Question 1

Which experiment provided the first strong evidence that DNA, and not protein, is the genetic material responsible for heredity in cells?

Accepted Answer

Hershey and Chase's experiment using bacteriophages labeled with radioactive isotopes

Question 2

In the classic experiment by Griffith, what was the outcome when heat-killed pathogenic S cells were mixed with living nonpathogenic R cells and injected into mice?

Accepted Answer

The mouse died, and living S cells were recovered from the mouse

Question 3

Which of the following best describes Chargaff’s rules regarding the composition of DNA?

Accepted Answer

The amount of adenine equals the amount of thymine, and the amount of guanine equals the amount of cytosine

Question 4

Which enzyme is responsible for relieving the strain caused by the unwinding of the DNA double helix during replication?

Accepted Answer

Topoisomerase

Question 5

During DNA replication, which enzyme synthesizes a short RNA primer to provide a starting point for DNA polymerase?

Accepted Answer

Primase

Question 6

Why is DNA replication described as 'semiconservative'?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA molecule consists of one parental strand and one newly synthesized strand

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the directionality of DNA synthesis is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the 3′ end of the growing strand

Question 8

Okazaki fragments are associated with which aspect of DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of the lagging strand

Question 9

A mutation occurs that disables the function of DNA ligase in a cell. What is the most likely consequence during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand cannot be joined together

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why mutations are important for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Mutations are the source of genetic variation upon which natural selection acts

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a function of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Joining Okazaki fragments together

Question 12

In eukaryotic cells, what is the role of histone proteins?

Accepted Answer

They package DNA into nucleosomes, aiding in chromatin structure

Question 13

A scientist labels the DNA of a bacteriophage with radioactive phosphorus ($$^{32}P) $$and the protein coat with radioactive sulfur ($$^{35}S). $$After the phage infects bacteria, where would you expect to find most of the $$^{32}P$$ radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

In the bacterial cells

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the structure of a DNA double helix?

Accepted Answer

Two antiparallel strands held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases

Question 15

Which enzyme removes RNA primers and replaces them with DNA nucleotides during DNA replication in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase I

Question 16

A mutation in the gene encoding single-strand binding proteins would most likely result in which of the following problems during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Single-stranded DNA would re-anneal before replication could occur

Question 17

Which of the following is a direct result of the antiparallel structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

One strand is synthesized continuously, while the other is synthesized in fragments

Question 18

Which process is responsible for correcting errors that escape proofreading during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Mismatch repair

Question 19

In a eukaryotic cell, where does DNA replication begin?

Accepted Answer

At multiple origins of replication along the DNA molecule

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why DNA mutations can be inherited by offspring?

Accepted Answer

Mutations in germ cells can be passed to the next generation through gametes

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance: DNA Structure, Replication, and Chromosome Organization

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