Biotech Test 2

A recombinant plasmid refers to artificially constructed plasmids that contain a desired gene inserted into them for various purposes in genetic engineering.

Recombinant DNA refers to artificially constructed DNA where specific genes are inserted using sticky ends, allowing for genetic manipulation and modification.

Genetic engineering involves actively changing the genetic makeup of an organism through manipulation, rather than relying on natural selection or studying existing genetic traits.

A bacteriophage is a type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria, ultimately destroying the bacterial cell. They are often used in biotechnology to deliver genes into bacterial cells.

A cloning vector is specifically a DNA molecule used to transport foreign genetic material into a host organism for replication. The other options are unrelated to the concept of cloning vectors.

Restriction fragments are the pieces of DNA that result from the cutting of DNA by restriction enzymes. These fragments are used in techniques like gel electrophoresis for DNA analysis.

Sticky ends refer to the staggered cuts made by restriction enzymes on DNA, creating overhanging ends that are complementary to each other.

A BAC, or Bacterial Artificial Chromosome, is a large plasmid that is utilized in genetic research for cloning and propagating DNA sequences. It is not related to alcoholic beverages, viruses, or enzymes used in DNA replication.

YAC, or yeast artificial chromosomes, behave normally in mitosis and can carry more DNA than a plasmid as vectors, helping avoid gene expression problems in eukaryotic cells.

A nucleic acid probe is a single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule that is complementary to a specific sequence of interest. It is used to identify and locate target nucleic acid sequences, such as genes, within a complex mixture. By hybridizing with the gene of interest, a nucleic acid probe can help in identifying clones that carry specific genes.

Nucleic acid hybridization is specifically related to genetics and molecular biology, involving the study of DNA or RNA sequences to assess genetic traits.

Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and clinical chemistry to analyze macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. It separates fragments based on their size and charge, allowing for the visualization and analysis of genetic material.

Capsid is specifically the protein shell that surrounds the viral genome, providing protection and entry into host cells.

The viral envelope is a crucial structure that aids viruses in infecting host cells by allowing them to evade the host immune system, specifically in the case of influenza viruses. It also surrounds the capsid of influenza viruses, containing essential virus and host cell molecules.

The lytic cycle is a specific type of viral reproduction where the virus infects a host cell, replicates within it, and eventually causes the cell to burst, releasing new viral particles to infect other cells.

Retroviruses are unique in that they use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's genome.

Reverse transcriptase is specifically involved in the conversion of RNA to DNA, making the incorrect answers unrelated to its function.

Prions are unique infectious agents that are neither bacteria nor virus, but rather misfolded proteins that can convert normal proteins into abnormal shapes, leading to neurodegenerative diseases.

Totipotent cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body as well as generate a complete new organism.

Epigenetic changes refer to alterations in gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can occur through various mechanisms but do not involve modifying the actual genetic code.

A transgenic animal is an organism that has had its genome altered by the introduction of a gene from another species.

Xenotransplantation specifically refers to the transplantation of organs or tissues between different species, not within the same species like identical twins or siblings.

The discovery of virus in the tobacco experiment was made by extracting tobacco sap, filtering it to prevent bacteria from getting through, and then rubbing the filtered sap on healthy leaves, resulting in the leaves becoming infected.

Viruses are not considered living organisms because they lack the ability to carry out essential life processes on their own and require a host cell to replicate.