Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Hershey and Chase’s radioisotope labeling experiment

Question 2

Which property is NOT required for a molecule to serve as genetic material, according to Francis Crick’s criteria?

Accepted Answer

Ability to catalyze metabolic reactions

Question 3

In the classic Griffith experiment, what was the outcome when mice were injected with a mixture of heat-killed virulent (S) bacteria and live avirulent (R) bacteria?

Accepted Answer

The mice died, and S bacteria were recovered

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the chemical difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose

Question 5

Which of the following statements about Chargaff’s rules is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

$$A + G = C + T$$

Question 6

What type of bond links nucleotides together in a single strand of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Phosphodiester bonds

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Question 8

A DNA molecule has 30% adenine. According to Chargaff’s rules, what percentage of guanine would you expect?

Accepted Answer

20%

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Adenine

Question 10

Which experimental technique is used to separate DNA fragments by size?

Accepted Answer

Agarose gel electrophoresis

Question 11

Which form of DNA is most commonly found under physiological (aqueous, low-salt) conditions in cells?

Accepted Answer

B-DNA

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Proteins are composed of 20 different amino acids, allowing for greater diversity

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a function of the genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Catalysis of metabolic reactions

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the structure of the DNA double helix is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The bases are located on the outside of the helix

Question 15

Which enzyme is required for retroviruses to replicate their genome?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

$$DNA \rightarrow RNA \rightarrow Protein$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct description of a phosphodiester bond in DNA?

Accepted Answer

A bond between the 5’ phosphate group of one nucleotide and the 3’ hydroxyl group of another

Question 18

Which analytical technique uses fluorescent probes to detect specific DNA sequences on chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Question 19

Which of the following is a unique RNA found in eukaryotes that is involved in the processing of mRNAs?

Accepted Answer

snRNA

Question 20

Which of the following statements about alternative forms of DNA is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A-DNA is more compact than B-DNA and forms under high-salt conditions

DNA Structure and Analysis: Key Concepts and Experiments in Genetics

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