Question 1

Which experiment provided the first strong evidence that DNA, and not protein, is the genetic material in cells?

Accepted Answer

Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty’s use of DNase to abolish transformation

Question 2

A student proposes to repeat the Hershey and Chase experiment but labels nitrogen instead of phosphorus in DNA. Why would this not distinguish DNA from protein?

Accepted Answer

Because proteins also contain nitrogen, so the label would not be unique to DNA

Question 3

Which of the following best describes semiconservative DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA double helix contains one parental strand and one newly synthesized strand

Question 4

Which of the following statements about DNA structure is correct?

Accepted Answer

If the sequence of one DNA strand is known, the sequence of the other strand can be determined

Question 5

A mutation deletes a single nucleotide near the beginning of a coding sequence. What is the most likely effect?

Accepted Answer

It will cause a frameshift, likely altering the entire downstream amino acid sequence

Question 6

Which of the following is true regarding the origins of replication in DNA?

Accepted Answer

They are rich in A=T base pairs, which are easier to separate during replication

Question 7

Which enzyme is NOT expected to be found in bacterial cells?

Accepted Answer

Telomerase

Question 8

During DNA replication, what distinguishes the lagging strand from the leading strand when RNA primers are fluorescently labeled?

Accepted Answer

The lagging strand would glow more due to the presence of multiple RNA primers

Question 9

Which of the following is a key difference between DNA replication in cells and PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?

Accepted Answer

The entire genome is copied during cellular DNA replication, but not in PCR

Question 10

A eukaryote lacking telomerase would most likely experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A reduction in chromosome length in gametes

Question 11

Which of the following is a common post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3’ end of mRNA

Question 12

Alternative splicing allows for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Production of different proteins from the same primary transcript in different cells

Question 13

A mutation in a bacterial cell causes the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase for phenylalanine to attach lysine instead. What is the consequence?

Accepted Answer

Proteins will have lysine instead of phenylalanine at positions specified by the codon UUU

Question 14

What is the function of the release factor during translation?

Accepted Answer

It binds to the stop codon in the A site in place of a tRNA, terminating translation

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the redundancy of the genetic code?

Accepted Answer

Most amino acids are coded for by multiple codons

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a primary goal of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR)?

Accepted Answer

Increased translation of most proteins

Question 17

Which type of chromatin is generally transcriptionally active?

Accepted Answer

Euchromatin

Question 18

Which of the following is an epigenetic change?

Accepted Answer

DNA methylation

Question 19

What is the normal function of the p53 protein?

Accepted Answer

It initiates apoptosis or halts the cell cycle when DNA is damaged

Question 20

Why does cancer affect older individuals more frequently than younger people?

Accepted Answer

Older people have had more time to accumulate mutations from various sources

Step-by-Step Guidance for Bio 2.1 – Practice Exam for Unit #3

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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