Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the four essential characteristics that a molecule must exhibit to serve as genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Ability to form a double helix

Question 2

In the classic Hershey and Chase experiment, which isotopes were used to label DNA and protein, respectively?

Accepted Answer

$$^{32}\mathrm{P}$$ for DNA and $$^{35}\mathrm{S}$$ for protein

Question 3

Which experiment provided the first direct experimental proof that DNA is the biomolecule responsible for heredity?

Accepted Answer

Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty's transformation experiment

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the central dogma of molecular genetics?

Accepted Answer

DNA is copied into an RNA molecule during transcription, and the information in that RNA molecule is used to make a protein during translation

Question 5

Which of the following is a direct evidence that DNA is the genetic material in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Production of human insulin by bacteria containing the human insulin gene

Question 6

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing DNA from an RNA template in retroviruses?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Question 7

A nucleotide consists of which of the following components?

Accepted Answer

Base, sugar, and phosphate

Question 8

Which type of bond links nucleotides together in a DNA strand?

Accepted Answer

Phosphodiester bond

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why proteins were initially favored as the genetic material over DNA?

Accepted Answer

Proteins are more chemically diverse and abundant than DNA

Question 11

Which experimental result from Griffith’s transformation experiment indicated the presence of a 'transforming principle'?

Accepted Answer

Mice injected with a mixture of heat-killed virulent and living avirulent bacteria died

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of indirect evidence supporting DNA as the genetic material in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

A close correlation between the amount of DNA and the number of chromosome sets in gametes and diploids

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process of transfection?

Accepted Answer

Infection of a protoplast by only the nucleic acid component of a virus

Question 14

Which of the following statements about nucleosides and nucleotides is correct?

Accepted Answer

A nucleotide is a nucleoside with one or more phosphate groups attached

Question 15

Which of the following is a purine base found in nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Adenine

Question 16

Why does UV light at 260 nm cause mutations in DNA but not in proteins?

Accepted Answer

DNA absorbs UV light maximally at 260 nm, while proteins absorb maximally at 280 nm

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world application of recombinant DNA technology that provides direct evidence for DNA as the genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Production of human insulin by genetically modified bacteria

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of ATP and GTP in nucleic acid synthesis?

Accepted Answer

They serve as precursor molecules and provide energy for the addition of nucleotides

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the structure of DNA and RNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose

Question 20

Which of the following is a multi-step process that demonstrates the central dogma in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

Transcription of DNA to mRNA, followed by translation of mRNA to protein

Chapter 10: DNA Structure and Analysis – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions