Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between biotechnology and recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology?

Accepted Answer

Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms to produce products, while rDNA technology specifically refers to the insertion or modification of genes to produce desired proteins.

Question 2

In recombinant DNA procedures, what is the primary function of a vector?

Accepted Answer

To transport foreign DNA into a cell and self-replicate.

Question 3

Which property is NOT required for a DNA vector used in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Ability to integrate into the host genome.

Question 4

Restriction enzymes are crucial in recombinant DNA technology because they:

Accepted Answer

Cut DNA at specific sequences, creating either blunt or sticky ends.

Question 5

Why are sticky ends preferred over blunt ends in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Sticky ends allow for easier hydrogen bonding between complementary sequences, increasing ligation efficiency.

Question 6

Which equation best represents the exponential amplification of DNA during PCR, where $$n is $$the number of cycles?

Accepted Answer

$$N = 2^n$$

Question 7

During PCR, what is the purpose of heating the reaction mixture to $$94^\circC$$?

Accepted Answer

To denature the DNA strands, separating them.

Question 8

Which technique involves the removal of cell walls from two bacteria to allow them to fuse and exchange genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Protoplast fusion

Question 9

A genomic library is constructed by:

Accepted Answer

Digesting an organism's DNA with restriction enzymes and inserting fragments into vectors.

Question 10

Why is cDNA used to clone eukaryotic genes in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

cDNA is synthesized from mRNA, which lacks introns, allowing for proper protein expression in bacteria.

Question 11

In blue-white screening, what does the presence of white colonies indicate?

Accepted Answer

The bacteria contain recombinant plasmids with inserted foreign DNA.

Question 12

Which of the following is an advantage of using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for producing recombinant proteins?

Accepted Answer

It expresses eukaryotic genes easily and is easily grown.

Question 13

RNA interference (RNAi) is used in gene silencing by:

Accepted Answer

Inserting DNA encoding siRNA into a plasmid, which is transferred into a cell to destroy target mRNA.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a pharmaceutical product produced by recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin

Question 15

Shotgun sequencing is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Breaking the genome into small fragments, sequencing them, and assembling overlapping reads using computers.

Question 16

Southern blotting is used to:

Accepted Answer

Detect specific DNA fragments using labeled DNA probes after gel electrophoresis.

Question 17

The Ti plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens is valuable in biotechnology because it:

Accepted Answer

Integrates into the plant genome and can be engineered to introduce desired genes.

Question 18

Which of the following is a safety concern associated with genetic modification techniques?

Accepted Answer

Accidental release of genetically modified organisms into the environment.

Question 19

Bt cotton and Bt corn are examples of genetically modified plants that:

Accepted Answer

Have a toxin-producing gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to kill insects.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the process of site-directed mutagenesis?

Accepted Answer

Making specific and intentional changes to the DNA sequence of a gene using a primer with the desired mutation.

9 Biotechnology and DNA Technology: Principles, Tools, and Applications

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