4. To position a gene in an expression vector downstream from a promoter (i.e., perform directional
cloning), it is best to:
use the largest plasmid available.
treat the gene with DNase I.
restrict both the gene and the plasmid with one restriction endonuclease and then screen all
colonies for those that express the gene.
restrict each end of the DNA fragment (gene) with a different restriction endonuclease and
do likewise for the plasmid.
use a vector with two sites for the same restriction endonuclease.
5. A method used to insert or transform cells with a plasmid is to:
add the DNA to bacterial cells that have been lightly treated with lysozyme to produce
“holes” in the cell wall.
add the DNA to a heated suspension of cells at 42C.
treat the bacteria with Ca2+, add the DNA, and briefly heat to 42C.
incubate the DNA with the cells overnight at 4C.
mixing plasmids with an extract of broken cells.
6. If DNA fragments of about 4 kb are to be cloned, which vector would be most useful?
YACs (yeast artificial chromosomes)
7. All are steps in the sequence for construction of a chimeric plasmid EXCEPT:
annealing the ends of the vector and foreign DNA.
cutting the source of the foreign DNA with a restriction endonuclease.
reannealing the ends of the vector back together.
cutting the vector plasmid with the same restriction endonuclease.
8. One of the problems with plasmids like pUR278 is that there is no true marker for determining
whether or not the plasmid contains the inserted gene since the cloning site does not lie within any
specific gene. Which of the following would be an extremely useful tool for rapid selection of those
bacteria that have taken up a plasmid with the desired DNA insert?
look for the production of the lacZ gene by adding X-gal to the growth medium
include the gene for a fluorescent protein such as GFP in the inserted DNA
after ligating the DNA insert and plasmid, separate the mixture of DNA molecules by
agarose gel electrophoresis to isolate the DNA molecule that corresponds to the size of the
plasmid+insert
look for ampicillin resistance in the transformed cells
none of the above would be effective