Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a nucleotide and a nucleoside?

Accepted Answer

A nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group, whereas a nucleoside lacks the phosphate group.

Question 2

In DNA, which base pairing is stabilized by three hydrogen bonds?

Accepted Answer

Guanine (G) with Cytosine (C)

Question 3

Which feature of DNA structure is responsible for its ability to act as a template during replication?

Accepted Answer

Complementary base pairing between the two strands

Question 4

A scientist isolates a nucleic acid from a virus and finds it contains uracil and ribose sugar. What type of genome does this virus most likely possess?

Accepted Answer

RNA

Question 5

Which of the following equations correctly represents the directionality of DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

$5' \rightarrow 3'$

Question 6

Why are the nitrogenous bases of DNA positioned on the inside of the double helix?

Accepted Answer

Because the bases are hydrophobic and are protected from water inside the helix

Question 7

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic genomes is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic genomes are usually circular and haploid.

Question 8

A bacterial cell contains a plasmid that encodes resistance to antibiotics. What type of plasmid is this?

Accepted Answer

Resistance (R) plasmid

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why DNA can be efficiently packed into the tiny nucleus of a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

DNA is wrapped around histones to form nucleosomes, which further coil and condense.

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct analogy for the function of base pairing in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Base pairing is like the binary code (0s and 1s) in a computer, providing structure for genetic information.

Question 11

A researcher measures the genome size of a bacterium and finds it to be 112,091 base pairs. Which organism is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Nasuia deltocephalinicola

Question 12

Which of the following statements about plasmids is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Plasmids are essential for bacterial survival.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic chromosomes are found in the nucleoid region, while eukaryotic chromosomes are found in the nucleus.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the antiparallel nature of DNA?

Accepted Answer

One strand runs 5' to 3', while the other runs 3' to 5'.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a function of the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Participates in complementary base pairing

Question 16

Which of the following statements about genome organization in eukaryotes is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic genomes are organized into multiple linear chromosomes within the nucleus.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct description of a virulence plasmid?

Accepted Answer

A plasmid that encodes enzymes or toxins that make bacteria pathogenic

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for a nucleotide found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Nucleotide} = 	ext{Sugar} + 	ext{Base} + 	ext{Phosphate}$

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the function of base pairing in DNA is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Base pairing allows for the accurate copying of genetic information during replication.

Genomes & Nucleic Acids: Microbiology Study Guide

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