BIO 101 EXAM 2 NVCC EXAM REVIEW 2026
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH SOLVED
QUESTIONS
⩥ A set of techniques for manipulating DNA: Answer: DNA technology
⩥ The use of organisms or their products for human purposes: Answer:
Biotechnology
⩥ The creation of a large number of copies of a target sequence of DNA:
Answer: DNA cloning
⩥ A round bacterial chromosome: Answer: Plasmid
⩥ DNA combined from two different sources: Answer: Recombinant
DNA
⩥ Purposefully altering genes for human purposes: Answer: Genetic
engineering
⩥ True or false: Plasmids are crucial in gene cloning because they can
carry almost any gene. If false, make it a correct statement. Answer:
True
,⩥ Why is the DNA in steps 3 and 4 cut with the same enzyme? Refer to
Figure 12.1B on page 237 of your textbook. Answer: This way the two
sources of DNA can be mixed and spliced together because the ends of
the cuts will match.
⩥ Restriction enzymes do not cut the DNA of bacteria because of
___________ groups on the bacterial DNA. Refer to the "Visualizing the
Concept" on page 238 of your textbook. Answer: methyl
⩥ Bacteria can be infected by viruses just as human cells can. Propose
an explanation for the normal role of restriction enzymes in a bacterial
cell. Answer: A possible explanation is that bacteria can degrade
invading viral DNA.
⩥ Which of the following explains why DNA from two different sources
can be joined together as long as they were cut with the same restriction
enzyme?
a. The restriction enzyme forms hydrogen bonds with the DNA.
b. The bases at the sticky ends will be complementary to each other.
c. DNA ligase recognizes that the two sources of DNA were cut with the
same enzyme and joins the fragments.
d. The restriction fragments will be the exact same length, which allows
the two fragments to join Answer: b. The bases at the sticky ends will be
complementary to each other.
, ⩥ A short radioactively/fluorescently labeled single strand of DNA is
known as a(n) Answer: nucleic acid probe.
⩥ A researcher wants to search a genomic library for a plasmid that
contains the human gene for human growth hormone (HGH). He needs
to design a nucleic acid probe that will recognize the gene contained
within the library. The only other information he has is that a short
sequence of the mRNA made from the HGH gene reads:
AGGCUAUCGC. Would he be able to make a nucleic acid probe from
this information? Briefly explain your answer either way. Answer: Yes,
he would be able to because of the complementary nature of the bases.
⩥ True or false: A scientist can obtain cDNA from every gene from a
particular cell. If false, make it a correct statement. Answer: False, the
scientist can obtain cDNA only from the genes that are actively being
transcribed at that time.
⩥ A biologist makes cDNA from a normal pancreatic cell and then from
a cancerous pancreatic cell. The biologist expects the cDNA to be
different between the two cells. Briefly explain why you think she is
doing this experiment. Answer: The biologist is trying to determine
what, if any, differences there are in gene expression between the two
conditions.
⩥ Briefly explain how the CRISPR-Cas9 system could be used to
potentially edit mutant genes that cause disease in humans. Refer to
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH SOLVED
QUESTIONS
⩥ A set of techniques for manipulating DNA: Answer: DNA technology
⩥ The use of organisms or their products for human purposes: Answer:
Biotechnology
⩥ The creation of a large number of copies of a target sequence of DNA:
Answer: DNA cloning
⩥ A round bacterial chromosome: Answer: Plasmid
⩥ DNA combined from two different sources: Answer: Recombinant
DNA
⩥ Purposefully altering genes for human purposes: Answer: Genetic
engineering
⩥ True or false: Plasmids are crucial in gene cloning because they can
carry almost any gene. If false, make it a correct statement. Answer:
True
,⩥ Why is the DNA in steps 3 and 4 cut with the same enzyme? Refer to
Figure 12.1B on page 237 of your textbook. Answer: This way the two
sources of DNA can be mixed and spliced together because the ends of
the cuts will match.
⩥ Restriction enzymes do not cut the DNA of bacteria because of
___________ groups on the bacterial DNA. Refer to the "Visualizing the
Concept" on page 238 of your textbook. Answer: methyl
⩥ Bacteria can be infected by viruses just as human cells can. Propose
an explanation for the normal role of restriction enzymes in a bacterial
cell. Answer: A possible explanation is that bacteria can degrade
invading viral DNA.
⩥ Which of the following explains why DNA from two different sources
can be joined together as long as they were cut with the same restriction
enzyme?
a. The restriction enzyme forms hydrogen bonds with the DNA.
b. The bases at the sticky ends will be complementary to each other.
c. DNA ligase recognizes that the two sources of DNA were cut with the
same enzyme and joins the fragments.
d. The restriction fragments will be the exact same length, which allows
the two fragments to join Answer: b. The bases at the sticky ends will be
complementary to each other.
, ⩥ A short radioactively/fluorescently labeled single strand of DNA is
known as a(n) Answer: nucleic acid probe.
⩥ A researcher wants to search a genomic library for a plasmid that
contains the human gene for human growth hormone (HGH). He needs
to design a nucleic acid probe that will recognize the gene contained
within the library. The only other information he has is that a short
sequence of the mRNA made from the HGH gene reads:
AGGCUAUCGC. Would he be able to make a nucleic acid probe from
this information? Briefly explain your answer either way. Answer: Yes,
he would be able to because of the complementary nature of the bases.
⩥ True or false: A scientist can obtain cDNA from every gene from a
particular cell. If false, make it a correct statement. Answer: False, the
scientist can obtain cDNA only from the genes that are actively being
transcribed at that time.
⩥ A biologist makes cDNA from a normal pancreatic cell and then from
a cancerous pancreatic cell. The biologist expects the cDNA to be
different between the two cells. Briefly explain why you think she is
doing this experiment. Answer: The biologist is trying to determine
what, if any, differences there are in gene expression between the two
conditions.
⩥ Briefly explain how the CRISPR-Cas9 system could be used to
potentially edit mutant genes that cause disease in humans. Refer to
