Introduction to Gene Cloning

Question 1

Why is it a challenge for molecular biologists?

Answer 1

1. The cell has 1000s of macromolecules and has a genome containing millions of base pairs
2. Powerful tools are needed for genetic analysis

Question 2

How many genes do E.coli have?

Answer 2

> 2000

Question 3

How many base pairs does E.coli have?

Answer 3

4,600,000

Question 4

How many genes do humans have?

Answer 4

25,000

Question 5

How many base pairs do humans have?

Answer 5

3000 million

Question 6

A human gene may only constitute for only how much of a chromosonal DNA molecule?

Answer 6

1/100000

Question 7

What is recombinant DNA (rDNA)?

Answer 7

DNA recombined from two different sources

Question 8

What do cloning vectors and recombinant DNA allow scientists to do?

Answer 8

Modify specific genes and move them from one organism to another

Question 9

What is the aim of cloning vectors and recombinant DNA?

Answer 9

Produce large quantities of the gene of interest or its protein product

Question 10

Name the 4 objectives of recombinant DNA technology

Answer 10

1. Identifying genes
2. Isolating genes
3. Modifying genes
4. Re-expressing genes in other hosts or organisms