Question 1

Why is SDS used during DNA extraction?

Accepted Answer

SDS, or sodium dodecyl sulfate, is a detergent that dissolves the lipids and proteins making up cell and nuclear membranes. By solubilizing these membrane components, SDS allows the cell contents, including DNA, to float freely into the surrounding solution, making DNA accessible for further purification steps.

Question 2

What role does Proteinase K play in DNA isolation?

Accepted Answer

Proteinase K is an enzyme that breaks down peptide bonds in proteins, digesting contaminating proteins like histones that bind to DNA. This separation is essential because DNA is tightly condensed around histone proteins inside the nucleus, and removing these proteins allows pure DNA to be recovered.

Question 3

How does salt help precipitate DNA from solution?

Accepted Answer

Salt, typically sodium chloride, stabilizes DNA by allowing Na+ ions to bind to and integrate into the negatively charged phosphate groups in the DNA backbone. This causes DNA strands to clump together, making the precipitate visible and collectible by centrifugation.

Question 4

What determines where restriction enzymes cut DNA?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes recognize and cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences, typically six to twelve nucleotides long and usually palindromic, meaning they read the same in both the 3'-5' and 5'-3' directions. Different restriction enzymes recognize different sequences, allowing researchers to produce distinct DNA fragments for analysis.

Question 5

Why do smaller DNA fragments move faster through gel electrophoresis?

Accepted Answer

During gel electrophoresis, negatively charged DNA migrates toward the anode through the gel matrix. Smaller DNA fragments navigate the gel's pores more easily than larger fragments, which experience greater resistance and migrate with difficulty, causing size-based separation of DNA pieces.

Question 6

How can restriction enzyme digestion create unique DNA fingerprints?

Accepted Answer

Because different DNA sequences have cut sites at different locations, digesting DNA with restriction enzymes produces novel band patterns specific to each individual's genetic profile. These unique patterns, visualized through gel electrophoresis, can distinguish individuals or variant DNA profiles for forensic and genetic analysis.

Question 7

What happens to plasmid DNA when restriction enzymes cut it?

Accepted Answer

Plasmids are circular DNA molecules commonly found in bacteria. When restriction enzymes cut a plasmid at their recognition sites, the circular DNA becomes linear, forming one or more linear fragments. These fragments can then be isolated and ligated into vectors for bacterial transformation using plasmids procedure applications.

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