Lab Techniques

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GRE Subject Test: Biology › Lab Techniques

Questions 1 - 10
1

A researcher is trying to identify if caffeine is present in an unknown sample. He chooses to use thin layer chromatography and compare it to a known sample of caffeine. After running the test, he discovers that his unknown sample has the exact same Rf value as the standard caffeine. Which of the following is true about his result?

It is likely that the unknown substance is caffeine

It is unlikely that the unknown substance is caffeine

The unknown substance is definitely caffeine

The unknown substance is definitely not caffeine

Explanation

The fact that the two substances have the same Rf value is strong evidence that they are the same substance; however, it is not conclusive evidence. The researcher would have to verify these results with another test (such as NMR) to conclusively state that caffeine is present in his sample. Rf value is determined by polar and hydrophobic properties that may not be unique to a given compound. Many different compounds are capable of having the same or similar Rf values; therefore, his result does not conclusively show that caffeine is in his sample.

2

A researcher is trying to identify if caffeine is present in an unknown sample. He chooses to use thin layer chromatography and compare it to a known sample of caffeine. After running the test, he discovers that his unknown sample has the exact same Rf value as the standard caffeine. Which of the following is true about his result?

It is likely that the unknown substance is caffeine

It is unlikely that the unknown substance is caffeine

The unknown substance is definitely caffeine

The unknown substance is definitely not caffeine

Explanation

The fact that the two substances have the same Rf value is strong evidence that they are the same substance; however, it is not conclusive evidence. The researcher would have to verify these results with another test (such as NMR) to conclusively state that caffeine is present in his sample. Rf value is determined by polar and hydrophobic properties that may not be unique to a given compound. Many different compounds are capable of having the same or similar Rf values; therefore, his result does not conclusively show that caffeine is in his sample.

3

A researcher is trying to identify if caffeine is present in an unknown sample. He chooses to use thin layer chromatography and compare it to a known sample of caffeine. After running the test, he discovers that his unknown sample has the exact same Rf value as the standard caffeine. Which of the following is true about his result?

It is likely that the unknown substance is caffeine

It is unlikely that the unknown substance is caffeine

The unknown substance is definitely caffeine

The unknown substance is definitely not caffeine

Explanation

The fact that the two substances have the same Rf value is strong evidence that they are the same substance; however, it is not conclusive evidence. The researcher would have to verify these results with another test (such as NMR) to conclusively state that caffeine is present in his sample. Rf value is determined by polar and hydrophobic properties that may not be unique to a given compound. Many different compounds are capable of having the same or similar Rf values; therefore, his result does not conclusively show that caffeine is in his sample.

4

A certain immunostaining technique initially separates antigens to be identified by electrophoresis, then transfers them to a solid membrane. This process was used as the standard for diagnosis of the presence of human immunodeficiency virus. What process is being described?

Western blot

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Flow cytometry

Immuno-electron microscopy

Chemiluminescence

Explanation

The Western blot test identifies antigens by separating them using electrophoresis on a gel, then transferring to a solid membrane by blotting. The process allows clinicians to establish is a specific protein or set of proteins is present in a sample.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodology involves identifying the presence of antigens or antibodies in blood by binding them to enzymes that would result in a color change. In flow cytometry, cells are tagged with an antibody carrying a fluorescent label and passed through a detctor. In immuno-electron microscopy, antibodies are labelled with heavy metals and viewed with an electron microscope. Chemiluminescence is the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction. Luminol is an example of chemiluminescence.

5

A certain immunostaining technique initially separates antigens to be identified by electrophoresis, then transfers them to a solid membrane. This process was used as the standard for diagnosis of the presence of human immunodeficiency virus. What process is being described?

Western blot

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Flow cytometry

Immuno-electron microscopy

Chemiluminescence

Explanation

The Western blot test identifies antigens by separating them using electrophoresis on a gel, then transferring to a solid membrane by blotting. The process allows clinicians to establish is a specific protein or set of proteins is present in a sample.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodology involves identifying the presence of antigens or antibodies in blood by binding them to enzymes that would result in a color change. In flow cytometry, cells are tagged with an antibody carrying a fluorescent label and passed through a detctor. In immuno-electron microscopy, antibodies are labelled with heavy metals and viewed with an electron microscope. Chemiluminescence is the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction. Luminol is an example of chemiluminescence.

6

A certain immunostaining technique initially separates antigens to be identified by electrophoresis, then transfers them to a solid membrane. This process was used as the standard for diagnosis of the presence of human immunodeficiency virus. What process is being described?

Western blot

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Flow cytometry

Immuno-electron microscopy

Chemiluminescence

Explanation

The Western blot test identifies antigens by separating them using electrophoresis on a gel, then transferring to a solid membrane by blotting. The process allows clinicians to establish is a specific protein or set of proteins is present in a sample.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodology involves identifying the presence of antigens or antibodies in blood by binding them to enzymes that would result in a color change. In flow cytometry, cells are tagged with an antibody carrying a fluorescent label and passed through a detctor. In immuno-electron microscopy, antibodies are labelled with heavy metals and viewed with an electron microscope. Chemiluminescence is the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction. Luminol is an example of chemiluminescence.

7

Which of the following is not a type of the electron microscope?

Retraction electron microscope

Transmission electron microscope

Scanning electron microscope

Reflection electron microscope

Scanning transmission electron microscope

Explanation

The incorrect answer is retraction electron microscope. Transmission electron microscope is the simplest type by using a high voltage electron beam to formulate an image. Scanning electron microscopes produces an image through a scanning electron beam. Reflection electron microscopes use an electron beam that scatters when it hits a specimen, the image is then compiled from the scattered electron pattern. Scanning transmission electron microscopes uses a thin ray of electrons that scatters through the specimen to resolve the image.

8

Which of the following is not a type of the electron microscope?

Retraction electron microscope

Transmission electron microscope

Scanning electron microscope

Reflection electron microscope

Scanning transmission electron microscope

Explanation

The incorrect answer is retraction electron microscope. Transmission electron microscope is the simplest type by using a high voltage electron beam to formulate an image. Scanning electron microscopes produces an image through a scanning electron beam. Reflection electron microscopes use an electron beam that scatters when it hits a specimen, the image is then compiled from the scattered electron pattern. Scanning transmission electron microscopes uses a thin ray of electrons that scatters through the specimen to resolve the image.

9

Which of the following is not a type of the electron microscope?

Retraction electron microscope

Transmission electron microscope

Scanning electron microscope

Reflection electron microscope

Scanning transmission electron microscope

Explanation

The incorrect answer is retraction electron microscope. Transmission electron microscope is the simplest type by using a high voltage electron beam to formulate an image. Scanning electron microscopes produces an image through a scanning electron beam. Reflection electron microscopes use an electron beam that scatters when it hits a specimen, the image is then compiled from the scattered electron pattern. Scanning transmission electron microscopes uses a thin ray of electrons that scatters through the specimen to resolve the image.

10

When using a light microscope, the light waves that pass through or bounce off of a specimen are focused and magnified by which of the following?

Lens

Diaphgram

Iris

Fine focus

Occulars

Explanation

Light microscopes use lenses that range from 4x to 100x, are made of glass, and focus and magnify light rays.

The diaphragm regulates the amount of light that passes through an object being magnified. The iris controls the diameter of the beam of light entering the lens. The fine focus is used to move the objectives (lenses) to view objects clearly. The occulars are the lenses that one would look into to view the object.

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