Cloning, a cornerstone of modern biotechnology, involves the creation of genetically identical copies of a biological entity. From the molecular cloning of a single gene to the reproductive cloning of an entire organism, these techniques have revolutionized research, medicine, and agriculture. For PharmD students, understanding the principles of cloning is fundamental to grasping the production of biopharmaceuticals and the development of gene therapies. This quiz will test your knowledge of the essential concepts, enzymes, and applications of cloning.
1. A “clone” is best defined as a:
- A different version of a gene.
- A collection of molecules or cells that are genetically identical.
- A type of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.
- A protein that has been denatured.
Answer: A collection of molecules or cells that are genetically identical.
2. The process of creating a genetically identical copy of an entire organism is known as:
- Therapeutic cloning.
- Molecular cloning.
- Reproductive cloning.
- Cellular cloning.
Answer: Reproductive cloning.
3. In molecular cloning, what is the role of a “vector”?
- It is the host cell that replicates the DNA.
- It is a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to carry a foreign DNA fragment into a host cell.
- It is the enzyme that cuts the DNA.
- It is the target gene that is being cloned.
Answer: It is a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to carry a foreign DNA fragment into a host cell.
4. A “plasmid” is a common type of vector used in cloning bacteria. It is a:
- A linear piece of chromosomal DNA.
- A small, circular, extrachromosomal DNA molecule.
- A type of virus.
- A protein that binds to DNA.
Answer: A small, circular, extrachromosomal DNA molecule.
5. Which class of enzymes is used to cut DNA at specific, often palindromic, recognition sites?
- DNA polymerases
- DNA ligases
- Helicases
- Restriction enzymes
Answer: Restriction enzymes
6. Some restriction enzymes create “sticky ends” on the DNA fragments they cut. This is beneficial for cloning because:
- The overhangs are complementary, allowing the DNA insert and vector to easily ligate together.
- They prevent the DNA from being replicated.
- They make the DNA fragment visible under a microscope.
- They protect the DNA from being degraded.
Answer: The overhangs are complementary, allowing the DNA insert and vector to easily ligate together.
7. Which enzyme is responsible for joining the DNA insert and the vector together by forming phosphodiester bonds?
- DNA polymerase
- Restriction enzyme
- Helicase
- DNA ligase
Answer: DNA ligase
8. The process of introducing a recombinant plasmid into a host bacterium is called:
- Transformation.
- Transcription.
- Translation.
- Transduction.
Answer: Transformation.
9. To select for bacteria that have successfully taken up the plasmid vector, the plasmid usually contains a(n):
- Gene for a fluorescent protein.
- Origin of replication.
- Selectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene.
- Polylinker site.
Answer: Selectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene.
10. “Blue-white screening” is a technique used to identify bacteria containing a recombinant plasmid. In this system, if foreign DNA is successfully inserted into the lacZ gene, the bacterial colony will be:
- Blue, because the β-galactosidase enzyme is functional.
- White, because the β-galactosidase enzyme is disrupted and non-functional.
- Blue, because the antibiotic resistance gene is active.
- White, because the bacteria cannot grow.
Answer: White, because the β-galactosidase enzyme is disrupted and non-functional.
11. The production of recombinant human insulin for diabetic patients is a major therapeutic application of:
- Reproductive cloning.
- Molecular cloning.
- Therapeutic cloning.
- Stem cell therapy.
Answer: Molecular cloning.
12. “Therapeutic cloning” is a process that aims to:
- Create a genetically identical human being.
- Produce embryonic stem cells with the same DNA as a donor cell for medical use.
- Clone a single gene for research.
- Develop new antibiotics.
Answer: Produce embryonic stem cells with the same DNA as a donor cell for medical use.
13. A “DNA library” is a collection of:
- Books about genetics.
- Different DNA fragments from an organism, each cloned into a vector.
- All the proteins produced by a cell.
- A single, very long strand of DNA.
Answer: Different DNA fragments from an organism, each cloned into a vector.
14. A “cDNA library” is different from a genomic DNA library because it is made from:
- Introns only.
- The entire genome, including non-coding regions.
- mRNA that has been reverse-transcribed into DNA, representing only the expressed genes.
- The mitochondrial genome.
Answer: mRNA that has been reverse-transcribed into DNA, representing only the expressed genes.
15. The enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template, which is essential for creating a cDNA library, is:
- DNA polymerase
- RNA polymerase
- Reverse transcriptase
- DNA ligase
Answer: Reverse transcriptase
16. A “clone” of cells, such as in a bacterial culture, means that all the cells:
- Are from different species.
- Have different genetic material.
- Originated from a single parent cell and are genetically identical.
- Are resistant to all antibiotics.
Answer: Originated from a single parent cell and are genetically identical.
17. The first mammal to be successfully cloned from an adult somatic cell was:
- A mouse named Mickey.
- A sheep named Dolly.
- A dog named Laika.
- A cat named CC.
Answer: A sheep named Dolly.
18. The technique used to create Dolly the sheep is called:
- Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT).
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
- Gel Electrophoresis.
- Blue-white screening.
Answer: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT).
19. In SCNT, the nucleus from a somatic cell is transferred into a(n):
- Another somatic cell.
- An unfertilized egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed.
- A sperm cell.
- A bacterial plasmid.
Answer: An unfertilized egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed.
20. A key leadership role for a pharmacist in the field of biotechnology is to:
- Understand the principles behind how cloned biopharmaceuticals are made.
- Personally clone new medications in the pharmacy.
- Avoid all medications made using cloning technology.
- Focus only on small molecule drugs.
Answer: Understand the principles behind how cloned biopharmaceuticals are made.
21. A “vector” must contain which of the following to allow it to be replicated by the host cell’s machinery?
- A promoter sequence.
- An antibiotic resistance gene.
- An origin of replication (ori).
- A stop codon.
Answer: An origin of replication (ori).
22. A “polylinker” or “multiple cloning site” (MCS) on a plasmid vector is a short region that contains:
- The gene for antibiotic resistance.
- The origin of replication.
- Many unique restriction enzyme recognition sites.
- The lacZ gene.
Answer: Many unique restriction enzyme recognition sites.
23. The “Advocacy” course is relevant to cloning because:
- The ethical implications of cloning technologies are a major topic of public and policy debate.
- Pharmacists must advocate for the use of cloning in all situations.
- It is not relevant.
- It teaches the specific techniques of molecular cloning.
Answer: The ethical implications of cloning technologies are a major topic of public and policy debate.
24. The use of “human resources” in a biotechnology company would involve:
- Recruiting and managing the scientists and technicians who perform cloning and research.
- The process of human reproductive cloning.
- The marketing of cloned products.
- The financial planning for a new project.
Answer: Recruiting and managing the scientists and technicians who perform cloning and research.
25. A “business plan” for a new biotech startup would need to detail:
- The specific cloning technology it plans to use.
- The potential market for its products.
- The regulatory pathway for its products.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
26. The “regulation” of cloned biopharmaceuticals, like insulin or monoclonal antibodies, is the responsibility of which agency?
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Answer: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
27. A key “human factors” consideration in the lab where cloning is performed would be:
- The design of equipment to minimize the risk of repetitive strain injury.
- The labeling of tubes and plates to prevent mix-ups.
- The workflow of the cloning process to improve efficiency.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
28. The “financials” of developing a new drug through cloning are characterized by:
- Low initial investment and quick returns.
- High research and development costs and a long, high-risk path to potential profitability.
- No need for outside investment.
- Guaranteed success for every project.
Answer: High research and development costs and a long, high-risk path to potential profitability.
29. A “negotiation” in a biotech company might occur between:
- The company and a university to license a new cloning technology.
- The company and a larger pharmaceutical partner to fund a clinical trial.
- The company and the FDA regarding the design of a study.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
30. The “service” a pharmacist provides regarding a cloned biopharmaceutical, like a monoclonal antibody, is:
- To ensure its safe and appropriate use, including counseling on administration and side effects.
- To manufacture the drug in the pharmacy.
- To clone the patient who will receive the drug.
- To avoid dispensing such medications.
Answer: To ensure its safe and appropriate use, including counseling on administration and side effects.
31. The “forging ahead” mindset means pharmacists must:
- Be knowledgeable about emerging technologies like gene therapy, which rely on cloning principles.
- Resist the use of all biopharmaceuticals.
- Focus only on traditional, small molecule drugs.
- Believe that cloning has no place in medicine.
Answer: Be knowledgeable about emerging technologies like gene therapy, which rely on cloning principles.
32. An “Electronic Health Record” (EHR) in the context of personalized medicine might one day contain:
- A patient’s full genomic sequence, which could be used to create therapeutic clones.
- Only the patient’s billing information.
- The social media posts of the patient.
- The pharmacy’s inventory data.
Answer: A patient’s full genomic sequence, which could be used to create therapeutic clones.
33. An “analytics and reporting system” in a biotech company would be used to:
- Track the success rates of different cloning experiments.
- Analyze the data from clinical trials.
- Monitor the production yield of a recombinant protein.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
34. “Clinical Decision Support” could be used to:
- Help a physician select the appropriate biopharmaceutical based on a patient’s genetic markers.
- It cannot be used for biopharmaceuticals.
- Automatically order a cloned medication.
- Counsel a patient on the ethics of cloning.
Answer: Help a physician select the appropriate biopharmaceutical based on a patient’s genetic markers.
35. A key ethical argument against human reproductive cloning is:
- The potential for psychological harm to the clone.
- The high risk of developmental abnormalities.
- The violation of human dignity.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
36. The “enzymes of DNA metabolism” are the essential tools of molecular cloning. A restriction enzyme is a type of:
- Polymerase
- Nuclease
- Ligase
- Helicase
Answer: Nuclease
37. The “DNA structure and DNA-protein interactions” are central to cloning because:
- Restriction enzymes must recognize and bind to specific DNA sequences.
- DNA polymerase must interact with the DNA template.
- Ligase must interact with the DNA backbone.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
38. The use of “antibiotics” in molecular cloning is for:
- Treating an infection in the scientist.
- Selecting for bacteria that have been successfully transformed with the plasmid vector.
- A source of DNA.
- A type of vector.
Answer: Selecting for bacteria that have been successfully transformed with the plasmid vector.
39. A “chemotherapeutic” like a monoclonal antibody (e.g., rituximab) is produced using:
- Standard organic chemistry synthesis.
- Recombinant DNA technology and cloning in cell culture.
- Extraction from plant sources.
- A manual process of protein folding.
Answer: Recombinant DNA technology and cloning in cell culture.
40. The “policy” surrounding cloning is complex and varies by country. In the U.S., federal funds are generally prohibited for research on:
- Molecular cloning.
- Human reproductive cloning.
- Animal cloning.
- The cloning of bacteria.
Answer: Human reproductive cloning.
41. The use of cloning to produce “transgenic” animals that can create therapeutic proteins in their milk is an example of:
- A marketing gimmick.
- A cost-effective method for producing complex biopharmaceuticals.
- A process that is no longer used.
- A violation of animal rights.
Answer: A cost-effective method for producing complex biopharmaceuticals.
42. A “leader” in the field of biotechnology would be someone who:
- Can guide a team of scientists through the complex process of developing a new cloned therapy.
- Follows all instructions without question.
- Focuses only on the financial aspects of the company.
- Avoids all risky projects.
Answer: Can guide a team of scientists through the complex process of developing a new cloned therapy.
43. The “Human Genome Project” was a monumental undertaking that has greatly accelerated the process of:
- Identifying and cloning human genes for study and therapeutic use.
- Curing all genetic diseases.
- Human reproductive cloning.
- Creating new life forms.
Answer: Identifying and cloning human genes for study and therapeutic use.
44. A key difference between cloning a gene and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is that:
- PCR is used to amplify a specific DNA sequence in vitro (in a test tube).
- Cloning involves replicating the DNA within a living host cell.
- They are both methods for making many copies of a DNA segment.
- All of the above are correct.
Answer: All of the above are correct.
45. “Gene therapy” is a service that relies on cloning to:
- Produce the vectors (like viruses) that carry the therapeutic gene.
- Create copies of the correct, functional gene to be inserted.
- Both A and B are correct.
- Neither A nor B are correct.
Answer: Both A and B are correct.
46. A pharmacist’s understanding of “health disparities” is relevant because:
- The high cost of therapies derived from cloning may be a barrier to access for some populations.
- These therapies are only effective in certain ethnic groups.
- All populations have equal access to these advanced treatments.
- The concept is not relevant to biotechnology.
Answer: The high cost of therapies derived from cloning may be a barrier to access for some populations.
47. “Artificial intelligence” can be used in cloning and biotechnology to:
- Design new proteins with desired therapeutic effects.
- Predict the success of a cloning experiment.
- Analyze the massive datasets generated by genomic sequencing.
- All of the above.
Answer: All of the above.
48. A “monoclonal” antibody preparation means that all the antibody molecules are:
- Derived from multiple different parent cells and are heterogeneous.
- Identical because they are produced by a single clone of cells.
- A mixture of different antibody types.
- Not produced using cloning technology.
Answer: Identical because they are produced by a single clone of cells.
49. The process of inserting a gene for a human protein into a bacterial plasmid creates what is known as:
- A transgenic bacterium.
- A hybridoma.
- Recombinant DNA.
- A knockout mouse.
Answer: Recombinant DNA.
50. The ultimate principle of why pharmacists must understand clones and cloning is because:
- It is a fundamental technology for producing many of the most advanced and effective modern medicines.
- They will be required to perform cloning in a community pharmacy.
- It is a frequent topic of conversation with patients.
- It is the only way to pass the NAPLEX exam.
Answer: It is a fundamental technology for producing many of the most advanced and effective modern medicines.
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com