1. What is biotechnology?
Use of organisms, biological systems or process in producing goods or providing services.
2. What is recombinant DNA technology?
It refers to the technique in which a fragment of DNA containing the gene is isolated from a donor cell and then inserted the DNA of another cell.
3. What is the basic principal of recombinant DNA technology?
(1) Obtain DNA fragments containing the gene of interest.
(2) Obtain vectors (e.g. plasmids).
(3) Cut DNA fragments and plasmids with a restriction enzyme.
(4) Join DNA fragments and plasmids together using DNA ligase.
(5) Introduce into the host cell.
4. What are the application of recombinant DNA technology?
(1) Production of pharmaceutical products
(2) Gene therapy
(3) producing genetically modified agricultural and food products
(4) Industrial use
(5) Environmental protection
5. What is the principle behind DNA fingerprinting? (How does it work?)
(1) Extract DNA
(2) Obtain DNA fragment containing the highly variable regions.
(3) Separate the DNA fragment
(4) Produce DNA fingerprints
6. What are the application of DNA fingerprinting?
(1) Forensics science
(2) Parentage tests
(3) Victim identification
(4) Authentication of Chinese medicine
(5) Conservation of endangered species
7. What is the aim of the human genome project?
(1) To determine (find out) the base sequence that makes up the whole human genome
(2) To find out the location of all genes
(3) store the information in a database which is open to the public
(4) develop related new technology and improve tools for data analysis
(5) address the ethical, legal and social issues that may arise
8. What is a genome?
The complete set of DNA of an organism.
9. What are the benefits of the Human Genome Project (HGP)?
(1) Better understanding of genetics
(2) Improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases
(3) Better understanding of evolution