Recombinant DNA Technology Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Study Notes

Recombinant DNA technology combines DNA molecules from two sources to create a new molecule.
The Human Genome Project is associated with the advancement of recombinant DNA technology.
The primary benefit of placing the human gene for insulin in bacteria is to produce insulin in large quantities for diabetics.
The universal nature of the genetic code makes genetically modified organisms possible.
The first step in recombinant DNA technology is isolating the gene of interest.
Transformation is the term used for the introduction of recombinant DNA into host cells.
Restriction endonucleases cut DNA into fragments, and ligase enzymes join DNA fragments.

Gene cloning experiments aim to construct recombinant DNA molecules.
Cutting and joining DNA are two examples of DNA manipulative techniques.
Nucleases are enzymes that degrade DNA molecules by breaking phosphodiester bonds.
Ligase enzymes join nucleic acid molecules together.
Taq DNA polymerase is commonly used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that removes phosphate groups from the 5' terminus of a DNA molecule.

Restriction endonucleases are enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.
Type II restriction endonucleases are most important in gene cloning.
DNase I is an enzyme that targets any internal phosphodiester bond in a DNA molecule.
Linkers are short pieces of double-stranded DNA with a known sequence used in DNA manipulation.

PCR is a technique that amplifies specific DNA sequences.
Agarose gel is typically used for separating large DNA molecules in electrophoresis.
Orthogonal field alternation gel electrophoresis (OFAGE) differs from standard gel electrophoresis in that it uses a pulsed field alternating between two pairs of electrodes.
The migration rate of DNA molecules during electrophoresis is inversely proportional to the size of the molecules.

Cell lysis is the first step in the purification of recombinant proteins.
Affinity chromatography is used to specifically bind and isolate the target protein.
His-tag, GST-tag, and FLAG-tag are commonly used for purifying recombinant proteins using affinity chromatography.
Ion-exchange chromatography separates proteins based on their charge.
SDS-PAGE is used to separate proteins based on their size.

Bacterial DNA undergoes methylation to protect it from restriction endonucleases.
Restriction endonucleases are involved in degrading foreign DNA in bacteria.
DNA ligase is used to repair single-stranded breaks in DNA.### Protein Electrophoresis
Gel electrophoresis is used to separate molecules based on size and charge
SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) is a type of gel electrophoresis that separates proteins based on their size
SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) denatures proteins and gives them a uniform charge
The stacking gel in SDS-PAGE concentrates proteins into tight bands
β-mercaptoethanol helps to break disulfide bonds in proteins
Coomassie Blue is a common dye used to stain proteins after electrophoresis
APS (Ammonium Persulfate) catalyzes the polymerization of acrylamide in gel preparation

Recombinant DNA technology is used to produce proteins and hormones for biopharmaceuticals
It involves the use of plasmid DNA as a vector to transfer genes
Restriction endonucleases are used to cut DNA at specific sequences
Transformation is the introduction of recombinant DNA into host cells
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is used to treat growth hormone deficiency
Recombinant vaccines are safer and cause fewer side effects than traditional vaccines
CHO cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) are commonly used in biopharmaceutical production
Biopharmaceuticals are products derived from living organisms
Recombinant DNA technology can be used to produce monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic purposes, treating infections, and cancer therapy
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a method used to introduce recombinant DNA into plant cells
Selectable marker genes are used to identify cells that have taken up recombinant DNA
Gene therapy aims to replace defective genes with functional ones

Producing proteins and hormones for biopharmaceuticals
Developing recombinant vaccines
Producing monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic purposes, treating infections, and cancer therapy
Gene therapy to replace defective genes with functional ones
Treating growth hormone deficiency with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH)
Producing human insulin using recombinant DNA technology
Treating multiple sclerosis with interferon-beta