Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between genotype and phenotype in microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable characteristics resulting from gene expression.

Question 2

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing a new DNA strand during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Question 3

During transcription in bacteria, which molecule carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome?

Accepted Answer

mRNA

Question 4

Which of the following is a STOP codon in translation?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{UAA}$$

Question 5

A mutation that results in the substitution of one base for another, but does not change the amino acid sequence, is called:

Accepted Answer

Silent mutation

Question 6

Which process involves the uptake of naked DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

It delivers amino acids to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Question 8

Which of the following is a method of horizontal gene transfer that requires direct cell-to-cell contact?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 9

Which enzyme is responsible for joining Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA ligase

Question 10

A bacterium acquires a new trait after infection by a bacteriophage. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Transduction

Question 11

Which of the following statements about DNA replication is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is a semiconservative process, with each daughter DNA molecule containing one parental and one new strand.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a function of RNA polymerase?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing DNA from an RNA template

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a frameshift mutation?

Accepted Answer

A mutation caused by insertion or deletion of nucleotides, altering the reading frame

Question 14

Which of the following is a common method for repairing thymine dimers in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Light repair (photoreactivation)

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding transposons?

Accepted Answer

They are segments of DNA that can move from one location to another within a genome.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a mutagen?

Accepted Answer

Ultraviolet light

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of the F (fertility) plasmid in bacterial conjugation?

Accepted Answer

It allows a bacterium to transfer genetic material to another cell via a pilus.

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct result of a nonsense mutation?

Accepted Answer

A premature STOP codon

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct sequence of events in bacterial transcription?

Accepted Answer

Initiation, elongation, termination

Question 20

Which of the following statements about horizontal gene transfer is correct?

Accepted Answer

It allows bacteria to acquire new traits from other organisms.

Microbial Genetics: Structure, Function, Mutation, and Transfer of Genetic Material

Study Guide - Practice Questions