Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Hershey-Chase experiment using radioactive isotopes

Question 3

A DNA molecule contains 30% adenine. According to Chargaff's rule, what percentage of guanine would you expect?

Accepted Answer

$20\%$

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the structure of DNA is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

DNA is a double-stranded helix with antiparallel strands.

Question 5

Which of the following is a purine base found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Adenine

Question 6

A mutation changes a codon from UGA to UGG in an mRNA sequence. What is the most likely effect?

Accepted Answer

A stop codon is replaced by a codon for tryptophan, possibly resulting in a longer protein.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a function of the 5' cap added to eukaryotic mRNA?

Accepted Answer

Encodes the start codon for translation

Question 8

A gene is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A discrete unit of heredity within the DNA

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why DNA, and not protein, is the hereditary material?

Accepted Answer

DNA can replicate itself and is structurally stable.

Question 10

Which historical theory suggested that a preformed human existed within the sperm?

Accepted Answer

Preformation theory (Homunculus)

Question 11

If a DNA sequence contains 600 nucleotides and no introns or untranslated regions, how many amino acids will the resulting polypeptide contain? (Assume the last codon is a stop codon.)

Accepted Answer

$199$

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of selenocysteine in proteins?

Accepted Answer

It is a building block of antioxidant proteins.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key characteristic of model organisms used in genetic studies?

Accepted Answer

They produce numerous offspring and are easy to raise.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the relationship between genotype and phenotype is correct?

Accepted Answer

The phenotype results from the genotype and its interaction with the environment.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a multifactorial trait?

Accepted Answer

Height

Question 16

Which scientist(s) first demonstrated that the genetic code consists of three DNA bases (a triplet code)?

Accepted Answer

Crick, Brenner, Barnett, and Watts-Tobin

Question 17

Which of the following is a direct result of a point mutation in the hemoglobin gene?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a tenet of the chromosome theory of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Proteins are the hereditary material.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the function of the promoter region in a gene?

Accepted Answer

It is the binding site for RNA polymerase to initiate transcription.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the Hershey-Chase experiment is correct?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive phosphorus labeled the DNA, which was found inside bacterial cells.

Foundations of Genetics: Heredity, DNA Structure, and Gene Expression

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards