Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a critical property of DNA as the genetic material of the cell?

Accepted Answer

It must be able to catalyze cellular reactions.

Question 2

DNA polymerization always proceeds in which direction?

Accepted Answer

$$5' \rightarrow 3'$$

Question 3

Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during replication?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Question 4

A human genome contains approximately $$3 	imes 10^9$ base pairs. If a textbook contains 4$$ 	imes $$10^8$$ letters, how many textbooks would you need to match the number of base pairs in the human genome?

Accepted Answer

10 textbooks

Question 5

Which of the following statements about DNA polymerase is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase possesses a proofreading function to correct errors.

Question 6

During PCR, which of the following is required to initiate DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

A specific DNA primer

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the base pairing in DNA?

Accepted Answer

A pairs with T, G pairs with C

Question 8

What is the role of DNA ligase during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

It seals nicks between Okazaki fragments.

Question 9

Which of the following is a consequence of the proofreading function of DNA polymerase?

Accepted Answer

Reduced number of replication errors

Question 10

PCR is described as a 'semiconservative' process. What does this mean in the context of DNA amplification?

Accepted Answer

Each new DNA molecule contains one original and one new strand.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a component of a DNA nucleotide?

Accepted Answer

Ribose sugar

Question 12

In a real-world forensic case, PCR is used to amplify a specific DNA region from a crime scene sample. Which property of PCR makes it especially useful for this application?

Accepted Answer

It can amplify DNA from a very small starting amount.

Question 13

Which of the following would most likely result if DNA polymerase lost its proofreading ability?

Accepted Answer

The fidelity of DNA replication would decrease.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why DNA must be stable in daughter cells?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that genetic information is accurately passed to the next generation.

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA forms an anti-parallel double helix.

Question 16

A patient is tested for Huntington's disease using PCR. After amplification, the DNA is run on a gel. What would you expect to see if the patient has one mutant copy of the HD gene?

Accepted Answer

Two bands: one for the normal allele and one for the mutant allele.

Question 17

Which of the following is a pyrimidine found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Cytosine

Question 18

Which enzyme relieves torsional stress ahead of the replication fork during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

Gyrase

Question 19

Which of the following statements about PCR is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

PCR can amplify DNA without knowing any sequence information.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct description of the difference between dNTPs and dNMPs in DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

dNTPs have three phosphate groups, while dNMPs have one.

DNA Replication, PCR, and Sequencing: Foundations for Genetics

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