Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology — Practice Quiz

A Biology cheat sheet for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology — every key formula with its symbols defined — plus a medium-level practice quiz to test recall.

Formulas & key concepts

Humans allow only those with desired traits to reproduce. <b>Hybridization</b>: Crossing dissimilar individuals to bring together the best of both (e.g., disease resistance + food production). <b>Inbreeding</b>: Continued breeding of individuals with similar characteristics to maintain derived traits (Risks: genetic defects).

Selective Breeding

Breeders increase variation by inducing <b>Mutations</b> (using radiation/chemicals, e.g., oil-cleaning bacteria). <b>Polyploidy</b>: Plants with extra sets of chromosomes (3N, 4N). Produced by drugs that prevent meiotic separation. Results in larger, stronger plants (e.g., Bananas, Citrus). Fatal in animals.

Increasing Variation

Bacterial enzymes that cut DNA at specific <b>Palindromic Sequences</b>. Create <b>Sticky Ends</b> (single-stranded overhangs) that can be joined by <b>DNA Ligase</b>. Essential for creating Recombinant DNA.

Restriction Enzymes

Technique to separate DNA fragments by <b>Size</b>. DNA is <b>Negatively Charged</b> and moves toward the positive electrode. <b>Smaller fragments</b> move faster and farther through the gel matrix than larger ones. Used for DNA fingerprinting.

Gel Electrophoresis

Technique to rapidly amplify (copy) specific DNA regions. Uses <b>Primers</b> to target sequences and heat-stable <b>Taq Polymerase</b>. Cycles of <b>Denaturation</b> (heat), <b>Annealing</b> (cool), and <b>Extension</b> (warm) produce billions of copies.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

<b>Recombinant DNA</b>: DNA from different sources combined. <b>Plasmids</b>: Circular bacterial DNA used as vectors. <b>Molecular Cloning</b>: Inserting genes into bacteria to replicate. <b>Reproductive Cloning</b>: Creating a genetically identical organism (e.g., Dolly the sheep) via Nuclear Transplantation.

Cloning & Recombinant DNA

<b>Transgenic Organisms</b>: Contain genes from other species. <b>GMOs</b>: Genetically Modified Organisms. <b>CRISPR-Cas9</b>: Precise gene editing tool derived from bacterial immune systems (Doudna & Charpentier).

Genetic Engineering

<b>Gene Therapy</b>: Replacing faulty genes to cure disease. <b>Genetic Testing</b>: Screening for genetic defects (e.g., BRCA). <b>Pharmaceuticals</b>: Bacteria producing Insulin, HGH, Vaccines.

Applications in Medicine

<b>Bt Crops</b>: Produce bacterial toxin to kill pests. <b>Herbicide Resistance</b>: Crops survive weed killers. <b>Golden Rice</b>: Enriched with Provitamin A. <b>FlavrSavr Tomato</b>: Delayed ripening.

Applications in Agriculture

<b>Genetic Map</b>: Outline of genes based on recombination frequencies (linkage). <b>Physical Map</b>: Representation of physical distance (nucleotides) between genes.

Genetic Mapping

<b>Genomics</b>: Study of entire genomes. <b>Pharmacogenomics</b>: Drug interactions with the genome (personalized medicine). <b>Metagenomics</b>: Genomes of mixed microbial communities. <b>Whole Genome Sequencing</b>: Determining full DNA sequence.

Advanced Genomics

<b>Proteomics</b>: Study of proteomes (protein sets). <b>Biomarker</b>: Protein uniquely produced in a diseased state. <b>Protein Signature</b>: Set of expressed proteins characteristic of a tissue/disease. <b>Recombinant Protein</b>: Expressed from recombinant DNA.

Protein Analysis

<b>Model Organism</b>: Species studied to understand biological processes (e.g., Fruit Fly, Mouse). <b>Reverse Genetics</b>: Manipulating DNA to disrupt a gene and analyze its function (phenotype).

Research Methods

<b>Patents</b>: DNA sequences can be patented (1/5 of human genome). <b>Privacy</b>: <b>GINA</b> protects against genetic discrimination. <b>GM Foods</b>: Pros (Yield, Resistance) vs. Cons (Unknown effects, Corporate control). <b>Human Modification</b>: Ethics of curing disease vs. designing traits.

Ethics & Impacts

Practice quiz

  1. A farmer wants to combine the disease resistance of one corn variety with the high yield of another. Which breeding technique would be most appropriate?

    • Hybridization
    • Inbreeding
    • Polyploidy
    • Mutation induction

    Answer: Hybridization

  2. Which of the following statements about polyploidy is correct?

    • It is commonly used to create larger, stronger animals
    • It involves inducing mutations with radiation
    • It results in organisms with extra sets of chromosomes
    • It is a form of inbreeding

    Answer: It results in organisms with extra sets of chromosomes

  3. Restriction enzymes are crucial in genetic engineering because they:

    • Amplify DNA segments
    • Separate DNA fragments by size
    • Cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences
    • Join DNA fragments together

    Answer: Cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences

  4. In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments are separated based on their:

    • Nucleotide sequence
    • Charge and size
    • Base composition
    • Ability to bind to primers

    Answer: Charge and size

  5. Which of the following is a primary purpose of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

    • To cut DNA at specific sites
    • To separate DNA fragments by size
    • To rapidly amplify specific DNA regions
    • To insert genes into bacterial plasmids

    Answer: To rapidly amplify specific DNA regions

  6. In molecular cloning, what are circular bacterial DNA molecules often used as vectors to carry foreign DNA?

    • Chromosomes
    • Ribosomes
    • Plasmids
    • Mitochondria

    Answer: Plasmids

  7. The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a revolutionary tool primarily used for:

    • Sequencing entire genomes
    • Separating proteins by charge
    • Precise gene editing
    • Creating transgenic animals through nuclear transplantation

    Answer: Precise gene editing

  8. A medical approach that involves replacing faulty genes with functional ones to treat genetic diseases is known as:

    • Genetic testing
    • Pharmacogenomics
    • Gene therapy
    • Reproductive cloning

    Answer: Gene therapy

  9. Which genetically modified crop is designed to produce a bacterial toxin that kills insect pests?

    • Golden Rice
    • FlavrSavr Tomato
    • Herbicide-resistant corn
    • Bt Crops

    Answer: Bt Crops

  10. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) primarily aims to protect individuals against:

    • The patenting of DNA sequences
    • Genetic discrimination by employers and health insurers
    • The unknown effects of GM foods
    • The ethical concerns of human modification

    Answer: Genetic discrimination by employers and health insurers

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