CHAPTER 20: BIOTECHNOLOGY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define recombinant DNA
DNA formed with segments from two different sources
Define biotechnology
the manipulation of organisms or their components to
make useful products
Define genetic engineering
direct manipulation of genes for practical puropses
Plasmids are important in biotechnology. Give a full
and complete definition of a plasmid.
Small circular DNA molecules that replicate separately
from the bacterial chromosome. Contain a small number
of genes that a bacteria may or may not need for certain
environments
Define gene cloning
The production of multiple copies of a single gene
Explain the four basic steps of gene clothing
1. Gene is inserted into plasmid
2. Plasmid put into bacterial cell
3. Host cell grown in culture to form a clone of cells
containing the cloned gene of interest
4. basic research and various applications.
Explain how restriction enzymes work
Restriction enzymes cut very specific sequences on a
gene, when it cuts it cuts in a staggered way that creates
sticky ends. Then new complimentary DNA cut by the
, same restriction enzyme can come in and bind, DNA
ligase acts a glue to piece the new DNA together.
What is a cloning vector?
the original plasmid, the DNA molecule that can carry
foreign DNA into a host cell and replicate it there
Explain why a genetically engineered plasmid would
be engineered with ampicillin resistance and the lacZ
gene?
This provides two sources of proof that the bacteria has in
fact taken up the plasmid if the bacteria A: grows on a
plate of ampicillin and B: appear blue because of the
product of hydrolyzing x-gal with the lacZ gene
After transformation has occurred, why are some of
the colonies blue?
they have the lacZ gene which codes for an enzyme that
hydrolyzes x-gal and creates a blue product
Why are some colonies white? Why is this important?
These cells have not taken up the recombinant plasmid.
This is evident because they do not have the enzyme to
break down x-gal and form a blue product
What is the purpose of a genomic library?
it can be used for research, sequencing, or commercial
purposes. "the complete set of plasmid containing cell
clones".
Explain how a bacterial artificial library (BAC) and
cDNA library are formed
large plasmids are trimmed down to contain and store
many genes.
cDNA libraries are derived from the mRNA, store cDNA
which only entails exons. not a complete genome
Explain nucleic acid hybridization
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define recombinant DNA
DNA formed with segments from two different sources
Define biotechnology
the manipulation of organisms or their components to
make useful products
Define genetic engineering
direct manipulation of genes for practical puropses
Plasmids are important in biotechnology. Give a full
and complete definition of a plasmid.
Small circular DNA molecules that replicate separately
from the bacterial chromosome. Contain a small number
of genes that a bacteria may or may not need for certain
environments
Define gene cloning
The production of multiple copies of a single gene
Explain the four basic steps of gene clothing
1. Gene is inserted into plasmid
2. Plasmid put into bacterial cell
3. Host cell grown in culture to form a clone of cells
containing the cloned gene of interest
4. basic research and various applications.
Explain how restriction enzymes work
Restriction enzymes cut very specific sequences on a
gene, when it cuts it cuts in a staggered way that creates
sticky ends. Then new complimentary DNA cut by the
, same restriction enzyme can come in and bind, DNA
ligase acts a glue to piece the new DNA together.
What is a cloning vector?
the original plasmid, the DNA molecule that can carry
foreign DNA into a host cell and replicate it there
Explain why a genetically engineered plasmid would
be engineered with ampicillin resistance and the lacZ
gene?
This provides two sources of proof that the bacteria has in
fact taken up the plasmid if the bacteria A: grows on a
plate of ampicillin and B: appear blue because of the
product of hydrolyzing x-gal with the lacZ gene
After transformation has occurred, why are some of
the colonies blue?
they have the lacZ gene which codes for an enzyme that
hydrolyzes x-gal and creates a blue product
Why are some colonies white? Why is this important?
These cells have not taken up the recombinant plasmid.
This is evident because they do not have the enzyme to
break down x-gal and form a blue product
What is the purpose of a genomic library?
it can be used for research, sequencing, or commercial
purposes. "the complete set of plasmid containing cell
clones".
Explain how a bacterial artificial library (BAC) and
cDNA library are formed
large plasmids are trimmed down to contain and store
many genes.
cDNA libraries are derived from the mRNA, store cDNA
which only entails exons. not a complete genome
Explain nucleic acid hybridization
