Molecular Genetics Pre-Assessment (Grade 8)

2.

The presence of DNA is important for cellular metabolic activities because DNA (Standard 2.1g)

Directs the production of enzymes
Is a structural component of cell walls
Directly increases the solubility of nutrients
Is the major component of cytoplasm
Is a direct source of energy

Correct Answer

A. Directs the production of enzymes

Explanation

DNA directs the production of enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in the cell, and they play a crucial role in cellular metabolic activities. DNA contains the genetic information that codes for the production of specific enzymes. Through the process of transcription and translation, the DNA sequence is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins, including enzymes. Therefore, the presence of DNA is important for cellular metabolic activities because it directs the production of enzymes.

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3.

Protein has a great potential for variation of structure because (Standard 2.1i)

Monosaccharides have many different structures
Many amino acids may combine in a number of ways
Different amino acids occur in pairs
Fatty acids may vary
Nucleotides may vary

Correct Answer

A. Many amino acids may combine in a number of ways

Explanation

Proteins have a great potential for variation of structure because many amino acids may combine in a number of ways. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and there are 20 different types of amino acids that can be arranged in various sequences. This allows for a wide range of possible combinations and arrangements, resulting in the diverse structures and functions of proteins.

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4.

Mutations can be transmitted to the next generation only if they are present in (Standard 2.1h):

Brain cells
Body cells
Sex cells
Muscle cells
T cells

Correct Answer

A. Sex cells

Explanation

Mutations can be transmitted to the next generation only if they are present in sex cells. Sex cells, also known as gametes, are responsible for carrying genetic information from one generation to the next through the process of sexual reproduction. When a mutation occurs in the DNA of a sex cell, it can be passed on to offspring during fertilization. On the other hand, mutations in other types of cells, such as brain cells, body cells, muscle cells, or T cells, are not directly passed on to offspring as they are not involved in the formation of new individuals.

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5.

The structure and location of a cellular component is represented in the diagram shown. The polymer in the diagram most likely contains (Standard 2.1j)

Adenosine triphosphate
Genes
Lipids
Hydrolytic enzymes
Organelles

Correct Answer

A. Genes

Explanation

The diagram in question represents the structure and location of a cellular component. The polymer in the diagram is most likely genes. This is because genes are the segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building proteins and determining the traits of an organism. They are found within the nucleus of a cell, which is a cellular component. The other options, such as adenosine triphosphate, lipids, hydrolytic enzymes, and organelles, do not typically have a specific structure or location represented in a diagram. Therefore, genes are the most likely polymer in this context.

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6.

Which statement is true (Standard 2.1k)?

Every cell in the body are genetically different from each other
Stem cells contain genes that are different from differentiated cells
Monozygotic twins have different genotypes
Muscle cells and nerve cells contain different genes
Muscle cells and nerve cells contain the same genes

Correct Answer

A. Muscle cells and nerve cells contain the same genes

Explanation

Muscle cells and nerve cells contain the same genes. This means that both types of cells have the same set of genetic information, but the expression of these genes may differ, leading to the development of different cell types with distinct functions.

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7.

Sometimes a section of a chromosome is lost during meiosis. This loss results in a change in genetic material known as (Standard 2.2d):

Deletion
Replication
Crossing over
Polyploidy
Point mutation

Correct Answer

A. Deletion

Explanation

During meiosis, a section of a chromosome can be lost, leading to a change in genetic material known as deletion. This means that a portion of the chromosome is missing, resulting in the loss of specific genes or genetic information. Deletion can have significant effects on an organism's phenotype, as it alters the genetic code and can disrupt the normal functioning of genes.

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8.

Last Thursday, Ms. Neptune was in her room working. There was some pizza on her desk. At 3:20 P.M., Ms. Neptune needed to leave the room. At 3:30 P.M. when she returned, she found several pieces of pizza were half eaten with saliva (dribble) all over the pieces. She had noticed several people running from her room. Unfortunately, due to a power outage after school, the video cameras that would have detected this situation were not functional. Three students were noticed running from the scene, and their names were given to Ms. Neptune. Ms. Neptune demanded saliva samples from these students. The three students were Amanda, Emily, and Danielle. She took those saliva samples along with a standard sample taken from the dribble on the pizza to a local college for DNA testing. The results of this testing are indicated in the diagram below. Based on the results of this laboratory test, it is mostly likely that the guilty pizza thief/slobberer was (Standard 2.2e):

Inconclusive Evidence
Emily
Amanda
Danielle
Amanda and Danielle

Correct Answer

A. Amanda

Explanation

Based on the results of the DNA testing, it is most likely that Amanda is the guilty pizza thief/slobberer. The diagram shows that the DNA from the saliva on the pizza matches Amanda's DNA sample. This indicates that Amanda's saliva was on the half-eaten pieces of pizza, making her the most likely culprit.

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9.

A woman has a gene that causes a visual disorder. To prevent the gene from appearing in future generations, the defective gene would have to be repaired in the mother's (Standard 5.2h):

Eye
Uterus
Nervous system
Reproductive cells
Epidermal cells

Correct Answer

A. Reproductive cells

Explanation

To prevent the gene from appearing in future generations, the defective gene would have to be repaired in the mother's reproductive cells. This is because reproductive cells, such as eggs, sperm, or their precursors, carry genetic information that is passed on to offspring. If the defective gene is repaired in these cells, it will not be passed on to future generations, ensuring that the visual disorder does not appear in the offspring. Repairing the gene in other parts of the body, such as the eye, uterus, nervous system, or epidermal cells, would not prevent its transmission to future generations.

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10.

A mutagen implicated in cancer is:

Ultraviolet light
A restriction enzyme
Bacteria
Caffeine
A vector

Correct Answer

A. Ultraviolet light

Explanation

Ultraviolet light is a mutagen implicated in cancer because it has the ability to cause changes in the DNA sequence. When UV light interacts with DNA, it can cause the formation of thymine dimers, which are abnormal bonds between adjacent thymine bases. These DNA lesions can disrupt normal DNA replication and repair processes, leading to mutations and potentially cancer development. Exposure to UV light, such as from sunlight or tanning beds, is a well-known risk factor for skin cancer.

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11.

Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how much you already know about molecular genetics.

Correct Answer
1
2
3
4

12.

Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested are you in molecular genetics.

Correct Answer
1
2
3
4

Explanation
The given answer suggests that the person is equally interested in molecular genetics across all levels, ranging from the lowest (1) to the highest (4). This indicates a high level of interest in the subject, as they are open to all levels of engagement and learning in molecular genetics.

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Molecular Genetics Pre-assessment (Grade 8)

In the diagram below, which letter indicates a section of the molecule that includes all the components of a nucleotide (Standard 2.1 f)?

Quiz Preview

The presence of DNA is important for cellular metabolic activities because DNA (Standard 2.1g)

Protein has a great potential for variation of structure because (Standard 2.1i)

Mutations can be transmitted to the next generation only if they are present in (Standard 2.1h):

The structure and location of a cellular component is represented in the diagram shown. The polymer in the diagram most likely contains (Standard 2.1j)

Which statement is true (Standard 2.1k)?

Sometimes a section of a chromosome is lost during meiosis. This loss results in a change in genetic material known as (Standard 2.2d):

A woman has a gene that causes a visual disorder. To prevent the gene from appearing in future generations, the defective gene would have to be repaired in the mother's (Standard 5.2h):

A mutagen implicated in cancer is:

Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how much you already know about molecular genetics.

Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested are you in molecular genetics.