DNA Cloning: A Comprehensive Guide for Further Education Students

Question 1

Which enzyme is responsible for cutting DNA at specific palindromic sequences, creating fragments with complementary overhangs?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

Polymerase

Answer

Helicase

Answer

Ligase

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

To carry the foreign DNA into the host cell and replicate alongside it

Answer

To protect the foreign DNA from degradation

Answer

To amplify the foreign DNA independently of the host cell

Question 3

What is a selectable marker gene typically used for in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

To confer resistance to antibiotics or other selective agents, allowing for the identification and isolation of transformed cells

Answer

To promote the expression of the foreign DNA

Answer

To regulate the replication of the plasmid

Question 4

What is the key difference between sticky ends and blunt ends in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Sticky ends have complementary single-stranded overhangs that can base-pair with complementary overhangs, facilitating ligation, while blunt ends lack such overhangs.

Answer

Sticky ends are created by restriction enzymes, while blunt ends are created by exonucleases.

Answer

Sticky ends are less stable than blunt ends during ligation.

Question 5

Which technique is commonly used to separate and analyze DNA fragments based on their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Southern blotting

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA sequencing

Question 6

What is a primary advantage of using PCR in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

PCR allows for the rapid and specific amplification of target DNA fragments, enabling the production of multiple copies for further analysis or manipulation

Answer

PCR is suitable for cloning large DNA fragments

Answer

PCR can be used to identify mutations in DNA

Question 7

Which of the following is an ethical concern associated with DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

The development and release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their potential impact on ecosystems and human health

Answer

The safety and efficacy of DNA cloning techniques

Answer

The high cost of DNA cloning procedures

Question 8

In DNA cloning, the process of joining the DNA fragment of interest with the plasmid vector is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ligation

Answer

Transduction

Answer

Transformation

Question 9

Which enzyme is responsible for cleaving DNA at specific nucleotide sequences?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

Transcriptase

Answer

Polymerase

Answer

Ligase

Question 10

What is the primary function of a cloning vector?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate the transfer and replication of foreign DNA within a host cell

Answer

To amplify DNA

Answer

To excise DNA fragments from chromosomes

Answer

To protect DNA from degradation

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

To identify and select transformed cells that have successfully incorporated the foreign DNA

Answer

To regulate the expression of the cloned gene

Answer

To facilitate the integration of foreign DNA into the host cell's genome

Question 12

What is the primary application of PCR in the context of DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

To amplify specific regions of DNA

Answer

To introduce foreign DNA into cells

Answer

To identify transformed cells

Answer

To excise DNA fragments from chromosomes

Question 13

Which technique is commonly used to separate DNA fragments based on their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

Restriction digestion

Question 14

What makes plasmids particularly suitable as cloning vectors?

Accepted Answer

They are small, circular DNA molecules with a high copy number and multiple cloning sites

Answer

They are linear and have a single cloning site

Answer

They contain genes for antibiotic resistance

Question 15

Which enzyme is responsible for joining DNA fragments together to form a continuous molecule?

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase

Answer

Polymerase

Answer

Transcriptase

Answer

Restriction enzyme

Question 16

What is the purpose of downstream processes in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

To further modify, characterize, or analyze the cloned DNA

Answer

To select for transformed cells

Answer

To insert the cloned DNA into a host organism

Answer

To amplify the cloned DNA

Question 17

Which technique is typically used to introduce foreign DNA into mammalian cells?

Accepted Answer

Transfection

Answer

Electroporation

Answer

Transformation

Answer

Conjugation

Question 18

Which enzyme specifically recognizes and cuts DNA sequences called palindromes?

Accepted Answer

Restriction endonuclease

Answer

DNA ligase

Answer

Helicase

Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 19

Describe a plasmid:

Accepted Answer

A small, circular DNA molecule present in bacteria that can replicate independently

Answer

A fragment of chromosomal DNA

Answer

A type of virus that infects bacteria

Answer

An enzyme used to join DNA fragments

Question 20

Which process is used to introduce foreign DNA into a host cell to produce genetically modified organisms?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Conjugation

Answer

Transduction

Question 21

Define a selectable marker:

Accepted Answer

A gene that aids in identifying and selecting cells containing recombinant DNA

Answer

A sequence that regulates gene expression

Answer

A region of DNA coding for a specific protein

Question 22

What is ligase's primary function in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Permanently joining DNA fragments together

Answer

Cutting DNA at specific recognition sites

Answer

Duplicating DNA

Answer

Unwinding the DNA helix

Question 23

What is the main purpose of creating a DNA library?

Accepted Answer

To collect, store, and organize cloned DNA fragments for future use

Answer

To amplify DNA fragments

Answer

To analyze the sequence of DNA fragments.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a step in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Gene sequencing

Answer

Screening

Answer

Transformation

Answer

Vector preparation

Question 25

What is the purpose of using a restriction enzyme in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

To cut DNA at specific recognition sites, generating sticky ends

Answer

To ligate DNA fragments

Answer

To amplify DNA

Answer

To transform bacteria

Question 26

What is the process by which a foreign DNA fragment is inserted into a vector?

Accepted Answer

Ligation

Answer

Electroporation

Answer

Annealing

Answer

PCR

Question 27

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

Accepted Answer

To allow the selection of cells that have taken up and successfully expressed the recombinant DNA

Answer

To stabilize the recombinant DNA

Answer

To increase the expression of the cloned gene

Question 28

Which of the following applications of DNA cloning is used to study gene function?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression analysis

Answer

Protein production

Answer

Gene therapy

Answer

DNA fingerprinting

Question 29

What is the ethical concern associated with DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Potential misuse of genetic information for discrimination or genetic engineering of humans

Answer

Lack of regulation

Answer

Environmental impact

Answer

Cost of technology

Question 30

What is the ultimate goal of DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

To produce copies of a specific DNA fragment for various research, medical, or industrial applications

Answer

To repair damaged DNA

Answer

To sequence DNA

Answer

To modify gene expression

Question 31

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

Accepted Answer

To enable identification and selection of transformed cells

Answer

To control the expression of the cloned gene within the recipient organism

Answer

To enhance the stability of the cloned DNA

Question 32

Which enzyme is utilized to make specific cuts in plasmid DNA at specific recognition sequences?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzyme

Answer

Ligase

Answer

Integrase

Answer

Topoisomerase

Question 33

In the context of DNA cloning, what is the primary role of ligase?

Accepted Answer

To covalently bond the insert DNA to the vector DNA

Answer

To unwind and separate DNA strands

Answer

To synthesize new DNA strands

Answer

To fragment and cut DNA

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of utilizing a DNA ladder in gel electrophoresis?

Accepted Answer

To serve as size references for DNA fragments

Answer

To generate DNA fragments of specific lengths

Answer

To amplify specific DNA fragments

Answer

To visualize and separate DNA fragments based on their size

Question 35

What is the term for the process by which a cloned gene is translated and expressed within a recipient organism?

Accepted Answer

Expression

Answer

Transformation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Recombination

Question 36

What key advantage does a cosmid vector offer over a plasmid vector in the context of DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Increased capacity to accommodate larger DNA inserts

Answer

Simplified transformation process

Answer

Enhanced stability and resistance to degradation

Answer

Higher copy number within the recipient organism

Question 37

What is the main function of restriction enzymes in DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

To cut DNA at specific sequences, allowing the insertion of foreign DNA.

Answer

To join DNA fragments together.

Answer

To regulate gene expression.

Answer

To copy DNA sequences.

Question 38

Which of the following features is essential for a good cloning vector?

Accepted Answer

Multiple cloning sites (MCS) for inserting foreign DNA.

Answer

A low copy number to limit the amount of foreign DNA produced.

Answer

Absence of restriction enzyme sites to prevent accidental cutting.

Answer

Inability to replicate independently in the host cell.

Question 39

The process of introducing foreign DNA into a host cell is called:

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Answer

Transcription (DNA to RNA)

Answer

Transduction (transfer of DNA via a virus)

Answer

Translation (protein synthesis)

Question 40

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

Accepted Answer

To identify cells that have successfully taken up the vector.

Answer

To regulate the expression of the cloned gene.

Answer

To increase the efficiency of DNA cutting by restriction enzymes.

Answer

To prevent the vector from replicating in the host cell.

Question 41

Which technique is commonly used to make many copies of a specific DNA fragment during DNA cloning?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer

Northern blotting (detecting RNA)

Answer

Western blotting (detecting proteins)

Answer

Southern blotting (detecting DNA)

Question 42

What is the role of a promoter in a cloning vector?

Accepted Answer

To initiate the transcription of the cloned gene.

Answer

To allow for the replication of the vector within the host cell.

Answer

To cut DNA at specific sequences.

Answer

To provide resistance to antibiotics.

Question 43

Which of the following is a potential application of DNA cloning in biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

Production of therapeutic proteins like insulin for diabetes treatment.

Answer

Creating artificial intelligence.

Answer

Designing new computer programs.

Answer

Predicting weather patterns.