Question 1

Which scientist's experiment first demonstrated that a 'transforming principle' could transfer genetic traits between bacteria, suggesting the existence of genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Frederick Griffith

Question 2

In the Hershey-Chase experiment, which molecule was found to enter the bacterial cell and serve as the genetic material?

Accepted Answer

DNA

Question 3

According to Chargaff's rules, if a DNA sample contains 27% adenine, what percentage of the nucleotides will be guanine?

Accepted Answer

$$23\%$$

Question 4

Which scientist used X-ray diffraction to help reveal the double helix structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Rosalind Franklin

Question 5

During DNA replication, which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA helix at the replication fork?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 6

Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference between the leading and lagging strands during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

The leading strand is synthesized continuously, while the lagging strand is synthesized in short fragments called Okazaki fragments.

Question 7

In the Meselson-Stahl experiment, which model of DNA replication was supported by the results?

Accepted Answer

Semi-conservative

Question 8

Which enzyme is responsible for joining together Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase

Question 9

If the sequence of a DNA strand is 5'-ATGCATGC-3', what is the complementary sequence?

Accepted Answer

3'-TACGTACG-5'

Question 10

Which enzyme relieves tension and prevents supercoiling ahead of the replication fork during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Topoisomerase

Question 11

What is the function of telomerase in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

It adds repeating DNA sequences to the ends of chromosomes to maintain telomere length.

Question 12

Which of the following would most likely result from very little active telomerase activity in a cell?

Accepted Answer

Cells would age and lose function.

Question 13

During DNA replication, which enzyme catalyzes the elongation of new DNA by adding nucleotides to the 3' end of a growing strand?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 14

Which of the following enzymes is responsible for removing RNA primers and replacing them with DNA nucleotides?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase I

Question 15

Which fact did Hershey and Chase use to distinguish DNA from protein in their experiment?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains phosphorus, whereas protein does not.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about DNA proofreading and repair is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerases have a proofreading ability that reduces errors to 1 in 10 billion base pairs.

Question 17

Which of the following types of cells are affected most by telomere shortening?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells only

Question 18

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding DNA replication forks?

Accepted Answer

DNA replication forks only form at the end of the replication 'bubble'.

Question 19

Which of the following enzymes breaks the hydrogen bonds between DNA strands during replication?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 20

During DNA replication, which enzyme synthesizes short RNA primers to initiate synthesis of the new DNA strand?

Accepted Answer

Primase

Ch. 16 – The Molecular Basis of Inheritance: Study Notes

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