Recombinant DNA Technology: A Comprehensive Guide for Career and Technical Education

Question 1

Which enzyme specifically cleaves DNA at predetermined sequences?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

Helicase

Answer

Ligase

Answer

Polymerase

Question 2

In recombinant DNA technology, what is the primary function of a plasmid?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a cloning vector.

Answer

It multiplies the target DNA.

Answer

It transports the recombinant DNA into the host cell.

Answer

It breaks down the target DNA.

Question 3

Which technique is employed to introduce recombinant DNA into a host cell?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 4

In the context of biotechnology, which application of recombinant DNA technology is exemplified by the production of human insulin?

Accepted Answer

Pharmaceutical industry

Answer

Agriculture

Answer

Diagnostics

Question 5

Within a recombinant DNA molecule, what is the function of a promoter?

Accepted Answer

Initiating transcription

Answer

Regulating gene expression

Answer

Terminating transcription

Answer

Encoding the desired protein

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of a Southern blot?

Accepted Answer

Detecting specific DNA sequences

Answer

Amplifying DNA

Answer

Cloning genes

Answer

Sequencing DNA

Question 7

In recombinant DNA technology, what is the role of reverse transcriptase?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing DNA from an RNA template

Answer

Joining DNA fragments

Answer

Breaking down DNA

Answer

Multiplying DNA

Question 8

Which restriction enzyme is commonly used to cut DNA at the sequence 5' - GAATTC - 3'?

Accepted Answer

EcoRI

Answer

BamHI

Answer

XbaI

Answer

HindIII

Question 9

In recombinant DNA technology, a plasmid acts as a:

Accepted Answer

Vector that carries the desired gene into a host cell

Answer

Source of restriction enzymes

Answer

Protective barrier against degradation

Answer

Template for DNA replication

Question 10

Which technique utilizes an electric field to separate DNA fragments based on size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Centrifugation

Answer

Chromatography

Answer

PCR

Question 11

In genetic engineering, the enzyme that converts RNA into a complementary DNA strand is:

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 12

PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is a technique used for:

Accepted Answer

Amplifying specific DNA sequences

Answer

Identifying genetic mutations

Answer

Separating DNA fragments

Question 13

Which application of recombinant DNA technology involves producing valuable proteins in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Protein expression

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Gene therapy

Answer

DNA fingerprinting

Question 14

A major ethical consideration associated with the use of genetically modified organisms is their:

Accepted Answer

Potential impact on ecosystems

Answer

Lack of consumer acceptance

Answer

Disease transmission risks

Answer

High production costs

Question 15

Which enzyme is used to cleave DNA at specific nucleotide sequences?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

Polymerase

Answer

Helicase

Answer

Ligase

Question 16

What is the function of a plasmid in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Acts as a vector to transport foreign DNA into host cells

Answer

Carries genetic information for specific inheritable traits

Answer

Encodes proteins crucial for DNA replication

Question 17

Which technique is used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and electrical charge?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

Chromatography

Answer

Ultracentrifugation

Question 18

What is the purpose of a selectable marker in gene cloning?

Accepted Answer

To identify cells that have successfully taken up the foreign DNA

Answer

To control gene expression

Answer

To facilitate DNA integration into the host genome

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential application of recombinant DNA technology in medicine?

Accepted Answer

Development of diagnostic tests and therapeutic treatments

Answer

Wastewater treatment

Answer

Biofuel production

Question 20

What is the term for the process of inserting a foreign gene into an organism's genome?

Accepted Answer

Transgenesis

Answer

Cloning

Answer

Transduction

Answer

Transformation

Question 21

Which technology has revolutionized DNA sequencing by automating the process?

Accepted Answer

DNA sequencing machine

Answer

Restriction enzyme digestion

Answer

PCR

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Question 22

What is the primary ethical concern associated with recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Potential risks to human health and the environment

Answer

Cost and accessibility

Answer

Intellectual property rights

Question 23

Which technique is used to amplify specific regions of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Gene cloning

Answer

Microarray

Answer

DNA fingerprinting

Question 24

In recombinant DNA technology, which enzyme is responsible for joining DNA fragments together?

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase

Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Answer

Restriction endonuclease

Question 25

What is the primary function of a vector in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

To deliver foreign DNA into a host cell

Answer

To separate DNA fragments by size

Answer

To amplify DNA sequences

Answer

To cut DNA at specific sequences

Question 26

Which method is commonly used to introduce recombinant DNA into bacterial cells?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Transduction

Answer

Translation

Question 27

Why are selectable markers used in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

To identify cells that have successfully incorporated the recombinant DNA

Answer

To increase the rate of DNA replication

Answer

To prevent mutations in the inserted DNA

Question 28

A researcher wants to insert a human gene into a bacterial plasmid. Which enzyme would be most useful for cutting both the human DNA and the plasmid at specific recognition sites?

Accepted Answer

Restriction endonuclease

Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Answer

DNA ligase

Question 29

What is a potential benefit of using recombinant DNA technology in agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Developing crops resistant to pests

Answer

Reducing biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems

Answer

Decreasing the nutritional value of crops

Answer

Increasing the cost of food production

Question 30

Which technique is used to amplify specific DNA sequences?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Gene cloning

Question 31

What is a potential ethical concern related to the use of recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

The possibility of unintended environmental consequences

Answer

The increased availability of life-saving medications

Answer

The development of new diagnostic tools for genetic diseases

Question 32

Which type of DNA library contains the entire genomic DNA of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Genomic library

Answer

Plasmid library

Answer

Expression library

Answer

cDNA library

Question 33

What is the function of reverse transcriptase in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

To synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA) from RNA

Answer

To amplify DNA sequences

Answer

To join DNA fragments together

Answer

To cut DNA at specific sequences

Question 34

Which of the following enzymes is NOT directly involved in the process of creating recombinant DNA molecules?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Ligase

Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Answer

Restriction endonuclease

Question 35

A researcher wants to insert a gene for a desired protein into a bacterial plasmid.  What type of sequence would they use to ensure the gene is expressed in the bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Promoter sequence

Answer

Restriction site

Answer

Selectable marker

Answer

Origin of replication

Question 36

What is the primary function of a selectable marker in a cloning vector?

Accepted Answer

Identify bacteria that have successfully taken up the recombinant plasmid

Answer

Initiate replication of the plasmid

Answer

Promote transcription of the inserted gene

Question 37

Which of the following methods is NOT used to introduce recombinant DNA into host cells?

Accepted Answer

Microscopy

Answer

Transfection

Answer

Transformation

Answer

Electroporation

Question 38

A researcher is using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a specific gene.  What is the primary purpose of the annealing step in PCR?

Accepted Answer

Allowing the primers to bind to the target DNA sequence

Answer

Denaturing the DNA template

Answer

Synthesizing new DNA strands

Question 39

Which of the following applications of recombinant DNA technology is NOT directly related to medicine?

Accepted Answer

Genetically modified crops

Answer

Gene therapy for genetic disorders

Answer

Development of vaccines

Answer

Production of insulin for diabetes treatment

Question 40

What is the main ethical concern regarding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Potential for unintended environmental consequences

Answer

Limited consumer acceptance

Answer

High cost of developing GMOs

Question 41

A researcher wants to create a bacterial strain that expresses a human growth hormone.  They use a restriction enzyme to cut both the human growth hormone gene and a bacterial plasmid.  What is the next step in the process?

Accepted Answer

Ligating the human growth hormone gene into the plasmid

Answer

Introducing the plasmid into a host cell

Answer

Growing the bacteria in a culture medium

Question 42

What is the primary advantage of using a bacterial expression system for producing recombinant proteins?

Accepted Answer

High yield and relatively low cost

Answer

No risk of contamination

Answer

Ability to produce complex proteins

Answer

Easy to modify the bacterial genome

Question 43

A researcher is using a technique called CRISPR-Cas9 to modify a specific gene in a human cell.  What is the main function of the Cas9 enzyme in this process?

Accepted Answer

Cutting the DNA at a specific location

Answer

Amplifying the target gene sequence

Answer

Delivering the guide RNA to the target gene

Answer

Replacing the mutated gene with a healthy copy

Question 44

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for cutting DNA at specific sequences during the process of recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

Ligase

Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 45

What is the primary function of a vector in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

To carry and deliver foreign DNA into a host cell.

Answer

To cut DNA at specific sequences.

Answer

To replicate the host cell's DNA.

Answer

To synthesize new DNA strands.

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a common application of recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Creating new species of organisms.

Answer

Diagnosing genetic diseases.

Answer

Producing insulin for diabetes treatment.

Answer

Developing genetically modified crops.

Question 47

What is the process of introducing foreign DNA into a host cell called?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Question 48

A scientist wants to insert a gene for a desired trait into a bacterial cell. Which of the following is a crucial step in this process?

Accepted Answer

Ligation of the gene into a vector.

Answer

Amplifying the gene using PCR.

Answer

Identifying the target gene in the host cell.

Answer

Using a restriction enzyme to cut the host DNA.

Question 49

What is the primary advantage of using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in recombinant DNA technology?

Accepted Answer

Amplifying specific DNA sequences.

Answer

Ligation of DNA fragments.

Answer

Introducing foreign DNA into host cells.

Answer

Cutting DNA at specific sequences.

Question 50

Which of the following is a common method used to identify cells that have successfully taken up a foreign gene?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic resistance selection.

Answer

Protein analysis.

Answer

Microscopy.

Answer

DNA sequencing.

Question 51

What is the purpose of a selectable marker gene in a vector?

Accepted Answer

To identify cells that have been successfully transformed.

Answer

To increase the efficiency of gene transfer.

Answer

To regulate the expression of the foreign gene.

Question 52

In the context of genetic engineering, what does the term 'gene knockout' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Disabling or inactivating a specific gene.

Answer

Introducing a new gene into an organism.

Answer

Amplifying a specific gene.

Question 53

Which of the following techniques is used to directly analyze the sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule?

Accepted Answer

DNA sequencing.

Answer

Transformation.

Answer

Restriction enzyme digestion.

Answer

PCR.