Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Hershey and Chase's blender experiment using radioactive sulfur and phosphorus

Question 2

In the Hershey-Chase experiment, why was radioactive phosphorus ($$^{32}P) $$used to label DNA?

Accepted Answer

Because phosphorus is found in DNA but not in proteins

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Which enzyme is responsible for adding new DNA nucleotides to the 3' end during replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 5

A scientist observes that after one round of DNA replication in bacteria grown in $$^{15}N$$ and transferred to $$^{14}N$$, all DNA molecules have intermediate density. Which replication model does this observation support?

Accepted Answer

Semiconservative

Question 6

Which of the following statements about Okazaki fragments is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They are short DNA fragments synthesized on the lagging strand

Question 7

Which base pairing is correct according to Chargaff's rules?

Accepted Answer

A pairs with T via 2 hydrogen bonds

Question 8

During DNA replication, which enzyme removes RNA primers and replaces them with DNA nucleotides?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why eukaryotic chromosomes have telomeres?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the loss of coding DNA during replication

Question 10

Which of the following is a function of DNA ligase during replication?

Accepted Answer

Joins Okazaki fragments together

Question 11

A mutation in which enzyme would most likely result in increased supercoiling ahead of the replication fork?

Accepted Answer

Topoisomerase

Question 12

Which of the following statements about DNA polymerase is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

It can initiate DNA synthesis without a primer

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the difference between heterochromatin and euchromatin?

Accepted Answer

Heterochromatin is tightly packed and generally inactive; euchromatin is loosely packed and can be transcribed

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct description of the directionality of DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

DNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction

Question 15

A patient has a genetic disorder caused by a defect in nucleotide excision repair. Which of the following symptoms is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Increased susceptibility to UV-induced skin cancers

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why DNA fingerprinting can be used to identify individuals?

Accepted Answer

STRs are inherited and vary greatly among individuals

Question 17

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the function of telomerase?

Accepted Answer

It adds repetitive DNA sequences to the ends of chromosomes

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of primase during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

It synthesizes short RNA primers needed for DNA polymerase to begin synthesis

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the three proposed models of DNA replication is correct?

Accepted Answer

The semiconservative model predicts that each new DNA molecule consists of one old and one new strand

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology?

Accepted Answer

Editing genes in living cells to correct genetic disorders

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance: DNA Structure, Replication, and Biotechnology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards