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Biology for AP® Courses

Critical Thinking Questions

Biology for AP® CoursesCritical Thinking Questions

30 .
Describe the process of Southern blotting.
  1. Southern Blotting is used to find DNA sequences. Fragments are separated on gel, incubated with probes to check for the sequence of interest, and transferred to a nylon membrane.
  2. Southern blotting is used to find DNA sequences. Fragments are separated on gel, transferred to a nylon membrane, and incubated with probes to check for the sequence of interest.
  3. When RNA is used, the process is called Northern blotting.
  4. Southern blotting is used to find RNA sequences. Fragments are separated on gel, incubated with probes to check for the sequence of interest, and transferred to a nylon membrane.
31 .
A researcher wants to study cancer cells from a patient with breast cancer. Is cloning the cancer cells an option?
  1. The cancer cells should be cloned along with a biomarker for better detection and study.
  2. The cells should be screened first in order to assure their carcinogenic nature.
  3. The cancer cells, being clones of each other already, should directly be grown in a culture media and then studied.
  4. The cancer cells should be extracted using the specific antibodies.
32 .
Discuss the uses of genome mapping.
  1. Genome mapping is useful in identifying human disease-causing genes, developing microbes to clean up pollutants, and increasing crop yield.
  2. Genome mapping is directly required to produce recombinants, in FISH detection, and detecting the methylated parts of genetic material.
  3. Genome mapping is useful for knowing the pedigree of diseases in humans and tracing the movement of transposons in plants.
  4. Genome mapping identifies human disease-causing genes only.
33 .
You are offered the opportunity to have your genome sequenced. Considering the goals of genome sequencing, determine from the options provided which information you might be able to learn about yourself.
  1. identify the ancestry and genetic origin of diseases and their susceptibility to drugs
  2. identify potential drugs that can rectify a disease, symptoms of the disease, and its severity
  3. predict symptoms of a disease, vectors to be used in gene therapy, and the causal organism of the disease
  4. determine the pedigree of a disease, produce recombinants, and detect the presence of extracellular genes using FISH
34 .
Describe an example of a genomic mapping method
  1. The radiation mapping method is an example which uses radiation to break the DNA and is affected by changes in recombination frequency.
  2. Cytogenetic mapping obtains information from microscopic analysis of stained chromosomes. It can estimate the approximate distance between markers.
  3. In restriction mapping, the DNA fragments are cut by using the restriction enzymes and then stained fragments are viewed on gel.
  4. Cytogenetic mapping obtains information from microscopic analysis of stained chromosomes. It can estimate the exact base pair distance between markers.
35 .
Various strategies have been applied to carry out whole-genome sequencing, each of which varies in its specific techniques. Compare the descriptions provided of three methods of gene sequencing. Which one correctly identifies and maps out differences in the methods?
  1. Chain termination - automated sequencers are used to generate sequences of short fragments; dideoxy sequencing - incorporation of ddNTP during DNA replication; next-generation sequencing - cutting DNA into random fragments, sequencing using chain termination, and assembling overlapping sequences
  2. Chain termination - incorporation of ddNTP during DNA replication; shotgun sequencing - cutting DNA into random fragments, sequencing using chain termination, and assembling overlapping sequences; next-generation sequencing - automated sequencers are used to generate sequences of short fragments
  3. Pairwise-end sequencing - incorporation of ddNTP during DNA replication; shotgun sequencing - automated sequencers are used to generate sequences of short fragments; next-generation sequencing - cutting DNA into random fragments, sequencing using chain termination, and assembling overlapping sequences
  4. Chain termination - automated sequencers are used to generate sequences of short fragments; shotgun sequencing - cutting DNA into random fragments, sequencing using chain termination, and assembling overlapping sequences; pairwise-end sequencing - incorporation of ddNTP during DNA replication
36 .
What is the greatest challenge facing genome sequencing?
  1. the lack of resources and use of chemicals for the sequencing of the DNA fragments
  2. the ethical issues such as discrimination based on person’s genetics
  3. the use of chemicals during the sequencing methods that could incorporate mutations
  4. the scientific issues, like conserving the human genome sequences
37 .
(credit: modification of work by National Human Genome Research Institute, under CC BY 4.0 License)

In this genome sequencing method, DNA fragments are lined up according to their common regions.

What is this method called?

  1. Shotgun sequencing.
  2. Next-generation sequencing.
  3. Genome annotations.
  4. DNA microarrays.
38 .
Coumadin is a drug frequently given to prevent excessive blood clotting in stroke or heart attack patients, which could lead to another stroke or heart attack. One potential hazard of taking the drug, however, is an overdose in some patients, depending on their liver function. Predict the most likely way that pharmacogenomics might be used in the future to assist these patients.
  1. Pharmacogenomics will be able to provide a counter-acting drug to decrease the effect of Coumadin.
  2. Pharmacogenomics will screen every patient for their potential sensitivity to the drug.
  3. Pharmacogenomics will permit the development of an option to Coumadin.
  4. Pharmacogenomics will provide an overdose to each patient to test for the symptoms of the drug.
39 .
Why is so much effort being poured into genome mapping applications?
  1. Genome mapping is necessary to know the base pair difference between the markers.
  2. The mapping would help scientists understand the role of proteins in specific organelles.
  3. The mapping technique identifies the role of transposons.
  4. Genome mapping helps identify faulty alleles, which could cause diseases.
40 .
What is the reason for studying mitochondrial genomics that is most directly important for humans?
  1. Mitochondria evolved from bacteria; therefore, their genome is important to study.
  2. Mitochondria undergo rapid mutation and it is essential that this pattern be studied.
  3. Mitochondria contain DNA, and it is passed on from mother to offspring, which renders it helpful in tracing genealogy.
  4. Mitochondria are the only ATP-producing organelles of the cell, thus their genome is important.
41 .
How can proteomics complement genomics?
  1. The genes are responsible to produce proteins and this implies that proteomics complements genomics.
  2. Genomics is responsible to decide the structure of the proteins, and, thereby, the result of proteomic studies.
  3. The genome is constant but the proteome is dynamic as different tissues possess the same genes but express different genes, thereby complementing genomics.
  4. The study of genes is incomplete without the study of their respective proteins and thus they complement each other.
42 .
Refer to Figure 17.16
.
Two-hybrid screening, as pictured, has played an instrumental role in developing the protein microarrays applied to proteomic analysis. Consider the process illustrated to predict how a proteomic map of the human genome could help find a cure for cancer.
  1. A proteomic map could help in identifying genes that could counteract the cause of cancer.
  2. Metabolomics determined by the proteomic map can be used to study the genes producing metabolites during cancer.
  3. Proteomics detects and maps biomarkers whose expression is affected by the disease process.
  4. The proteomic mapping helps in analyzing the inheritance patterns of cancer-causing genes.
43 .
Based on your knowledge of the topic, identify which of the following contributions in science and technology have been made through the use of microbial genomics.
  1. Microbial genomics has provided various tools to study the psychological behaviors of organisms.
  2. Microbial genomics has been instrumental in producing antibiotics, enzymes, improved vaccines, disease treatments, and advanced cleanup techniques.
  3. Microbial genomics has contributed resistance in other bacteria by horizontal and lateral gene transfer mechanisms.
  4. Microbial genomics has contributed to processes developed to combat global warming.
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