DNA Technology (Mid 3)

Question 1

You are a scientist trying to determine the sequence of a gene. In order to do this, you need many, many copies of the nucleotide sequence of the gene. The appropriate tool to use to make many copies of a DNA sequence is:

a
restriction enzymes

b
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

c
gel electrophoresis

d
CRISPR/Cas9

e
None of the above are appropriate tools for this

Answer 1

b
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Question 2

What makes CRISPR/Cas9 a huge advance over more traditional methods of gene editing? (choose all that apply)

Multiple answers:
Multiple answers are accepted for this question

a
It is significantly cheaper

b
The researcher can target where in the genome they want to put the gene (less chance of off-target effects)

c
Faster (significantly fewer failures to insert the gene)

d
Genes can be deleted instead of only being able to be added

Answer 2

a
It is significantly cheaper

b
The researcher can target where in the genome they want to put the gene (less chance of off-target effects)

c
Faster (significantly fewer failures to insert the gene)

d
Genes can be deleted instead of only being able to be added

Question 3

Which of the following is false comparing the Cas protein to restriction enzymes?

a
Both are enzymes that break phosphodiester bonds in DNA

b
Cas proteins need additional RNA molecules in order to do their function, whereas restriction enzymes do not

c
Both are used in nature by bacteria to protect against viral infections

d
A restriction enzyme will always recognize the same sequence, whereas Cas proteins are more flexible

e
All of the above are true

Answer 3

e
All of the above are true

Question 4

Which of the following is false concerning CRISPR-Cas9?

a
If an embryo is edited, it is much more likely that all cells will have edited DNA than if gene editing is attempted in an adult

b
CRISPR editing only allows you to create loss-of-function in a gene. It does not allow you to add new genes to an edited organism

c
Gene editing using CRISPR is dependent on DNA repair mechanisms in the cell that is being edited

d
CRISPR editing can be done on a wide range of species

e
All of the above are true

Answer 4

b
CRISPR editing only allows you to create loss-of-function in a gene. It does not allow you to add new genes to an edited organism

Question 5

Why do gene drives so spread rapidly in a population?

a
Gene drives spread so rapidly because scientists add as many genetically edited individuals as possible

b
Gene drives spread so rapidly because only dominant genes are edited in gene drives

c
Gene drives spread rapidly because any individual with one copy of the genetic edit will convert the other copy/version of the gene on the homologous chromosome, such that every descendant has the genetic edit on both chromosomes

d
Gene drives spread rapidly because they are evolutionarily conserved

e
None of the above explain why gene drives spread rapidly

Answer 5

c
Gene drives spread rapidly because any individual with one copy of the genetic edit will convert the other copy/version of the gene on the homologous chromosome, such that every descendant has the genetic edit on both chromosomes