GRE Subject Test: Biology : Lab Techniques

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Understanding Recombinant Dna

Which term describes DNA that has been altered by genes from a different organism, typically from a different species?

Possible Answers:

DNA-DNA hybridization

DNA fingerprinting

Recombinant DNA

DNA replication

DNA sequencing

Correct answer:

Recombinant DNA

Explanation:

Recombinant DNA are segments of DNA from one organism artifically manipulated or inserted into the DNA of another organism, using a technique known as gene splicing. This technique permits isolation and examination of properties and actions of specific genes.

DNA sequencing is the process of determining the chemical composition of a DNA molecule (in particular, the order in which the molecule's nucleic acids are arranged). DNA fingerprinting is the use of enzymes to cut DNA samples into a unique set of restriction fragments that can be used as a genetic identified for a single individual. DNA-DNA hybridization is a technique by which DNA from two species is separated into single strands and then allowed to re-form. DNA replication is the copying of the double-stranded DNA molecule, producing two identical DNA double helices.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Recombinant Dna

A scientist seeks to synthesize a rare human protein in lab. To accomplish this, she utilizes recombinant techniques to insert the DNA of a eukaryotic gene for the protein into bacterial plasmids. These plasmids are transformed into bacteria for expression. She is disappointed to discover that the gene product from the bacteria is not the correct protein. What corrective step could she take in the procedure to fix this issue?

Possible Answers:

Insert mRNA into the plasmid instead of DNA

Ligate the gene directly into the chromosome

Use cDNA for the gene instead of DNA

Use archaea instead of bacteria

Use a different genus bacteria

Correct answer:

Use cDNA for the gene instead of DNA

Explanation:

The corrective step would be to use cDNA in the plasmid rather than DNA from the gene. cDNA (complementary DNA) is the DNA copy of the mature mRNA created by the reverse transcriptase enzyme. This would allow the introns to be spliced out from the sequence of the strand. This must be done since prokaryotes lack the equipment necessary for splicing. Simply inserting the DNA gene into the plasmid would result in a translated product with introns present. cDNA avoids this problem.

Example Question #1 : Dna Analysis

Which of the following is a reason that cDNA clones of eukaryotic genes are capable of being expressed in prokaryotic cells? 

I. cDNA clones do not contain any of the introns present in the genomic DNA

II. Prokaryotes have the basic translational machinery needed to express these genes

III. Prokaryotes are capable of making similar post-transcriptional modifications as eukaryotes

Possible Answers:

II and III

I only

I, II, and III

I and II

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

cDNA clones are incredibly powerful tools that can be used to express eukaryotic proteins in prokaryotic cells. One of the primary reasons that this is possible is because both eukaryotes and prokaryotes contain very similar systems of translating mRNA transcripts. Another reason is because the cDNA clone does not contain any of the information that would normally be spliced (introns). Prokaryotes do not make the same post-transcriptional modifications that eukaryotic cells do, and must have introns removed by external means in order to create viable protein products.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Restriction Endonucleases And Rfl Ps

Which of the following DNA sequences could most likely be cleaved by an endonuclease?

Possible Answers:

5'-CGATTA-3'

3'-GCTAAT-5'

5'-GGAACC-3'

3'-CCTTGG-5'

5'-CCTAGG-3'

3'-GGATCC-5'

5'-TATACC-3'

3'-ATATGG-5'

Correct answer:

5'-CCTAGG-3'

3'-GGATCC-5'

Explanation:

Endonucleases cut DNA at restriction sites. These restriction sites are palindromic, meaning that they read the same forward as they do backwards. 

The sequence 5'-CCTAGG-3' will have the complementary strand 3'-GGATCC-5'. Since this sequence is read the same forward as it is backwards, it is a palindromic sequence that can be potentially cleaved by an endonuclease.

5'-CCT|AGG-3'

3'-GGA|TCC-5'

Example Question #1 : Understanding Restriction Endonucleases And Rfl Ps

When performing recombinant DNA techniques, it is often necessary to cut desired DNA sequences with restriction enzymes. Where are these enzymes typically isolated from?

Possible Answers:

Bacteria

Fungi

Animals

They are synthetic

Plants 

Correct answer:

Bacteria

Explanation:

The correct answer is bacteria. Both bacteria and archae utilize restriction enzymes as a defense mechanism to cut foreign intracellular DNA (specifically DNA of bacteriophage). Restriction enzymes are named based on the organism in which they were discovered - for example EcoRI is named after E.coli, and was the first restriction enzyme, found in the R strain.

Example Question #2 : Dna Analysis

After a double digest with EcoRI and HindIII, a gel electrophoresis shows that you have several restriction fragment bands. You see bands of lengths 3kb, 4kb and 5kb. From previous tests, you know that there are two EcoRI restriction sites and two HindIII restriction sites in the DNA fragment you are studying. How many restriction fragments are really in your reaction?

Possible Answers:

It cannot be determined from the given information

Four

Five

Three

Six

Correct answer:

Five

Explanation:

The correct answer is five. Although you can only see three bands in your gel, a DNA fragment with four different restriction sites will be cut into five distinct pieces (if you're having trouble picturing this, drawing it out helps). In this case, some of the bands must be matching sizes, so they do not appear to be separate on your gel. For instance, there may be two 3kb bands, two 4kb bands, and one 5kb band.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Dna Sequencing

The determination of the order of the four bases—adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine—in a strand of DNA is termed __________.

Possible Answers:

genetic recombination

DNA sequencing

DNA amplification

gene flow

DNA replication

Correct answer:

DNA sequencing

Explanation:

DNA sequencing is used to determine the exact order of nucleotides that compose a given DNA molecule. This process can refer to any method that is used to determine the order of the nitrogenous bases in a strand of DNA.

DNA amplification is the duplication of regions of DNA to form multiple copies of a specific portion of the original region. DNA replication is the process of producing two identical replicas from one original DNA molecule. Gene flow is the movement of alleles from one population to another, owing to migration of individual organisms. Genetic recombination is the generation of new combinations of alleles on homologous chromosomes due to the exchange of DNA during crossing over. 

Example Question #2 : Understanding Dna Sequencing

Which of the following accounts for the inability of dideoxynucleotide triphosphates to further polymerize in Sanger DNA sequencing?

Possible Answers:

Presence of a hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon

Lack of a hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon

Lack of a triphosphate moiety on the 5' carbon

Presence of a hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon

Lack of a hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon

Correct answer:

Lack of a hydroxyl group on the 3' carbon

Explanation:

Dideoxynucleotide triphosphates (ddNTPs) lack a 3' hydroxyl group, which is necessary for further polymerization past the ddNTP. In the absence of this 3' free hydroxyl group, ddNTPs cannot be linked to the next incoming nucleotide's 5' end. This halts DNA synthesis, and is the basis of Sanger (chain-termination) sequencing. Ordinary nucleotides do possess a 3' hydroxyl group, allowing them to polymerize further. Sanger sequencing takes advantage of this difference to terminate synthesis at various points.

Example Question #3 : Understanding Dna Sequencing

Traditional Sanger style DNA sequencing relies on a method called chain termination. What type of molecule is used to terminate DNA chains to create molecules of all possible lengths covering the fragment to be sequenced?

Possible Answers:

Purines

Dideoxynucleotides

Deoxyribonucleotides

Deoxyadenosine

Cyclic nucleotides

Correct answer:

Dideoxynucleotides

Explanation:

The key to the chain termination method used in Sanger sequencing is the dideoxynucleotide. These modified bases, designated as ddNTP's rather than dNTP's, are missing their 3' hydroxyl group. This prevents further elongation of DNA strands being synthesized by a polymerase since DNA polymerases all require a 3' hydroxyl as their substrate. In the context of a whole sequencing reaction done before actual DNA sequencing, this creates strands of all possible lengths along your desired sequence.

Example Question #31 : Lab Techniques

A researcher is performing PCR to amplify a sample of DNA. Unfortunately, he forgot to add the DNA primer prior to starting the experiment. Which of the following results is he most likely to observe?

Possible Answers:

The reaction will work, but amplify a region that was not his target

The reaction will work, but at a significantly slower rate

The reaction will work, but the product will contain many undesired mutations

The reaction will be completely unsuccessful

Correct answer:

The reaction will be completely unsuccessful

Explanation:

The primers are absolutely essential for the functionality of a PCR reaction. The heat-resistant DNA polymerases need the RNA primers to anneal before they can begin replicating DNA. Without the primers, there is no way for the DNA polymerase to function and, therefore, no product will be obtained.

Primers are essential for any DNA replication process and are synthesized by primase during in vivo replication. For PCR, primers targeted to specific genes are artificially created and introduced to the sample. Only when the primers are bound will DNA polymerase be recruited to the replication site.

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