Laboratory Practices

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GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology › Laboratory Practices

Questions 1 - 10
1

What technology allows for the assembly of a large DNA sequence from many shorter template sequences by oligonucleotide primer driven polymerase amplification?

Polymerase cycling assembly

Polymerase chain reaction

Restriction endonuclease digestion

Gibson assembly

DNA ligation

Explanation

The correct answer is polymerase cycling assembly. In this reaction, multiple template sequences are included into a reaction with primers to the 5' most and 3' most sequence of the desired final product. The template sequences must also have regions of homology overlap with each other such that upon denaturing and annealing they hybridize to form a larger fragment. Upon hybridization, the primers will promote polymerase amplification of one large product.

2

What technology allows for the assembly of a large DNA sequence from many shorter template sequences by oligonucleotide primer driven polymerase amplification?

Polymerase cycling assembly

Polymerase chain reaction

Restriction endonuclease digestion

Gibson assembly

DNA ligation

Explanation

The correct answer is polymerase cycling assembly. In this reaction, multiple template sequences are included into a reaction with primers to the 5' most and 3' most sequence of the desired final product. The template sequences must also have regions of homology overlap with each other such that upon denaturing and annealing they hybridize to form a larger fragment. Upon hybridization, the primers will promote polymerase amplification of one large product.

3

What was the early technique used in molecular genetics to study "alleles" of various enzymes?

Allozyme gels

Isoenzymatic gels

Isozyme gels

Northern blots

None of these

Explanation

Running allozyme gels was one of the first methods used in molecular studies of these enzymes that have slightly different functions due to having slightly different genetic codes (alleles). This term refers specifically to enzymatic variation created by genetic variation/alleles.

4

What was the early technique used in molecular genetics to study "alleles" of various enzymes?

Allozyme gels

Isoenzymatic gels

Isozyme gels

Northern blots

None of these

Explanation

Running allozyme gels was one of the first methods used in molecular studies of these enzymes that have slightly different functions due to having slightly different genetic codes (alleles). This term refers specifically to enzymatic variation created by genetic variation/alleles.

5

A researcher performs a Bradford assay to determine the quantity of an unknown protein in his sample. The standard protein returns absorbance values of 0.101, 0.204, 0.302, 0.405 for the respective quantities of 10ug, 20ug, 30ug, and 40ug of protein. The unknown sample returns an absorbance value of 0.265. What is the quantity of protein in the unknown sample?

Explanation

For this problem we need to determine the equation of our standard curve. This can be done by creating a graph from the data points and determining the slope.

Screen_shot_2014-02-07_at_1.52.10_pm

Assuming that a sample of zero concentration will also have zero absorbance, we can find the equation for the line generated by finding the slope.

Pick two points on the line to find the slope. We will use (0,0) and (40,0.405).

Use this equation and the absorbance given in the question to find the concentration of the unknown sample.

6

A researcher performs a Bradford assay to determine the quantity of an unknown protein in his sample. The standard protein returns absorbance values of 0.101, 0.204, 0.302, 0.405 for the respective quantities of 10ug, 20ug, 30ug, and 40ug of protein. The unknown sample returns an absorbance value of 0.265. What is the quantity of protein in the unknown sample?

Explanation

For this problem we need to determine the equation of our standard curve. This can be done by creating a graph from the data points and determining the slope.

Screen_shot_2014-02-07_at_1.52.10_pm

Assuming that a sample of zero concentration will also have zero absorbance, we can find the equation for the line generated by finding the slope.

Pick two points on the line to find the slope. We will use (0,0) and (40,0.405).

Use this equation and the absorbance given in the question to find the concentration of the unknown sample.

7

A scientist is trying to create a mutant cell line that has a specific non-functional protein. After many different mutagenesis techniques, he is unable to create a cell line with the mutation he desires. Which of the follow might be the reason he cannot generate a mutant for this protein?

The mutant phenotype is lethal

The gene is buried deep within a region of heterochromatin

The gene is buried deep within a region of euchromatin

The gene is highly conserved throughout evolution

Explanation

If he cannot generate a mutant, it is most likely because the mutant phenotype is lethal. In theory, this researcher was successful in mutating the target gene, however the result of the mutation was a failure during development. This would prevent any potential offspring with the mutation from developing, resulting in no viable specimens for the study.

Many proteins are conserved throughout evolution, but can still be easily mutated. For example, the gene for the protein hemoglobin is well-preserved between animal species, but can still be manipulated to generate animal models for various disorders. The distinction between heterochromatin and euchromatin doesn't really explain why the researcher would be unable to generate a mutant.

8

A scientist is trying to create a mutant cell line that has a specific non-functional protein. After many different mutagenesis techniques, he is unable to create a cell line with the mutation he desires. Which of the follow might be the reason he cannot generate a mutant for this protein?

The mutant phenotype is lethal

The gene is buried deep within a region of heterochromatin

The gene is buried deep within a region of euchromatin

The gene is highly conserved throughout evolution

Explanation

If he cannot generate a mutant, it is most likely because the mutant phenotype is lethal. In theory, this researcher was successful in mutating the target gene, however the result of the mutation was a failure during development. This would prevent any potential offspring with the mutation from developing, resulting in no viable specimens for the study.

Many proteins are conserved throughout evolution, but can still be easily mutated. For example, the gene for the protein hemoglobin is well-preserved between animal species, but can still be manipulated to generate animal models for various disorders. The distinction between heterochromatin and euchromatin doesn't really explain why the researcher would be unable to generate a mutant.

9

Researchers often fuse a hemagglutinin (HA) or a FLAG tag to proteins to study their cellular localization and function. What is the purpose of this tag?

To facilitate detection by antibody specific to the tag

To facilitate overexpression of the protein due to the presence of the tag

To facilitate knockdown of the protein due to the presence of the tag

To engineer a mutant protein that no longer retains the native function

None of these

Explanation

When tagging the N-terminus of a protein, the main purpose is to detect this protein by a widely commercial antibody to the tag. Many proteins that researchers intend to study do not have a specific antibody, and therefore, the utilization of a HA or FLAG tag allows easy detection. The tag is not intended to alter the native protein's function nor change its expression level in cells.

10

Researchers often fuse a hemagglutinin (HA) or a FLAG tag to proteins to study their cellular localization and function. What is the purpose of this tag?

To facilitate detection by antibody specific to the tag

To facilitate overexpression of the protein due to the presence of the tag

To facilitate knockdown of the protein due to the presence of the tag

To engineer a mutant protein that no longer retains the native function

None of these

Explanation

When tagging the N-terminus of a protein, the main purpose is to detect this protein by a widely commercial antibody to the tag. Many proteins that researchers intend to study do not have a specific antibody, and therefore, the utilization of a HA or FLAG tag allows easy detection. The tag is not intended to alter the native protein's function nor change its expression level in cells.

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