BACE: Technical Skills & Applications

What is the Beer-Lambert law used for in biotechnology?

• It relates absorbance to concentration in spectrophotometric measurements.

• It measures the pH of a solution.

• It determines the temperature of a reaction.

• It calculates the molecular weight of a compound.

What are the conditions for growing mammalian cell cultures?

• A. Sterile conditions, appropriate temperature, pH, CO₂ levels, and nutrient-rich media.

• B. High humidity, low temperature, and minimal light exposure.

• C. Constant shaking, high oxygen levels, and acidic media.

• D. Low nutrient levels, high temperature, and sterile conditions.

Why is laminar flow important in cleanrooms?

• It reduces contamination by maintaining a steady flow of filtered air.

• It increases the temperature of the cleanroom environment.

• It allows for the mixing of different air types.

• It enhances the aesthetic appearance of the cleanroom.

What is an autoclave used for?

• Sterilizing equipment and media with high-pressure steam.

• Heating food at high temperatures.

• Cooling liquids rapidly.

• Mixing chemicals safely.

What is the role of flow cytometry in cell analysis?

• It sorts and analyzes cells based on size, complexity, and fluorescent markers.

• It measures the electrical activity of cells.

• It cultures cells in a controlled environment.

• It visualizes cells using high-resolution microscopy.

What is aseptic technique?

• A method to prevent contamination during microbiological work.

• A technique used to sterilize equipment only.

• A process for growing bacteria in a lab setting.

• A way to enhance the growth of microorganisms.

What is the role of SDS-PAGE?

• To separate proteins based on molecular weight.

• To amplify DNA sequences.

• To visualize RNA molecules.

• To measure enzyme activity.

What is the purpose of staining in microscopy?

• It enhances contrast and allows visualization of cellular structures.

• It reduces the size of the specimen for easier viewing.

• It increases the brightness of the microscope light.

• It prevents the specimen from drying out.

How does plasmid DNA purification differ from chromosomal DNA purification?

• Plasmids are larger and require the same extraction buffers as chromosomal DNA.

• Plasmids are smaller and require different extraction buffers for separation from chromosomal DNA.

• Plasmids are more complex and require additional steps for purification.

• Plasmids are less stable and cannot be purified effectively.

What are common applications of spectrophotometry in biotechnology?

• Measuring nucleic acid concentration, protein quantification, and enzymatic activity assays.

• Determining the pH of solutions in chemical reactions.

• Analyzing the molecular weight of compounds in organic chemistry.

• Identifying the color of pigments in plant biology.