Question 1

Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during replication?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 2

DNA is described as antiparallel. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

One strand runs 5' to 3', and the other runs 3' to 5'

Question 3

Which protein is responsible for joining Okazaki fragments during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA Ligase

Question 4

What is the complementary mRNA sequence for the DNA strand 5' TGCTAC 3'?

Accepted Answer

5' ACGAUG 3'

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the structure shown in the diagram labeled 'Sugar-phosphate backbone' and 'Base pair'?

Accepted Answer

A double-stranded DNA helix

Question 6

Which enzyme synthesizes short RNA primers during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Primase

Question 7

Why is RNA generally more reactive than DNA?

Accepted Answer

RNA has a hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon, making it more susceptible to hydrolysis

Question 8

What could a shortening of telomeres eventually lead to?

Accepted Answer

Cancer

Question 9

During DNA replication, which strand is synthesized discontinuously and why?

Accepted Answer

Lagging strand, because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction, resulting in Okazaki fragments

Question 10

Where in a eukaryotic cell does transcription take place?

Accepted Answer

Nucleus

Question 11

Which protein prevents separated DNA strands from rejoining during replication?

Accepted Answer

SSB Protein

Question 12

A mutation causes DNA polymerase III to lose its proofreading ability. What is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

Higher frequency of replication errors

Question 13

Which of the following is the finished product of transcription?

Accepted Answer

mRNA

Question 14

If a cell's telomerase enzyme is overactive, what is a possible outcome?

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled cell division and potential cancer

Question 15

Which enzyme relieves supercoiling ahead of the replication fork?

Accepted Answer

Topoisomerase

Question 16

During translation, where does the process occur in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

Ribosome

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of DNA Polymerase I during replication?

Accepted Answer

Removes RNA primers and replaces them with DNA

Question 18

Given the DNA sequence 5' ATCGTACG 3', what is the complementary DNA strand?

Accepted Answer

3' TAGCATGC 5'

Question 19

Which process is responsible for synthesizing new DNA during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Replication

Question 20

If a mutation prevents the formation of RNA primers, which enzyme is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Primase

DNA Structure, Replication, and Related Cellular Processes: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions