DNA Replication Quiz Questions And Answers

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"Lindsey, Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializes in Zika's impact on conception and preterm birth biomarkers. She completed courese on Advanced Cell Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Advanced Virology at University College Cork. Lindsey's accolades include three first-author papers, three fellowships, and active participation in five conference presentations. Currently associated with the University of Pennsylvania through a T32 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, she continues to contribute significantly to her field, combining academic rigor with practical research to advance understanding in reproductive health and prenatal care. Currently, she is a full time lecturer at Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine.
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, BS, Cellular & Molecular Biology
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DNA Replication Quiz Questions And Answers - Quiz

Welcome to our DNA Replication Quiz, where you'll embark on an enlightening journey into the intricate world of molecular biology. DNA replication is a fundamental process in genetics, essential for cell division and the transmission of genetic information. In this quiz, you'll explore the mechanisms, enzymes, and stages involved in DNA replication.
Challenge yourself with questions about the structure of DNA, the roles of DNA polymerase and helicase, and the significance of replication forks. Delve into the complexities of leading and lagging strand synthesis, Okazaki fragments, and the proofreading mechanisms that ensure genetic fidelity.
Test your understanding of Read morereplication origins, telomeres, and the regulatory factors that govern the timing and accuracy of DNA replication. Whether you're a student of biology, a researcher in the field, or simply curious about the molecular basis of life, this quiz offers a stimulating opportunity to deepen your knowledge and appreciation of DNA replication.


DNA Replication Questions and Answers

  • 1. 

    What are the four nitrogen bases of DNA?

    • A.

      Uracil, Thymine, Adenine, and Guanine

    • B.

      Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine, and Guanine

    • C.

      Thymine, Adenine, Lytosine, and Guanine

    • D.

      Thymine, Adenise, Guanine, and Cytosol

    Correct Answer
    B. Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine, and Guanine
    Explanation
    The four nitrogen bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). These bases pair up in specific combinations: A with T and C with G. This pairing is crucial in forming the DNA double helix structure. Adenine always pairs with thymine via two hydrogen bonds, while cytosine pairs with guanine through three hydrogen bonds. This complementary base pairing ensures the accurate replication of DNA during cell division, playing a fundamental role in genetic information transfer and inheritance.

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  • 2. 

    DNA replication is ____________________________, with each __________________ acting as a template for the synthesis of a complementary _______________.

    • A.

      Semi-conservative, parental strand, new strand

    • B.

      Parental strand, semi-conservative, new strand

    • C.

      Semi-conservative, new strand, parental strand

    • D.

      None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Semi-conservative, parental strand, new strand
    Explanation
    During DNA replication, the process is semi-conservative, meaning that each new DNA molecule consists of one strand from the original parental DNA and one newly synthesized strand. The parental strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a complementary new strand, resulting in the formation of two identical DNA molecules. This ensures the accurate transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.

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  • 3. 

    What enzyme, pictured above, breaks apart the hydrogen bonds between two strands of DNA?

    • A.

      Histone

    • B.

      Helicase

    • C.

      Exonuclease

    • D.

      Endonuclease 

    Correct Answer
    B. Helicase
    Explanation
    Helicase is an enzyme that is responsible for unwinding and separating the two strands of DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between them. It plays a crucial role in DNA replication and transcription, as it creates a replication fork and allows other enzymes to access the DNA strands for copying or transcription. Helicase is essential for the smooth progress of these processes, as it ensures that DNA can be accessed and manipulated by other enzymes.

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  • 4. 

    What is pictured above in the DNA replication process?

    • A.

      Replication bubble

    • B.

      Leading strand

    • C.

      Lagging strand

    • D.

      Ligase

    • E.

      Replication fork

    Correct Answer
    E. Replication fork
    Explanation
    The picture above shows the replication fork in the DNA replication process. The replication fork is the point where the DNA double helix is unwound and the new strands are being synthesized. It is formed by the separation of the two parent DNA strands, and it moves along the DNA molecule as replication proceeds. The replication fork is crucial for the accurate and efficient replication of DNA.

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  • 5. 

    Which strand grows continuously towards the replication fork?

    • A.

      Lagging strand

    • B.

      DNA strand

    • C.

      RNA strand

    • D.

      Replicating strand

    • E.

      Leading strand

    Correct Answer
    E. Leading strand
    Explanation
    The leading strand is the correct answer because it is the strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction towards the replication fork. This means that as the replication fork opens up and new nucleotides are added to the growing DNA strand, the leading strand is able to continuously grow in one direction without interruption. In contrast, the lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in small fragments called Okazaki fragments, which are then stitched together.

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  • 6. 

    DNA polymerase III builds new strands from scratch during DNA replication. True or False?

    • A.

      True

    • B.

      False

    Correct Answer
    B. False
    Explanation
    False. DNA polymerase III does not build new strands from scratch during DNA replication. Instead, it adds nucleotides to an existing template strand, synthesizing a complementary strand in the 5' to 3' direction. This process is known as semi-conservative replication.

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  • 7. 

    What enzyme replaces the RNA primer on the leading strand with DNA?

    • A.

      Polymerase III

    • B.

      Ligase

    • C.

      Polymerase I

    • D.

      Helicase

    Correct Answer
    C. Polymerase I
    Explanation
    Polymerase I is the enzyme that replaces the RNA primer on the leading strand with DNA. It is responsible for removing the RNA primer and filling in the gap with DNA nucleotides during DNA replication. Polymerase I has both exonuclease and polymerase activity, allowing it to remove the RNA primer and synthesize DNA in its place. This process ensures the continuity of the leading strand during DNA replication.

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  • 8. 

    The lagging strand is the new strand that grows discontinuously away from the replication fork.

    • A.

      True

    • B.

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The lagging strand is the strand of DNA that is synthesized in short fragments called Okazaki fragments. This occurs because DNA replication can only proceed in the 5' to 3' direction, but the two strands of DNA run in opposite directions. As a result, the lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction of the replication fork, causing it to grow discontinuously. This is in contrast to the leading strand, which is synthesized continuously in the same direction as the replication fork. Therefore, the statement that the lagging strand grows discontinuously away from the replication fork is true.

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  • 9. 

    What is the name of the fragments of the lagging strand pictured above?

    • A.

      Binding proteins

    • B.

      Fragmenting lagging strand

    • C.

      Okazaki segments

    • D.

      Coding strands

    Correct Answer
    C. Okazaki segments
    Explanation
    Okazaki segments are short fragments of DNA that are synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication. They are formed because DNA synthesis can only occur in the 5' to 3' direction, and the lagging strand is synthesized in the opposite direction. As a result, the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments, which are later joined together by an enzyme called DNA ligase. Okazaki segments are named after the Japanese scientist Reiji Okazaki, who first discovered and described them.

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  • 10. 

    What enzyme will fix this problem in the lagging strand? (Pay attention to the red section in the picture).

    • A.

      Ligase

    • B.

      Binding proteins

    • C.

      Helicase

    • D.

      Polymerase I

    Correct Answer
    A. Ligase
    Explanation
    Ligase is the enzyme that will fix the problem in the lagging strand. It is responsible for joining the Okazaki fragments, which are short segments of DNA that are synthesized discontinuously on the lagging strand during DNA replication. Ligase catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides, sealing the gaps between the Okazaki fragments and creating a continuous strand of DNA. This ensures the completion of DNA replication on the lagging strand.

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  • 11. 

    The new DNA strand formed after DNA replication is an exact copy of its parent strand. True or False?

    • A.

      True

    • B.

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    True. During DNA replication, the new DNA strand formed is indeed an exact copy of its parent strand. The process ensures the accurate transmission of genetic information, with each base on the parent strand pairing with its complementary base on the newly synthesized strand, maintaining the genetic code's integrity.

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  • 12. 

    To make sure you can remember what you watched, what was the key element that kept the strands from binding back together once separated?

    • A.

      Binding proteins

    • B.

      Ligase

    • C.

      Helicase

    • D.

      DNA wall

    Correct Answer
    A. Binding proteins
    Explanation
    In the process of DNA replication, once the two strands of the DNA double helix are separated, binding proteins (also known as single-strand binding proteins or SSBs) play the crucial role of stabilizing these single strands. These proteins bind to the single-stranded DNA and prevent them from re-annealing (binding back together), thereby ensuring that each strand can serve as a template for replication without interference. Helicase is the enzyme responsible for unwinding the DNA, but it is the binding proteins that maintain the strands in their separated state.

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Lindsey Block |BS, Cellular & Molecular Biology |
Biology Expert
"Lindsey, Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializes in Zika's impact on conception and preterm birth biomarkers. She completed courese on Advanced Cell Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Advanced Virology at University College Cork. Lindsey's accolades include three first-author papers, three fellowships, and active participation in five conference presentations. Currently associated with the University of Pennsylvania through a T32 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, she continues to contribute significantly to her field, combining academic rigor with practical research to advance understanding in reproductive health and prenatal care. Currently, she is a full time lecturer at Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine.
"

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  • Current Version
  • Apr 23, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team

    Expert Reviewed by
    Lindsey Block
  • Apr 28, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Karaleee
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