Question 1

When considering the initiation of transcription, one often finds consensus sequences located in the region of the DNA where RNA polymerase(s) binds. Which of the following is a common consensus sequence?

Accepted Answer

A)   TATA
B)   GGTTC
C)   TTTTAAAA
D)   any trinucleotide repeat
E)   satellite DNAs A

Question 2

What is the initiator triplet in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes? What amino acid is recruited by this triplet?

Accepted Answer

A)   UAA; no amino acid called in
B)   UAA or UGA; arginine
C)   AUG; arginine
D)   AUG; methionine
E)   UAA, methionine D

Question 3

Transcription factors function to help move ribosomes along the mRNA.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Sidney Brenner argued that the code was nonoverlapping because he considered that coding restrictions would occur if it were overlapping. A second major argument against an overlapping code involved the effect of a single nucleotide change. In an overlapping code, how many adjacent amino acids would be affected by a point mutation? In a nonoverlapping code, how many amino acid(s) would be affected?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sidney Brenner argued that the code was...

Question 5

From the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, numerous experiments using in vitro cell-free systems provided information on the nature of the genetic code. Briefly outline significant experiments in the determination of the genetic code.

Accepted Answer

The answer of From the late 1950s to the mid-1960s,...

Question 6

The code is nonoverlapping, meaning that, assuming "standard translation," a given base participates in the specification of one and only one amino acid.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

When examining the genetic code, it is apparent that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   there can be more than one amino acid for a particular codon
B)   AUG is a terminating codon
C)   there can be more than one codon for a particular amino acid
D)   the code is ambiguous in that the same codon can code for two or more amino acids
E)   there are 44 stop codons because there are only 20 amino acids

Question 8

A 3′ poly-A tail and a 5′-cap are common components of prokaryotic RNAs.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The enzyme polynucleotide phosphorylase is capable of generating a random assembly of ribonucleotides.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

In eukaryotes, which three factors appear to encourage the specific association of RNA polymerase(s) to a specific region of DNA?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In eukaryotes, which three factors appear to...

Question 11

What is meant by punctuation in terms of the genetic code?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by punctuation in terms...

Question 12

List four base triplets that are clearly responsible for punctuation (initiation, termination).

Accepted Answer

The answer of List four base triplets that are clearly...

Question 13

Heterogeneous nuclear RNA is a primary transcript in eukaryotes that is processed prior to involvement in translation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

What is meant by the term heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by the term heterogeneous...

Question 15

"Breaking the genetic code" has been referred to as one of the most significant scientific achievements in modern times. Describe (in outline or brief statement form) the procedures used to break the code.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Breaking the genetic code" has been referred...

Question 16

The relationship between a gene and a messenger RNA is that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   genes are made from mRNAs
B)   mRNAs are made from genes
C)   mRNAs make proteins, which then code for genes
D)   all genes are made from mRNAs
E)   mRNA is directly responsible for making Okazaki fragments

Question 17

In the context of molecular genetics, how does one reconcile the terms overlapping genes and nonoverlapping code?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of molecular genetics, how...

Question 18

What is polycistronic mRNA?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is polycistronic mRNA?...

Question 19

A 5′-cap describes the addition of a base, usually thymine, to the 5′ end of a completed peptide.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

In 1964, Nirenberg and Leder used the triplet binding assay to determine specific codon assignments. A complex of which of the following components was trapped in the nitrocellulose filter?

Accepted Answer

A)   ribosomes and DNA
B)   free tRNAs
C)   charged tRNA, RNA triplet, and ribosome
D)   uncharged tRNAs and ribosomes
E)   sense and antisense strands of DNA

Exam 13: The Genetic Code and Transcription

When considering the initiation of transcription, one often finds consensus sequences located in the region of the DNA where RNA polymerase(s) binds. Which of the following is a common consensus sequence?

What is the initiator triplet in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes? What amino acid is recruited by this triplet?

Transcription factors function to help move ribosomes along the mRNA.

From the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, numerous experiments using in vitro cell-free systems provided information on the nature of the genetic code. Briefly outline significant experiments in the determination of the genetic code.

The code is nonoverlapping, meaning that, assuming "standard translation," a given base participates in the specification of one and only one amino acid.

When examining the genetic code, it is apparent that ________.

A 3′ poly-A tail and a 5′-cap are common components of prokaryotic RNAs.

The enzyme polynucleotide phosphorylase is capable of generating a random assembly of ribonucleotides.

In eukaryotes, which three factors appear to encourage the specific association of RNA polymerase(s) to a specific region of DNA?

What is meant by punctuation in terms of the genetic code?

List four base triplets that are clearly responsible for punctuation (initiation, termination).

Heterogeneous nuclear RNA is a primary transcript in eukaryotes that is processed prior to involvement in translation.

What is meant by the term heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA)?

"Breaking the genetic code" has been referred to as one of the most significant scientific achievements in modern times. Describe (in outline or brief statement form) the procedures used to break the code.

The relationship between a gene and a messenger RNA is that ________.

In the context of molecular genetics, how does one reconcile the terms overlapping genes and nonoverlapping code?

What is polycistronic mRNA?

A 5′-cap describes the addition of a base, usually thymine, to the 5′ end of a completed peptide.

In 1964, Nirenberg and Leder used the triplet binding assay to determine specific codon assignments. A complex of which of the following components was trapped in the nitrocellulose filter?