Question 1

Which technique is depicted in the first image, and what is its primary use in genomics?

Accepted Answer

DNA microarray; used to measure the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously.

Question 2

In the process of gene cloning using a bacterial plasmid, what is the role of the 'cloning vector'?

Accepted Answer

It is the DNA molecule that carries foreign DNA into a host cell and replicates there.

Question 3

Which enzyme is responsible for sealing the sugar-phosphate backbone between restriction fragments to create recombinant DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase

Question 4

A scientist wants to amplify a specific DNA segment in vitro. Which technique should they use, and what are the essential components required?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); DNA template, primers, nucleotides, and heat-resistant DNA polymerase

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the function of restriction enzymes in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

They cut DNA at specific sequences, generating fragments with sticky or blunt ends.

Question 6

A researcher uses a nucleic acid probe to identify bacterial colonies carrying a gene of interest. What property of the probe allows this identification?

Accepted Answer

The probe is a radioactively labeled nucleic acid that is complementary to the gene sequence.

Question 7

Which of the following is a real-world application of gene cloning as shown in the diagrams?

Accepted Answer

Producing human growth hormone to treat stunted growth

Question 8

Why are expression vectors used when expressing eukaryotic genes in bacterial cells?

Accepted Answer

Because expression vectors contain highly active prokaryotic promoters to drive gene expression.

Question 9

Which step in the dideoxy chain-termination method of DNA sequencing causes the synthesis of DNA to stop at a specific nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

Incorporation of a dideoxyribonucleotide (ddNTP)

Question 10

A patient is suspected to have a genetic disorder. Which combination of techniques would allow a medical scientist to diagnose the presence of a disease-causing mutation?

Accepted Answer

PCR followed by DNA sequencing of the amplified product

Question 11

What is the main advantage of using a cDNA library over a genomic library when expressing eukaryotic genes in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

cDNA libraries contain only the coding sequences (exons) without introns, which bacteria cannot process.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) are useful as genetic markers?

Accepted Answer

RFLPs are differences in DNA sequences that result in fragments of different lengths after restriction enzyme digestion.

Question 13

In gel electrophoresis, what determines how far a DNA fragment will travel through the gel?

Accepted Answer

The length of the DNA fragment; shorter fragments travel farther

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential environmental application of recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Engineering bacteria to degrade toxic waste

Question 15

What is the primary ethical concern associated with genetically modified (GM) organisms used as food?

Accepted Answer

Potential hazards to human health and the environment

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the process of Southern blotting?

Accepted Answer

It separates DNA fragments by size and then uses labeled probes to detect specific sequences.

Question 17

A plant scientist wants to introduce a gene for pest resistance into a crop plant. Which vector is most commonly used for this purpose?

Accepted Answer

Ti plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the Human Genome Project is correct?

Accepted Answer

It involved linkage mapping, physical mapping, and DNA sequencing to determine the order of all human genes.

Question 19

Which of the following is a direct benefit of DNA technology in medicine?

Accepted Answer

Production of safer vaccines and therapeutic proteins

DNA Technology and Genomics: Principles and Applications

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