Q: Which of the following best describes the flow of genetic information within a cell according to the central dogma?

$\text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{RNA} \rightarrow \text{Protein}$

Question 1

Which scientist's experiment first demonstrated that a 'transforming principle' could transfer pathogenicity between bacterial strains, leading to the identification of DNA as genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Frederick Griffith

Question 2

In the Hershey-Chase experiment, which radioactive isotope was used to label DNA, and what was the key result supporting DNA as the genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive phosphorus ($^{32}P$); most radioactivity found in the pellet

Question 3

Which process describes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, and what enzyme catalyzes this reaction?

Accepted Answer

Transcription; RNA polymerase

Question 4

A retrovirus such as HIV uses which enzyme to convert its RNA genome into DNA, and what is the name of the integrated viral DNA in the host genome?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase; provirus

Question 5

During the lytic cycle of a virulent bacteriophage, which sequence of events occurs after the phage injects its genetic material into the host cell?

Accepted Answer

Transcription and translation of phage genes, self-assembly of new phages, cell lysis

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the flow of genetic information within a cell according to the central dogma?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{DNA} ightarrow 	ext{RNA} ightarrow 	ext{Protein}$

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Hershey-Chase blender experiment

Question 8

If a mixture of heat-killed pathogenic S-strain bacteria and live non-pathogenic R-strain bacteria is injected into a mouse, what is the expected outcome and why?

Accepted Answer

Mouse dies; R-strain is transformed by the S-strain's DNA

Question 9

Which virus was shown to have RNA as its genetic material through experiments involving coat protein swapping and infection of plants?

Accepted Answer

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)

Question 10

What is the role of reverse transcriptase in the life cycle of retroviruses?

Accepted Answer

It synthesizes DNA from RNA

Question 11

Which of the following statements about genes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Genes are composed of DNA that codes for functional products, usually proteins

Question 12

Which scientist first isolated 'nuclein' from white blood cells, leading to the discovery of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Johann Friedrich Miescher

Question 13

In Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty's experiment, which macromolecule was shown to be responsible for bacterial transformation?

Accepted Answer

DNA

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the difference between lytic and temperate phages?

Accepted Answer

Lytic phages cause immediate cell lysis; temperate phages can integrate their DNA and remain dormant

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a step in the flow of genetic information within a cell?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcription

Question 16

A scientist removes DNA from a cell and observes that chromosomes lose their structure. What conclusion can be drawn from this experiment?

Accepted Answer

DNA is essential for chromosome structure

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why proteins were initially thought to be the genetic material instead of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Proteins are more complex and variable than DNA

Question 18

During cell division, how is genetic information faithfully transmitted to daughter cells?

Accepted Answer

By DNA replication followed by mitosis

Question 19

Which of the following viruses uses RNA as its genetic material and relies on reverse transcriptase for replication?

Accepted Answer

HIV (a retrovirus)

Question 20

Which term describes the protein shell that remains outside the bacterial cell after a phage injects its genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Phage coat (ghost)

The Structural Basis of Cellular Information: DNA, Chromosomes, and the Nucleus

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