Ch. 8 - Recombinant DNA Technology

Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition

Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook

Bauman 6th Edition

Ch. 8 - Recombinant DNA Technology

Problem 3

Chapter 8, Problem 3

Indicate which of the following are true and which are false. Rewrite any false statements to make them true by changing the underlined words.
__________ A thermocycler separates molecules based on their size, shape, and electrical charge.

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Identify the key concept in the statement: a thermocycler is mentioned as a device that separates molecules based on size, shape, and electrical charge.

Recall the function of a thermocycler: it is a laboratory device used to amplify DNA segments by cycling through different temperature steps in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It does not separate molecules.

Recognize that the device described in the statement is actually an electrophoresis apparatus, which separates molecules such as DNA or proteins based on size, shape, and electrical charge.

Determine that the original statement is false because it incorrectly attributes the function of separation to a thermocycler.

Rewrite the statement to make it true by replacing 'thermocycler' with 'electrophoresis apparatus' or 'gel electrophoresis system': 'An electrophoresis apparatus separates molecules based on their size, shape, and electrical charge.'

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Function of a Thermocycler

A thermocycler is a laboratory device used to amplify DNA segments through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It precisely cycles through different temperatures to enable DNA denaturation, primer annealing, and extension, but it does not separate molecules.

Gel Electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis is a technique that separates molecules like DNA, RNA, or proteins based on size, shape, and electrical charge by applying an electric field to a gel matrix. Smaller molecules move faster, allowing for size-based separation.

Differences Between PCR and Electrophoresis

PCR amplifies specific DNA sequences using temperature cycles, while electrophoresis separates molecules by size and charge. Understanding these distinct roles clarifies that thermocyclers do not separate molecules, but electrophoresis does.

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Gel Electrophoresis

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Indicate which of the following are true and which are false. Rewrite any false statements to make them true by changing the underlined words.

__________ Protoplast fusion is often used in the genetic modification of plants.

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Textbook Question

Describe three ways scientists use synthetic nucleic acids.

Textbook Question

Indicate which of the following are true and which are false. Rewrite any false statements to make them true by changing the underlined words.

__________ Restriction enzymes act at specific nucleotide sequences within a double-stranded DNA molecule.

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Textbook Question

After scientists exposed cultures of Penicillium to agents X, Y, and Z, they examined the type and amount of penicillin produced by the altered fungi to find the one that is most effective. Agents X, Y, and Z were probably __________ .

a. recombinant cells

b. competent

c. mutagens

d. phages

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Textbook Question

A DNA gene synthesized from an RNA template is ___________ .

a. reverse transcriptase

b. complementary DNA

c. recombinant DNA

d. probe DNA

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