Biotechnology

Biotechnology is topic 6.8 of AP Biology, inside Gene Expression and Regulation. This page works through three real practice questions on it, with the full reasoning behind each credited answer.

Practise this topic freeThe whole unit
21 questionsRepresenting and Describing Data76% with a figure
Worked examples

Three real biotechnology questions

From the practice pool, not the mock papers — each with the reasoning that produces the answer.

76% of them come with a figure. Reading the graph or diagram correctly is most of the work here before any content knowledge applies.

Argumentation

Researchers use CRISPR to disrupt gene Z in cultured cells. The edited cells produce less of enzyme Z and accumulate the enzyme's substrate. Which claim is best supported?

  1. AGene Z is unrelated to enzyme Z because editing never affects protein production.
  2. BSmaller DNA fragments remain closest to the wells because they move more slowly through the gel.
  3. CCRISPR edits prove that all enzymes are made outside cells.
  4. DGene Z likely contributes to producing an enzyme that processes the substrate.correct
Why D is correct

Disrupting gene Z reduces enzyme Z and causes substrate accumulation. This supports a role for gene Z in producing a protein needed for substrate processing.

The stem asks students to explain a specific mechanism, not just recall a unit term: "Researchers use CRISPR to disrupt gene Z in cultured cells. The edited cells produce less of enzyme Z and...". The correct choice is supported by Disrupting gene Z reduces enzyme Z and causes substrate accumulation. The tempting alternatives such as Gene Z is unrelated to enzyme Z because editing never affects... or Smaller DNA fragments remain closest to the wells because they move... fail because they do not produce the same outcome described in the stem.

Argumentation

A bacterial gene encoding a toxin harmful to certain insect larvae is inserted into a corn plant. The plant produces the toxin protein and has less larval damage. Which claim is best supported?

  1. AThe plant stopped using ribosomes to make proteins.
  2. BThe inserted gene can be expressed by the plant to produce a functional protein.correct
  3. CThe bacterial gene became a carbohydrate after insertion.
  4. DSmaller DNA fragments remain closest to the wells because they move more slowly through the gel.
Why B is correct

The reduced larval damage and toxin production support that the inserted gene is expressed and produces a functional protein in the plant.

The stem asks students to explain a specific mechanism, not just recall a unit term: "A bacterial gene encoding a toxin harmful to certain insect larvae is inserted into a corn plant. The plant...". The correct choice is supported by The reduced larval damage and toxin production support that the inserted gene is expressed and produces a functional protein in the plant. The tempting alternatives such as plant stopped using ribosomes to make proteins or bacterial gene became a carbohydrate after insertion fail because they do not produce the same outcome described in the stem.

Concept Explanation

A restriction enzyme cuts DNA only at a particular short nucleotide sequence. Which statement best describes this biotechnology tool?

  1. APrimer binding can be inferred without considering complementarity to the target sequence.
  2. BIt prevents all gel electrophoresis because DNA cannot be cut.
  3. CRestriction enzymes recognize and cut specific DNA sequencescorrect
  4. DSmaller DNA fragments remain closest to the wells
Why C is correct

Restriction enzymes recognize specific DNA sequences and cut DNA at or near those sites, which allows DNA fragments to be generated for biotechnology applications.

The stem asks students to explain a specific mechanism, not just recall a unit term: "A restriction enzyme cuts DNA only at a particular short nucleotide sequence. Which statement best describes this...". The correct choice is supported by Restriction enzymes recognize specific DNA sequences and cut DNA at or near those sites, which allows DNA fragments to be generated for biotechnology applications. The tempting alternatives such as Primer binding can be inferred without considering complementarity... or It prevents all gel electrophoresis because DNA cannot be cut fail because they do not produce the same outcome described in the stem.

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Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Topic and unit names follow the College Board course framework. Question counts describe the PrepScore practice bank, not the exam.
Same unit
Regulation of Gene Expression73 questionsTranscription and RNA Processing51 questionsTranslation48 questions

Work biotechnology until the reasoning is automatic.

Real AP questions with a full explanation on every answer, and a mistake bank that only clears when you get it right.

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