Skip to content
MathsGenie logo
Open app

Course home

  1. A Level
  3. Biology AQA
  5. Question bank

Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes (A-level only)

MediumHard
123456
Question 2

Variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) are highly repetitive, non-coding regions of DNA that vary in length between individuals. During a conservation investigation into the illegal logging of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), researchers isolated a specific locus containing a VNTR with a length of 24 base pairs.

1.

Describe how this specific VNTR locus can be cleaved and isolated from the rest of the mahogany genomic DNA sample.

[2]
2.

PCR is used to amplify this VNTR region. Explain why researchers must know the specific nucleotide sequences flanking either side of the VNTR region to carry out PCR.

[2]
3.

A vial containing exactly one double-stranded DNA molecule of this 24-base-pair VNTR is placed in a thermocycler and undergoes 38 complete cycles of PCR. Calculate the total number of base pairs across all generated VNTR molecules after 38 cycles. Show your working and present your final answer in standard scientific notation.

[2]
4.

Describe how gel electrophoresis is used to separate the resulting VNTR fragments. In your answer, state two specific physical properties of the DNA fragments that make this separation possible.

[2]

Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Biology
  3. /Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes (A-level only)