30 Genetic Engineering Quiz Questions and Answers

Genetic engineering is a branch of biotechnology that involves the deliberate modification of an organism’s genetic material (DNA) using various techniques. It allows scientists to manipulate the genetic code of organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, to introduce new traits or modify existing ones. The process involves the insertion, deletion, or alteration of specific genes to achieve desired outcomes.

Key aspects of genetic engineering include:

Gene Isolation: Genetic engineering begins with the isolation of specific genes or DNA fragments from a donor organism. These genes are selected for their desired characteristics or functions.

Recombinant DNA Technology: Recombinant DNA technology involves combining the isolated genes with a vector, such as a plasmid or a virus, to create a new DNA molecule. The vector acts as a carrier to transfer the gene into the target organism.

Gene Transfer: Once the recombinant DNA is created, it needs to be introduced into the target organism. There are various methods for gene transfer, including bacterial transformation, viral vectors, and gene gun technology.

Transgenic Organisms: Organisms that have been genetically engineered with new genetic material are known as transgenic organisms. They inherit the modified genes and express the desired traits encoded by those genes.

Article outline

• Part 1: 30 genetic engineering quiz questions & answers
• Part 2: Download genetic engineering questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 genetic engineering quiz questions & answers

1. What is genetic engineering?
a) The process of creating genetically identical copies of an organism
b) The deliberate modification of an organism’s genetic material using biotechnology techniques
c) The study of genes and their inheritance
d) The process of transferring genes from one species to another
Answer: b) The deliberate modification of an organism’s genetic material using biotechnology techniques

2. Which of the following is NOT a common application of genetic engineering?
a) Producing genetically modified crops with increased resistance to pests
b) Developing gene therapy to treat genetic disorders
c) Creating identical copies of an organism through cloning
d) Studying the inheritance of traits in populations
Answer: d) Studying the inheritance of traits in populations

3. What is the first step in genetic engineering?
a) Inserting the modified genes into the target organism
b) Isolating specific genes or DNA fragments from a donor organism
c) Creating recombinant DNA using a vector
d) Transferring the genes using a gene gun
Answer: b) Isolating specific genes or DNA fragments from a donor organism

4. Which technology is commonly used to introduce foreign genes into the DNA of an organism?
a) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
b) Southern blotting
c) Recombinant DNA technology
d) CRISPR-Cas9
Answer: c) Recombinant DNA technology

5. What is a vector in genetic engineering?
a) A small piece of DNA used to identify genes in a genome
b) A tool used to cut DNA at specific locations
c) A carrier molecule used to transfer foreign genes into a target organism
d) A genetically identical copy of an organism
Answer: c) A carrier molecule used to transfer foreign genes into a target organism

6. What is the term for organisms that have been genetically engineered with new genetic material?
a) Hybrid organisms
b) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
c) Transgenic organisms
d) Clones
Answer: c) Transgenic organisms

7. Which of the following is an example of a transgenic organism?
a) A rose with red petals
b) A cow that produces human insulin in its milk
c) A cat with a fluffy tail
d) A bird with long wings
Answer: b) A cow that produces human insulin in its milk

8. Which of the following is an agricultural application of genetic engineering?
a) Producing insulin for diabetes treatment
b) Creating disease-resistant crops
c) Treating genetic disorders using gene therapy
d) Cloning endangered species
Answer: b) Creating disease-resistant crops

9. What is the process by which an entire organism is produced from a single cell of the donor organism?
a) Genetic modification
b) Cloning
c) Gene therapy
d) Recombinant DNA technology
Answer: b) Cloning

10. Which technology allows precise modifications to be made to the genome of an organism?
a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
b) Southern blotting
c) Recombinant DNA technology
d) CRISPR-Cas9
Answer: d) CRISPR-Cas9

11. What is the function of a gene gun in genetic engineering?
a) To introduce foreign genes into a target organism
b) To cut DNA at specific locations
c) To amplify specific genes using PCR
d) To clone an entire organism
Answer: a) To introduce foreign genes into a target organism

12. Which type of genetic engineering involves the study of genes and their inheritance in populations?
a) Transgenesis
b) Gene therapy
c) Genetic mapping
d) Population genetics
Answer: d) Population genetics

13. What is the primary purpose of gene therapy?
a) To create genetically modified crops
b) To produce genetically identical copies of an organism
c) To treat genetic disorders by correcting or replacing faulty genes
d) To study the inheritance of traits in populations
Answer: c) To treat genetic disorders by correcting or replacing faulty genes

14. What is the role of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in genetic engineering?
a) To amplify specific genes using PCR
b) To cut DNA at specific locations and introduce precise genetic modifications
c) To produce genetically identical copies of an organism
d) To transfer genes from one species to another
Answer: b) To cut DNA at specific locations and introduce precise genetic modifications

15. Which of the following statements is true about genetic engineering?
a) Genetic engineering is a natural process that occurs in all organisms.
b) Genetic engineering can only be used to remove genes from an organism’s DNA.
c) Genetic engineering has no ethical or safety concerns.
d) Genetic engineering allows scientists to modify an organism’s genetic code intentionally.
Answer: d) Genetic engineering allows scientists to modify an organism’s genetic code intentionally.

Part 2: Download genetic engineering questions & answers for free

16. Which of the following is NOT an ethical concern associated with genetic engineering?
a) Potential creation of designer babies with desired traits
b) Unintended consequences on ecosystems from the release of genetically modified organisms
c) Potential for genetic enhancement leading to inequality
d) Decreased productivity of crops due to genetic modifications
Answer: d) Decreased productivity of crops due to genetic modifications

17. In genetic engineering, what is the term for the process of combining genes from different organisms to create a new DNA molecule?
a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
b) Recombinant DNA technology
c) Gene therapy
d) Transduction
Answer: b) Recombinant DNA technology

18. What is the term for the process of transferring genes from one species to another?
a) Gene therapy
b) Transduction
c) Transgenesis
d) Transfection
Answer: c) Transgenesis

19. Which of the following is an example of a genetically modified crop?
a) A cucumber with a unique color pattern
b) A rice plant with resistance to a specific pest
c) A tomato plant with a different leaf shape
d) A sunflower with taller stems
Answer: b) A rice plant with resistance to a specific pest

20. What is the primary purpose of genetically modifying crops?
a) To change their color and appearance
b) To increase their size and yield
c) To make them more resistant to pests, diseases, or environmental stress
d) To reduce their nutritional content
Answer: c) To make them more resistant to pests, diseases, or environmental stress

21. Which of the following is an example of a genetically modified organism used in medical research?
a) A mouse with green fur
b) A bacteria that produces insulin
c) A fish with a unique tail pattern
d) A bird with blue feathers
Answer: b) A bacteria that produces insulin

22. What is the role of a vector in genetic engineering?
a) To amplify specific genes

using PCR
b) To cut DNA at specific locations and introduce precise genetic modifications
c) To introduce foreign genes into a target organism
d) To study the inheritance of traits in populations
Answer: c) To introduce foreign genes into a target organism

23. Which of the following is a safety concern associated with genetic engineering?
a) Creation of genetically identical copies of organisms
b) Introduction of new allergens in genetically modified foods
c) Use of gene therapy to treat genetic disorders
d) Transfer of genes from one plant to another
Answer: b) Introduction of new allergens in genetically modified foods

24. Which technology is commonly used to amplify specific genes for further analysis in genetic engineering?
a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
b) Southern blotting
c) Recombinant DNA technology
d) CRISPR-Cas9
Answer: a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

25. What is the process of transferring genes into a target organism using a bacterium as a carrier?
a) Transduction
b) Transformation
c) Transfection
d) Translocation
Answer: b) Transformation

26. Which of the following is an example of a genetically modified animal used in medical research?
a) A dog with blue eyes
b) A rat that produces human growth hormone
c) A cat with unique fur patterns
d) A horse with long legs
Answer: b) A rat that produces human growth hormone

27. Which technology is used to determine the presence of specific DNA sequences in a sample?
a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
b) Southern blotting
c) Recombinant DNA technology
d) CRISPR-Cas9
Answer: b) Southern blotting

28. What is the primary goal of gene therapy in genetic engineering?
a) To create genetically identical copies of organisms
b) To introduce foreign genes into a target organism
c) To treat genetic disorders by correcting or replacing faulty genes
d) To transfer genes from one plant to another
Answer: c) To treat genetic disorders by correcting or replacing faulty genes

29. Which of the following is an example of a transgenic plant with a beneficial trait?
a) A tomato plant that grows taller than normal
b) A wheat plant with resistance to a specific disease
c) A rose plant with a unique color pattern
d) A sunflower plant with longer leaves
Answer: b) A wheat plant with resistance to a specific disease

30. What is the term for the process of creating genetically identical copies of an organism through asexual reproduction?
a) Genetic modification
b) Cloning
c) Gene therapy
d) Recombinant DNA technology
Answer: b) Cloning

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