Intro to biotech

Open Ended

If you could take any trait from any organism and put that trait into the DNA of your (real or hypothetical) pet goldfish, what traits would you pick and why?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the significance of biotechnology in our lives?

• It allows us to modify organisms for beneficial traits.

• It is only used in agriculture.

• It has no impact on medicine.

• It is a recent discovery with limited applications.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes biotechnology?

• The use of organisms or parts of organisms to produce desired products.

• The study of rocks and minerals.

• The use of machines to build cars.

• The process of photosynthesis in plants.

Open Ended

Explain the role of plasmids in recombinant DNA technology and why they are important for producing antibiotics.

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements about restriction enzymes and DNA ligase are correct?

• Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific locations.

• DNA ligase joins DNA fragments together.

• Restriction enzymes glue DNA pieces together.

• DNA ligase cuts DNA at random places.

Open Ended

Describe the process by which a gene for human growth hormone is inserted into a bacterial plasmid and how this benefits medicine.

Multiple Choice

What is the main function of sticky ends in recombinant DNA technology?

• They help DNA fragments fit together like puzzle pieces.

• They prevent DNA from recombining.

• They destroy unwanted genes.

• They make DNA dissolve in water.

Multiple Choice

Which property of the genetic code allows recombinant DNA technology to work across different species?

• The genetic code is universal

• The genetic code is unique to each species

• The genetic code is only found in animals

• The genetic code uses different nucleotides in plants and bacteria

Open Ended

What are two advantages and two disadvantages of genetically modified foods?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are uses of DNA fingerprinting?

• Paternity tests

• Diagnosing disorders

• Solving crimes

• Improving nutritional content

Multiple Choice

After DNA is extracted, which technique is commonly used to separate DNA fragments by size?

• Gel electrophoresis

• PCR amplification

• DNA sequencing

• Centrifugation

Open Ended

Explain why DNA moves towards the positive pole during gel electrophoresis.

Multiple Choice

Why do shorter DNA fragments travel further in a gel during electrophoresis?

• Because they are lighter and encounter less resistance

• Because they have more base pairs

• Because they are more negatively charged

• Because they are attracted to the positive electrode

Open Ended

What is one question you still have about biotechnology or genetic modification after today's lesson?

Open Ended

What is one example of how biotechnology can be used to modify living organisms, as shown in the images?

Open Ended

Explain how DNA fingerprinting can be used to determine paternity using the gel shown.