Yr 12 Biology

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Biotechnology Exam Questions

Question 1
The diagram below represents a length of DNA and its cutting sites for the restriction
enzymes speI, EcoRI, BgI II and HindIII.

Incubation of this length of DNA in a tube containing:

a) Spe I would result in three pieces of DNA
b) HindIII would result in two pieces of DNA
c) SpeI and EcoRI would result in five pieces of DNA
d) BglII and HindIII would result in four pieces of DNA
Question 2
The following diagram indicates the cutting sites of 3 different restriction enzymes on a
particular bacterial plasmid.

If the plasmid was incubated with the restriction enzyme Eco RI the number of pieces of
DNA would be:
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 7
Question 3
Amplification of DNA in the polymerase chain reaction requires:
a) Nucleotides of uracil
b) DNA polymerase
c) Amino acids
d) Ribose sugar
Question 4
A restriction enzyme used in molecular biology will:
a) Restrict the activity of other enzymes
b) Restrict its activity when reactions are to be slowed
c) Enhance the activity of repressor molecules in metabolic pathways
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d) Cut DNA at a particular sequence

e) Restrict the degradation of a particular reaction product

Question 5
A restriction enzyme cutting site may be present or absent in a particular 200kb region of
human chromosome 1.

The DNA of a person heterozygous for this cutting site would have the following gel pattern
after digestion with the enzyme.

Question 6
A soil bacterium (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) infects roses and fruit trees, stunting their
growth. A similar bacterium A. radiobacter was genetically modified to include a plasmid
gene coding for an antibiotic lethal to A tumefaciens. A radiobacter has a gene giving
resistance to this antibiotic. A transfer gene located on the plasmid enables insertion of the
modified gene into A. radiobacter. Suspensions of genetically modified bacteria are applied to
the soil around plants. For this treatment to be successful genetic modification of A.
radiobacter would need to include:
a) Removal of all plasmids
b) Removal of the antibiotic gene
c) Destruction of the antibiotic resistance gene
d) Removal of the plasmid transfer gene
Question 6
The diagrams below depict an electrophoresis gel and a plasmid map. Which sample in the
gel contains DNA from the plasmid shown and which restriction enzyme was used to cut the
DNA?

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a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Sample 1 XbaI
Sample 2 HindIII
Sample 3 Hind III
Sample 4 EcoRI
Sample 5 XbaI

Question 7
In the figure below 3 different samples (1-3) of DNA have been analysed by gel
electrophoresis. Sample 1 is DNA of a chromosome extracted from a human cell. Sample 2 is
DNA extracted from a particular species of bacteria. Sample 3 is a DNA molecule that is
known to be 200bp long.

Which of the following correctly match the DNA samples (1-3) with the correct lane (A, B or
C) in which they were loaded?

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Question 8
A sample of DNA is cut at the positions indicated below. When the fragments are loaded and
run on an electrophoresis gel, which lane has the pattern that you would expect?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5
Question 9
A DNA fingerprint is obtained by amplifying parts of an organisms genetic material and
separating the resulting DNA fragments by a process known as gel electrophoresis. DNA
fingerprinting is now used for a variety of applications including ecological studies, crime
scene investigations and paternity testing. A cattle breeder is interested in determining which
of his 3 bulls is the father of a calf born to his prize cow. The diagram below shows the DNA
fingerprints of the cow, her calf and the 3 bulls.

From the diagram above, which of the bulls could be the father of the calf?
a) Bull 1
b) Bull 2
c) Bull 3
d) Either bull 1 or bull 3
e) Either bull 2 or bull 3
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Question 10
DNA fingerprinting is often used to confirm the identity of an individual. In a family a childs
DNA must be derived from their parents, with approximately half the childs genetic material
coming from each parent. The diagram below shows a small section of the gel electrophoresis
from a DNA fingerprint analysis of a family. Which of the children is least likely to be the
offspring of both parents?

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Child 1
Child 2
Child 3
None of the children
All of the children

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

2000 VCAA

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2001 VCAA

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2002 VCAA

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2003 VCAA

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Part of Q 3

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2004 VCAA

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2006 VCAA

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2007 VCAA

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2008 VCAA

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