Question 1

GTP provides energy for

Accepted Answer

A)  transcription. 
B)  translation. 
C)  DNA replication. 
D)  protein folding. 
A)  transcription. 
B)  translation. 
C)  DNA replication. 
D)  protein folding. B

Question 2

The template for RNA polymerase is ________, and the new RNA molecule is ________ to the template.

Accepted Answer

A)  an independent RNA segment / parallel and identical 
B)  DNA / antiparallel and complementary 
C)  an independent RNA segment / antiparallel and complementary 
D)  DNA / parallel and identical 
A)  an independent RNA segment / parallel and identical 
B)  DNA / antiparallel and complementary 
C)  an independent RNA segment / antiparallel and complementary 
D)  DNA / parallel and identical B

Question 3

AT-rich DNA will denature/melt

Accepted Answer

A)  at a higher temperature than GC-rich DNA. 
B)  at a lower temperature than GC-rich DNA. 
C)  usually at the same temperature as GC-rich DNA, with some minor variations. 
D)  in accordance with the animal or plant from which it was taken. 
A)  at a higher temperature than GC-rich DNA. 
B)  at a lower temperature than GC-rich DNA. 
C)  usually at the same temperature as GC-rich DNA, with some minor variations. 
D)  in accordance with the animal or plant from which it was taken. B

Question 4

DNA participates in protein synthesis through

Accepted Answer

A)  cyclic messengers. 
B)  direct pairing with amino acids. 
C)  an RNA intermediate. 
D)  protein folding. 
A)  cyclic messengers. 
B)  direct pairing with amino acids. 
C)  an RNA intermediate. 
D)  protein folding.

Question 5

DNA replication is started with a(n) ________, which, in most cases, in vivo is a short stretch of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  promoter / DNA 
B)  mRNA / RNA 
C)  primer / RNA 
D)  ribosome-binding sequence / DNA 
A)  promoter / DNA 
B)  mRNA / RNA 
C)  primer / RNA 
D)  ribosome-binding sequence / DNA

Question 6

The flow of biological information begins with

Accepted Answer

A)  DNA replication. 
B)  RNA transcription. 
C)  mRNA translation. 
D)  transcriptional regulation. 
A)  DNA replication. 
B)  RNA transcription. 
C)  mRNA translation. 
D)  transcriptional regulation.

Question 7

Termination of RNA synthesis is ultimately determined by

Accepted Answer

A)  exhaustion of RNA polymerase activity. 
B)  special protein factors. 
C)  terminases. 
D)  specific nucleotide sequences on the template strand. 
A)  exhaustion of RNA polymerase activity. 
B)  special protein factors. 
C)  terminases. 
D)  specific nucleotide sequences on the template strand.

Question 8

RNA is incapable of forming secondary structure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The function of the DNA polymerase is to catalyze

Accepted Answer

A)  the addition of deoxynucleotides. 
B)  the formation of RNA primers. 
C)  the addition of ribonucleotides. 
D)  hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs. 
A)  the addition of deoxynucleotides. 
B)  the formation of RNA primers. 
C)  the addition of ribonucleotides. 
D)  hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs.

Question 10

You experimentally change the DNA sequence directly upstream of a start codon of an operon in E. coli to investigate the function of this region of DNA. Analysis reveals that after the change the same amount of mRNA is made from the operon, but there are very few proteins made from the operon. What is the most likely function of the DNA sequence that you changed?

Accepted Answer

A)  The DNA sequence likely functions as a ribosome-binding site. 
B)  The DNA sequence likely functions as a promoter. 
C)  The DNA sequence likely functions as a termination sequence. 
D)  The DNA sequence likely functions as in transcriptional regulation. 
A)  The DNA sequence likely functions as a ribosome-binding site. 
B)  The DNA sequence likely functions as a promoter. 
C)  The DNA sequence likely functions as a termination sequence. 
D)  The DNA sequence likely functions as in transcriptional regulation.

Question 11

Speculate why the half-life of mRNA is short, while the half-lives of rRNA and tRNA are long.

Accepted Answer

An important feature present in rRNA and

Question 12

An operon is a useful genetic element, because it

Accepted Answer

A)  encourages the binding of RNA polymerase. 
B)  allows coordinated expression of multiple related genes in prokaryotes. 
C)  translates DNA sequence into amino acid sequence. 
D)  encourages the binding of ribosomes in the correct location. 
A)  encourages the binding of RNA polymerase. 
B)  allows coordinated expression of multiple related genes in prokaryotes. 
C)  translates DNA sequence into amino acid sequence. 
D)  encourages the binding of ribosomes in the correct location.

Question 13

Supercoiling is important for DNA structure, because

Accepted Answer

A)  it holds together the antiparallel strands of DNA in the double helix. 
B)  it provides energy for transcription. 
C)  it condenses the DNA so that it can fit inside the cell. 
D)  it prevents RNA from pairing with DNA in the double helix. 
A)  it holds together the antiparallel strands of DNA in the double helix. 
B)  it provides energy for transcription. 
C)  it condenses the DNA so that it can fit inside the cell. 
D)  it prevents RNA from pairing with DNA in the double helix.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning mRNA?

Accepted Answer

A)  mRNA has a very short half-life. 
B)  mRNA has complex secondary structure. 
C)  mRNA is catalytic. 
D)  mRNA is the product of translation. 
A)  mRNA has a very short half-life. 
B)  mRNA has complex secondary structure. 
C)  mRNA is catalytic. 
D)  mRNA is the product of translation.

Question 15

Throughout the living world, the genetic code is generally universal; however, there are slight variations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT correct regarding DNA and RNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  The overall direction of chain growth is from the 5ʹ to 3ʹ end. 
B)  Both processes require an RNA primer to begin. 
C)  The template strand is antiparallel to the newly synthesized strand. 
D)  DNA is the template for both DNA and RNA synthesis. 
A)  The overall direction of chain growth is from the 5ʹ to 3ʹ end. 
B)  Both processes require an RNA primer to begin. 
C)  The template strand is antiparallel to the newly synthesized strand. 
D)  DNA is the template for both DNA and RNA synthesis.

Question 17

How are plasmids different than chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plasmids are always small, linear pieces of DNA. 
B)  Plasmids are composed of single-stranded DNA. 
C)  Plasmids contain genes that are NOT essential for cellular growth and replication. 
D)  Plasmids carry unimportant genes that are of little significance for the ecology and metabolism of an organism. 
A)  Plasmids are always small, linear pieces of DNA. 
B)  Plasmids are composed of single-stranded DNA. 
C)  Plasmids contain genes that are NOT essential for cellular growth and replication. 
D)  Plasmids carry unimportant genes that are of little significance for the ecology and metabolism of an organism.

Question 18

You are trying to design a protein that will be expressed in Escherichia coli and secreted outside of the cell for purification and use as a pharmaceutical. E. coli is a gram-negative cell and the protein folds after it has exited the cell. Which secretion system would work best for this project? Support your answer with evidence based on the properties of E. coli, the protein, and the secretion system.

Accepted Answer

Answers should refer to the fact that E.

Question 19

Explain how Escherichia coli can grow with a doubling time of 20 minutes when chromosome replication takes 40 minutes.

Accepted Answer

Answers should demonstrate understanding

Question 20

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase catalyzes the reaction between the appropriate amino acid and ATP to form an activated amino acid: amino acid + ATP ↔ aminoacyl-AMP + P-P.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 4: Molecular Information Flow and Protein Processing

GTP provides energy for

The template for RNA polymerase is ________, and the new RNA molecule is ________ to the template.

AT-rich DNA will denature/melt

DNA participates in protein synthesis through

DNA replication is started with a(n) ________, which, in most cases, in vivo is a short stretch of ________.

The flow of biological information begins with

Termination of RNA synthesis is ultimately determined by

RNA is incapable of forming secondary structure.

The function of the DNA polymerase is to catalyze

Speculate why the half-life of mRNA is short, while the half-lives of rRNA and tRNA are long.

An operon is a useful genetic element, because it

Supercoiling is important for DNA structure, because

Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning mRNA?

Throughout the living world, the genetic code is generally universal; however, there are slight variations.

Which of the following is NOT correct regarding DNA and RNA synthesis?

How are plasmids different than chromosomes?

Explain how Escherichia coli can grow with a doubling time of 20 minutes when chromosome replication takes 40 minutes.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase catalyzes the reaction between the appropriate amino acid and ATP to form an activated amino acid: amino acid + ATP ↔ aminoacyl-AMP + P-P.

The Microbial World

Microbial Cell Structure and Function

Microbial Metabolism

Microbial Growth and Its Control

Microbial Regulatory Systems

Molecular Biology of Microbial Growth

Viruses and Their Replication

Microbial Systems Biology

Viral Genomics, Diversity, and Ecology

Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea

Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

Microbial Evolution and Systematics

Metabolic Diversity of Microorganisms

Functional Diversity of Microorganisms

Diversity of Bacteria

Diversity of Archaea

Diversity of Microbial Eukarya

Taking the Measure of Microbial Systems

Microbial Ecosystems

Nutrient Cycles

Microbiology of the Built Environment

Microbial Symbioses

Microbial Symbioses with Humans

Microbial Infection and Pathogenesis

Innate Immunity: Broadly Specific Host Defenses

Adaptive Immunity: Highly Specific Host Defenses

Clinical Microbiology and Immunology

Epidemiology

Person-to-Person Bacterial and Viral Diseases

Vectorborne and Soilborne Bacterial and Viral Diseases

Waterborne and Foodborne Bacterial and Viral Diseases

Eukaryotic Pathogens: Fungi, Protozoans, and Helminths

Filters

The template for RNA polymerase is , and the new RNA molecule is to the template.

DNA replication is started with a(n) , which, in most cases, in vivo is a short stretch of .