Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary goal of recombinant DNA technology in biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

To intentionally modify genomes for practical purposes such as combining beneficial traits or synthesizing needed products

Question 2

A scientist wants to produce human insulin using bacteria. Which sequence of steps best describes the process?

Accepted Answer

Isolate the insulin gene, insert it into a bacterial plasmid, transform bacteria, and select for recombinant bacteria

Question 3

Which enzyme is used to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA) from an mRNA template?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Question 4

A restriction enzyme recognizes the sequence $$5'	ext{GAATTC}3'$$ and cuts between G and A. What type of ends does this produce?

Accepted Answer

Sticky ends

Question 5

Which property makes plasmids useful as vectors in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

They can survive inside cells and contain selectable markers

Question 6

During the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), what is the purpose of the denaturation step?

Accepted Answer

To separate the double-stranded DNA into single strands using heat

Question 7

A scientist uses gel electrophoresis to analyze DNA fragments. Which statement best explains how DNA fragments are separated in this technique?

Accepted Answer

Fragments are separated based on their size, with smaller fragments migrating farther through the agarose gel

Question 8

Which of the following is a real-world application of the Southern blot technique?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosing infectious diseases by detecting specific DNA sequences

Question 9

A DNA microarray is used to analyze gene expression in cancer cells. What does a fluorescent signal at a specific spot on the array indicate?

Accepted Answer

The gene at that spot is being expressed in the sample

Question 10

Which artificial method uses an electrical current to introduce recombinant DNA into a bacterial cell?

Accepted Answer

Electroporation

Question 11

A transgenic plant is engineered to resist herbicides. Which gene is most likely inserted into the plant's genome?

Accepted Answer

A gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens that confers glyphosate resistance

Question 12

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern associated with recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Genetic privacy and the possibility of forced correction of genetic abnormalities

Question 13

A patient with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is successfully treated using gene therapy. What is the most likely mechanism for this treatment?

Accepted Answer

Replacing the missing or defective gene with a normal copy

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why cDNA generated from eukaryotic mRNA can be expressed in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

cDNA lacks introns, which prokaryotes cannot process

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the use of restriction enzymes in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences

Question 16

A scientist wants to clone a gene using a vector. Which property of the vector ensures that only bacteria containing the recombinant DNA will grow on selective media?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a selectable marker such as antibiotic resistance

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of recombinant DNA technology improving nutritional value?

Accepted Answer

Inserting the gene for β-carotene synthesis into rice to produce 'Golden Rice'

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the process of DNA fingerprinting?

Accepted Answer

Identifying individuals based on their unique DNA sequence patterns

Question 19

Which technique would be most appropriate for monitoring the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously in a cell?

Accepted Answer

DNA microarray analysis

Question 20

Which of the following is a potential environmental risk of transgenic plants?

Accepted Answer

Transfer of engineered genes to wild relatives through natural genetic transfer

Recombinant DNA Technology: Tools, Techniques, and Applications

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