GK asked:


hello,

I am a college student taking a beginning molecular biology lab course. The Professor has tasked us with designing PCR primers for a specific gene that will later be cloned in bacteria. Problem is she expects everyone to know what to do already and gave minimal help to the class. I have a few questions if anyone can help me out:

1. “designing” primers, from what I gathered from some of the online tools, we are simply “looking” for a specific short sequence (18-22bp) in our gene that satisfies the criteria for a “good” primer, such as ideal GC content, minimal dimerization, etc. So we are not really “designing” anything from scratch, since the gene sequence is already set, it is what it is. The complementary short primer is only matching the places on the gene that is Relatively more ideal to have a primer. Is this right?

2. We were tasked to go on NCBI to find the specific sequence for our gene and design primers from there. BUT, my question is, shouldn’t our primers be BEFORE and AFTER the gene? If the primer hybridizes to the middle of the gene, then polymerase will start working from the middle of the gene. In the end, we’ll only have a bunch of half-genes?

I’ve never done primer design before and this basically my first molecular bio lab, so please help. I really appreciate it.

……….. asked:

. An agent that causes a disease is called a(n)
A cholera. B copepod.
C epidemic. D pathogen.

2. Filtering contaminated water through a sari is
A an ineffective way to reduce cases of cholera.
B the best way to prevent the spread of cholera.
C a low-tech solution to reducing cases of cholera.
D another factor that causes cholera to spread rapidly.

3. All of the following should be researched in studying the epidemiology of waterborne diseases except the
A genomes of the pathogens.
B habitat of pathogens.
C food chain of the pathogens.
D environmental factors that affect pathogens.

4. All the genetic material contained in an individual or a species is called its
A epidemiology. B genome.
C DNA fingerprint. D genetic code.

5. One of the most important tools in preventing the spread of disease is
A computer modeling. B DNA fingerprinting.
C genetic engineering. D giving vaccinations.

6. computer modeling : epidemiology ::
A genetics : DNA fingerprinting
B cloning : biotechnology
C genome : vaccination
D human health : disease prevention

7. Which of the following terms is used to refer to a piece of equipment made for a specific use?
A process B cure
C device D treatment

8. Which of the following is least likely to help humans live longer?
A epidemiology B medicine
C genetics D DNA fingerprinting

9. knowledge of biology : human potential ::
A assistive technologies : everyday lives
B human potential : epidemiology
C populations : disease outbreaks
D genomes : genetics

10. The technology of changing the genetic material of a living cell is called
A biometrics. B genetic engineering.
C genetics. D DNA fingerprinting.

11. Planting Bt corn helps farmers decrease the use of
A fertilizers. B herbicides.
C pesticides. D cultivators.

12. All of the following are known advantages of planting Bt corn except it
A adds some bacterial genes to food supplies.
B lowers a farmer’s cost of production.
C improves a farmer’s crop yield.
D reduces chemical contaminants in the environment.

13. The application of a biological structure or process to solve design problems is called
A adaptation. B biomimetics.
C cloning. D decoding.

14. Which of these biotechnologies has the potential to repair tissues inside the body?
A biometrics B biomimetics
C epidemiology D nanotechnology

15. clam shell formation : ceramics ::
A CAT scanning : modeling fossils
B strong fabrics : spider silk
C spider silk : strong fabrics
D modeling fossils : CAT scanning

16. The analysis of biological traits to identify people is called
A arithmetics. B biometrics.
C genetics. D statistics.

17. Which of the following traits of an individual would be most useful for identifying a victim in a forensic investigation?
A eye color B hair color
C blood type D DNA fingerprint

18. Which of the following qualities do fingerprints and DNA fingerprints have in common?
A ease of use in an investigation
B part of an extensive FBI database
C refer to traits of the human hand
D unique to an individual

19. The ethical concerns about biotechnology must be addressed by
A scientists only. B societies only.
C both individuals and scientists. D both individuals and societies.

20. All of the following biotechnologies are considered by some to be unethical except
A biomimetic products. B biometrics data bases.
C human stem cell research. D genetically modified foods.

21. Which of the following would be an unethical use of biometric data and methods?
A linking criminals to crime scenes
B eliminating innocent people from a list of criminal suspects
C excluding people with certain genes from getting jobs
D protecting citizens from bioterrorism

22. Which of the following is considered to be one of the most important applications of biology?
A biometrics B genetic engineering
C environmental science D assistive technologies

23. In order to make wise decisions about the use of natural resources, citizens will need to have a better understanding of
A biomimetics. B genetics.
C environmental science. D genetic engineering.

24. ecology : environmental science ::
A biomolecules : strong glues B genetics : genetic engineering
C forensics : biometrics D spider silk : clam shells

25. What do the initials GIS stand for?
A geological inference standard B genetic improvement survey
C geographic information system D global investigation society

26. Satellite tagging is a technology that is most likely to be used in
A assisting the disabled. B conservation of wildlife.
C developing maps of the world. D tracking the spread of disease.

27. Each of the following is a part of a GIS program except
A access to data from different sources.
B computer mapping.
C environmental databases.
D genetic analysis tools.