Theories of Aging

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What is the main idea behind the mutation theory of aging?

Oxidative damage to biological molecules

Telomeres being worn away over time

Accumulation of mutations in our genome (correct)

Losing somatic cells faster than they can get replaced

What is the main difference between a genetically modified and engineered organism?

The method of alteration used (correct)

The location of the alteration

The goal of the alteration

The type of organism being altered

How were the first recombinant organisms produced?

By inserting a plasmid into a bacterium

By using horizontal gene transfer

By using transformation to absorb a plasmid

By cutting open a plasmid and inserting a foreign gene (correct)

What is the main idea behind the telomere theory of aging?

Telomeres being worn away over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an organism that contains DNA from multiple places?

Recombinant organism Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of E. coli absorbing a plasmid?

Transformation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of gel electrophoresis in PCR?

To visualize and determine the size of the PCR product Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of primers in PCR?

To locate the specific gene in question and bind to its complimentary positions Signup and view all the answers

What determines the speed of DNA fragments during gel electrophoresis?

The length of the DNA fragments Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of repeating the PCR process 20-30 times?

Millions of copies of the gene of interest Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the DNA ladder in gel electrophoresis?

To provide a reference for determining the size of DNA fragments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of DNA polymerase in PCR?

To copy the remaining DNA sequence after the primer Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the tagged nucleotides in Sanger sequencing?

To stop extension and act as a marker for sequencing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of DNA polymerase in Sanger sequencing?

To copy the DNA sequence Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the electrical current in Sanger sequencing?

To separate DNA fragments by size Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of allowing the Sanger sequencing process to continue for a long enough time?

Fragments of varying sizes with tagged nucleotides at every position Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a GWAS study?

To identify genetic variations associated with a particular disease Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a tagged nucleotide gets added to the DNA fragment during Sanger sequencing?

Extension stops Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern when working with recombinant organisms according to the Asilomar Conference regulations?

To contain the organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a reporter gene in genetic engineering?

To identify where a gene is expressed in a cell Signup and view all the answers

Why were regulations necessary for working with recombinant organisms?

Because the risks of using recombinant organisms were unknown Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of Bt corn?

The toxin binds to a receptor on the surface of the insect's gut and causes fluids to leak out Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of isolating genes from a bacterium in the production of Bt corn?

To produce a toxin that is insect-specific Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of adding a reporter gene to a gene of interest?

To identify where the gene of interest is being expressed Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind Social Darwinism?

The idea that powerful individuals are biologically superior Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of eugenics?

To produce individuals with desirable traits Signup and view all the answers

Why are modern races not clearly defined?

Because of the overlap between different races Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Social Darwinism and eugenics?

They are complementary ideologies Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of negative eugenics?

To eliminate undesirable traits from a population Signup and view all the answers

What is the historical context of Social Darwinism?

It was used to justify slavery, imperialism, and social inequalities Signup and view all the answers