MCQ Quiz-Molecular Biology Techniques

MCQ Quiz: Molecular Biology Techniques

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Modern pharmacy and medicine are built on a foundation of powerful molecular biology techniques that allow us to manipulate, analyze, and understand the very blueprint of life: DNA. From amplifying a gene with PCR to producing life-saving protein drugs with recombinant DNA technology, these methods are no longer just for researchers. For PharmD students, a foundational understanding of these techniques is essential for grasping how many modern drugs are developed and how personalized medicine is implemented. This quiz will test your knowledge of the core techniques used to work with DNA, RNA, and proteins.

1. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a technique used to:

  • Sequence an entire genome.
  • Separate proteins by size.
  • Amplify a specific segment of DNA exponentially.
  • Clone an entire organism.

Answer: Amplify a specific segment of DNA exponentially.

2. Which of the following is an essential component required for a PCR reaction?

  • Restriction enzymes.
  • DNA ligase.
  • A thermostable DNA polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase).
  • RNA polymerase.

Answer: A thermostable DNA polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase).

3. The three main steps in a single PCR cycle, in the correct order, are:

  • Annealing, Extension, Denaturation.
  • Extension, Denaturation, Annealing.
  • Denaturation, Annealing, Extension.
  • Denaturation, Ligation, Annealing.

Answer: Denaturation, Annealing, Extension.

4. The “denaturation” step in PCR involves:

  • Binding of the primers to the DNA template.
  • Synthesizing the new DNA strands.
  • Heating the reaction to separate the double-stranded DNA into single strands.
  • Joining the newly synthesized DNA fragments.

Answer: Heating the reaction to separate the double-stranded DNA into single strands.

5. Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate macromolecules like DNA and proteins based on their:

  • Sequence.
  • Charge and solubility.
  • Size and charge.
  • Temperature stability.

Answer: Size and charge.

6. In gel electrophoresis of DNA, smaller fragments will migrate ________ through the gel matrix compared to larger fragments.

  • Slower and less far.
  • Faster and farther.
  • At the same speed.
  • Towards the negative electrode.

Answer: Faster and farther.

7. A “Southern blot” is a technique used to detect a specific ________ sequence in a sample.

  • DNA
  • RNA
  • Protein
  • Lipid

Answer: DNA

8. A “Northern blot” is used to detect and analyze a specific ________ sequence.

  • DNA
  • RNA
  • Protein
  • Carbohydrate

Answer: RNA

9. A “Western blot” uses antibodies to detect a specific ________ in a sample.

  • DNA
  • RNA
  • Protein
  • Polysaccharide

Answer: Protein

10. “Recombinant DNA” is a DNA molecule that has been created by:

  • Natural mutation.
  • Combining DNA fragments from two or more different sources.
  • The process of DNA replication.
  • The repair of a damaged chromosome.

Answer: Combining DNA fragments from two or more different sources.

11. The process of inserting a gene of interest into a bacterial plasmid is a key step in:

  • Molecular cloning.
  • PCR.
  • Gel electrophoresis.
  • Southern blotting.

Answer: Molecular cloning.

12. Which enzyme is used to “paste” or join a DNA insert into a vector during cloning?

  • DNA polymerase.
  • Helicase.
  • Restriction enzyme.
  • DNA ligase.

Answer: DNA ligase.

13. Sanger sequencing is a method used to determine the:

  • Size of a protein.
  • Sequence of nucleotides in a DNA fragment.
  • Amount of RNA in a cell.
  • Location of a gene on a chromosome.

Answer: Sequence of nucleotides in a DNA fragment.

14. The key feature of the dideoxynucleotides (ddNTPs) used in Sanger sequencing is that they:

  • Are fluorescently labeled.
  • Lack a 3′-hydroxyl group, which terminates DNA synthesis when incorporated.
  • Are more stable than regular dNTPs.
  • Both A and B are correct.

Answer: Both A and B are correct.

15. “Next-generation sequencing” (NGS) differs from Sanger sequencing in that it:

  • Is much slower and more expensive.
  • Can sequence millions of DNA fragments simultaneously, offering much higher throughput.
  • Can only sequence very short fragments of DNA.
  • Does not require a DNA polymerase.

Answer: Can sequence millions of DNA fragments simultaneously, offering much higher throughput.

16. A “cDNA library” is a collection of cloned DNA fragments that represent:

  • The entire genome of an organism.
  • Only the genes that were being actively transcribed (expressed as mRNA) in a particular cell type.
  • Only the non-coding regions of the genome.
  • The mitochondrial DNA.

Answer: Only the genes that were being actively transcribed (expressed as mRNA) in a particular cell type.

17. The enzyme “reverse transcriptase” is essential for which molecular biology technique?

  • Creating a cDNA library from mRNA.
  • The denaturation step of PCR.
  • Cutting DNA at specific sites.
  • Separating proteins by size.

Answer: Creating a cDNA library from mRNA.

18. A “microarray” is a tool that allows for the simultaneous analysis of:

  • The sequence of a single gene.
  • The expression levels of thousands of genes at once.
  • The size of a single protein.
  • The location of a single gene.

Answer: The expression levels of thousands of genes at once.

19. In a microarray experiment, if a spot corresponding to a specific gene is brightly fluorescent, it indicates that the gene’s expression level in the sample was:

  • Low.
  • High.
  • Absent.
  • Average.

Answer: High.

20. The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a revolutionary molecular biology tool used for:

  • Amplifying DNA.
  • Separating DNA fragments.
  • Sequencing DNA.
  • Genome editing.

Answer: Genome editing.

21. In the CRISPR-Cas9 system, the “Cas9” component is a(n) ________ that cuts the DNA.

  • Ligase
  • Polymerase
  • Nuclease
  • Helicase

Answer: Nuclease

22. The specificity of where the Cas9 enzyme cuts the DNA is determined by a:

  • Protein sequence.
  • Short guide RNA (gRNA).
  • Metal cofactor.
  • Specific temperature.

Answer: A short guide RNA (gRNA).

23. The “yeast two-hybrid” system is a technique used to investigate:

  • DNA replication.
  • Gene expression.
  • Protein-protein interactions.
  • RNA splicing.

Answer: Protein-protein interactions.

24. “Site-directed mutagenesis” is a technique used to:

  • Create specific, targeted changes (mutations) in a DNA sequence.
  • Randomly mutate an entire genome.
  • Repair all mutations in a gene.
  • Clone a gene without any changes.

Answer: Create specific, targeted changes (mutations) in a DNA sequence.

25. A “knockout mouse” is a laboratory mouse in which researchers have:

  • Inserted a new human gene.
  • Inactivated, or “knocked out,” an existing gene to study its function.
  • Increased the expression of a specific gene.
  • Cloned the mouse from a single cell.

Answer: Inactivated, or “knocked out,” an existing gene to study its function.

26. The production of recombinant proteins, like human insulin in bacteria, is a direct application of which technology?

  • PCR.
  • Recombinant DNA and molecular cloning.
  • Southern blotting.
  • Microarray analysis.

Answer: Recombinant DNA and molecular cloning.

27. “Electroporation” is a technique used to:

  • Separate DNA by size.
  • Introduce DNA into cells by applying a brief electrical pulse.
  • Sequence DNA.
  • Cut DNA.

Answer: Introduce DNA into cells by applying a brief electrical pulse.

28. A “selectable marker,” such as an antibiotic resistance gene, is a key component of a cloning vector because it allows a researcher to:

  • Identify which cells have successfully taken up the vector.
  • Ensure the cloned gene is expressed.
  • Make the host cells grow faster.
  • Visualize the plasmid under a microscope.

Answer: Identify which cells have successfully taken up the vector.

29. The technique “in situ hybridization” is used to:

  • Determine the sequence of a gene.
  • Amplify a specific DNA sequence.
  • Localize a specific DNA or RNA sequence within a cell or tissue.
  • Purify a specific protein.

Answer: Localize a specific DNA or RNA sequence within a cell or tissue.

30. A key leadership role for a pharmacist in a biotech company would be to understand these molecular biology techniques to:

  • Guide the development and manufacturing of new biopharmaceuticals.
  • Perform the bench research themselves.
  • Market the final product.
  • Secure funding from investors.

Answer: Guide the development and manufacturing of new biopharmaceuticals.

31. “Quantitative PCR” (qPCR or real-time PCR) differs from traditional PCR in that it:

  • Is less sensitive.
  • Allows for the quantification of the initial amount of DNA or RNA in the sample.
  • Does not use a polymerase.
  • Is used to separate proteins.

Answer: Allows for the quantification of the initial amount of DNA or RNA in the sample.

32. The “forging ahead” mindset in pharmacy means that pharmacists must be knowledgeable about how these molecular biology techniques are:

  • Used to develop the next generation of personalized medicines and gene therapies.
  • An outdated area of science.
  • Relevant only to basic science researchers.
  • A threat to the pharmacy profession.

Answer: Used to develop the next generation of personalized medicines and gene therapies.

33. The “business plan” for a new gene therapy startup would be heavily based on the strength of its:

  • Marketing team.
  • Underlying molecular biology techniques and intellectual property.
  • Sales force.
  • Financial projections alone.

Answer: Underlying molecular biology techniques and intellectual property.

34. The “regulation” of a new drug produced using recombinant DNA technology is the responsibility of the:

  • DEA.
  • FDA.
  • EPA.
  • USDA.

Answer: FDA.

35. A pharmacist’s knowledge of “human resources” in a biotech setting would involve understanding the need for specialized personnel skilled in:

  • Molecular biology techniques.
  • Marketing.
  • Finance.
  • All of the above are specialized roles.

Answer: All of the above are specialized roles.

36. The “financials” of using a technique like CRISPR for drug development are characterized by:

  • A very high potential return on investment, but also a very high risk and long development timeline.
  • A guaranteed profit.
  • Low research and development costs.
  • A quick and easy path to market.

Answer: A very high potential return on investment, but also a very high risk and long development timeline.

37. A “negotiation” in a biotech company might involve licensing the patent for a new molecular biology technique. The most critical factor in this negotiation is the:

  • The novelty and strength of the intellectual property.
  • The size of the two companies.
  • The location of the company headquarters.
  • The personal relationship between the CEOs.

Answer: The novelty and strength of the intellectual property.

38. The “service” a pharmacist provides for a patient on a monoclonal antibody (a product of molecular biology) is to:

  • Counsel on its proper administration, storage, and potential side effects.
  • Manufacture the antibody in the pharmacy.
  • Clone the patient’s cells.
  • Redesign the antibody’s structure.

Answer: Counsel on its proper administration, storage, and potential side effects.

39. A key “policy” debate surrounding a technique like CRISPR is about:

  • Its use in basic research.
  • The ethics of using it to edit the human germline.
  • Its cost-effectiveness.
  • Its patentability.

Answer: The ethics of using it to edit the human germline.

40. A pharmacist’s understanding of “health disparities” is relevant because advanced therapies developed from these techniques:

  • Are often very expensive, creating potential access barriers for some populations.
  • Are designed to be affordable for everyone.
  • Are only effective in certain populations.
  • Will eliminate all health disparities.

Answer: Are often very expensive, creating potential access barriers for some populations.

41. The use of “DNA fingerprinting” for forensic analysis relies on the PCR amplification of:

  • The entire genome.
  • Short tandem repeats (STRs), which are highly variable between individuals.
  • A single, specific gene.
  • Mitochondrial DNA only.

Answer: Short tandem repeats (STRs), which are highly variable between individuals.

42. “RNA interference” (RNAi) is a natural cellular process that can be harnessed as a molecular biology technique to:

  • Increase the expression of a specific gene.
  • “Knock down” or silence the expression of a specific gene.
  • Mutate a gene.
  • Repair a damaged gene.

Answer: “Knock down” or silence the expression of a specific gene.

43. A “fusion protein” is created using recombinant DNA techniques by:

  • Joining two different proteins together after they are made.
  • Physically mixing two purified proteins.
  • Splicing the coding sequences of two different genes together to create a new, hybrid protein.
  • Using a chemical cross-linker.

Answer: Splicing the coding sequences of two different genes together to create a new, hybrid protein.

44. The use of an “analytics and reporting system” in a research lab would be critical for:

  • Managing the large datasets generated by next-generation sequencing.
  • Tracking the inventory of lab supplies.
  • Scheduling experiments.
  • All of the above.

Answer: All of the above.

45. A “Clinical Decision Support” system could use the results of a molecular diagnostic test (like a PCR test for a specific mutation) to:

  • Guide the selection of a targeted cancer therapy.
  • Automatically order the medication.
  • Bill the patient’s insurance.
  • It cannot use this type of data.

Answer: Guide the selection of a targeted cancer therapy.

46. “Phage display” is a molecular biology technique used to:

  • Grow and study viruses that infect bacteria.
  • Study protein-protein, protein-peptide, and protein-DNA interactions by displaying proteins on the surface of a bacteriophage.
  • Separate different types of bacteriophages.
  • Create a vaccine against bacteriophages.

Answer: Study protein-protein, protein-peptide, and protein-DNA interactions by displaying proteins on the surface of a bacteriophage.

47. A key principle of “DNA structure” that is exploited by many of these techniques is:

  • The instability of the double helix.
  • The specific, complementary pairing of the nitrogenous bases.
  • The random nature of the genetic code.
  • The fact that DNA is single-stranded.

Answer: The specific, complementary pairing of the nitrogenous bases.

48. The “enzymes of DNA metabolism,” like polymerases and ligases, are the fundamental ________ used in nearly all molecular biology techniques.

  • Reagents
  • Tools
  • Waste products
  • Solvents

Answer: Tools

49. An “Electronic Health Record” (EHR) that is “forging ahead” will need the capacity to store and use data from:

  • Molecular biology techniques, such as a patient’s entire genomic sequence.
  • Only the patient’s vital signs.
  • Only the patient’s billing information.
  • Only the notes from the patient’s last visit.

Answer: Molecular biology techniques, such as a patient’s entire genomic sequence.

50. The ultimate reason for a pharmacist to understand these molecular biology techniques is that they are:

  • The foundation for the development and use of the next generation of personalized and biologic medicines.
  • An interesting but clinically irrelevant field of study.
  • Only important for passing a single exam.
  • A way to impress colleagues at a conference.

Answer: The foundation for the development and use of the next generation of personalized and biologic medicines.

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