Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main goal of the Human Genome Project?

Accepted Answer

To determine the complete nucleotide sequence of each human chromosome

Question 2

Which sequencing method was primarily used to complete the initial human genome sequence?

Accepted Answer

Dideoxy chain termination method

Question 3

A researcher wants to compare a newly discovered DNA sequence to all known sequences in a public database. Which tool should they use?

Accepted Answer

BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool)

Question 4

Which of the following statements about genome size and gene number is correct?

Accepted Answer

There is no systematic relationship between genome size and phenotype within each domain

Question 5

Alternative splicing allows vertebrate genomes to:

Accepted Answer

Produce more than one polypeptide per gene

Question 6

Which of the following best describes a retrotransposon?

Accepted Answer

A DNA sequence that moves by means of an RNA intermediate using reverse transcriptase

Question 7

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are important in forensic science because:

Accepted Answer

The number of repeats can vary among individuals, providing a unique genetic fingerprint

Question 8

Which of the following is a likely consequence of unequal crossing over during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

One chromosome with a duplication and another with a deletion of a particular region

Question 9

A mutation in the FOXP2 gene in humans is most likely to result in:

Accepted Answer

Severe speech and language impairment

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why humans and chimpanzees have a different number of chromosome pairs?

Accepted Answer

Two ancestral chromosomes fused in the human lineage after divergence from chimpanzees

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a function of transposable elements in genome evolution?

Accepted Answer

Directly increasing the number of chromosomes in a cell

Question 12

A scientist is studying a gene family in which all members are nearly identical and clustered together. Which of the following is the best example of such a family?

Accepted Answer

rRNA gene family

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process of gene annotation?

Accepted Answer

Identifying protein-coding genes within DNA sequences in a database

Question 14

Which of the following statements about noncoding DNA in the human genome is correct?

Accepted Answer

About 98.5% of the human genome does not code for proteins, rRNAs, or tRNAs

Question 15

A patient’s cancer is analyzed using DNA microarrays and RNA-seq. What is the main advantage of these techniques in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

They allow physicians to tailor treatment to the unique genetic makeup of the patient and the cancer

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world example of gene duplication leading to a novel function?

Accepted Answer

The evolution of α-lactalbumin from a duplicated lysozyme gene in mammals

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the significance of homeobox (Hox) genes in animal development?

Accepted Answer

They encode transcription factors that specify the identity of body segments

Question 18

A researcher finds a highly conserved gene sequence in both yeast and humans. What does this suggest about the gene?

Accepted Answer

It likely performs a fundamental function that has been maintained throughout evolution

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why African genomes have higher genetic diversity than other human populations?

Accepted Answer

African populations have been evolving longer than non-African populations

Question 20

A mutation causes an exon to be duplicated on one chromosome and deleted from its homologous chromosome during meiosis. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Exon duplication

Genomes and Their Evolution: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards