Deck 10: Molecular Biology of the Gene

Question 1

If one strand of DNA is CGGTAC,the corresponding strand would be

A)GCCAUC.
B)GCCATG.
C)GCCTAG.
D)TAACGT.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Conjugation,transformation,and transduction are all ways that bacteria

A)increase their genetic diversity.
B)reduce their DNA content.
C)alter their oxygen requirements.
D)increase the amount of RNA in the cytoplasm.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The "one gene- one polypeptide" theory states that

A)the function of each polypeptide is to regulate the synthesis of each corresponding gene.
B)the synthesis of each gene is catalyzed by one specific enzyme.
C)the function of an individual gene is to dictate the production of a specific polypeptide.
D)the synthesis of each enzyme is catalyzed by one specific gene.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following options best depicts the flow of information when a gene directs the synthesis of a cellular component?

A)DNA -RNA -protein
B)DNA -tRNA -mRNA -protein
C)protein -RNA -DNA
D)RNA -DNA -RNA -protein

Question 5

The directions for each amino acid in a polypeptide are indicated by a codon that consists of nucleotide(s)in an RNA molecule.

A)2
B)5
C)3
D)4

Question 6

The copying mechanism of DNA is most like

A)using a photographic negative to make a positive image.
B)carving a figure out of wood.
C)mixing flour,sugar,and water to make bread dough.
D)dripping water out of a faucet.

Question 7

Transduction

A)is the direct transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another.
B)occurs when a phage transfers bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another.
C)occurs when a bacterium acquires DNA from the surrounding environment.
D)requires DNA polymerase.

Question 8

A friend accidentally sends an email to you that contains a computer virus from his computer.Without knowing it,you infect your computer with the virus when you open the email.This process of spreading the computer virus using emails is most like which of the following processes?

A)transduction
B)transformation
C)binary fission
D)conjugation

Question 9

Which of the following statements about herpesviruses is false?

A)Herpesviruses acquire their envelopes from the host cell nuclear membrane.
B)Herpesviruses reproduce inside the host cell's mitochondria.
C)Herpesviruses may remain latent for long periods of time while inside the host cell nucleus.
D)Herpesviruses may cause cold sores or genital sores to appear during times of physical or emotional stress.

Question 10

Which of the following statements regarding viral diseases is false?

A)New viral diseases often emerge when a virus infects a new host species.
B)RNA viruses tend to have an unusually high rate of mutation because their RNA genomes cannot be corrected by proofreading.
C)Very few new human diseases have originated in other animals because the genetic differences are too great.
D)AIDS was around for decades before becoming a widespread epidemic.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is false?

A)The lysogenic cycle always occurs inside of host cells.
B)Sometimes an environmental signal can trigger a switchover from the lysogenic to the lytic cycle.
C)Some prophage genes can cause the transformation of a nonpathogenic bacterium into a form that causes human disease.
D)The lysogenic cycle typically results in the rapid lysis of all infected cells.

Question 12

Which of the following statements regarding the structure of DNA is false?

A)In a DNA molecule,adenine bonds to thymine and guanine to cytosine.
B)The DNA molecule has a uniform diameter.
C)Watson and Crick received a Nobel Prize for their description of the structure of DNA.
D)The sequence of nucleotides along the length of a DNA strand is restricted by the base- pairing rules.

Question 13

The monomers of DNA and RNA are

A)nucleic acids.
B)fatty acids.
C)monosaccharides.
D)nucleotides.

Question 14

Any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA is called

A)a base substitution.
B)an anticodon.
C)a mutagen.
D)a mutation.

Question 15

The shape of a DNA molecule is most like

A)a twisted rope ladder.
B)beads on a string.
C)a ladder.
D)a set of railroad tracks.

Question 16

marks the end of a gene and causes transcription to stop.

A)RNA ligase
B)Methionine
C)A terminator
D)RNA polymerase

Question 17

The 2009 H1N1 flu virus

A)killed over 50 million people worldwide.
B)evolved through the genetic reshuffling of viruses that infect humans,birds,and pigs.
C)is an avian flu virus.
D)is spread by mosquitoes.

Question 18

A physical or chemical agent that changes the nucleotide sequence of DNA is called a(n)

A)anticodon.
B)transposon.
C)mutagen.
D)terminator.

Question 19

Which of the following people conducted the experiments that demonstrated that DNA is the genetic material of bacteriophages?

A)Watson and Crick
B)Pauling
C)Hershey and Chase
D)Franklin

Question 20

In the 1920s,Frederick Griffith conducted an experiment in which he mixed the dead cells of a bacterial strain that can cause pneumonia with live cells of a bacterial strain that cannot.When he cultured the live cells,some of the daughter colonies proved able to cause pneumonia.Which of the following processes of bacterial DNA transfer does this experiment demonstrate?

A)conjugation
B)transduction
C)transformation
D)transposition

Question 21

The envelope of a mumps virus

A)helps the virus insert its DNA into the host cell genome.
B)helps the virus enter the cell.
C)is coded by viral genes.
D)accounts for viral resistance to antibiotics.

Question 22

Which of the following statements is false?

A)During polypeptide initiation,an mRNA,the first amino acid attached to its tRNA,and the two subunits of a ribosome are brought together.
B)During the first step of initiation,an mRNA molecule binds to a small ribosomal subunit.
C)An mRNA molecule transcribed from DNA is shorter than the genetic message it carries.
D)Translation consists of initiation,elongation,and termination.

Question 23

When a bacterial cell with a chromosome- borne F factor conjugates with another bacterium,how is the transmitted donor DNA incorporated into the recipient's genome?

A)It is substituted for the equivalent portion of the recipient's chromosome by the process of crossing over.
B)It circularizes and becomes one of the recipient cell's plasmids.
C)The donor and recipient DNA are both chopped into segments by restriction enzymes,and a new,composite chromosome is assembled from the fragments.
D)The genes on the donor DNA of which the recipient does not have a copy are added to the recipient chromosome; the remainder of the donor DNA is degraded.

Question 24

Which of the following statements regarding the flow of genetic information is false?

A)Eukaryotic mRNA is processed in several ways before export out of the nucleus.
B)Ribosomes function as factories that coordinate the functioning of mRNA and tRNA.
C)Transcription occurs in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
D)Polypeptides form proteins that determine the appearance and function of the cell and organism.

Question 25

One type of virus that infects bacteria is called a

A)mage.
B)phage.
C)coronavirus.
D)rhinovirus.

Question 26

DNA replication

A)results in the formation of four new DNA strands.
B)begins when two DNA molecules join together to exchange segments.
C)occurs through the addition of nucleotides to the end of the parental DNA molecule.
D)uses each strand of a DNA molecule as a template for the creation of a new strand.

Question 27

Which of the following statements about ribosomes is false?

A)The ribosomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes are the same in structure and function.
B)Each ribosome has two binding sites for tRNA.
C)A ribosome consists of two subunits.
D)Subunits of RNA are made of proteins and ribosomal RNA.

Question 28

How would the shape of a DNA molecule change if adenine paired with guanine and cytosine paired with thymine?

A)The DNA molecule would have irregular widths along its length.
B)The DNA molecule would be longer.
C)The DNA molecule would be circular.
D)The DNA molecule would be shorter.

Question 29

When a T2 bacteriophage infects an Escherichia coli cell,which part of the phage enters the bacterial cytoplasm?

A)only the RNA
B)only the DNA
C)the protein "headpiece" and its enclosed nucleic acid
D)the whole phage

Question 30

The way that genetic material of a bacteriophage enters a bacterium is most like the way that

A)a drug is injected with a hypodermic needle.
B)skin lotion is rubbed onto the hands.
C)water soaks into a sponge.
D)a person swallows a pill.

Question 31

If the left end of the daughter strand indicated in the figure (see arrow)is being synthesized in one continuous piece,then

A)the DNA at point B is being synthesized in small pieces.
B)the DNA at point D is being synthesized in one continuous piece.
C)the DNA at point A is being synthesized in one continuous piece.
D)the DNA at point C is being synthesized in one continuous piece.

Question 32

The transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA is called

A)elongation.
B)initiation.
C)transcription.
D)translation.

Question 33

When one DNA molecule is copied to make two DNA molecules,the new DNA contains

A)none of the parent DNA.
B)100% of the parent DNA
C)75% of the parent DNA.
D)50% of the parent DNA.

Question 34

Which of the following enzymes does HIV use to synthesize DNA on an RNA template?

A)ligase
B)reverse transcriptase
C)DNA convertase
D)RNA polymerase

Question 35

Which of the following is a function of a tRNA molecule?

A)transferring nucleotides to rRNA
B)joining to only one specific type of amino acid
C)recognizing the appropriate anticodons in mRNA
D)helping to translate codons into nucleic acids

Question 36

What nucleotide sequence would be found on the partner DNA strand of the strand shown?

A)ACTGT
B)TGACA
C)UGAGA
D)TGUGU

Question 37

Which of the following statements regarding a DNA double helix is always true?

A)The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of cytosine,and the amount of guanine is equal to the amount of thymine.
B)The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of uracil,and the amount of guanine is equal to the amount of cytosine.
C)The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of thymine,and the amount of guanine is equal to the amount of cytosine.
D)The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of guanine,and the amount of thymine is equal to the amount of cytosine.

Question 38

Which of the following occurs when RNA polymerase attaches to the promoter DNA?

A)initiation of a new polypeptide chain
B)elongation of the growing RNA molecule
C)termination of the RNA molecule
D)initiation of a new RNA molecule

Question 39

Which of the following is not needed in order for translation to occur?

A)tRNA
B)sources of energy,including ATP
C)ribosomes
D)DNA template

Question 40

Why does a DNA strand grow only in the 5' to 3' direction?

A)because DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing molecule
B)because DNA polymerase requires the addition of a starter nucleotide at the 5' end
C)because DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides to the 5' end of the growing molecule
D)because the DNA molecule only unwinds in the 5' to 3' direction

Question 41

Consider the following sentence: "The dog did not eat." Which of the following variations of this sentence is most like a reading frame mutation?

A)The did not eat.
B)The dog did dog did not eat.
C)The did dog not eat.
D)The dod idn ote at.

Question 42

Which of the following statements regarding RNA is false?

A)RNA molecules have a sugar- phosphate backbone.
B)RNA uses the nitrogenous base uracil.
C)RNA uses the sugar dextrose.
D)One RNA molecule can include four different nucleotides in its structure.

Question 43

In many bacteria,genes that confer resistance to antibiotics are carried on

A)factors.
B)R plasmids.
C)exons.
D)transposons.

Question 44

Which of the following statements regarding DNA is false?

A)DNA uses the sugar deoxyribose.
B)One DNA molecule can include four different nucleotides in its structure.
C)DNA molecules have a sugar- phosphate backbone.
D)DNA uses the nitrogenous base uracil.

Question 45

Which of the following options most accurately lists the sequence of events in translation?

A)peptide bond formation -codon recognition -translocation -termination
B)codon recognition -translocation -peptide bond formation -termination
C)codon recognition -peptide bond formation -translocation -termination
D)codon recognition -peptide bond formation -termination -translocation

Question 46

Experiments have demonstrated that the "words" of the genetic code (the units that specify amino acids)are

A)three- nucleotide sequences.
B)single nucleotides.
C)two- nucleotide sequences.
D)nucleotide sequences of various lengths.

Question 47

Consider the following sentence: "The dog did not eat." Which of the following variations of this sentence is most like a base substitution mutation?

A)The dog dog did not eat.
B)The did dog not eat.
C)The doe did not eat.
D)The dog did not et.

Question 48

What kind of virus is HIV?

A)a complex virus
B)a retrovirus
C)a provirus
D)a paramyxovirus

Question 49

HIV does the greatest damage to

A)pancreatic cells.
B)nervous tissue.
C)the adrenal glands.
D)white blood cells.

Question 50

Where do transcription and translation occur in prokaryotic cells?

A)in chromatophores
B)on the plasma membrane
C)in the cytoplasm
D)in the nucleus

Question 51

Conjugation between a bacterium that lacks an F factor (F- )and a bacterium that has an F factor on its chromosome (F+)could produce which of the following results?

A)The F+ bacterium ends up with a recombinant chromosome that carries some genes from the F- bacterium,and the F- bacterium ends up with a chromosome that lacks those genes.
B)The F- bacterium ends up with a recombinant chromosome that carries some genes from the F+ bacterium,and the F+ bacterium ends up with an unaltered chromosome.
C)The F- bacterium ends up carrying one or more plasmids from the F+ bacterium; the F+ bacterium is unchanged.
D)The F+ bacterium ends up with a recombinant chromosome that carries some genes from the F- bacterium,and the F- bacterium ends up with an unaltered chromosome.

Question 52

How do viroids harm the plants that are infected with them?

A)by reducing the plants' seed production
B)by increasing the plants' metabolic rate
C)by altering the plants' growth
D)by destroying the root system

Question 53

Which of the following takes place during translation?

A)DNA replication
B)the conversion of genetic information from the language of proteins to the language of enzymes
C)the conversion of genetic information from DNA nucleotides into RNA nucleotides
D)the conversion of genetic information from the language of nucleic acids to the language of proteins

Question 54

Which of the following enzymes catalyzes the linking together of RNA nucleotides to form RNA?

A)tRNA
B)RNA polymerase
C)a ribozyme
D)RNA ligase

Question 55

We would expect that a 15- nucleotide sequence ending with a stop codon will direct the production of a polypeptide that consists of

A)5 amino acids.
B)4 amino acids.
C)2 amino acids.
D)3 amino acids.

Question 56

Which of the following human activities has contributed to an increase in the number of bacteria having R plasmids?

A)increased carcinogen exposure from excessive fossil fuel burning
B)improper use of restriction enzymes in research and medical facilities
C)heavy use of antibiotics in medicine and in agriculture
D)nitrogen fixation by genetically engineered plants

Question 57

Which of the following enzymes catalyzes the elongation of a new DNA strand?

A)DNA polymerase
B)single- stranded binding protein
C)ligase
D)helicase

Question 58

Which of the following features characterizes the lytic cycle of a viral infection?

A)The viral genes typically remain inactive once they are inside the host cell.
B)The cycle typically leads to the lysis of the host cell.
C)The virus reproduces outside of the host cell.
D)The cycle typically ends when the host bacterium divides.

Question 59

In the genetic code,

A)some codons specify more than one amino acid.
B)many amino acids are specified by more than one codon.
C)some amino acids are not specified by any codons.
D)some codons consist of two nucleotides.

Question 60

A protein coat enclosing a viral genome is known as a(n)

A)envelope.
B)prophage.
C)capsule.
D)capsid.

Question 61

Viral DNA incorporated into host cell DNA is known as a(n)

A)envelope.
B)phage.
C)capsid.
D)prophage.

Question 62

Multiple origins of replication on the DNA molecules of eukaryotic cells serve to

A)remove errors in DNA replication.
B)assure the correct orientation of the two strands in the newly growing double helix.
C)shorten the time necessary for DNA replication.
D)create multiple copies of the DNA molecule at the same time.

Question 63

Which of the following statements about eukaryotic RNA is true?

A)A small cap of extra nucleotides is added to both ends of the RNA.
B)Exons are spliced together.
C)Introns are added to the RNA.
D)The modified RNA molecule is transported into the nucleus.

Question 64

Which of the following statements about the treatment or prevention for a prion infection is true?

A)Preventative vaccines have recently been shown to be effective in preventing prion infections.
B)High doses of anti- inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen reduce the symptoms of prion infections.
C)There is no known treatment or cure for prion infections.
D)Antibiotic therapies such as penicillin are very effective cures.

Question 65

Which of the following statements about plant viruses is false?

A)There are many successful ways to rid infected plants of a virus.
B)Once in a plant,a virus can spread from cell to cell through plasmodesmata.
C)Preventing infections and breeding resistant plants can control viral infection in plants.
D)The genetic material in most plant viruses is RNA.