Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What are the two tools used to construct and amplify recombinant DNA molecules?

Answer 1

restriction enzymes and cloning vectors

Question 2

What are recognition sequences or restriction sites?

Answer 2

a specific nucleotide sequence on DNA that restriction enzymes bind to
- the enyzyme then cuts both strands of DNA

Question 3

How are recognition sequences palindromes?

Answer 3

the nucelotide sequence reads the same on both strands of the DNA when read in the 5’ to 3’ direction

Question 4

What are cloning vectors?

Answer 4

DNA molcules that accept DNA fragments and replicate these fragments when vectors are introduced into host cells

Question 5

What is a plasmid?

Answer 5

naturally occuring extrachromosomal, double-stranded, circular DNA molcules that replicate independently from the chromosomes within bacterial cells

Question 6

How are plasmids used as vectors in cloning?

Answer 6

1. the plasmid vector is cut with a restriction enzyme
2. DNA to be cloned is cut with the same restriction enzyme
3. the two DNAs are ligated to form a recombinant molcule
4. the molecule is introduced into bacterial host cells by transformation

Question 7

What is transformation?

Answer 7

the process of introducing plasmids into bacteria