MCQs / Biology / A Level Biology: Genetic technology

A Level Biology: Genetic technology MCQs — Biology

33 multiple-choice questions on A Level Biology: Genetic technology from Biology, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.

1. Recombinant DNA is

  1. DNA made by joining DNA from two different sources
  2. DNA copied by PCR
  3. DNA from a virus
  4. DNA in a chromosome

Answer: A) DNA made by joining DNA from two different sources

Explanation: Definition. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

2. Microarrays used for gene expression studies detect

  1. the number of chromosomes
  2. the rate of PCR
  3. the size of proteins
  4. which genes are being transcribed into mRNA

Answer: D) which genes are being transcribed into mRNA

Explanation: cDNA from mRNA hybridises to probes. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

3. Screening for cystic fibrosis can identify

  1. people with BRCA1
  2. factor VIII deficiency
  3. dominant HTT alleles
  4. carriers of the recessive allele

Answer: D) carriers of the recessive allele

Explanation: Carrier testing for recessive CF alleles. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.2 Genetic technology applied to medicine

Discuss this question

4. A concern about herbicide-resistant crops is

  1. they always reduce yields
  2. the gene may spread to wild relatives, creating superweeds
  3. they kill all insects
  4. they cannot be sprayed

Answer: B) the gene may spread to wild relatives, creating superweeds

Explanation: Gene flow concern. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.3 Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Discuss this question

5. Adenosine deaminase deficiency is a cause of

  1. cystic fibrosis
  2. haemophilia
  3. SCID
  4. Huntington's disease

Answer: C) SCID

Explanation: ADA deficiency causes severe combined immunodeficiency. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.2 Genetic technology applied to medicine

Discuss this question

6. Gene editing involves

  1. random insertion of genes
  2. selective breeding
  3. cloning whole organisms
  4. inserting, deleting or replacing DNA at a specific site in the genome

Answer: D) inserting, deleting or replacing DNA at a specific site in the genome

Explanation: Precise changes to the genome. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

7. GFP is used as a marker gene because

  1. it cuts DNA
  2. it is an antibiotic
  3. cells that have taken up the gene fluoresce under UV light
  4. it kills bacteria

Answer: C) cells that have taken up the gene fluoresce under UV light

Explanation: Fluorescence shows expression. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

8. In gel electrophoresis, DNA moves towards the positive electrode because

  1. it is negatively charged due to phosphate groups
  2. it is small
  3. it is attracted by agarose
  4. it is positively charged

Answer: A) it is negatively charged due to phosphate groups

Explanation: Phosphates carry negative charge. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

9. Reverse transcriptase is used to

  1. separate DNA fragments
  2. make cDNA from an mRNA template
  3. cut plasmids
  4. join sticky ends

Answer: B) make cDNA from an mRNA template

Explanation: RNA → DNA. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

10. GM salmon grow faster because they contain

  1. a Bt gene
  2. a gene for vitamin A
  3. a growth hormone gene with a promoter active all year
  4. a herbicide-resistance gene

Answer: C) a growth hormone gene with a promoter active all year

Explanation: Growth hormone is produced continuously. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.3 Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Discuss this question

11. Taq polymerase is used in PCR because it

  1. works best at 37 °C
  2. joins fragments
  3. is heat-stable and not denatured at high temperatures
  4. cuts DNA

Answer: C) is heat-stable and not denatured at high temperatures

Explanation: From a thermophilic bacterium. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

12. An economic concern about GM crops is that

  1. they cannot be sold
  2. seeds are free
  3. yields always fall
  4. farmers depend on large companies for expensive patented seed

Answer: D) farmers depend on large companies for expensive patented seed

Explanation: Patents and cost. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.3 Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Discuss this question

13. Why are GM salmon farmed as sterile fish in inland tanks?

  1. To give them Bt toxin
  2. To make them grow faster
  3. To kill parasites
  4. To prevent them breeding with wild salmon

Answer: D) To prevent them breeding with wild salmon

Explanation: Containment reduces ecological risk. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.3 Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Discuss this question

14. Restriction endonucleases

  1. add nucleotides in PCR
  2. join DNA fragments
  3. cut DNA at specific recognition sequences
  4. copy RNA into DNA

Answer: C) cut DNA at specific recognition sequences

Explanation: They cut at specific sites. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

15. Herbicide-resistant soybean benefits farmers because

  1. weeds can be killed by spraying without harming the crop
  2. it needs no water
  3. insects die when they eat it
  4. it has more vitamins

Answer: A) weeds can be killed by spraying without harming the crop

Explanation: Herbicide kills competing weeds. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.3 Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Discuss this question

16. A benefit of bioinformatics databases is that

  1. scientists can share and compare sequence data worldwide
  2. they make DNA
  3. they store organisms
  4. they replace all experiments

Answer: A) scientists can share and compare sequence data worldwide

Explanation: Free sharing and comparison. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

17. Screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 helps people

  1. prevent haemophilia
  2. make decisions about monitoring or preventive surgery for breast cancer
  3. cure Huntington's disease
  4. avoid cystic fibrosis

Answer: B) make decisions about monitoring or preventive surgery for breast cancer

Explanation: Early detection and prevention. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.2 Genetic technology applied to medicine

Discuss this question

18. Bt cotton is resistant to

  1. fungi
  2. insect pests
  3. herbicides
  4. drought

Answer: B) insect pests

Explanation: Cry toxin kills insect larvae. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.3 Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Discuss this question

19. Primers in PCR

  1. separate the strands
  2. bind to the ends of the target sequence to start DNA synthesis
  3. are made of RNA polymerase
  4. cut the DNA

Answer: B) bind to the ends of the target sequence to start DNA synthesis

Explanation: Short complementary sequences. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

20. Plasmids are used as vectors because they

  1. are proteins
  2. are found in nuclei
  3. cut DNA
  4. can carry a gene into a host cell and replicate independently

Answer: D) can carry a gene into a host cell and replicate independently

Explanation: Plasmids carry genes into bacteria. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

21. After 10 cycles of PCR, one DNA molecule becomes

  1. 20 molecules
  2. 1024 molecules
  3. 512 molecules
  4. 100 molecules

Answer: B) 1024 molecules

Explanation: 2¹⁰ = 1024. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

22. A promoter is transferred with a gene to

  1. mark the cells
  2. cut the plasmid
  3. allow RNA polymerase to bind so the gene is expressed
  4. make sticky ends

Answer: C) allow RNA polymerase to bind so the gene is expressed

Explanation: Expression needs a recognised promoter. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

23. Gene therapy for inherited eye disease delivers the gene using

  1. bone marrow transplant
  2. an adeno-associated virus injected under the retina
  3. a blood transfusion
  4. tablets

Answer: B) an adeno-associated virus injected under the retina

Explanation: AAV vector into the eye. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.2 Genetic technology applied to medicine

Discuss this question

24. Somatic gene therapy differs from germ-line therapy because somatic therapy

  1. is illegal everywhere
  2. alters gametes
  3. is not passed on to offspring
  4. is passed to future generations

Answer: C) is not passed on to offspring

Explanation: Only body cells are changed. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.2 Genetic technology applied to medicine

Discuss this question

25. Why is cDNA made from mRNA useful for producing human proteins in bacteria?

  1. It contains a bacterial promoter
  2. It has introns
  3. It is single-stranded RNA
  4. It has no introns

Answer: D) It has no introns

Explanation: Bacteria cannot remove introns. AS & A Level Biology · Topic 19 Genetic Technology · 19.1 Principles of genetic technology

Discuss this question

Page 1 of 2 Next

Practise A Level Biology: Genetic technology MCQs

More Biology chapters