —
Antibiotics like ampicillin
19.
Which of the following is NOT a basic step in recombinant DNA technology? —
Cellular respiration
20.
What is the primary advantage of using a shuttle vector in gene cloning? —
It can replicate in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells
21.
What is the primary advantage of using Taq polymerase in PCR? —
It is thermostable and can withstand high temperatures
22.
Which enzymes are crucial for cutting DNA at specific recognition sites in recombinant DNA technology? —
Restriction enzymes
23.
When using restriction enzymes, what is the term for the enzyme that methylates DNA, often preventing the enzyme from cutting? —
Methylase
24.
Complementary DNA (cDNA) is synthesized from: —
mRNA using reverse transcriptase
25.
Which of the following is a key component of a recombinant DNA molecule? —
DNA from two or more different organisms
26.
What are 'sticky ends' in the context of restriction enzymes? —
Overhanging single-stranded DNA sequences that can anneal with complementary sequences
27.
What does PCR stand for? —
Polymerase Chain Reaction
28.
A palindromic sequence in DNA is one that: —
Reads the same forwards and backwards on opposite strands
29.
What enzyme is used in PCR to synthesize new DNA strands? —
Taq polymerase
30.
What is the main challenge in cloning a gene that is interrupted by introns in eukaryotes? —
Prokaryotic host cells cannot splice introns
31.
Which of the following is a common type of cloning vector? —
Plasmid
32.
What is the significance of the term 'competent' when referring to bacterial cells for transformation? —
The cells are capable of taking up foreign DNA
33.
What is a 'vector' in gene cloning? —
A DNA molecule used to carry foreign genetic material into a host cell
34.
What is gene cloning? —
The process of creating multiple identical copies of a specific DNA fragment
35.
Restriction enzymes that produce blunt ends are often used in gene cloning because: —
They are easier to ligate
36.
What is the purpose of using a linker in gene cloning? —
To add a specific restriction site to a DNA fragment
37.
What is the function of the 'ori' (origin of replication) sequence on a plasmid? —
To initiate DNA replication
38.
What is the purpose of the denaturation step in PCR? —
To separate the double-stranded DNA into single strands
39.
What is the function of DNA ligase in gene cloning? —
To join DNA fragments together
40.
What is the role of primers in PCR? —
To provide a starting point for DNA synthesis
41.
What is the role of a selectable marker gene in a cloning vector? —
To allow identification of transformed cells
42.
What is the primary goal of recombinant DNA technology? —
To combine DNA from different sources to create a new DNA molecule
43.
What is the primary application of creating a cDNA library? —
To study genes that are actively expressed in a particular cell type or tissue
44.
What is the function of a promoter in a gene cloning construct? —
To initiate transcription
45.
The process of introducing recombinant DNA into a bacterial cell is called: —
Transformation
46.
What is the process of introducing a plasmid into a plant cell called? —
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
47.
Which type of restriction enzyme cuts at a specific recognition sequence and requires ATP for its activity? —
Type I
48.
Which of the following is a method for generating blunt ends from sticky ends? —
Using a DNA polymerase with a proofreading activity
49.
In blue-white screening, what indicates the presence of a recombinant plasmid? —
White colonies
50.
What is the term for a host cell that has successfully taken up the recombinant DNA? —
Transformed cell