Mario Capecchi — Questions and answers

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What did Mario Capecchi's important work help scientists do?

Choices

  1. Only observe life without changing it.
  2. Actively rewrite genetic code and precisely manipulate animal genes. ✓
  3. Predict weather patterns and create new types of clouds.
  4. Build faster computers and new types of robots.

Answer: Actively rewrite genetic code and precisely manipulate animal genes.

From page 1

Before Mario Capecchi's work, what was very hard for scientists to do with genes?

Choices

  1. Understand Gregor Mendel's charts.
  2. Pinpoint the exact role of one specific gene in a living thing. ✓
  3. Observe spontaneous mutations in plants.
  4. Find any genes at all in an organism.

Answer: Pinpoint the exact role of one specific gene in a living thing.

From page 2

What natural cell process was the main idea behind Capecchi's new method?

Choices

  1. Photosynthesis, how plants make food.
  2. Homologous recombination, how cells repair DNA. ✓
  3. Cellular respiration, how cells get energy.
  4. Evaporation, how water turns into vapor.

Answer: Homologous recombination, how cells repair DNA.

From page 3

What special award did Mario Capecchi win for his work on gene targeting?

Choices

  1. A prize for the best musician.
  2. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. ✓
  3. A trophy for the fastest runner.
  4. An award for inventing a new kind of toy.

Answer: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

From page 10