Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein.

Question 2

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 3

A mutation in which region of a gene is most likely to affect the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein?

Accepted Answer

Exon

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why sickle cell anemia persists in populations where malaria is common?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell anemia provides resistance to malaria in heterozygotes.

Question 5

If a DNA sample contains 30% adenine, what percentage of guanine would you expect to find?

Accepted Answer

$20\%$

Question 6

Which process is used to separate DNA fragments by size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Question 7

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder caused by a single nucleotide substitution. What type of mutation is this?

Accepted Answer

Point mutation

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a component of a nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

Amino acid

Question 9

During DNA replication, which enzyme unwinds the double helix?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic DNA is circular and found in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic DNA is linear and found in the nucleus.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about Mendel’s experiments is correct?

Accepted Answer

Mendel’s work demonstrated that traits are inherited as discrete units.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a codon?

Accepted Answer

A sequence of three nucleotides that codes for an amino acid.

Question 13

A scientist uses PCR to amplify a DNA segment. Which of the following is required for this process?

Accepted Answer

Primers

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Adenine

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why DNA replication is considered semi-conservative?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA molecule consists of one old and one new strand.

Question 16

A geneticist is analyzing a pedigree for a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Which pattern would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Affected individuals often have unaffected parents.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of tRNA during translation?

Accepted Answer

tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world application of gel electrophoresis?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosing genetic diseases by analyzing DNA fragments.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of hydrogen bonds in the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds hold the two DNA strands together between complementary bases.

Question 20

A patient’s DNA is analyzed and found to have a deletion of three nucleotides in a gene. What is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

A single amino acid is missing from the protein sequence.

The Molecular Basis of Heredity: Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions