Q: A dehydration synthesis reaction is used to build macromolecules. Which equation best represents the formation of a phosphodiester bond between two nucleotides?

$\text{Nucleotide}_1 + \text{Nucleotide}_2 \rightarrow \text{Dinucleotide} + \text{H}_2\text{O}$

Q: Which equation correctly represents the hydrolysis of a polynucleotide?

$\text{Polynucleotide} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Nucleotide}_1 + \text{Nucleotide}_2$

Question 1

Which of the following pieces of evidence was most critical in leading Watson and Crick to propose the double helix structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Chargaff’s rules showing that the amount of adenine equals thymine and guanine equals cytosine

Question 2

Which type of chemical bond is responsible for linking nucleotides together in the backbone of a DNA molecule?

Accepted Answer

Phosphodiester bond

Question 3

A dehydration synthesis reaction is used to build macromolecules. Which equation best represents the formation of a phosphodiester bond between two nucleotides?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Nucleotide}_1 + 	ext{Nucleotide}_2 ightarrow 	ext{Dinucleotide} + 	ext{H}_2	ext{O}$

Question 4

Which of the following statements best explains why DNA strands are antiparallel?

Accepted Answer

Base pairing requires the 5’ to 3’ orientation of one strand to be opposite the other

Question 5

Which of the following is a difference between the genomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic genomes are usually single, circular chromosomes with few non-coding regions

Question 6

Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Question 7

During protein synthesis, which type of RNA acts as an adapter to bring amino acids to the ribosome?

Accepted Answer

tRNA

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the relationship between DNA, chromosomes, and genes?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are made of DNA, which contains genes

Question 9

Which process is responsible for breaking down large macromolecules into smaller subunits, releasing energy for the cell?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 10

A scientist isolates a molecule with the following features: a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. What is this molecule?

Accepted Answer

A nucleotide

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the role of hydrogen bonds in the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

They join complementary nitrogenous bases between the two strands

Question 12

Which equation correctly represents the hydrolysis of a polynucleotide?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Polynucleotide} + 	ext{H}_2	ext{O} ightarrow 	ext{Nucleotide}_1 + 	ext{Nucleotide}_2$

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a purine and a pyrimidine in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Guanine pairs with cytosine

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why ATP is considered a nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

It is composed of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups

Question 15

Which of the following statements about eukaryotic genomes is true?

Accepted Answer

They are multiple, linear chromosomes with vast non-coding regions

Question 16

Which process is most directly responsible for the movement of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear export

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a function of RNA in the cell?

Accepted Answer

Forming the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'emergent properties' in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Properties that arise from the interaction of smaller components at higher levels of organization

Question 19

A mutation changes a cytosine to a thymine in a DNA molecule. Which type of base pairing will be disrupted?

Accepted Answer

Guanine–cytosine pairing

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between genomics and genetics?

Accepted Answer

Genomics studies the entire set of genes and their interactions, while genetics focuses on individual genes and inherited traits

Nucleic Acids and Genomes: Structure, Function, and Biological Themes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards