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AP®BiologyCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 6: Gene Expression & RegulationBiotechnology: Genetic Engineering Techniques

Biotechnology: Genetic Engineering Techniques (College Board AP® Biology): Exam Questions

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Biotechnology: Genetic Engineering Techniques

1
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A researcher investigated whether a patient carried a genetic mutation linked to a hereditary disease. They used a small DNA sample from the patient and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Which of the following is the most likely predicted outcome from the PCR process?

  • The DNA sample will remain unchanged and there will not be enough DNA to analyze.

  • The DNA will be amplified, allowing the researcher to analyze the mutation more easily.

  • The genome will be sequenced, revealing the mutations present in the patient's DNA.

  • The PCR process will repair the mutation in the patient's DNA sample.

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A restriction enzyme is an enzyme used in biotechnology to cut DNA wherever a specific sequence of bases occurs. A restriction enzyme was used to cut a sample of DNA from a wild boar. The resulting genetic fingerprint can be seen in Figure 1.

Vertical black rectangle with five horizontal grey bars evenly spaced. The image resembles a simplified ruler or scale design.
Figure 1. Electrophoretegram of wild boar DNA

Which of the following states the number of times that the enzyme made a cut in the DNA sample?

  • Five

  • Four

  • Six

  • Twelve

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3
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BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene involved in the repair of damaged DNA. In an investigation researchers used PCR to amplify the BRCA1 gene from DNA samples taken from 50 individuals with a family history of breast cancer. After sequencing the amplified gene regions they found that 10 individuals carried mutations associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from this study?

  • All individuals with a family history of breast cancer will carry mutations in the BRCA1 gene.

  • Only individuals with BRCA1 mutations are at risk of developing breast cancer.

  • Some individuals with a family history of breast cancer may carry mutations in the BRCA1 gene, increasing their risk.

  • The absence of BRCA1 mutations means individuals have no risk of developing breast cancer.

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The run-off from nitrogen-rich fertilizer applied to farmland creates major ecological problems. Plants such as legumes have symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria which can help them to gain nitrogen from the soil without the need for adding fertilizer. However, these symbionts are not associated with crops such as corn. Scientists have developed a strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that can associate with corn roots.

Which of the following describes the method used by the scientists to synthesize this bacteria?

  • Polymerase chain reaction used to amplify the required gene fragments which can then be inserted into the cells of the host plant.

  • A plasmid vector with the required genes for corn association and nitrogen fixation is used to transform bacteria.

  • Cross-breeding of nitrogen-fixing bacteria from legumes with bacteria from corn plants to obtain the desired characteristics.

  • Cloning nitrogen-fixing genes from animals and inserting them into the corn, allowing the plant to produce its own nitrogen.

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5
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DNA samples were taken from five individuals and analyzed using gel electrophoresis to produce a DNA profile. Figure 1 below shows the results for a single gene.

Electrophoresis gel diagram showing five individuals with DNA bands at varying positions. Bands are darker on the left, indicating higher molecular weights.
Figure 1. Electrophoresis results.

Which of the following can be concluded from the profile shown in Figure 1?

  • There are equal frequencies of two alleles in the sample population.

  • There are 3 different alleles for the gene.

  • There are two alleles, and the frequency of one of the alleles is 0.75.

  • There are three homozygous individuals in the sample population.

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