Question 1

Which of the following best describes the semiconservative model of DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA molecule consists of one parental and one daughter strand.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells are haploid, while eukaryotic cells are often diploid.

Question 3

During DNA replication, which enzyme is responsible for removing supercoils in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Gyrase

Question 4

Which of the following is a function of DNA methylation in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Protection against viral infection

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why DNA replication requires a large amount of energy, but does not use the cell’s ATP supply?

Accepted Answer

The energy is provided by the hydrolysis of triphosphate deoxyribonucleotides.

Question 6

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the central dogma of genetics?

Accepted Answer

DNA is transcribed to RNA, which is translated to form polypeptides.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a type of RNA transcribed from DNA?

Accepted Answer

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Question 8

In eukaryotic cells, which of the following mRNA processing steps occurs before translation?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the genetic code is correct?

Accepted Answer

AUG is the start codon and codes for methionine.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes an inducible operon?

Accepted Answer

It must be activated by an inducer, such as the lactose operon.

Question 11

A mutation that results in a premature stop codon is called:

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 12

Which of the following mutagens is most likely to cause a frameshift mutation?

Accepted Answer

Frameshift mutagens

Question 13

Which DNA repair mechanism is considered a 'last resort' and is highly error-prone?

Accepted Answer

Error-prone repair (SOS response)

Question 14

Which method is used to identify mutants that have gained a new function, such as antibiotic resistance?

Accepted Answer

Positive selection

Question 15

Which of the following is a key difference between transformation and transduction in horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

Transformation involves uptake of naked DNA, while transduction uses a bacteriophage.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about transposons is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Transposons are segments of DNA that can move from one location to another.

Question 17

Why is the genetic ancestry of microbes more difficult to ascertain than that of animals?

Accepted Answer

Microbes frequently exchange genetic material horizontally.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why changes in RNA sequences due to poor transcription are less deleterious than DNA mutations?

Accepted Answer

RNA molecules are temporary and not inherited.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-life example of horizontal gene transfer impacting human health?

Accepted Answer

The spread of antibiotic resistance genes among pathogenic bacteria in hospitals.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

They bind complementary mRNA and inhibit its translation.

Microbial Genetics: Structure, Replication, and Expression of Genomes

Study Guide - Practice Questions