CRISPR Simulation

Question 1 of 4

Activity 18.1 Quiz

The molecules used in the CRISPR gene editing technology were originally discovered in bacteria. What biological role do these molecules play in bacteria?

They aid in bacterial cell division.

They function in bacterial energy metabolism.

They are part of a bacterium’s immune system.

They play a role in establishing bacterial cell shape.

Correct. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Incorrect. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Activity 18.1 Quiz

CRISPR is being developed as a technique to make specific changes to genes in living cells. What gives CRISPR its specificity of action?

The Cas9 enzyme

A spacer sequence

A short piece of RNA

A CRISPR repeat sequence

Correct. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Incorrect. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Activity 18.1 Quiz

A researcher wants to make one specific base change in a gene in a mouse cell. The researcher has used the Cas9 enzyme plus a guide sequence of RNA to cut the mouse DNA at the appropriate location. What should the researcher do to make the final change in the gene?

Allow the cell to repair the cut, and natural errors that occur during this repair process will produce the desired base change.

Allow a virus to inject its DNA into the mouse cell—the injected DNA will bind to the cut DNA and repair the cut.

Inactivate the Cas9 enzyme before it can make any more cuts, extract the mouse DNA in order to edit its DNA using in vitro techniques, and then re-insert the edited DNA.

Add a short piece of DNA synthesized to contain the desired base change into the mouse cell, where it will bind to the cut mouse DNA and become incorporated into it.

Correct. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Incorrect. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Activity 18.1 Quiz

Researchers observe that CRISPR gene editing technology can be used to make specific genetic changes in prokaryotes that are carried into future generations. When CRISPR is used to make specific genetic changes in cells of multicellular organisms, they are not always carried into in future generations. Why?

Cells of multicellular organisms are eukaryotic and therefore more complex than prokaryotic cells.

If somatic cells are edited by CRISPR, the changes will not be transferred to offspring; only cells that give rise to germ cells can carry edited changes forward.

Natural immune defense systems in multicellular organisms are likely to reverse the changes that were made to DNA by the CRISPR gene editing technique.

The fundamental processes involved in CRISPR techniques were originally discovered in prokaryotes. Because of this, prokaryotes are expected to be successful hosts than eukaryotes in applications of CRISPR developed through genetic engineering.

Correct. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

Incorrect. See Key Concept 18.4 Several Tools Are Used to Modify DNA and Study its Function

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Chapter 18. CRISPR Simulation