Question 1

Which feature of plasmids makes them especially useful as cloning vectors in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

They carry genes for antibiotic resistance, allowing for selection of transformed cells.

Question 2

A researcher wants to insert a gene into a mammalian cell. Which method involves using an electrical pulse to create temporary pores in the cell membrane for DNA uptake?

Accepted Answer

Electroporation

Question 3

In the Sanger method of DNA sequencing, which molecule is responsible for terminating DNA synthesis at specific points?

Accepted Answer

ddNTPs (dideoxynucleotide triphosphates)

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the function of a labeled probe in in-situ hybridization?

Accepted Answer

It binds to the complementary sequence and makes the target's location visible.

Question 5

A scientist compares gene expression levels between two tissue samples using microarray technology. Which step is essential for visualizing differences in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Applying cDNA to the microarray chip and detecting fluorescence.

Question 6

Knockout mice are used to study gene function. What is the key step in creating a knockout mouse?

Accepted Answer

Introducing a mutated gene into the embryo to disable the target gene.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the human genome is correct?

Accepted Answer

Only about 1.5% of the human genome codes for proteins.

Question 8

What is the main difference between SINEs and LINEs in the genome?

Accepted Answer

LINEs are long interspersed elements, while SINEs are short interspersed elements.

Question 9

Which of the following is a potential hazard associated with recombinant DNA research?

Accepted Answer

Risk of releasing new pathogenic bacteria from research facilities.

Question 10

A patient’s skin cells are reprogrammed to become pluripotent stem cells and then differentiated into heart muscle cells for transplantation. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)

Question 11

Which ethical concern is most directly associated with therapeutic cloning?

Accepted Answer

Destruction of human embryos during the process

Question 12

Which equation best represents the process of DNA amplification by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)?

Accepted Answer

$N = 2^n$

Question 13

A gene family is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A group of similar genes, often with related functions (e.g., globin genes).

Question 14

Which of the following is true about 'junk DNA'?

Accepted Answer

It is non-coding and largely non-repetitive, with function mostly unknown.

Question 15

Which real-world application of recombinant DNA technology has had a major impact on diabetes treatment?

Accepted Answer

Production of human insulin in bacteria using recombinant DNA.

Question 16

What is the primary advantage of using antibiotic resistance genes in plasmid vectors?

Accepted Answer

They allow for selection of cells that have successfully taken up the plasmid.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about reproductive cloning is correct?

Accepted Answer

Clones can differ phenotypically from the parent due to epigenetic changes.

Question 18

Transposons, also known as 'jumping genes', are best described as:

Accepted Answer

DNA elements that can move around the genome.

Question 19

Which method is commonly used to study the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Microarray analysis

Question 20

In the context of gene therapy, which concern is most relevant to prenatal genetic diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Ethical concerns about privacy and potential discrimination.

Recombinant DNA Technology, Genome Structure, and Applications

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