Q: Which of the following is a correct description of the flow of genetic information in cells?

$$DNA \to RNA \to \text{Protein}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary function of nucleic acids in cells?

Accepted Answer

They store and transmit genetic information.

Question 2

A scientist is studying a molecule composed of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and the nitrogenous base adenine. Which biomolecule is being described?

Accepted Answer

A DNA nucleotide

Question 3

Which of the following best explains why DNA replication is continuous on the leading strand but discontinuous on the lagging strand?

Accepted Answer

The lagging strand is synthesized away from the replication fork, resulting in Okazaki fragments.

Question 4

During transcription in eukaryotic cells, which of the following must occur before the mRNA can be translated?

Accepted Answer

The mRNA must be exported from the nucleus and undergo splicing to remove introns.

Question 5

Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing short RNA primers during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Primase

Question 6

A mutation in the gene encoding for a viral spike protein in influenza can lead to which of the following phenomena?

Accepted Answer

Antigenic drift, resulting in gradual changes to the virus's antigenic properties.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about plasmids is correct?

Accepted Answer

Plasmids are circular DNA molecules that can carry genes for antibiotic resistance in prokaryotes.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup, while phenotype is the observable characteristics.

Question 9

A patient is infected with a virus that has a lipid envelope. Which of the following is a likely consequence of this envelope?

Accepted Answer

The virus is more sensitive to environmental conditions and detergents.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why viruses are considered nonliving?

Accepted Answer

They cannot carry out metabolism or reproduce independently.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct description of the flow of genetic information in cells?

Accepted Answer

$$DNA 	o RNA 	o 	ext{Protein}$$

Question 12

A bacterium acquires a new gene for antibiotic resistance by taking up naked DNA from its environment. Which process is this?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the structure of a typical viral capsid?

Accepted Answer

A protein shell composed of capsomeres that surrounds the viral genome.

Question 14

During translation, which tRNA anticodon would pair with the mRNA codon $$5'	ext{-AUG-}3'$$?

Accepted Answer

$$3'	ext{-UAC-}5'$$

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic genomes are usually a single circular chromosome in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic genomes are multiple linear chromosomes in the nucleus.

Question 16

A virus with a broad host range is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Infect multiple species or cell types.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?

Accepted Answer

It forms the core of the ribosome and catalyzes peptide bond formation.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about antigenic shift in influenza viruses?

Accepted Answer

It occurs when two different influenza viruses infect the same cell and exchange genome segments.

Question 19

A temperate bacteriophage differs from a lytic phage in that it:

Accepted Answer

Can integrate its genome into the host chromosome and enter a lysogenic cycle.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why viruses exhibit a fast rate of genomic change?

Accepted Answer

They lack proofreading mechanisms and can reassort or recombine their genomes.

Microbiology Study Guide: Biomolecules, Genetics, and Viruses

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