Fundamentals of DNA and Genetic Vocabulary Quiz

  • 8th Grade,
  • 9th Grade,
  • 10th Grade
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY
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| Attempts: 15 | Questions: 29 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025
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1. What is a nucleotide?

Explanation

A nucleotide is the basic building block of DNA, composed of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base.

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2. What is the role of DNA ligase in DNA replication?

Explanation

DNA ligase is responsible for sealing any breaks in the sugar phosphate backbone to ensure that the DNA strands are continuous and intact.

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3. What are the similarities between DNA and RNA?

Explanation

The correct answer highlights the specific similarities between DNA and RNA in terms of their location and composition of nitrogenous bases. The incorrect answers provide alternative statements that do not accurately reflect the similarities between DNA and RNA.

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4. What molecule are all RNA's (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA) transcribed from?

Explanation

RNA molecules are transcribed from DNA through the process of transcription in cells. DNA serves as the template for RNA synthesis, allowing for the production of different types of RNA molecules essential for various cellular functions.

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5. What is a codon?

Explanation

A codon is a specific sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid during protein synthesis. It is crucial in translating the genetic code into protein.

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6. What is an anticodon?

Explanation

An anticodon is a specific sequence on tRNA that complements the codon on mRNA, allowing for the correct amino acid to be transported during protein synthesis.

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7. What is meant by the term 'transgenic'?

Explanation

Transgenic organisms are specifically created by inserting foreign genes into them, not through natural evolution, lack of genetic modifications, or removal of genes.

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8. What are ribosomes?

Explanation

Ribosomes are cellular organelles that play a key role in protein synthesis. They are composed of two subunits and contain various sites for translation processes. They do not store genetic information or regulate cell growth and division.

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9. What is the application of recombinant DNA technology in modeling human diseases?

Explanation

Recombinant DNA technology is commonly used in research settings to create animal models of human diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), to study the molecular mechanisms and potential treatments.

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10. What is the function of genomics?

Explanation

Genomics specifically focuses on studying the structure, function, and evolution of genomes, including the genes found within them. It is not directly related to studying animal behavior, analyzing food components, or the effects of climate change.

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11. What is In Vivo gene Therapy?

Explanation

In Vivo gene therapy involves directly injecting DNA into body cells using a retrovirus vector, rather than performing surgery or altering genes in a lab setting.

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12. What is the purpose of bioinformatics?

Explanation

Bioinformatics is a field that combines biology, computer science, and statistics to analyze and interpret biological data, such as DNA sequences. Its main purpose is to find meaningful patterns and insights from this data, particularly in DNA sequencing and proteomics, to further our understanding of genetics and related fields.

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13. What human cellular structure, other than the nucleus, contains DNA?

Explanation

Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell and are the only other organelle besides the nucleus that contains DNA. Ribosomes, Endoplasmic Reticulum, and Golgi Apparatus are essential cellular structures but do not contain DNA.

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14. What is the role of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?

Explanation

DNA polymerase plays a key role in DNA replication by adding new nucleotides to the DNA strand. It is not involved in transcription, splicing mRNA, or translating proteins.

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15. What is ribose?

Explanation

Ribose is a type of sugar molecule that forms the backbone of RNA, playing a crucial role in the structure and function of this essential nucleic acid.

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16. What is transcription?

Explanation

Transcription is the process of creating an RNA copy of a segment of DNA. It is an essential step in gene expression.

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17. What is the significance of AUG in molecular biology?

Explanation

In molecular biology, AUG serves as the start codon for translation, indicating the beginning of protein synthesis.

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18. What are exons in the process of mRNA splicing?

Explanation

Exons are the coding regions of DNA that contain the genetic information for protein synthesis. They are spliced back together after the non-coding introns are removed during mRNA processing.

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19. What is complementary base pairing in DNA?

Explanation

Complementary base pairing in DNA refers to the specific hydrogen bonding between adenine and thymine, as well as cytosine and guanine. This pairing is essential for maintaining the double-stranded structure of DNA.

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20. What term describes DNA replication in which one strand from the original DNA is conserved in each new DNA molecule?

Explanation

Semiconservative describes DNA replication because in each new DNA molecule, one strand is conserved from the original DNA. Conservative, dispersive, and progressive do not accurately describe this process.

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21. What is the codon for the anticodon GGU?

Explanation

The correct pairing for the anticodon GGU is the codon CCA. GGA, AGU, and UUC are not the correct codons for the anticodon GGU.

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22. The following nitrogen bases are found in DNA: TTC AAC AGC. What would be the base sequence in a complimentary strand produced during replication?

Explanation

During DNA replication, adenine pairs with thymine (A-T) and cytosine pairs with guanine (C-G) in the complimentary strand.

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23. What would be the base sequence in the transcribed mRNA for the given DNA sequence AAG UUG UCG?

Explanation

The process of transcription involves the creation of mRNA using DNA as a template. During transcription, thymine (T) in the DNA is replaced with uracil (U) in the mRNA. Therefore, the correct mRNA sequence for the given DNA sequence AAG UUG UCG (TTC AAC AGC) would be UUC AAC AGC.

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24. What is the sugar molecule that makes up the backbone of the DNA strand?

Explanation

In the DNA molecule, deoxyribose is the sugar molecule that forms the backbone due to its unique structure and compatibility with the nitrogenous bases.

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25. How many different amino acids are found in proteins?

Explanation

There are twenty different amino acids that are commonly found in proteins, each with its own unique side chain. These amino acids play a crucial role in building and maintaining the structure of proteins.

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26. In the RNA sequence CAAUGACCAG, what will be the first amino acid incorporated?

Explanation

The start codon AUG in the given RNA sequence codes for the amino acid methionine, which will be the first amino acid incorporated during protein synthesis.

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27. What is the correct amino acid sequence based on the following DNA code: AATCGGTTCCATCGG?

Explanation

The DNA code AATCGGTTCCATCGG translates to the amino acid sequence of leucine-alanine-lysine-valine-alanine based on the genetic code table.

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28. What enzyme is responsible for transcribing DNA into mRNA?

Explanation

RNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for transcribing DNA into mRNA during the process of transcription. It catalyzes the formation of mRNA by reading the DNA template strand.

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29. Where is the RNA strand processed before it can be translated?

Explanation

The RNA strand is processed in the nucleus before being translated into proteins.

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What is a nucleotide?
What is the role of DNA ligase in DNA replication?
What are the similarities between DNA and RNA?
What molecule are all RNA's (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA) transcribed from?
What is a codon?
What is an anticodon?
What is meant by the term 'transgenic'?
What are ribosomes?
What is the application of recombinant DNA technology in modeling...
What is the function of genomics?
What is In Vivo gene Therapy?
What is the purpose of bioinformatics?
What human cellular structure, other than the nucleus, contains DNA?
What is the role of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?
What is ribose?
What is transcription?
What is the significance of AUG in molecular biology?
What are exons in the process of mRNA splicing?
What is complementary base pairing in DNA?
What term describes DNA replication in which one strand from the...
What is the codon for the anticodon GGU?
The following nitrogen bases are found in DNA: TTC AAC AGC. What would...
What would be the base sequence in the transcribed mRNA for the given...
What is the sugar molecule that makes up the backbone of the DNA...
How many different amino acids are found in proteins?
In the RNA sequence CAAUGACCAG, what will be the first amino acid...
What is the correct amino acid sequence based on the following DNA...
What enzyme is responsible for transcribing DNA into mRNA?
Where is the RNA strand processed before it can be translated?
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