Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why genetically modified bacteria can produce human proteins?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria and humans share a universal genetic code, allowing transplanted DNA to be expressed in both.

Question 2

A baby born in Brazil in 2015 with neurological problems was found to have been exposed to which virus, and what is the main structural component of this virus?

Accepted Answer

Zika virus; nucleic acid

Question 3

Why is combating viruses like Zika challenging for health agencies?

Accepted Answer

There is no vaccine and medicines only treat symptoms, not the virus itself.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the structure of a DNA nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

A nitrogenous base, a deoxyribose sugar, and a phosphate group

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding the difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains thymine and deoxyribose; RNA contains uracil and ribose.

Question 6

Which base pairs are found in DNA according to the base-pairing rules?

Accepted Answer

A pairs with T, and G pairs with C

Question 7

What is the function of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

It makes covalent bonds between nucleotides and helps repair damaged DNA.

Question 8

If a segment of DNA has the sequence $$5'-ATCGGTA-3'$$, what would be the complementary sequence on the other strand?

Accepted Answer

$$3'-TAGCCAT-5'$$

Question 9

How many nucleotides are required to code for a polypeptide that is 100 amino acids long?

Accepted Answer

$$300$$

Question 10

Which process describes the transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA?

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Question 11

What is the role of the promoter in transcription?

Accepted Answer

It is the DNA sequence where RNA polymerase attaches to start transcription.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a codon?

Accepted Answer

A sequence of three nucleotide bases that codes for an amino acid.

Question 13

What is the main difference between exons and introns in eukaryotic genes?

Accepted Answer

Exons code for amino acids; introns are noncoding regions.

Question 14

During translation, what is the function of tRNA?

Accepted Answer

It matches amino acids to the appropriate codons on mRNA using its anticodon.

Question 15

Which organelle coordinates the process of translation?

Accepted Answer

Ribosome

Question 16

A mutation that changes an amino acid codon into a stop codon is called a:

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 17

Which type of mutation is most likely to produce a nonfunctioning polypeptide?

Accepted Answer

Frameshift mutation

Question 18

What is a mutagen?

Accepted Answer

A physical or chemical agent that causes mutations

Question 19

Why is the genetic code described as 'nearly universal'?

Accepted Answer

It is shared by almost all organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of the universality of the genetic code?

Accepted Answer

Transplanting human genes into bacteria to produce insulin

Chapter 10: The Structure and Function of DNA

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards