Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

To increase the mutation rate in organisms

Question 2

What is the definition of recombinant DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA from two organisms that has been combined

Question 3

Which property is NOT essential for a DNA vector used in gene cloning?

Accepted Answer

Be large and difficult to manipulate in a lab

Question 4

Plasmids are commonly used as vectors in recombinant DNA technology because they:

Accepted Answer

Can carry foreign genetic material and replicate independently

Question 5

Which enzyme is responsible for sealing the gap in the DNA backbone during the creation of recombinant DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase

Question 6

Restriction endonucleases are used in recombinant DNA technology to:

Accepted Answer

Cut DNA at specific recognition sequences

Question 7

If a restriction enzyme cuts both the vector and the gene of interest at the same recognition site, what is the result?

Accepted Answer

Fragments with complementary sticky ends that can base pair

Question 8

In the blue-white screening method, what does a white colony indicate?

Accepted Answer

The bacteria contain the recombinant vector and cannot hydrolyze X-gal

Question 9

Which of the following is a real-world application of recombinant DNA technology in agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Question 10

A population of cells arising from one cell, each carrying the new gene of interest, is called a:

Accepted Answer

Clone

Question 11

Which of the following is a necessary step in making recombinant DNA?

Accepted Answer

Inserting a desired gene into a DNA vector

Question 12

What is the role of a genetic marker in a vector during gene cloning?

Accepted Answer

To identify cells that have taken up the vector

Question 13

Which of the following equations correctly represents the ligation reaction catalyzed by DNA ligase?

Accepted Answer

$DNA_{fragment1} + DNA_{fragment2} \rightarrow DNA_{recombinant}$

Question 14

Which of the following is a benefit of using viruses as vectors in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

They can be genetically engineered to carry modified DNA or RNA

Question 15

In a blue-white screening experiment, which outcome would you expect if the bacteria lack the vector?

Accepted Answer

No growth on ampicillin-containing medium

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct sequence of steps in gene cloning?

Accepted Answer

Insert gene into vector, introduce vector into host, select for clones, harvest product

Question 17

Which of the following is a plausible reason for using ampicillin resistance as a selection marker in cloning experiments?

Accepted Answer

To ensure only bacteria with the vector survive on the medium

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct description of a 'sticky end' produced by restriction enzymes?

Accepted Answer

A short stretch of single-stranded DNA at the end of a DNA fragment

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a common use of microorganisms in biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the rate of genetic mutations in humans

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of restriction endonucleases in the process of making recombinant DNA?

Accepted Answer

They act as molecular scissors to cut DNA at specific sequences

Recombinant DNA and Gene Cloning: Microbiology Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions