Deck 22: Nucleic Acids

Question 1

In DNA replication the unwinding of the double helix

A) begins at the 5' end and continues to the 3' end
B) begins at the 3' end and continues to the 5' end
C) occurs at many places within the double helix at the same time
D) is governed by the enzyme DNA ligase

Answer 1

occurs at many places within the double helix at the same time

Question 2

The region of a DNA strand carrying the information needed for synthesis of a specific protein is called a

A) codon
B) chromosome
C) gene
D) complementary base pair

Answer 2

gene

Question 3

RNA molecules differ from DNA molecules in that they

A) are single stranded rather than double stranded
B) contain four different bases instead of three
C) have a greater polarity
D) contain 2-dexoyribose rather than 2-deoxyglucose

Answer 3

are single stranded rather than double stranded

Question 4

Which of the following statements concerning ribosomes is incorrect?

A) By mass, ribosomes are mostly protein.
B) A ribosome's active site is located in its large subunit.
C) mRNA binds to a ribosome's smaller subunit.
D) rRNA molecules are predominant at a ribosome's active site.

Question 5

Which one of the following types of RNA molecules contains exons and introns?

A) mRNA
B) tRNA
C) hnRNA
D) snRNA

Question 6

The role of E. coli plasmids in recombinant DNA work is to

A) splice DNA strands together to form circular DNA molecules
B) cleave double-stranded DNA molecules
C) provide the restriction enzymes needed for repairing defective DNA
D) serve as a host for a "foreign" gene

Question 7

Which of the following statements concerning codons is incorrect?

A) They are found within mRNA molecules.
B) They are sequences of three nucleotides.
C) There are 64 of them.
D) They are short segments of a gene.

Question 8

Any given nucleotide in a nucleic acid contains

A) two bases and a sugar
B) one sugar, two bases, and one phosphate
C) two sugars and one phosphate
D) one sugar, one base, and one phosphate

Question 9

Which of the following statements concerning the double helix structure present in DNA molecules is correct?

A) The two nucleotide strands are mirror images of each other.
B) Hydrogen bonds between sugar units hold the two nucleotide strands together.
C) Base pairing between strands always involves one pyrimidine base and one purine base.
D) Base pairing combinations are always A-G and C-T.

Question 10

The "backbone" of a nucleic acid molecule consists of an alternating sequence of

A) sugar and phosphate groups
B) sugar and base groups
C) phosphate and base groups
D) sugar, phosphate, and base groups

Question 11

Which of the following is not necessary for protein synthesis at the time and place where synthesis occurs?

A) mRNA
B) tRNA
C) ribosomes
D) DNA

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct base pairing sequence between a codon and anticodon?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 13

The number of different kinds of nucleotides present in any RNA molecule is

A) four
B) five
C) six
D) two

Question 14

Which of the following are the three "single ring" bases that occur in nucleic acids?

A) adenine, guanine, and uracil
B) adenine, cytosine, and uracil
C) cytosine, thymine, and uracil
D) cytosine, guanine, and thymine

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct structural characteristic of a nucleotide?

A) The base unit is bonded to the phosphate unit.
B) The phosphate unit is bonded to the sugar unit.
C) The sugar unit is bonded to the base unit.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 16

Replication of DNA produces two daughter DNA molecules in which:

A) One daughter molecule contains both parent strands and one daughter molecule contains both newly synthesized strands.
B) Each daughter molecule contains one parent strand and one newly synthesized strand.
C) Each daughter molecule contains two newly synthesized strands.
D) each daughter molecule contains a segment of both parent strands.

Question 17

Associated with the process of DNA transcription is the formation of

A) two DNA molecules from one DNA molecule and amino acids
B) one DNA molecule from a number of shorter RNA molecules
C) an mRNA molecule that is then "edited" to form an mRNA molecule
D) an mRNA molecule that contains several genes

Question 18

The genetic code is a listing that gives relationships between codons and

A) anticodons
B) amino acids
C) exons
D) genes

Question 19

The number of structural subunits present in a nucleoside and a nucleotide are, respectively

A) two and two
B) three and three
C) two and three
D) three and four

Question 20

Which of the following statements concerning tRNA molecules is incorrect?

A) They are carriers of the amino acids needed for protein synthesis.
B) They have a "cloverleaf" shape with four hairpin loops.
C) They interact with mRNA at the site of protein synthesis.
D) An anticodon is present within their structure.

Question 21

Which of the following events occurs during the translation phase of protein synthesis?

A) mRNA interacts with a chromosome.
B) Codon-anticodon base pairing occurs.
C) rRNAs carry amino acids to the site for protein synthesis.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 22

Which of the following changes is associated with the post-translation processing of a protein?

A) Protein folding is completed.
B) Disulfide bridges are often formed.
C) The Met residue that initiated protein synthesis is removed.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 23

Which of the following sets of base composition data is consistent with the double helix nature of DNA molecules?

A) 35% T and 15% C
B) 35% A and 35% G
C) 15% C and 15% G
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 24

In which of the following sets of nucleic acid "building blocks" are all members of the set possible components of a DNA molecule?

A) phosphate, ribose, and thymine
B) adenine, ribose, and 2-deoxyribose
C) cytosine, guanine, and uracil
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 25

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) In general, RNA molecules are much smaller than DNA molecules.
(2) Recombinant DNA molecules contain DNA segments from two different organisms.
(3) In DNA replication, the action of the enzyme DNA helicase causes the DNA double helix to unwind.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 26

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) The variable portion of a nucleic acid molecule is the sequence of bases attached to the nucleic acid "backbone."
(2) A polysome is a complex containing several mRNA molecules that simultaneously participate in protein synthesis.
(3) T, A, and G are all fused-ring nucleotide bases.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 27

Which of the following statements concerning the codons of the genetic code is correct?

A) The total number of codons is 48.
B) All codons are specific for a particular amino acid.
C) Codons that specify the same amino acid are called polysomes.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 28

In which of the following pairs of nucleic acid bases are both members of the pair "single ring" bases?

A) A and C
B) G and T
C) T and U
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 29

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) The acronym PCR stands for protein condensation reaction.
(2) A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in an mRNA molecule that codes for a specific amino acid.
(3) Most of the mass of a chromosome is protein material rather than DNA.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 30

Which of the following statements concerning genes and chromosomes is correct?

A) A gene is a segment of a DNA molecule that contains instructions for the synthesis of one or more proteins.
B) A chromosome contains several DNA molecules bound to protein.
C) Genes directly interact with amino acids during protein synthesis.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 31

Which of the following events occurs during the transcription phase of protein synthesis?

A) A partial unwinding of a DNA double helix occurs.
B) hnRNA is edited and becomes snRNA.
C) tRNAs carry amino acids to the site for protein synthesis.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 32

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) The complementary base-pair sequence for the DNA strand 5' ACGTAT 3' is
3' TGCATA 5'.
(2) The only difference between DNA and RNA molecules is the identity of the sugar unit present in their nucleotides.
(3) Both strands of a daughter DNA molecule are formed through the linking of previously formed Okazaki fragments.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 33

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) In nucleotide formation, the base always attaches to the sugar at the sugar's
C-1' position.
(2) The genetic code is based on the concept that a single codon exists for each of the 20 standard amino acids.
(3) Codons are found in tRNA molecules and anticodons are found in mRNA molecules.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 34

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) The type of DNA that contains exons and introns is rRNA.
(2) A "free" phosphate group is associated with the 5' end of a nucleic acid.
(3) AMP and dAMP nucleotides differ in the sugar subunit that is present.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 35

Which of the following types of RNA has a "cloverleaf shape" with three hairpin loops?

A) mRNA
B) rRNA
C) hnRNA
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 36

In DNA replication the two strands of the double helix separate, and each strand

A) serves as a template for the construction of its own complement
B) forms an exact duplicate of itself
C) serves as a site for the formation of Okazaki fragments, which are then connected together to give the new DNA molecule
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 37

Which of the following is a valid set of mRNA codons?

A) GGG, CCC and AAA
B) GGC, GGT and GGU
C) GAC, ACG and ACT
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 38

In a dinucleotide the phosphate linkage between nucleotide units involves

A) carbon 3' of a sugar
B) carbon 5' of a sugar
C) both carbons 2' and 3' of a sugar
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 39

Which of the following types of RNA is paired with a correct piece of information about that type of RNA?

A) tRNA; contains exons
B) mRNA; contains codons
C) rRNA; contains anticodons
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 40

Which of the following enzymes associated with DNA replication is paired with its correct function?

A) DNA helicase; unwinding of the DNA helix
B) DNA polymerase; formation of phosphodiester linkages
C) DNA ligase; connection of Okazaki fragments
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 41

Use the following to answer the questions below:
Match the RNA-related items with the various types of RNA given in the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Amino acid carrier

A)mRNA
B)hnRNA
C)rRNA
D)tRNA

Question 42

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the base-pairing situations, select a correct possible base-pairing sequence from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.
Base pairing between two RNA segments

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 43

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the heterocyclic bases, choose a correct characterization from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Thymine

A)base found only in DNA
B)base found only in RNA
C)"single ring" base found in both DNA and RNA
D)"double ring" base

Question 44

Use the following to answer the questions below:
Match the RNA-related items with the various types of RNA given in the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Hairpin loop

A)mRNA
B)hnRNA
C)rRNA
D)tRNA

Question 45

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) Ribosomes, which contain rRNA, serve as sites for protein synthesis.
(2) In genetic engineering, one of the functions of restriction enzymes is to cleave the double-stranded DNA of a circular plasmid.
(3) The nucleotide units within a nucleic acid are linked to each other through sugar-base bonds.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 46

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the base-pairing situations, select a correct possible base-pairing sequence from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.
Base pairing between a codon and anticodon

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 47

Use the following to answer the questions below:
Match the RNA-related items with the various types of RNA given in the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Anticodon

A)mRNA
B)hnRNA
C)rRNA
D)tRNA

Question 48

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the base-pairing situations, select a correct possible base-pairing sequence from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.
Base pairing between a DNA and RNA segment

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 49

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the nucleic acid situations, select the process with which it is associated using the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

hnRNA is edited to form mRNA.

A)translation phase of protein synthesis
B)transcription phase of protein synthesis
C)replication of DNA
D)post-transcription phase of protein synthesis

Question 50

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the base-pairing situations, select a correct possible base-pairing sequence from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.
Base pairing between two DNA segments

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 51

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the heterocyclic bases, choose a correct characterization from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Adenine

A)base found only in DNA
B)base found only in RNA
C)"single ring" base found in both DNA and RNA
D)"double ring" base

Question 52

Use the following to answer the questions below:
Match the RNA-related items with the various types of RNA given in the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Codon

A)mRNA
B)hnRNA
C)rRNA
D)tRNA

Question 53

Use the following to answer the questions below:
Match the RNA-related items with the various types of RNA given in the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Intron

A)mRNA
B)hnRNA
C)rRNA
D)tRNA

Question 54

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) Nucleotides are related to nucleic acids in the same way that amino acids are related to proteins.
(2) Associated with the structure of tRNA molecules are "hairpin loops."
(3) The bases A, G, and U are found in both DNA and RNA molecules.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 55

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the heterocyclic bases, choose a correct characterization from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Cytosine

A)base found only in DNA
B)base found only in RNA
C)"single ring" base found in both DNA and RNA
D)"double ring" base

Question 56

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the base-pairing situations, select a correct possible base-pairing sequence from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.
Base pairing between an Okazaki fragment and a DNA segment

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 57

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements:
(1) DNA nucleotides contain three subunits, and RNA nucleotides contain four subunits.
(2) Complementary base pairing in DNA involves the base combinations (A and T) and (G and C).
(3) The interaction between anticodon and codon governs the proper placement of amino acids in a protein.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 58

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the heterocyclic bases, choose a correct characterization from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Guanine

A)base found only in DNA
B)base found only in RNA
C)"single ring" base found in both DNA and RNA
D)"double ring" base

Question 59

Use the following to answer the questions below:
In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices:
Statements: (1) Several drugs containing synthetically modified nucleic acid bases block DNA synthesis as a means of blocking cancer cell replication.
(2) The mode of action for some antibiotics is inhibition of protein synthesis within bacteria.
(3) Antimetabolites are drugs that are DNA-replication inhibitors.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 60

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the heterocyclic bases, choose a correct characterization from the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Uracil

A)base found only in DNA
B)base found only in RNA
C)"single ring" base found in both DNA and RNA
D)"double ring" base

Question 61

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the nucleic acid situations, select the process with which it is associated using the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

A mRNA-ribosome complex is formed.

A)translation phase of protein synthesis
B)transcription phase of protein synthesis
C)replication of DNA
D)post-transcription phase of protein synthesis

Question 62

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the nucleic acid situations, select the process with which it is associated using the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Partial unwinding of a DNA molecule occurs.

A)translation phase of protein synthesis
B)transcription phase of protein synthesis
C)replication of DNA
D)post-transcription phase of protein synthesis

Question 63

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the nucleic acid situations, select the process with which it is associated using the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Complete unwinding of a DNA molecule occurs.

A)translation phase of protein synthesis
B)transcription phase of protein synthesis
C)replication of DNA
D)post-transcription phase of protein synthesis

Question 64

Use the following to answer the questions below:
For each of the nucleic acid situations, select the process with which it is associated using the response list. Responses may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

Okazaki fragments are formed.

A)translation phase of protein synthesis
B)transcription phase of protein synthesis
C)replication of DNA
D)post-transcription phase of protein synthesis