Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between DNA and RNA at the molecular level?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.

Question 2

Which base is found in RNA but not in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Question 3

What is the primary structure of a nucleic acid?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of nucleotides in the polymer

Question 4

Which of the following is a property of nucleotides that allows their detection and quantification in laboratory settings?

Accepted Answer

Absorption of ultraviolet light at around 260 nm

Question 5

Which tautomeric forms can nucleotide bases exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Amino vs. imino and keto vs. enol

Question 6

What is the function of topoisomerases in DNA structure?

Accepted Answer

They modify the state of DNA supercoiling.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the semiconservative nature of DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA molecule consists of one parental strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Question 8

What is the conventional representation of a DNA strand’s directionality?

Accepted Answer

5' end to the left

Question 9

Which form of DNA is most commonly found in cells?

Accepted Answer

B form

Question 10

What is the distance between successive base pairs in the DNA double helix?

Accepted Answer

$0.34 \text{ \AA}$

Question 11

Which of the following statements about palindromic DNA sequences is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are symmetrical and read the same in both directions.

Question 12

Which structure is formed by self-complementarity within a single DNA strand?

Accepted Answer

Hairpin or cruciform

Question 13

G-quadruplexes are most commonly found in which region of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Telomeres

Question 14

What is the effect of heating double-stranded DNA?

Accepted Answer

It denatures the DNA into two higher energy single strands.

Question 15

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 16

Which process converts DNA-based information of genes into messenger RNA (mRNA)?

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Question 17

What is the main biological function of DNA in cells?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 18

Which of the following is true about the stacking of base pairs in the DNA double helix?

Accepted Answer

There are 10 base pairs per turn, with a 36° angle between stacked pairs.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the tertiary structure of nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Longer range 3D interactions such as supercoiling and cruciforms

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the flow of genetic information in a cell?

Accepted Answer

DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein.

Nucleic Acids: Structure, Properties, and Biological Functions

Study Guide - Practice Questions