Question 1

Which experiment provided the strongest evidence that DNA is the genetic material of cells?

Accepted Answer

The Hershey-Chase experiment using bacteriophages and radioactive labeling

Question 2

What is the significance of DNA replication being semiconservative?

Accepted Answer

Each daughter DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand

Question 3

During DNA replication, which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing the new DNA strand by adding nucleotides to the 3' end?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 4

A mutation changes a codon from $$	ext{UAC} to$$ $$	ext{UAA}. $$What type of mutation is this?

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the function of tRNA during translation?

Accepted Answer

It brings specific amino acids to the ribosome according to the codon sequence of mRNA

Question 6

What is the role of RNA splicing in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

It removes introns from pre-mRNA and joins exons to produce mature mRNA

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the genetic code is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is redundant, meaning multiple codons can code for the same amino acid

Question 8

A bacteriophage infects a bacterial cell and integrates its DNA into the host genome. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Lysogenic cycle

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why proofreading by DNA polymerase is important?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the frequency of mutations during DNA replication

Question 10

If a DNA strand has the sequence $$5'	ext{-ATCGGTA-}3'$$, what is the complementary RNA sequence produced during transcription?

Accepted Answer

$$3'	ext{-UAGCCAU-}5'$$

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of the ribosome during translation?

Accepted Answer

It catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids

Question 12

What is the main difference between a silent mutation and a missense mutation?

Accepted Answer

A silent mutation does not change the amino acid sequence, while a missense mutation does

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the structure of a DNA nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

A phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base

Question 14

Which process allows bacteria to transfer genes via direct cell-to-cell contact?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 15

What is the function of the 5' cap and poly-A tail added to eukaryotic mRNA?

Accepted Answer

They protect mRNA from degradation and assist in translation initiation

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the direction of DNA synthesis during replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA is synthesized in the $$5' \rightarrow 3'$$ direction

Question 17

A frameshift mutation is most likely to result from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Insertion or deletion of a nucleotide that is not a multiple of three

Question 18

Which of the following best describes a plasmid?

Accepted Answer

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic transcription involves RNA splicing to remove introns, while prokaryotic transcription does not

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why viruses can only reproduce inside host cells?

Accepted Answer

They lack the cellular machinery necessary for replication and protein synthesis

Study Guide: Molecular Genetics, DNA Structure, Replication, and the Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria

Study Guide - Practice Questions