Recombinant DNA Overview and Structure

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Questions and Answers

What defines transgenic plants?

Plants that contain foreign genes. (correct)

Plants that are genetically identical to each other.

Plants that lack any genetic modifications.

Plants derived solely from hybridization.

Which of the following is NOT a medicinal application of recombinant DNA technology?

Production of vaccines.

Production of insulin.

Gene therapy.

Development of root nodules. (correct)

How are antibiotics produced using recombinant DNA technology?

By using genetically efficient strains of bacteria.

By cloning from human antibodies.

By developing strains of fungi for mass production. (correct)

By synthesizing them chemically in laboratories.

What is the primary advantage of using human insulin produced via recombinant DNA technology?

It can be produced in large quantities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which process improves the yield of antibiotics like penicillin?

Developing genetically efficient strains. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of C4 plants compared to C3 plants?

They perform photosynthesis more efficiently. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which application involves the use of recombinant DNA technology to produce vaccines?

Transfer of antigen-coding genes to disease-causing bacteria. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method of gene therapy?

Introducing healthy genes to replace faulty ones. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is gene therapy primarily aimed at correcting?

Hereditary diseases (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is produced by genetically engineered microorganisms to dissolve blood clots?

Urokinase (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using recombinant technology over blood tests in disputed parentage cases?

Higher accuracy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of animals are referred to as transgenic animals?

Animals that carry foreign genes (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does recombinant DNA technology aid in the diagnosis of diseases?

By creating probes for infectious agent identification (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which industrial application is recombinant DNA technology NOT useful?

Selection of plant species (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes genetic engineering?

Direct manipulation of genes (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of DNA is used as probes in disease diagnosis?

Single-stranded DNA (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the genetic engineering process involving the addition of a gene from another species to an organism's genome?

The organism develops a desired phenotype. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which step comes first in the genetic engineering process?

DNA Extraction (D) Signup and view all the answers

During which step are thousands of copies of a single gene obtained?

Gene Cloning (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of Gene Design involve?

Cutting and reassembling a gene. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT commonly used for transforming plant cells?

Mass spectrometry (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using tissue culture in the transformation process?

To propagate masses of undifferentiated cells. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential characteristic of a transgenic organism?

It has been modified to express genes from another species. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the methods used in the transformation step?

To deliver the new gene into the cell's nucleus without causing cell death. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of chromosomes in relation to DNA?

They assist in duplication and division of cells. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a nucleotide?

A nucleotide is made up of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogen base. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What ensures the stability of the DNA structure?

The alternating sugar and phosphate backbone. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How are the base pairs of DNA arranged?

A always pairs with T and C always pairs with G. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the complementary strand of TACGATTGA?

ATGCTAACT (D) Signup and view all the answers

What best defines recombinant DNA?

DNA from two different species engineered for specific purposes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the structure of DNA?

DNA has a double helix structure formed by two strands. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of genes within DNA?

To provide a blueprint for protein synthesis. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) are molecules of DNA from two different species combined in a host organism
rDNA produces new genetic combinations useful in science, medicine, agriculture, and industry
rDNA is often shortened to rDNA
rDNA is artificially made by combining two or more gene sequences.
This new combination may or may not occur naturally but is engineered for a specific purpose.
There are many applications for rDNA.

Where is DNA Found?

DNA is found in every living cell
DNA is located within the chromosomes of the cell
Chromosomes help to build proteins and aid in cell duplication or division.

DNA Structure and Function

DNA's unique structure makes it the hereditary molecule.
DNA stores the instructions for directing cell activities

DNA Structure

DNA is a long molecule made up of monomers called nucleotides
DNA is a macromolecule that stores genetic material.
A DNA molecule has a phosphate, sugar (deoxyribose), and a base.
The twisted ladder shape of DNA is called a double helix.

Nitrogen Bases

Adenine (A)
Thymine (T)
Cytosine (C)
Guanine (G)
A always pairs with T
C always pairs with G

Nucleotide Structure

The backbone of DNA is formed by alternating sugar and phosphates held together by a strong bond
The rungs of the ladder are formed by the four nitrogen bases and are held together by weak hydrogen bonds.

How Does DNA Work?

The four letters of DNA make up codons.
These chemicals are repeated in various orders over and over.
These codons make up genes.
These genes tell cells how to make a protein that controls everything in the cell.

Recombinant DNA Applications

Agricultural Applications

Distant hybridization
Development of transgenic plants
Development of root nodules in cereal crops
Development of C4 plants

Medicinal Applications

Production of antibiotics (e.g. Penicillium and Streptomyces fungi)
Production of hormone insulin(extracting from cows and pigs, creating genetically engineered bacteria)
Production of vaccines(transferring antigen-coding genes)
Production of interferon (using human blood cells, recombinant DNA technology)
Production of enzymes (e.g. urokinase -dissolving blood clots)
Gene therapy (replacing defective genes)
Solution of disputed parentage (using recombinant technology)
Diagnosis of disease (constructing probes, e.g. Salmonella and food poisoning)
Production of transgenic animals (e.g. cow, sheep, goats, fish- milk therapeutic proteins, HGH)

Industrial Applications

Creating chemical compounds
Improving fermentation processes
Producing proteins from waste
Using microorganisms to clean up pollutants

Genetic Engineering

Using rDNA technology to alter an organism's genetic makeup.
Traditionally, humans manipulate genomes indirectly by selecting offspring with desired traits.
Involves direct manipulation of 1+ genes. A gene from another species can be added to an organism's genome to give a desired trait.
It is the artificial modification of an organism's genetic composition by transferring genes to create a transgenic organism (GMO).

Genetic Engineering Processes

DNA extraction
Gene cloning
Gene design
Transformation
Backcross breeding

DNA Extraction Step

Scientists must extract DNA from the desired organism
A sample of the organism is used
A series of steps are required to separate the DNA

Gene Cloning Step

Scientists separate the single gene of interest from other genes
Creating thousands of copies of the desired gene

Gene Design Step

Genetic engineers design the gene to work inside a different organism
Used in a test tube to cut and replace gene regions using enzymes.

Transformation Step (e.g., Plants)

The modified gene is ready for insertion into the plant
Tissue culture involves growing masses of undifferentiated plant cells
Various methods are used to deliver the gene(e.g. gene gun, agrobacterium, microfibers, electroporation)
Transformed cells regenerate into transgenic plants
Seeds are then collected for downstream use

Backcross Breeding Step (e.g., Engineered Crop)

Transgenic plants are crossed with elite breeding lines
Combining desired traits of the parents(elite and transgenic)
Repeated backcrossing to the elite line to get a high-yielding transgenic line
The desired trait is expressed in the new hybrid

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Description

This quiz covers the essential concepts of recombinant DNA (rDNA), including its definitions, applications, and the fundamental structure and function of DNA. Explore how DNA is located in cells and its role in heredity and protein synthesis through engaging questions.