Unit 5 Review Questions

Front

What are sticky cuts in DNA?

Back

Sticky cuts refer to the uneven cuts made by restriction enzymes that leave overhanging ends, allowing for easier ligation with other DNA fragments.

Front

What is a palindromic sequence in DNA?

Back

A palindromic sequence is a sequence of DNA that reads the same forwards and backwards, often recognized by restriction enzymes.

Front

What is gel electrophoresis used for?

Back

Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge.

Front

What are restriction enzymes?

Back

Restriction enzymes are proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences, often palindromic, and are used in genetic engineering.

Front

What is the role of ligases in DNA manipulation?

Back

Ligases are enzymes that join two DNA fragments together by forming a phosphodiester bond.

Front

What is the function of polymerases in DNA processes?

Back

Polymerases are enzymes that synthesize DNA or RNA from nucleotides, playing a crucial role in DNA replication and transcription.

Front

What is a dichotomous key?

Back

A dichotomous key is a tool used to identify organisms based on a series of choices that lead the user to the correct name of a given item.

Front

What does the term 'metamere' refer to?

Back

Metamere refers to a segment of an organism's body that is repeated, commonly seen in segmented animals like earthworms.

Front

What is the significance of recognition sites for restriction enzymes?

Back

Recognition sites are specific sequences in DNA where restriction enzymes bind and cut, crucial for genetic engineering and cloning.

Front

What is the difference between blunt and sticky ends in DNA?

Back

Blunt ends are straight cuts in DNA with no overhangs, while sticky ends have overhanging nucleotides that can easily pair with complementary sequences.