California Biotechnician Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of restriction enzymes in molecular
biology?
A. DNA replication
B. DNA cleavage at specific sequences
C. Protein synthesis
D. RNA transcription
Restriction enzymes recognize and cut DNA at specific sequences,
making them essential tools in genetic engineering and molecular
cloning.
2. Which instrument is used to amplify DNA through cycles of heating
and cooling?
A. Electrophoresis chamber
B. Spectrophotometer
C. Thermal cycler
, D. Centrifuge
A thermal cycler (PCR machine) is used in polymerase chain reaction
to amplify DNA segments.
3. What does SDS-PAGE separate proteins based on?
A. Molecular weight
B. Charge
C. Isoelectric point
D. Shape
SDS-PAGE denatures proteins and gives them a uniform charge,
allowing separation solely by molecular weight.
4. Which of the following best defines a plasmid?
A. A linear DNA molecule
B. A circular DNA molecule used in cloning
C. An RNA transcript
D. A protein complex
Plasmids are small circular DNA molecules often used as vectors in
genetic engineering.
5. What is the role of ligase in recombinant DNA technology?
A. Cut DNA
B. Join DNA fragments
C. Transcribe RNA
D. Replicate DNA
DNA ligase is used to covalently bond DNA fragments together.
6. A standard micropipette can accurately measure volumes in which
range?
A. 10–100 mL
B. 1–10 mL
C. 1–1000 µL
D. 1–10 µL
, Micropipettes are used for measuring microliter volumes, commonly
between 1–1000 µL.
7. Which safety level is required for working with organisms that cause
mild disease?
A. BSL-1
B. BSL-2
C. BSL-3
D. BSL-4
BSL-2 is for agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the
environment.
8. In electrophoresis, DNA fragments migrate toward which electrode?
A. Positive
B. Neutral
C. Negative
D. Both equally
DNA is negatively charged and moves toward the positive electrode
during electrophoresis.
9. Which of the following is a common buffer used in electrophoresis?
A. SDS
B. Ethidium bromide
C. TAE buffer
D. IPTG
TAE (Tris-acetate-EDTA) buffer maintains pH and conducts current in
gel electrophoresis.
10. What is the purpose of using IPTG in bacterial transformation?
A. Stabilize plasmids
B. Cut DNA
C. Induce gene expression
D. Prevent bacterial growth
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of restriction enzymes in molecular
biology?
A. DNA replication
B. DNA cleavage at specific sequences
C. Protein synthesis
D. RNA transcription
Restriction enzymes recognize and cut DNA at specific sequences,
making them essential tools in genetic engineering and molecular
cloning.
2. Which instrument is used to amplify DNA through cycles of heating
and cooling?
A. Electrophoresis chamber
B. Spectrophotometer
C. Thermal cycler
, D. Centrifuge
A thermal cycler (PCR machine) is used in polymerase chain reaction
to amplify DNA segments.
3. What does SDS-PAGE separate proteins based on?
A. Molecular weight
B. Charge
C. Isoelectric point
D. Shape
SDS-PAGE denatures proteins and gives them a uniform charge,
allowing separation solely by molecular weight.
4. Which of the following best defines a plasmid?
A. A linear DNA molecule
B. A circular DNA molecule used in cloning
C. An RNA transcript
D. A protein complex
Plasmids are small circular DNA molecules often used as vectors in
genetic engineering.
5. What is the role of ligase in recombinant DNA technology?
A. Cut DNA
B. Join DNA fragments
C. Transcribe RNA
D. Replicate DNA
DNA ligase is used to covalently bond DNA fragments together.
6. A standard micropipette can accurately measure volumes in which
range?
A. 10–100 mL
B. 1–10 mL
C. 1–1000 µL
D. 1–10 µL
, Micropipettes are used for measuring microliter volumes, commonly
between 1–1000 µL.
7. Which safety level is required for working with organisms that cause
mild disease?
A. BSL-1
B. BSL-2
C. BSL-3
D. BSL-4
BSL-2 is for agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the
environment.
8. In electrophoresis, DNA fragments migrate toward which electrode?
A. Positive
B. Neutral
C. Negative
D. Both equally
DNA is negatively charged and moves toward the positive electrode
during electrophoresis.
9. Which of the following is a common buffer used in electrophoresis?
A. SDS
B. Ethidium bromide
C. TAE buffer
D. IPTG
TAE (Tris-acetate-EDTA) buffer maintains pH and conducts current in
gel electrophoresis.
10. What is the purpose of using IPTG in bacterial transformation?
A. Stabilize plasmids
B. Cut DNA
C. Induce gene expression
D. Prevent bacterial growth
