Question 1

Which experiment provided direct evidence that DNA, and not protein, is the genetic material in cells?

Accepted Answer

Hershey-Chase experiment using T2 bacteriophage and radioactive labeling

Question 2

In the structure of DNA, what type of bond connects the phosphate group of one nucleotide to the hydroxyl group of the next nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

Phosphodiester bond

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the antiparallel nature of DNA?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

During DNA replication, which direction does DNA polymerase synthesize the new strand?

Accepted Answer

5' to 3'

Question 5

What is the correct complementary base pairing in DNA?

Accepted Answer

A pairs with T, G pairs with C

Question 6

In the Meselson-Stahl experiment, what result would you expect after one generation if DNA replication were conservative?

Accepted Answer

Half DNA would be heavy, half would be light

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the Meselson-Stahl experiment is correct?

Accepted Answer

It showed that after two generations, DNA consisted of both intermediate and light densities

Question 8

What is the role of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) in DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

They serve as high-energy building blocks for new DNA strands

Question 9

Which feature of the DNA double helix allows proteins to recognize specific sequences for gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

The major and minor grooves

Question 10

A mutation changes a cytosine (C) to a thymine (T) in a DNA strand. What effect does this have on base pairing?

Accepted Answer

It will pair with adenine (A) via two hydrogen bonds

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why DNA polymerase requires a primer to begin synthesis?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to a free 3' hydroxyl group

Question 12

If a DNA molecule has 20% adenine, what percentage of guanine would you expect?

Accepted Answer

30%

Question 13

Which of the following is a real-world application of Griffith's transformation principle?

Accepted Answer

Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria through uptake of foreign DNA

Question 14

A scientist labels viral DNA with $$^{32}P$$ and viral protein with $$^{35}S. $$After infection of bacteria, only $$^{32}P is $$found inside the cells. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

DNA is the genetic material

Question 15

Which of the following equations correctly represents the formation of a phosphodiester bond during DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{dNTP} + (DNA)_{n} \rightarrow (DNA)_{n+1} + 2\mathrm{P_i}$$

Question 16

Which statement best describes semiconservative replication?

Accepted Answer

Each daughter DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand

Question 17

Where does DNA replication begin in a bacterial chromosome?

Accepted Answer

At a single origin of replication

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of DNA polymerase?

Accepted Answer

It can initiate synthesis without a primer

Question 19

In eukaryotic cells, why are multiple origins of replication necessary?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic chromosomes are large and linear, requiring multiple replication bubbles for efficient DNA synthesis

Question 20

Which of the following best explains the importance of complementary base pairing in DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

It ensures accurate copying of genetic information by matching A with T and G with C

DNA Synthesis: Structure, Replication, and Experimental Evidence

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