Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Biotechnology refers to the use of living organisms or their products for practical purposes, while recombinant DNA technology specifically involves manipulating DNA to create new genetic combinations.

Question 2

A researcher wants to amplify a specific DNA sequence from a small sample. Which process should they use, and what is the expected number of DNA molecules after $$n$$ cycles, starting with one molecule?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); the number of molecules is $$2^n$$ after $$n$$ cycles.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a main goal of recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Combining DNA from different species to create new organisms.

Question 4

Why was the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) not practical before the discovery of hyperthermophilic bacteria?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerases from mesophilic organisms would denature at the high temperatures required for PCR denaturation steps.

Question 5

Which of the following is a correct sequence of steps in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?

Accepted Answer

Denaturation $$\rightarrow$$ Priming $$\rightarrow$$ Extension

Question 6

A restriction enzyme recognizes the sequence $$5'	ext{GAATTC}\ 3'$$ and cuts between G and A. Which enzyme is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

EcoRI

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an attribute of a vector used in genetic manipulation?

Accepted Answer

Is always linear DNA.

Question 8

Which artificial technique is used to introduce DNA into cells by creating temporary pores in the membrane using an electric current?

Accepted Answer

Electroporation

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the action of reverse transcriptase in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

It synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from an RNA template.

Question 10

In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments are separated based on which property?

Accepted Answer

Size (length of DNA fragments)

Question 11

Which term describes the process of removing microbes from a surface by scrubbing, such as washing hands?

Accepted Answer

Degerming

Question 12

Which of the following statements about microbial death rate is correct?

Accepted Answer

Microbial death rate is constant under a given set of conditions and can be expressed as $$D = 	ext{time required to reduce population by 90\%}.$$

Question 13

Which group of microbes is most resistant to antimicrobial agents?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial endospores

Question 14

Which physical method of microbial control works by removing water from cells, thereby inhibiting metabolism, but does not kill all microbes?

Accepted Answer

Desiccation

Question 15

Which chemical agent acts by denaturing proteins and is more effective at concentrations between 70% and 90% than at 100%?

Accepted Answer

Alcohols

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why denaturation of proteins kills cells?

Accepted Answer

Denatured proteins lose their functional three-dimensional structure, disrupting essential cellular processes.

Question 17

Which of the following is a major difference between Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing?

Accepted Answer

Sanger sequencing uses chain-terminating nucleotides and is slower, while next-generation sequencing allows massively parallel sequencing of millions of fragments.

Question 18

Which of the following agricultural applications of recombinant DNA technology is correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Creation of pest-resistant crops by inserting Bt toxin genes

Question 19

Which of the following is a reason why doctors do NOT routinely insert genes into patients to cure common viral diseases like the cold or flu?

Accepted Answer

Viral diseases are caused by rapidly mutating viruses, making gene therapy impractical and potentially unsafe.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct definition of gene therapy?

Accepted Answer

The introduction, removal, or alteration of genetic material within a patient's cells to treat disease.

Comprehensive Study Guide: Recombinant DNA Technology, Microbial Control, Antimicrobial Drugs, Prokaryote & Eukaryote Classification, Viruses, and Epidemiology

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