Ch. 13 Test Topics
CH. 13.1 and 13.2: Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Vocabulary
Biotechnology
Genomic Library
Sticky Ends
Recombinant DNA technology
Restriction enzymes
Nucleic acid probe
Plasmid
Ligase
Concepts
1. Define biotechnology.
2. What is a plasmid?
a. How are plasmids useful to bacteria?
b. How are plasmids useful to humans?
3. How is a recombinant DNA plasmid made and how are recombinant plasmids
used to clone genes? Summarize the process. (Recombinant insulin plasmid)
a. What is the role of restriction enzyme?
 What natural role do they play in bacteria?
 How are they used by humans?
 What do the “sticky ends” produced by plasmids allow scientists to
do?
b. What is the role of ligase?
4. Give examples of how recombinant DNA plasmids or viruses are used by
pharmaceuticals (medicines) or industry.
CH.13.3: Genetically Modified Organisms
Vocabulary
G.M.O.
Transgenic organism
Reproductive cloning
Therapeutic cloning
Vector
Stem cells
Concepts
1. What is a genetically modified organism/transgenic organism?
2. How does the goal/processes of creating a GMO compare to the goal/processes of
selective breeding?
3. Give examples of applications of transgenic plants (how is genetic engineering
used in plants).
4. Give examples of applications of transgenic animals (how is genetic engineering
used in animals).
5. Describe the process of animal cloning (Reproductive cloning).
a. What does cloning allow/make possible?
b. What are some concerns associated with reproductive cloning?
6. Describe the process of therapeutic cloning?
a. What is the goal of therapeutic cloning?
b. Role of embryonic stem cells in therapeutic cloning?
c. Provide examples of therapies that we hope therapeutic cloning will
achieve.
d. What is the controversy surrounding therapeutic cloning?
Ch. 13.4: DNA Applications
Vocabulary
PCR
Gel electrophoresis
Genetic Markers
DNA fingerprint
Concepts
1. What does PCR (polymerase chain reaction) do?
2. How goes gel electrophoresis work?
3. What is a DNA fingerprint? Why are DNA fingerprints unique to each person?
Ch. 13.5: Gene Expression
Vocabulary
Operon
Promoter
Transcription factors
Gene Expression
Operator
Epigenetics
Repressor
Concepts
1. Why does gene expression need to be regulated? (Are all genes expressed present
in a cell expressed? Why or why not?)
2. How does gene regulation in prokaryotes differ from regulation in eukaryotes?
a. Prokaryotic Gene Expression
 Describe the control mechanism of the Lac operon (or operon system
in general)
b. Eukaryotic Gene Expression
 Transcription factors and repressor
3. What is epigenetics?
 How can epigenetic mechanisms like methylation/de-methylation
influence gene expression?
Possible Open-ended Tasks
 Summarize and or diagram the process of making a recombinant DNA
plasmid and explain the goal of the process.

Give examples of biotechnology applications in agriculture, medicine,
and industry.

Describe the process of therapeutic cloning. What is the goal? What
is the controversy? How does this process compare to reproductive
cloning?

Use the results from gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting to
identify a criminal. Explain the processes of gel electrophoresis.

Explain why gene expression is regulated in cells. What can turn
genes on or off?