Biotechnology Test: Short Answer

Question 1

Traditional Biotechnology Techniques

Answer 1

• yield can be affected by many variables including environmental and argonomic factors
• created/ reinforces situations where the test subjects are guided to perform natural processes under specific conditions in order to produce a favoured results, without the use of reinforced genetic manipulation
• these techniques let nature take its course, just in a guided way
• includes the natural processes that have been used for centuries to produce beer, wine, cheese and mnay other foods

Question 2

Types of Traditional Biotechnology Techniques

Answer 2

1. Selective Breeding
2. Hybridization
3. Grafting
4. Fermentation

Question 3

Genetic Engineering Definition

Answer 3

modifying the genetic combination of animals, plants and microorganisms

Question 4

Genetic Engineering

Answer 4

• a targeted and powerful method of introducing desirable traits into animals using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology
• involves the transfer of DNA between organisms
• includes all genetic manipulation, cell fusion techniques, and the improvements made in the old biotechnological processes

Question 5

Epigenetics

Answer 5

the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA (caused by the environment)

Question 6

Genetics

Answer 6

the study of specific and limited numbers of genes of parts of genes that have a known function

Question 7

How are epigentics and genetics similar?

Answer 7

they are both inherited

Question 8

How are epigenetics and genetics different?

Genetics

Answer 8

• studies the structure, interactions, function and alterations of the genes of a particular organism
• combination of alleles in a particular organism
• can never change
• heritable changes in phenotype, caused by permanent DNA changes within a particular gene

Question 9

How are epigenetics and genetics different?

Epigenetics

Answer 9

• studies the modifications of the gene expression of a particular organism
• epigenome can change: the DNA wrapped in histones tightly wraps genes making them inexpressible or loosely wrapped making them very expressed
• changes based on environmental factors
• heritable changes in phenotype without permanent change to the DNA of the gene

Question 10

PCR

Answer 10

makes it possible to produce millions of copies of a DNA sequence in a test tube in just a few hours
- amplifies DNA replication

Question 11

Equipment needed in PCR

Answer 11

• small amount of DNA that serves as the initial template or target sequence
• a pair of primers
• a DNA polymerase
• 4 dNTP’s (nucleotides)
• a few essential ions and salts
• a thermoregulator

Question 12

Gel Electrophoresis

Answer 12

a laboratory method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular sizing using electrical current

Question 13

Equipment needed in gel electrophoresis

Answer 13

• gel box of casting tray
• agarose gel
• DNA samples with dye (ethidium bromide)
• buffer
• standard/ladder
• UV light source