genetic engineering
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What do you know?

Once you've read these pages thoroughly and carried out the activities, try these questions to test what you know. Click the button at the bottom of the page to get your score, and to see the correct response to any question you got wrong.

Question 1
Which of the following terms is NOT used to describe the process of changing the genetic information contained within the cells of an organism?
a) genetic engineering
b) recombinant DNA technology
c) genetic fingerprinting
d) genetic modification

Question 2
If the required gene is removed from the DNA of an organism, which enzymes are used to cut it from the original DNA strand?
a) DNA polymerase
b) DNA ligase
c) DNA helicase
d) restriction endonucleases

Question 3
The molecule which will carry the new gene into the host cell is known as a
a) vector
b) plasmid
c) sticky end
d) gene

Question 4
What is the term which describes the way the desired gene is joined into a bacterial plasmid?
a) transformed
b) annealed
c) replicated
d) modified

Question 5
Which of the following is NOT a way of getting new genes into a host cell?
a) using bacterial plasmids as vectors
b) gene scissors
c) electroporation
d) electrophoresis

Question 6
Bioballistics is a new and exciting way of getting new genes into a cell. Which of the following pieces of equipment does it involve?
a) a very fine glass needle
b) a virus modified so it does not cause disease
c) lasers
d) a shotgun

Question 7
The medicines produced by genetically modified organisms are sometimes known as
a) transgenics
b) alternative medicines
c) recombinant medicines
d) gene probes

Question 8
Gene therapy is in its very early stages, but the hope is that it will be used to replace or repair the faulty genes which give rise to many genetic diseases. Which of the following diseases has no chance of being helped by the development of gene therapy?
a) cystic fibrosis
b) influenza
c) Huntington’s disease
d) muscular dystrophy

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