AMT Molecular Diagnostics Technologist
(MDT) Certification Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which technique is commonly used to amplify DNA for molecular
diagnostics?
A. Southern blot
B. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
C. ELISA
D. Flow cytometry
PCR allows selective amplification of specific DNA sequences,
making it essential in molecular diagnostics.
2. What is the primary function of a thermal cycler in PCR?
A. Separate DNA strands
B. Cycling through temperatures to denature, anneal, and extend
DNA
C. Visualize DNA bands
D. Quantify DNA concentration
A thermal cycler automates the temperature changes needed for
DNA amplification.
3. Which enzyme synthesizes DNA during PCR?
A. DNA helicase
B. RNA polymerase
C. Taq DNA polymerase
, D. Ligase
Taq polymerase is heat-stable and synthesizes new DNA strands
during PCR.
4. Which type of probe is used in real-time PCR to detect
amplification?
A. Southern probe
B. Fluorescent-labeled probe
C. Radiolabeled probe
D. Northern probe
Fluorescent probes allow monitoring of PCR in real-time for
quantification.
5. What is the main advantage of real-time PCR over conventional
PCR?
A. Lower cost
B. Faster DNA extraction
C. Quantitative measurement of DNA during amplification
D. Does not require primers
Real-time PCR enables quantification of target DNA, not just
detection.
6. Which nucleic acid is the target in reverse transcription PCR (RT-
PCR)?
A. DNA
B. RNA
C. Protein
D. Lipid
RT-PCR converts RNA to cDNA, allowing amplification of RNA
sequences.
, 7. Which component of PCR determines the specificity of the
amplification?
A. DNA polymerase
B. dNTPs
C. Primers
D. Buffer
Primers bind specifically to the target sequence, dictating what is
amplified.
8. Which molecular method is used for detecting single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs)?
A. Western blot
B. Allele-specific PCR
C. Gram staining
D. ELISA
Allele-specific PCR allows differentiation of DNA sequences
differing by a single nucleotide.
9. What is the purpose of a loading dye in gel electrophoresis?
A. Stain DNA for detection
B. Track migration of DNA through the gel
C. Digest DNA
D. Amplify DNA
Loading dye allows visualization of sample progress during
electrophoresis.
10. In agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA moves toward which
electrode?
A. Positive
B. Negative
(MDT) Certification Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which technique is commonly used to amplify DNA for molecular
diagnostics?
A. Southern blot
B. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
C. ELISA
D. Flow cytometry
PCR allows selective amplification of specific DNA sequences,
making it essential in molecular diagnostics.
2. What is the primary function of a thermal cycler in PCR?
A. Separate DNA strands
B. Cycling through temperatures to denature, anneal, and extend
DNA
C. Visualize DNA bands
D. Quantify DNA concentration
A thermal cycler automates the temperature changes needed for
DNA amplification.
3. Which enzyme synthesizes DNA during PCR?
A. DNA helicase
B. RNA polymerase
C. Taq DNA polymerase
, D. Ligase
Taq polymerase is heat-stable and synthesizes new DNA strands
during PCR.
4. Which type of probe is used in real-time PCR to detect
amplification?
A. Southern probe
B. Fluorescent-labeled probe
C. Radiolabeled probe
D. Northern probe
Fluorescent probes allow monitoring of PCR in real-time for
quantification.
5. What is the main advantage of real-time PCR over conventional
PCR?
A. Lower cost
B. Faster DNA extraction
C. Quantitative measurement of DNA during amplification
D. Does not require primers
Real-time PCR enables quantification of target DNA, not just
detection.
6. Which nucleic acid is the target in reverse transcription PCR (RT-
PCR)?
A. DNA
B. RNA
C. Protein
D. Lipid
RT-PCR converts RNA to cDNA, allowing amplification of RNA
sequences.
, 7. Which component of PCR determines the specificity of the
amplification?
A. DNA polymerase
B. dNTPs
C. Primers
D. Buffer
Primers bind specifically to the target sequence, dictating what is
amplified.
8. Which molecular method is used for detecting single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs)?
A. Western blot
B. Allele-specific PCR
C. Gram staining
D. ELISA
Allele-specific PCR allows differentiation of DNA sequences
differing by a single nucleotide.
9. What is the purpose of a loading dye in gel electrophoresis?
A. Stain DNA for detection
B. Track migration of DNA through the gel
C. Digest DNA
D. Amplify DNA
Loading dye allows visualization of sample progress during
electrophoresis.
10. In agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA moves toward which
electrode?
A. Positive
B. Negative
