University of Mauritius

UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
YEARLY EXAMINATIONS
MAY 2017
PROGRAMME BSc (Hons) Microbiology – Year 2
MODULE NAME MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNIQUES
MONDAY
DATE MODULE CODE AGRI 2065Y(3)
22 May 2017
TIME 9.30 – 12.00 DURATION 2½ Hours
NO. OF NO. OF QUESTIONS TO

6 4
QUESTIONS SET BE ATTEMPTED
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer four (4) questions in all.
Question 1 is Compulsory.
All questions carry equal marks.

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNIQUES - AGRI 2065Y(3)
Answer four (4) questions in all.
Question 1 is Compulsory.
All questions carry equal marks.
Question 1 (Compulsory)
(a) Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the human β-globin gene.

Within a population, the three possible genotypes are homozygous for normal
β -globin, heterozygous carrier (having both the normal and sickle-cell genes),
and homozygous for sickle cell anemia. Prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell
anemia is even possible using molecular biology techniques.
HpaI is a type II restriction endonuclease. The normal human β-globin gene is

carried on a 7600 bp human DNA fragment from a HpaI digest, while the
sickle-cell gene is carried on a 13000 bp HpaI fragment.
Using a radiolabeled sample of recombinant DNA carrying the 7600 bp HpaI

fragment from the normal human genome, design an experiment to screen the
human population on the UOM campus for Homozygous normal β-globin,
Homozygous sickle cell anemia, Heterozygous sickle cell carrier. Note that
the genes for normal and sickle-cell β-globin share sufficient sequence
homology to hybridize with each other.
Give all experimental details and the expected results of your study.
[60 marks]
(b) Discuss the complexity of replicating telomeres and explain how prokaryotes
and eukaryotes replicate these telomeric DNA.
[40 marks]
Answer any other three (3) questions.
Question 2
The development of recombinant DNA technology has led to major advancements in

our understanding of the molecular basis of genetics.
(a) Explain what is recombinant DNA.

[10 marks]
(b) List three kinds of vectors that can be used in making recombinant DNA
molecules and give the attributes of a good recombinant vector.
[10 marks + 20 marks]
(c) Describe the broad range of enzymes used in recombinant DNA technology
and their relevant function.
[60 marks]
Page 2 of 4
Question 3
(a) What are the different types of damage which can happen to a DNA
molecule?
[50 marks]
(b) Discuss direct reversal of DNA damage and how it differs from translesion
DNA synthesis.
[20 marks]
(c) Compare and contrast base excision repair with nucleotide excision repair.
[30 marks]
Question 4
(a) You are performing a series of experiments, similar in nature to those of

Meselson and Stahl, on a new species of bacteria. You are convinced your
results indicate that the new bacteria replicate by going through alternative
rounds of conservative and semi-conservative replication. Describe how you
would prove this hypothesis using the types of experiments available to
Meselson and Stahl.
[40 marks]
(b) Using a diagram explain bidirectional DNA replication within a replication

bubble.
[60 marks]
Question 5
(a) Compare and contrast the initiation step of transcription with its termination
step.
[40 marks]
(b) Using specific examples, describe the essential DNA elements which monitor
the complexity of gene expression in Prokaryotes.
[60 marks]
Page 3 of 4
Question 6
(a) Discuss DNA sequence organization within a eukaryotic genome.

[30 marks]
(b) A 9kb fragment of mouse DNA that has EcoRI sticky ends is cloned into the
plasmid pAS at its single EcoRI restriction site. The resulting recombinant
plasmid is digested with EcoRI, SmaI and Bam HI separately. Double
digestions are then carried out with pairs of the enzymes. The resulting
fragments are run out on a gel and their sizes determined as shown below:
Restriction Enzyme Sizes of fragments

EcoRI 10 kb, 9kb
Bam HI 8kb, 6kb, 5kb
SmaI 12kb, 7kb
EcoRI + Bam HI 7kb, 5 kb, 4 kb, 2 kb,1 kb
EcoRI + SmaI 7 kb, 2 kb, 5kb
SmaI+ Bam HI 6 kb, 5 kb,3 kb,4 kb,1 kb
Discuss a restriction map of the recombinant plasmid. In your map

distinguish between the mouse DNA fragment and the plasmid. Indicate the
restriction sites and the distances between the restriction sites.
[70 marks]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
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UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

PROGRAMME BSc (Hons) Microbiology – Year 2

MODULE NAME MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNIQUES

TIME 9.30 – 12.00 DURATION 2½ Hours

NO. OF NO. OF QUESTIONS TO

Answer four (4) questions in all.

All questions carry equal marks.

Answer four (4) questions in all.

All questions carry equal marks.

(a) Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the human β-globin gene.

HpaI is a type II restriction endonuclease. The normal human β-globin gene is

Using a radiolabeled sample of recombinant DNA carrying the 7600 bp HpaI

Answer any other three (3) questions.

The development of recombinant DNA technology has led to major advancements in

(a) Explain what is recombinant DNA.

(a) You are performing a series of experiments, similar in nature to those of

(b) Using a diagram explain bidirectional DNA replication within a replication

(a) Discuss DNA sequence organization within a eukaryotic genome.

Restriction Enzyme Sizes of fragments

Discuss a restriction map of the recombinant plasmid. In your map

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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