Mr. Poruban
Chapter 4: DNA Structure & Analysis
Genetics/Biotechnology
Molecular Biology
1. What is molecular biology and what is its primary focus?
2. What is the “Central Dogma” of (molecular) biology? Use the terms: DNA, replication,
transcription, translation, DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase, RNA, messenger RNA,
amino acids, polypeptide, proteins and traits. Use a diagram with labels if easier to
explain.
3. Explain some special cases where this genetic information flows differently.
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Mr. Poruban
DNA Structure
1. Read about DNA structure on pages 103-105. Outline/Draw the key features of DNA
(this should be a bit of a review from Biology). Be sure to include shape, monomers,
and any specifics about the molecule.
Recombinant DNA technology
1. What is recombinant DNA in your own words? Give some examples of how some
organisms have been genetically engineered.
2. What do restriction enzymes do? How is this helpful to scientists?
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Mr. Poruban
3. Describe the relationship between bacteriophages (phages) and bacteria in regards to
restriction enzymes.
4. How do bacteria cells protect their own DNA from being cut?
5. How are restriction enzymes named? Give 3 examples.
6. Draw figures 4.7 and 4.8 below. Explain how restriction enzymes can create a “blunt”
end and a “sticky” end.
7. If a linear piece of DNA was cut at 3 restriction sites, how many pieces would there be?
Draw this (you don’t need specific bases)
8. If a circular DNA (Plasmid) was cut at 3 restriction sites, how many pieces would there
be? Draw this as well.
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Mr. Poruban
9. What determines the length of the DNA after it has been cut with the enzyme? What
method can be used to measure these lengths of DNA?
10. What does the enzyme ligase do with DNA?
11. What is another term for “cut” in reference to restriction enzymes and DNA?
12. What is required when performing a restriction digest?
13. Enzymes are proteins, so how should they be stored. What would happen if they were
not stored properly? (there is a term for this….)
Horizontal Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
1. Describe what agarose gel electrophoresis is and how it works.
2. Once the DNA moves through the gel, how do you determine the size of the fragments?
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Mr. Poruban
3. Draw figure 4.13 and label each lane accordingly.
4. What equipment is needed to run a gel?
5. List the steps needed in running an agarose gel.
6. Once the gel has been run and the power supply has been shut off, what is necessary in
order to see the bands on the gel. (general answer is fine here)
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Mr. Poruban
Restriction Enzymes as Forensic Tools
1. Read, Biotech In The Real World on page 112. Summarize the article. You may need to
define a few terms in your summary.
6 |Chapter 4: DNA Structure & Analysis
Mr. Poruban