Genetic Engineering is one of 10 topics in the Grade 12 Life Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which type of enzyme is used to cut DNA at specific recognition sequences during genetic engineering?
Restriction enzymes
DNA polymerase
RNA polymerase
Helicase
Answer: Restriction enzymes — Restriction enzymes (restriction endonucleases) recognise and cut DNA at specific short base sequences, producing fragments with predictable ends.
Easy
2. Which enzyme is used to join (splice) two DNA fragments together to form recombinant DNA?
DNA ligase
Restriction enzyme
RNA polymerase
Ribosomase
Answer: DNA ligase — DNA ligase seals the sugar-phosphate backbone, joining the gene of interest to the cut plasmid to form a single recombinant DNA molecule.
Medium
3. A small circular loop of bacterial DNA, separate from the main bacterial chromosome, that is commonly used as a vector in genetic engineering is called a:
Plasmid
Ribosome
Chromatid
Chiasma
Answer: Plasmid — A plasmid is a small circular DNA molecule found in bacteria, commonly used to carry a foreign gene into a host cell during genetic engineering.
