Biotechnology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the result of a mutation in DNA?

No significant changes in organism behavior

Permanent alteration of the genetic material (correct)

Instant cure for genetic disorders

Changes in the organism's physical traits

What did Erwin Chargaff determine about base pairing in DNA?

Adenine pairs with guanine

There is random pairing of bases

Cytosine pairs with thymine

Adenine always pairs with thymine (correct)

Which enzyme is responsible for unzipping DNA strands during replication?

RNA polymerase

DNA helicase (correct)

DNA polymerase

DNA ligase

What marks the beginning of biotechnology according to historical perspectives?

Man's sedentary lifestyle and domestication of plants and animals Signup and view all the answers

How does acidification occur in cheese-making?

By adding a starter culture that converts lactose into lactic acid Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Red Biotechnology?

Vaccine production and medical therapies Signup and view all the answers

What is characterized as Down syndrome?

Flattened face and almond-shaped eyes Signup and view all the answers

What role do bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa have in biotechnology?

Cleaning oil spills Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of DNA within an organism?

To store and transmit genetic information Signup and view all the answers

Which process is directly involved in the information transfer from DNA to protein synthesis?

Transcription Signup and view all the answers

During mRNA translation, which component directly assembles amino acids into a polypeptide chain?

Ribosome Signup and view all the answers

Why is DNA referred to as an informational macromolecule?

It carries the instructions for protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the genetic code?

It is universal to all living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What role do amino acids play in the process of protein synthesis?

They are the building blocks of proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the cell's machinery is responsible for reading the mRNA during translation?

Ribosome Signup and view all the answers

How do mutations in the DNA sequence affect protein synthesis?

They can create non-functional proteins or alter protein function Signup and view all the answers

What role do bacteriophages play in agriculture and the petroleum industries?

They function as biocontrol agents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the complementary DNA sequence for the strand 5' - AATGATTCGGCT - 3'?

3' - TTACTAAGCCGA - 5' Signup and view all the answers

During which process is the information in DNA transcribed into mRNA?

Transcription Signup and view all the answers

What is the mRNA sequence that corresponds to the DNA sequence TACGCTAATCCT?

AUGCGAUUAGGA Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acid is encoded by the codon UCA?

Serine Signup and view all the answers

What direction do the two strands of DNA run?

One runs 5' to 3' and the other runs 3' to 5' Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in cells?

Storing genetic information Signup and view all the answers

In the genetic code, what does AUG signify?

A start codon and methionine Signup and view all the answers

Which base in RNA replaces thymine found in DNA?

Uracil Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which mRNA is translated into proteins?

Translation Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acid corresponds to the codon CCG?

Proline Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mRNA in the process of protein synthesis?

To transport the genetic information from DNA Signup and view all the answers

Which codon signals the termination of protein synthesis?

UAA Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond forms between amino acids during protein synthesis?

Peptide bonds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biotechnology

Biotechnology utilizes living organisms or their components to create valuable products.
Traditional biotechnology encompasses centuries-old techniques like fermentation for beer, wine, cheese, and bread production.
Modern biotechnology involves manipulating genes or inserting portions of one gene into other organisms.
Examples include plant breeding, cheese and bread making, beer and wine production, animal domestication, vaccination, pasteurization, and cloning.
Modern biotechnology emerged with the discovery of DNA structure, sophisticated instruments, and enzymes for gene manipulation.
Down syndrome is characterized by a flattened face, almond-shaped eyes, a short neck, and small ears.
Klinefelter syndrome results from an extra X chromosome.
Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence.
Ruminant animal stomach enzymes (rennet) aid in cheese making.
Bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are used to clean up oil spills.
Cheese aging involves continuous fermentation, leading to ripening.
Avery's experiment proved DNA as the transforming agent, using enzymes like proteinase, RNase, and DNase.
Erwin Chargaff identified complementary base pairing (A-T, C-G) in DNA.

DNA Replication and Enzymes

DNA replication involves unzipping the double helix to create copies. Enzymes like DNA helicase play a key role.
The 20th century saw rapid advancements in biotechnology due to DNA structure discovery, sophisticated tools, and enzymes.
Enzymes are crucial in manipulating DNA in genetic engineering applications.

Vaccination and Acquired Immunity

Edward Jenner pioneered vaccination, a method of providing acquired immunity against diseases.
Biotechnology includes the production of vaccines.
DNA is often referred to as the "code of life" as it contains information for an organism's physical and chemical processes.

Fermentation Processes

Coco vinegar production uses a cheesecloth-covered bottle to allow gas release.
Aspergillus oryzae (a fungus) is a natural starter culture used in soy sauce fermentation and production.
Cloning involves creating new organisms from tissues or genetic material, like Dolly the sheep.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can serve as alternatives to antibiotics.

Cheese Making

Acidification, coagulation, separating curds and whey, salting, shaping, and ripening are crucial steps in making white cheese.
Alcoholic fermentation begins with glucose breaking down into pyruvate, producing alcohol and releasing carbon dioxide.

Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Nucleic acids are informational macromolecules, with DNA carrying instructions for protein synthesis.
Yeast fermentation are used in baking and brewing industries.
Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen revolutionized biotechnology with recombinant DNA technology.
Karl Ereky coined the term "biotechnology".
DNA is genetic material with a double helix structure. Hershey and Chase's experiment demonstrated that viral DNA controls host cell functions.
DNA comprises phosphate, deoxyribose sugar, and A, T, C, and G nitrogenous bases.

Traditional and Modern Biotechnology

Traditional practices of manipulating and exploiting organisms have been used for centuries.
Modern methods involve manipulating DNA through tools like enzyme and equipment to achieve desired outcomes.
Biotechnology involves the use of living things or their products to produce goods/services that are valuable to humans.
The double helix structure of DNA was discover by Watson and Cricks.

Transcription and Translation

DNA information is copied to mRNA during transcription.
Translation converts mRNA into proteins based on the genetic code.
The genetic code chart correlates mRNA codons to amino acids in protein synthesis.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of biotechnology, covering both traditional and modern techniques. Learn about the applications of biotechnology in areas like food production, genetics, and disease management. It also touches upon various genetic disorders and the significance of microbial processes.