biotech / dna

Question 1

What is biotechnology?

Answer 1

The use of living organisms in order to produce a desired product or effect.

Biotechnology encompasses various processes, including fermentation and genetic manipulation.

Question 2

List some reasons for manipulating DNA.

Answer 2

• Forensic Science
• Agriculture and Crop research
• Human Health
• Gene therapy
• Designer drug therapies
• Bioremediation
• Bioinformatics

These applications highlight the importance of DNA manipulation in various fields.

Question 3

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 3

DNA that is created by combining the DNA of at least two different sources into one DNA molecule.

Recombinant DNA technology is a fundamental technique in biotechnology.

Question 4

What are restriction endonucleases?

Answer 4

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.

They are crucial for creating recombinant DNA.

Question 5

What is gel electrophoresis used for?

Answer 5

To separate DNA fragments based on their size.

This technique helps visualize DNA after it has been manipulated.

Question 6

What are plasmids?

Answer 6

Small circular DNA molecules used as vectors in genetic engineering.

Plasmids are often used to transfer genes into host cells.

Question 7

What are target genes?

Answer 7

Specific genes that are intended to be manipulated or expressed in a genetic engineering process.

Identifying target genes is essential for successful DNA manipulation.

Question 8

What are fusion proteins?

Answer 8

Proteins created by joining two or more genes that originally coded for separate proteins.

Fusion proteins can have novel properties and functions.

Question 9

True or False: The concept of manipulating DNA is a recent development.

Answer 9

False.

DNA manipulation has existed for thousands of years, starting with simple interbreeding of species.

Question 10

What type of restriction enzymes are most commonly used for DNA analysis and genetic engineering?

Answer 10

Type II restriction enzymes

They have unique nucleotide sequences at which they cut DNA.

Question 11

What kind of sequence is a recognition sequence?

Answer 11

palindromic sequence (with 6 base pairs)

Some may recognize four or eight base pair sequences.

Question 12

What type of DNA ends can result from different cutting patterns of restriction enzymes?

Answer 12

sticky ends

sticky ends have short single-stranded overhangs.

Question 13

How do sticky ends facilitate DNA manipulation?

Answer 13

Through complementary base-pairing

This allows the ends to potentially join together again.

Question 14

What do restriction enzymes generate to characterize a specific dna molecule?

Answer 14

DNA fingerprint

They create discrete fragments resolved by gel electrophoresis.

Question 15

What is the result of enzymes that cut in the middle of the recognition sequence?

Answer 15

Blunt ends

This results in clean cuts without overhangs.

Question 16

What technique is used to separate a mixture of molecules through a gel in an electric field?

Answer 16

Gel electrophoresis

This technique separates DNA fragments based on size.

Question 17

what causes the DNA fragments to move through the gel?

Answer 17

DNA is negatively charged while the other end of the chamber is positive so it attracts to the positive end

Question 18

what do restriction enzymes defend against?

Answer 18

bacteriophages

Question 19

What is the size range of plasmids?

Answer 19

1000 to 200,000 base pairs

The size of plasmids can vary significantly.

Question 20

What is a selection site in the context of plasmids?

Answer 20

A gene for antibiotic resistance that allows bacterial cells to thrive

Common antibiotics include tetracycline and ampicillin.

Question 21

What type of relationship exists between bacteria and plasmids?

Answer 21

Endosymbiotic relationship

Both bacteria and plasmids benefit from this relationship.

Question 22

What is a restriction map?

Answer 22

A preparation that indicates where specific enzymes will cut the plasmid

This is made possible due to the well-known DNA sequence of plasmids.

Question 23

What is the cloning region in plasmids?

Answer 23

The area high in restriction sites where genes of interest are inserted

This region is crucial for cloning procedures.

Question 24

What is the first step in cloning DNA using plasmids?

Answer 24

Cut DNA to be cloned with the same restriction enzyme used on the plasmid

This ensures compatibility for ligation.

Question 25

True or False: Plasmids can be replicated and their proteins expressed using enzymes and ribosomes found in the bacterial cell.

Answer 25

True

This capability is one of the reasons plasmids are valuable in genetic engineering.

Question 26

What are the steps involved in creating a recombinant plasmid?

Answer 26

1. Cut plasmid with restriction enzyme
2. Cut DNA to be cloned with the same enzyme
3. Ligate the two DNAs to form a recombinant molecule
4. Introduce into host cell
5. Select for cells carrying recombinant plasmids

Selection can be done using antibiotics or color indicators.