Chapter 12

Front

What is a plasmid?

Back

A plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA in bacteria.

Front

What is the role of dNTP in DNA synthesis?

Back

dNTP (deoxynucleotide triphosphate) is a building block of DNA, providing the necessary nucleotides for DNA synthesis.

Front

What is a cloning vector?

Back

A cloning vector is a piece of DNA that can accept foreign DNA and replicate it within a host cell, typically a bacterial cell.

Front

What techniques are commonly used to transform bacterial cells with plasmids?

Back

Heat shock and electroporation are common techniques used to introduce plasmids into bacterial cells.

Front

How does the presence of A or T in primers affect their melting temperature (Tm)?

Back

Adding an A or T to primers increases the melting temperature (Tm) by approximately 2 degrees Celsius.

Front

How does the presence of G or C in primers affect their melting temperature (Tm)?

Back

Adding a G or C to primers increases the melting temperature (Tm) by approximately 4 degrees Celsius.

Front

What is the significance of cloning vectors in genetic engineering?

Back

Cloning vectors are essential for genetic engineering as they allow for the insertion, replication, and expression of foreign DNA in host organisms.

Front

What is the difference between a plasmid and chromosomal DNA?

Back

Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that exist independently, while chromosomal DNA is linear and forms the main genetic material of an organism.

Front

What is transformation in the context of molecular biology?

Back

Transformation is the process by which a cell takes up foreign DNA from its environment, leading to genetic change.

Front

What are the components of a dNTP?

Back

A dNTP consists of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, C, or G).