Microbial Genetics and Recombinant DNA Technology

These flashcards cover key concepts in microbial genetics and recombinant DNA technology, focusing on definitions, processes, and important distinctions relevant for exam preparation.

What is microbial genetics?

A) The study of macroscopic organisms and their genetic mutations.

B) The study of genes, how they carry information, how they are replicated, and how information is expressed.

C) The process of modifying plants for agricultural benefits.

D) The branch of science focused on viral replication within hosts.

B) The study of genes, how they carry information, how they are replicated, and how information is expressed.

What is recombinant DNA technology?

A) A natural cellular repair mechanism for damaged DNA.

B) A process where DNA is broken down into smaller fragments for energy.

C) A genetic engineering technique that involves inserting genes into bacteria or cells.

D) The process of DNA replication within a cell.

C) A genetic engineering technique that involves inserting genes into bacteria or cells.

What is the structure of DNA?

A) A double helix formed of sugar (deoxyribose), nitrogenous bases (A, G, C, T), and phosphate.

B) A triple helix composed of amino acids.

C) A single-stranded molecule made of ribose, phosphate, and nitrogenous bases (A, U, C, G).

D) A complex protein structure found in the cell nucleus.

A) A double helix formed of sugar (deoxyribose), nitrogenous bases (A, G, C, T), and phosphate.

What does E. coli represent in genetic studies?

A) It is a human gene associated with certain diseases.

B) It is a type of virus commonly used in gene therapy.

C) It is the most extensively genetically studied bacteria.

D) It is a eukaryotic cell model for genetic research.

C) It is the most extensively genetically studied bacteria.

What are plasmids?

A) Protein structures that help package DNA.

B) Large, linear DNA molecules found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

C) The main chromosomes of bacterial cells.

D) Small, circular pieces of DNA within the cytoplasm that replicate independently from the bacterial chromosome.

D) Small, circular pieces of DNA within the cytoplasm that replicate independently from the bacterial chromosome.

Define gene.

A) A lipid molecule responsible for energy storage.

B) A segment of DNA that encodes a functional protein.

C) A type of RNA molecule that carries genetic information.

D) A complex carbohydrate found in cell walls.

B) A segment of DNA that encodes a functional protein.

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

A) Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the individual's characteristics due to gene expression.

B) Genotype refers to expressed traits, while phenotype refers to unexpressed traits.

C) Genotype describes a cell's shape, and phenotype describes its function.

D) Genotype is affected by environmental factors, while phenotype is purely genetic.

A) Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the individual's characteristics due to gene expression.

What is transcription?

A) The process where mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide or protein.

B) The process where DNA sequence is copied to produce a complementary RNA.

C) The breakdown of RNA into its nucleotide components.

D) The replication of DNA to create two identical copies.

B) The process where DNA sequence is copied to produce a complementary RNA.

What is translation in genetics?

A) The process where mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide or protein.

B) The synthesis of DNA from an RNA template.

C) The transfer of genetic material between bacteria via a virus.

D) The copying of DNA to produce a complementary RNA molecule.

A) The process where mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide or protein.

What are the types of RNA?

A) DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid), and protein.

B) Splicing RNA, transfer RNA, and ribosomal DNA.

C) ATP (adenosine triphosphate), ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and AMP (adenosine monophosphate).

D) mRNA (messenger RNA), rRNA (ribosomal RNA), and tRNA (transfer RNA).

D) mRNA (messenger RNA), rRNA (ribosomal RNA), and tRNA (transfer RNA).

What does a codon represent?

A) A codon is a 3-base segment of mRNA that indicates a specific amino acid.

B) A codon is an enzyme that repairs DNA damage.

C) A codon is a segment of DNA that controls gene expression.

D) A codon is a short protein sequence.

A) A codon is a 3-base segment of mRNA that indicates a specific amino acid.

What is genetic redundancy?

A) The phenomenon where multiple codons code for the same amino acid.

B) The loss of genetic information during cell division.

C) The process by which genetic material is duplicated.

D) The presence of identical genes on different chromosomes.

A) The phenomenon where multiple codons code for the same amino acid.

What is a missense mutation?

A) A mutation that changes a base but does not alter the amino acid sequence.

B) A mutation that changes a base, resulting in a stop codon.

C) A single point mutation that results in a change in one amino acid.

D) A mutation that causes by insertion or deletion of bases.

C) A single point mutation that results in a change in one amino acid.

What is a nonsense mutation?

A) A mutation that alters the entire reading frame of the genetic code.

B) A mutation that causes a change in only one amino acid.

C) A mutation that changes a base resulting in a stop codon, halting protein synthesis.

D) A mutation that has no effect on the protein sequence.

C) A mutation that changes a base resulting in a stop codon, halting protein synthesis.

Define frameshift mutation.

A) A mutation that only replaces one base with another.

B) A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence.

C) A mutation that results in a premature stop codon.

D) A mutation caused by insertion or deletion of bases that changes the reading frame of the genetic code.

D) A mutation caused by insertion or deletion of bases that changes the reading frame of the genetic code.

What is a silent mutation?

A) A mutation that changes a base but does not alter the amino acid sequence of the resulting protein.

B) A mutation that introduces a stop codon, leading to truncated proteins.

C) A mutation that causes the cell to become unresponsive.

D) A mutation that severely impacts protein function by changing an amino acid.

A) A mutation that changes a base but does not alter the amino acid sequence of the resulting protein.

What are mutagens?

A) Nucleix acid sequences that protect against mutations.

B) Enzymes that repair DNA damage within the cell.

C) Proteins that regulate gene expression.

D) Agents that cause mutations, such as radiation and chemical compounds.

D) Agents that cause mutations, such as radiation and chemical compounds.

How does conjugation work in bacteria?

A) A bacterium takes up naked DNA from its environment.

B) A virus transfers DNA from one bacterium to another.

C) Bacteria replicate their DNA during cell division.

D) One bacterium transfers DNA (typically in a plasmid) to another bacterium through a sex pilus.

D) One bacterium transfers DNA (typically in a plasmid) to another bacterium through a sex pilus.

Explain transformation in genetic transfer.

A) The transfer of DNA through direct cell-to-cell contact.

B) The transfer of genetic material via a viral vector.

C) The incorporation of foreign DNA into a eukaryotic chromosome.

D) The process where naked DNA or plasmid is taken up by a recipient cell from the environment.

D) The process where naked DNA or plasmid is taken up by a recipient cell from the environment.

What is transduction?

A) Transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage.

B) The uptake of free DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell.

C) The direct transfer of DNA between two bacterial cells.

D) The process by which bacteria create spores.

A) Transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage.

What is the significance of DNA replication?

A) It provides vertical gene transfer between generations of cells.

B) It is the process of repairing damaged DNA segments.

C) It allows for the expression of genes into proteins.

D) It enables bacteria to share genetic information horizontally.

A) It provides vertical gene transfer between generations of cells.

What is the role of DNA polymerase?

A) An enzyme that cuts DNA at specific recognition sites.

B) An enzyme that joins DNA fragments together.

C) An enzyme that reads the DNA strand and synthesizes a new complimentary strand.

D) An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix for replication.

C) An enzyme that reads the DNA strand and synthesizes a new complimentary strand.

What is the human genome project?

A) A program for developing new human-specific vaccines.

B) A project focused on cloning human organs for transplantation.

C) An international project aimed to sequence the entire human genome and map all expressed proteins.

D) A study investigating the evolution of human language.

C) An international project aimed to sequence the entire human genome and map all expressed proteins.

How is insulin produced using recombinant DNA technology?

A) By genetically modifying human cells to overproduce insulin.

B) By extracting insulin from animal pancreases and purifying it.

C) By inserting the insulin gene into plasmids of E. coli, which then produce insulin upon culture.

D) By directly synthesizing insulin protein from scratch in a laboratory.

C) By inserting the insulin gene into plasmids of E. coli, which then produce insulin upon culture.

What is the genetic makeup of plasmids?

A) Plasmids consist of proteins that aid in cell structure.

B) Plasmids carry genes coding for functions such as antibiotic resistance and fertility factors.

C) Plasmids are composed of RNA molecules that regulate gene expression.

D) Plasmids primarily contain genes for essential metabolic functions of the cell.

B) Plasmids carry genes coding for functions such as antibiotic resistance and fertility factors.

How does E. coli benefit recombinant DNA technology?

A) E. coli produces unique enzymes crucial for DNA cutting and pasting.

B) E. coli has a complex immune system that protects against foreign DNA.

C) E. coli can directly synthesize human proteins without any genetic modification.

D) E. coli is easily grown, and its genetic makeup is extensively studied, making it ideal for genetic engineering.

D) E. coli is easily grown, and its genetic makeup is extensively studied, making it ideal for genetic engineering.

What are constitutive proteins?

A) Proteins that catalyze the breakdown of other proteins.

B) Proteins that form structural components of the cell membrane.

C) Proteins that are only produced in response to specific environmental stimuli.

D) Proteins expressed at a fixed rate, typically involved in essential metabolic functions.

D) Proteins expressed at a fixed rate, typically involved in essential metabolic functions.

Describe the process of transcription using RNA polymerase?

A) RNA polymerase unwinds the DNA helix and replicates both strands.

B) RNA polymerase copies the DNA sequence to form a complementary mRNA strand.

C) RNA polymerase synthesizes a new DNA strand from an RNA template.

D) RNA polymerase translates mRNA into a protein sequence.

B) RNA polymerase copies the DNA sequence to form a complementary mRNA strand.

Why is it important to eliminate endotoxins from E. coli products?

A) Endotoxins enhance the effectiveness of recombinant proteins.

B) Endotoxins are necessary for E. coli's survival and shouldn't be eliminated.

C) Endotoxins interfere with the replication of plasmids in E. coli.

D) Endotoxins can cause adverse reactions in humans, making it crucial to purify products.

D) Endotoxins can cause adverse reactions in humans, making it crucial to purify products.

Differentiate between F+ and F- cells.?

A) F+ cells are antibiotic resistant, while F- cells are susceptible.

B) F+ cells contain a fertility factor allowing them to form sex pili, while F- cells do not.

C) F+ cells are recipient cells in conjugation, while F- cells are donor cells.

D) F+ cells have multiple chromosomes, while F- cells have only one.

B) F+ cells contain a fertility factor allowing them to form sex pili, while F- cells do not.

What happens during recombination in E. coli?

A) The integration of plasmid DNA into the bacterial chromosome can occur during conjugation.

B) The formation of new proteins from mRNA sequences.

C) The process of E. coli breaking down foreign DNA.

D) The replication of the E. coli chromosome during cell division.

A) The integration of plasmid DNA into the bacterial chromosome can occur during conjugation.

What are the steps of recombinant DNA technology?

A) Extract DNA from desired cells, replicate DNA, translate RNA, and then purify.

B) Isolate plasmids, induce mutations, select for desired traits, and then reproduce.

C) Analyze gene sequence, synthesize proteins, and then integrate into a new organism.

D) Insert DNA into plasmid, introduce plasmid into cells, grow culture, and harvest the protein.

D) Insert DNA into plasmid, introduce plasmid into cells, grow culture, and harvest the protein.