$$\text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{RNA} \rightarrow \text{Protein}$$

Question 1

Which experiment provided the first strong evidence that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material in viruses?

Accepted Answer

Hershey and Chase's bacteriophage experiment

Question 2

According to Chargaff's rules, if a DNA sample contains 30% adenine, what percentage of guanine would you expect?

Accepted Answer

$$20\%$$

Question 3

Which feature of DNA structure ensures accurate replication?

Accepted Answer

Complementary base pairing ($$A$$ with $$T$$, $$G$$ with $$C)$$

Question 4

What was the main conclusion of Avery, McCarty, and MacLeod's experiment?

Accepted Answer

DNA is the hereditary material

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the Central Dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{DNA} ightarrow 	ext{RNA} ightarrow 	ext{Protein}$$

Question 6

Which process involves the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template?

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Question 7

A mutation that changes a codon from $$GAA to$$ $$GAG ($$both code for glutamic acid) is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Silent mutation

Question 8

Why was the Miller-Urey experiment significant in the study of the origin of life?

Accepted Answer

It demonstrated that organic molecules could form under early Earth conditions

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Watson and Crick DNA model?

Accepted Answer

Base pairing between purines only

Question 10

What is the main function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) during translation?

Accepted Answer

Forms the core of the ribosome and catalyzes peptide bond formation

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why RNA is hypothesized to be the first genetic material?

Accepted Answer

RNA can both store information and catalyze reactions

Question 12

Which of the following is a direct result of a frameshift mutation?

Accepted Answer

The reading frame of the gene is altered

Question 13

Why is complementary base pairing important for DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that each new DNA molecule is identical to the original

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the fossil record is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It provides evidence for large-scale evolutionary changes over time

Question 15

What is the significance of alternative splicing in eukaryotic gene expression?

Accepted Answer

It allows a single gene to code for multiple proteins

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Organic molecules could form in a reducing atmosphere and accumulate in oceans

Question 17

A scientist discovers a new organism with a genetic code that is redundant but not ambiguous. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid

Question 18

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Transcription and translation are coupled in prokaryotes

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why complex organic molecules could not form spontaneously in today's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

There is too much oxygen present

Question 20

Which of the following is a function of signal peptides during protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

They target proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum

Genetic Material, Gene Expression, and the Origin of Life: Study Notes for General Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions