Manipulating Genomes | OCR A-Level Biology A (H420)
Manipulating Genomes
- 42 questions
- 4 subtopics
- Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
- Component 02 and Component 03
Manipulating genomes is the third section of Module 6.
It covers DNA sequencing and what bioinformatics does with the result, DNA profiling and the polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, the enzymes and vectors used to move a gene between organisms, and the ethics of doing so.
Sample questions from Manipulating Genomes
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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DNA sequencing and bioinformatics
What advantages does high throughput sequencing offer compared to Sanger sequencing?
Show the answer
It allows much faster and cheaper sequencing of entire genomes. -
DNA sequencing and bioinformatics
What is synthetic biology?
Show the answer
The designing and constructing of new biological parts, devices and systems using gene sequencing data. -
DNA profiling, PCR and gel electrophoresis
What happens during the denaturation step of PCR and at what temperature does it occur?
Show the answer
At approximately 95°C, the double-stranded DNA separates into two single strands. -
DNA profiling, PCR and gel electrophoresis
Give an application of PCR in DNA analysis.
Show the answer
PCR is used to amplify samples for profiling, sequencing, or genetic testing. -
Genetic engineering: restriction enzymes and vectors
What do restriction enzymes do and what types of ends can they produce?
Show the answer
Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific recognition sequences, producing fragments with either sticky ends or blunt ends. -
Genetic engineering: restriction enzymes and vectors
What is the function of DNA ligase in genetic engineering?
Show the answer
DNA ligase joins DNA fragments together by forming phosphodiester bonds between the sugar-phosphate backbones. -
Genetic modification, its ethics, and gene therapy
State one ethical concern related to genetic modification.
Show the answer
Issues of patenting genes and organisms. -
Genetic modification, its ethics, and gene therapy
What is germ line cell gene therapy?
Show the answer
Gene therapy that targets gametes or early embryo cells, where the genetic changes can be inherited by future generations.
The 4 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| DNA sequencing and bioinformatics | Sanger sequencing and the chain-terminating ddNTPs, high throughput sequencing, and what synthetic biology, bioinformatics and computational biology do with a sequence. | 11 |
| DNA profiling, PCR and gel electrophoresis | What a DNA profile relies on and its forensic and medical uses, the three temperature steps of PCR and why Taq polymerase is used, and how electrophoresis separates fragments. | 13 |
| Genetic engineering: restriction enzymes and vectors | Restriction enzymes and the sticky ends they leave, plasmids as vectors, DNA ligase and recombinant DNA, and electroporation as a way into a cell. | 8 |
| Genetic modification, its ethics, and gene therapy | Genetically modified soya, pathogens used in research and pharming, the ethical and technology transfer concerns raised, and somatic and germ line gene therapy. | 10 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby sections
OCR A-Level Biology A Active Recall Guide
Every section, not just this one. 1,833 questions with their answers.