DNA and RNA Structure
Replication
Transcription and RNA Processing
Mutation
Translation
100
What are the building blocks of DNA?
Nucleotides
100
What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?
DNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand during replication.
100
Name the enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA during transcription.
RNA polymerase
100
What are introns?
Non-coding segments of nucleic acid that lie between coding sequences
100
Which molecule carries amino acids to the ribosome?
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
200
How do the nitrogenous bases pair in RNA?
Adenine pairs with Uracil, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.
200
Describe the function of helicase in DNA replication.
Helicase unwinds and separates the double-stranded DNA into single strands, allowing replication to occur.
200
What is transcription?
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA using information from DNA.
200
A mutation is defined as:
A) A change in the cell's structure
B) Anything that changes in an embryo
C) Any change in the physical features of a human
D) A change in the DNA sequence
D) A change in the DNA sequence
200
What is the significance of the start codon?
The start codon (AUG) signals the beginning of translation and codes for the amino acid methionine, marking where protein synthesis begins.
300
What is the primary difference between ribose and deoxyribose?
Ribose has a hydroxyl group (-OH) on the 2' carbon, while deoxyribose has a hydrogen (-H).
300
What is the difference between leading and lagging strands during replication?
The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the same direction as the replication fork, while the lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in short segments (Okazaki fragments) opposite to the fork direction.
300
Describe the function of promoters in the transcription process.
Promoters are specific DNA sequences located upstream of a gene that provide a binding site for RNA polymerase and transcription factors, initiating the transcription process.
300
What is a Silent Mutation?
A silent mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that does not affect the amino acid sequence of the protein, often because of the redundancy in the genetic code
300
Explain the process of elongation during translation.
During elongation, tRNA molecules bring amino acids to the ribosome, where the ribosome moves along the mRNA, adding amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain until a stop codon is reached.
400
What are two differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic DNA? (Talk about their DNA locations and the chromosomes' shapes)
Eukaryotic cells have linear chromosomes, and DNA is found in the nucleus. Prokaryotic cells have DNA in the nucleoid region and circular chromosomes, and DNA is in the nucleoid region.
400
Define semi-conservative replication.
Semi-conservative replication means that each new DNA molecule has one original (parental) and one newly synthesized strand.
400
Discuss the significance of the 5' cap and poly-A tail in mRNA stability and translation.
Both the 5' cap and the poly-A tail help the mature mRNA leave the nucleus, protect the mRNA from degradation, and attach ribosomes to the 5; end of the mRNA when it reaches the cytoplasm.
400
A mutation occurs in a gene in a body cell that results in tumors growing along a person's nerves or under the skin. They increase the chances of the person having learning disabilities. Analyze the impact of this mutation on the organism. (Is it neutral, beneficial, or harmful?)
Harmful
400
Analyze the differences in translation between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
In prokaryotes, translation occurs in the cytoplasm simultaneously with transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus, and mRNA is processed before being transported to the cytoplasm for translation. Additionally, eukaryotic ribosomes are larger and more complex.
500
Which of the following statements best explains the structure and importance of plasmids to prokaryotes?
A) Plasmids are circular, single-stranded RNA molecules that transfer information from the prokaryotic chromosome to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.
B) Plasmids are circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that provide genes that may aid in survival of the prokaryotic cell.
C) Plasmids are single-stranded DNA molecules, which are replicated from the prokaryotic chromosome, that prevent viral reproduction within the prokaryotic cell.
D) Plasmids are double-stranded RNA molecules that are transmitted by conjugation that enable other prokaryotic cells to acquire useful genes.
B) Plasmids are circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that provide genes that may aid in survival of the prokaryotic cell.
500
A model of a process involving nucleic acids is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Model of a process involving nucleic acids
Which of the following best explains what process is represented in Figure 1 ?
A) New DNA strands are being synthesized in the 3′ to 5′ direction from their DNA templates.
B) New DNA strands are being synthesized in the 5′ to 3′ direction from their DNA templates.
C) A new RNA strand is being synthesized in the 3′ to 5′ end from its DNA template.
D) Two new RNA strands are being synthesized in both directions from their DNA templates.
B) New DNA strands are being synthesized in the 5′ to 3′ direction from their DNA templates.
500
Figure 1 represents part of a process that occurs in eukaryotic cells. There are untranslated regions (UTR) in this sequence.
Figure 1. Cellular process involving nucleic acids
Which of the following best explains the process represented by Figure 1?
A) The synthesis of mRNA in the 5′ to 3′ direction from DNA
B) The modification of a protein to produce a functional form of that protein
C) The translation of an mRNA molecule into a polypeptide
D) The enzyme-regulated processing of pre‑mRNA into mature mRNA
D) The enzyme-regulated processing of pre‑mRNA into mature mRNA
500
Discuss the potential effects of mutations on evolutionary processes.
Mutations introduce genetic variability, which can provide raw material for natural selection. Beneficial mutations may increase an organism's fitness, while harmful mutations may be selected against.
500
Antibiotics interfere with prokaryotic cell functions. Streptomycin is an antibiotic that affects the small ribosomal subunit in prokaryotes. Specifically, streptomycin interferes with the proper binding of tRNA to mRNA in prokaryotic ribosomes.
Which of the following best predicts the most direct effect of exposing prokaryotic cells to streptomycin?
A) Amino acid synthesis will be inhibited.
B) No mRNA will be transcribed from DNA.
C) Posttranslational modifications will be prevented.
D) Synthesis of polypeptides will be inhibited.
D) Synthesis of polypeptides will be inhibited.