AMT MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
TECHNOLOGIST (MDT) CERTIFICATION EXAM
1. Which technique is primarily used to amplify DNA
sequences?
A. Southern blotting
B. Western blotting
C. Polymerase chain reaction
D. Northern blotting
Answer: C. Polymerase chain reaction
Rationale: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique
specifically designed to amplify small amounts of DNA into
millions of copies, making it essential for molecular
diagnostics.
2. What enzyme is responsible for synthesizing DNA during
PCR?
A. RNA polymerase
B. DNA ligase
C. Restriction enzyme
D. Taq polymerase
Answer: D. Taq polymerase
Rationale: Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA
polymerase that can withstand the high temperatures used
in PCR denaturation steps.
,3. Which step of PCR involves separation of DNA strands?
A. Annealing
B. Extension
C. Denaturation
D. Ligation
Answer: C. Denaturation
Rationale: During denaturation, the double-stranded DNA
is heated to separate it into single strands, allowing
primers to bind.
4. Which nucleic acid is single-stranded?
A. DNA
B. RNA
C. Chromatin
D. Histone
Answer: B. RNA
Rationale: RNA is typically single-stranded, whereas DNA
exists as a double helix.
5. What is the purpose of primers in PCR?
A. To cut DNA
B. To bind specific DNA sequences
C. To replicate RNA
D. To degrade proteins
Answer: B. To bind specific DNA sequences
Rationale: Primers are short sequences that anneal to
, target DNA regions and provide a starting point for DNA
synthesis.
6. Which method is used to separate DNA fragments by size?
A. Chromatography
B. Gel electrophoresis
C. Spectrophotometry
D. ELISA
Answer: B. Gel electrophoresis
Rationale: Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments
based on size using an electric field.
7. What does RT-PCR stand for?
A. Real-time PCR
B. Reverse transcription PCR
C. Rapid test PCR
D. Recombinant technology PCR
Answer: B. Reverse transcription PCR
Rationale: RT-PCR converts RNA into complementary DNA
(cDNA) before amplification.
8. Which molecule carries genetic information?
A. Protein
B. Lipid
C. DNA
D. Carbohydrate
Answer: C. DNA
, Rationale: DNA stores genetic information in its nucleotide
sequence.
9. What is the function of restriction enzymes?
A. Join DNA fragments
B. Cut DNA at specific sequences
C. Replicate DNA
D. Translate RNA
Answer: B. Cut DNA at specific sequences
Rationale: Restriction enzymes recognize specific DNA
sequences and cleave them.
10. Which component is NOT required for PCR?
A. DNA template
B. Primers
C. DNA polymerase
D. Ribosomes
Answer: D. Ribosomes
Rationale: Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, not
DNA amplification.
11. What is the role of magnesium ions in PCR?
A. Denature DNA
B. Stabilize primers
C. Act as cofactor for polymerase
D. Break DNA strands
Answer: C. Act as cofactor for polymerase
TECHNOLOGIST (MDT) CERTIFICATION EXAM
1. Which technique is primarily used to amplify DNA
sequences?
A. Southern blotting
B. Western blotting
C. Polymerase chain reaction
D. Northern blotting
Answer: C. Polymerase chain reaction
Rationale: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique
specifically designed to amplify small amounts of DNA into
millions of copies, making it essential for molecular
diagnostics.
2. What enzyme is responsible for synthesizing DNA during
PCR?
A. RNA polymerase
B. DNA ligase
C. Restriction enzyme
D. Taq polymerase
Answer: D. Taq polymerase
Rationale: Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA
polymerase that can withstand the high temperatures used
in PCR denaturation steps.
,3. Which step of PCR involves separation of DNA strands?
A. Annealing
B. Extension
C. Denaturation
D. Ligation
Answer: C. Denaturation
Rationale: During denaturation, the double-stranded DNA
is heated to separate it into single strands, allowing
primers to bind.
4. Which nucleic acid is single-stranded?
A. DNA
B. RNA
C. Chromatin
D. Histone
Answer: B. RNA
Rationale: RNA is typically single-stranded, whereas DNA
exists as a double helix.
5. What is the purpose of primers in PCR?
A. To cut DNA
B. To bind specific DNA sequences
C. To replicate RNA
D. To degrade proteins
Answer: B. To bind specific DNA sequences
Rationale: Primers are short sequences that anneal to
, target DNA regions and provide a starting point for DNA
synthesis.
6. Which method is used to separate DNA fragments by size?
A. Chromatography
B. Gel electrophoresis
C. Spectrophotometry
D. ELISA
Answer: B. Gel electrophoresis
Rationale: Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments
based on size using an electric field.
7. What does RT-PCR stand for?
A. Real-time PCR
B. Reverse transcription PCR
C. Rapid test PCR
D. Recombinant technology PCR
Answer: B. Reverse transcription PCR
Rationale: RT-PCR converts RNA into complementary DNA
(cDNA) before amplification.
8. Which molecule carries genetic information?
A. Protein
B. Lipid
C. DNA
D. Carbohydrate
Answer: C. DNA
, Rationale: DNA stores genetic information in its nucleotide
sequence.
9. What is the function of restriction enzymes?
A. Join DNA fragments
B. Cut DNA at specific sequences
C. Replicate DNA
D. Translate RNA
Answer: B. Cut DNA at specific sequences
Rationale: Restriction enzymes recognize specific DNA
sequences and cleave them.
10. Which component is NOT required for PCR?
A. DNA template
B. Primers
C. DNA polymerase
D. Ribosomes
Answer: D. Ribosomes
Rationale: Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, not
DNA amplification.
11. What is the role of magnesium ions in PCR?
A. Denature DNA
B. Stabilize primers
C. Act as cofactor for polymerase
D. Break DNA strands
Answer: C. Act as cofactor for polymerase
