Textbook Question
In DNA technology, the term vector can refer to
a. The enzyme that cuts DNA into restriction fragments.
b. The sticky end of a DNA fragment.
c. A SNP marker.
d. A plasmid used to transfer DNA into a living cell.
Ch. 20 - DNA Tools and Biotechnology
Urry11th EditionCampbell BiologyISBN: 9789357423311
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific Inquiry8
- Ch. 2 - The Chemical Context of Life8
- Ch. 3 - Water and Life6
- Ch. 4 - Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life9
- Ch. 5 - The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules9
- Ch. 6 - A Tour of the Cell6
- Ch. 7 - Membrane Structure and Function6
- Ch. 8 - An Introduction to Metabolism6
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation10
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis7
- Ch. 11 - Cell Communication7
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle10
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles10
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene Idea14
- Ch, 15 - The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance7
- Ch. 16 - The Molecular Basis of Inheritance9
- Ch. 17 - Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein9
- Ch. 18 - Regulation of Gene Expression10
- Ch. 19 - Viruses6
- Ch. 20 - DNA Tools and Biotechnology8
- Ch. 21 - Genomes and Their Evolution8
- Ch. 22 - Descent with Modification: A Darwininan View of Life6
- Ch. 23 - The Evolution of Populations5
- Ch. 24 - The Origin of Species6
- Ch. 25 - The History of Life on Earth6
- Ch. 26 - Phylogeny and the Tree of Life7
- Ch. 27 - Bacteria and Archaea8
- Ch. 28 - Protists7
- Ch. 29 - Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land7
- Ch. 30 - Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants7
- Ch. 31 - Fungi5
- Ch. 32 - An Overview of Animal Diversity4
- Ch. 33 - An introduction to Invertebrates6
- Ch. 34 - The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates7
- Ch. 35 - Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development8
- Ch. 36 - Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants8
- Ch. 37 - Soil and Plant Nutrition10
- Ch. 38 - Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology8
- Ch. 39 - Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals8
- Ch. 40 - Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function8
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition7
- Ch. 42 - Circulation and Gas Exchange7
- Ch. 43 - The Immune System6
- Ch. 44 - Osmoregulation and Excretion6
- Ch. 45 - Hormones and the Endocrine System8
- Ch. 46 - Animal Reproduction8
- Ch. 47 - Animal Development8
- Ch. 48 - Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling6
- Ch. 49 - Nervous Systems8
- Ch. 50 - Sensory and Motor Mechanisms5
- Ch. 51 Animal Behavior6
- Ch. 52 - An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere7
- Ch. 53 - Population Ecology10
- Ch. 54 - Community Ecology9
- Ch. 55 - Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology8
- Ch. 56 - Conservation Biology and Global Change6
Chapter 20, Problem 2
Which of the following tools of DNA technology is incorrectly paired with its use?
a. Electrophoresis — Separation of DNA fragments
b. DNA ligase — Cutting DNA, creating sticky ends of restriction fragments
c. DNA polymerase — Polymerase chain reaction to amplify sections of DNA
d. Reverse transcriptase — Production of cDNA from mRNA
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the function of each tool mentioned in the options: Electrophoresis, DNA ligase, DNA polymerase, and reverse transcriptase. Each tool has a specific role in DNA technology.
Option a: Electrophoresis is used to separate DNA fragments based on their size by applying an electric field. Smaller fragments move faster through the gel. This pairing is correct.
Option b: DNA ligase is an enzyme that joins DNA fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds. It does not cut DNA or create sticky ends; that is the role of restriction enzymes. This pairing is incorrect.
Option c: DNA polymerase is used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify specific sections of DNA by synthesizing new DNA strands. This pairing is correct.
Option d: Reverse transcriptase is used to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA) from an mRNA template. This is a key step in studying gene expression. This pairing is correct.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge. In this process, an electric current is applied to a gel matrix, causing the negatively charged DNA to migrate towards the positive electrode. Smaller fragments move faster through the gel, allowing for the visualization and analysis of different DNA sizes.
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07:58
Gel Electrophoresis
DNA Ligase
DNA ligase is an enzyme that facilitates the joining of DNA strands together by forming phosphodiester bonds. It is crucial in processes such as DNA replication and repair, as well as in recombinant DNA technology, where it is used to connect DNA fragments. However, it does not cut DNA; that function is performed by restriction enzymes.
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02:09Step 1) Create Recombinant DNA
Reverse Transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from an RNA template. This process is essential in molecular biology for converting mRNA into cDNA, which can then be amplified and analyzed. It is commonly used in applications such as cloning and gene expression studies, particularly in the context of retroviruses.
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04:161) Initiation of Transcription
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Plants are more readily manipulated by genetic engineering than are animals because
a. Plant genes do not contain introns.
b. More vectors are available for transferring recombinant DNA into plant cells.
c. A somatic plant cell can often give rise to a complete plant.
d. Plant cells have larger nuclei.
Textbook Question
A paleontologist has recovered a bit of tissue from the 400-year-old preserved skin of an extinct dodo (a bird). To compare a specific region of the DNA from a sample with DNA from living birds, which of the following would be most useful for increasing the amount of dodo DNA available for testing?
a. SNP analysis
b. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
c. Electroporation
d. Gel electrophoresis
Textbook Question
DNA technology has many medical applications. Which of the following is not done routinely at present?
a. Production of hormones for treating diabetes and dwarfism
b. Analysis of gene expression for more informed cancer treatments
c. Gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 system in viable human embryos to correct genetic diseases
d. Prenatal identification of genetic disease alleles