Genetics : Genetics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Genetics

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Central Dogma Of Biology

Which of the following is NOT true?

Possible Answers:

RNA is transcribed into proteins.

DNA and RNA are made of nucleotides.

DNA is transcribed to RNA.

Proteins are made of amino acids. 

All answer choices are true.

Correct answer:

RNA is transcribed into proteins.

Explanation:

In the central dogma of biology, DNA is transcribed to RNA, which is then translated to proteins. DNA and RNA are made up of nucleotides, and proteins are made up of amino acids. The only answer choice that does not fit this sequence is "RNA is transcribed into proteins." A correct statement would be that RNA is translated into proteins.

Example Question #15 : Central Dogma Of Biology

In the __________, DNA is __________ to RNA.

Possible Answers:

nucleus . . . transcribed

cytoplasm . . . translated

cytoplasm . . . transcribed

nucleus . . . translated

mitochondria . . . transcribed

Correct answer:

nucleus . . . transcribed

Explanation:

Translation occurs on ribosomes in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. No part of transcription or translation occurs in the mitochondria. Transcription occurs in the nucleus of the cell and therefore "nucleus . . . transcribed" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #16 : Central Dogma Of Biology

In the __________, RNA is __________ to protein.

Possible Answers:

mitochondria . . . translated

nucleus . . . translated

cytoplasm . . . transcribed

cytoplasm . . . translated

nucleus . . . transcribed

Correct answer:

cytoplasm . . . translated

Explanation:

Transcription occurs in the nucleus of the cell and is the process of using DNA to build RNA. Translation occurs on ribosomes in the cytoplasm and is the process of using RNA to build protein. No part of transcription or translation occurs in the mitochondria. Therefore "cytoplasm . . . translation" is the correct answer.

Example Question #17 : Central Dogma Of Biology

A transcription factor is a(n) __________ that binds to a specific sequence of __________, thereby controlling the rate of transcription.

Possible Answers:

RNA sequence . . . DNA

protein . . . RNA

coactivator . . . DNA

corepressor . . . DNA

protein . . . DNA

Correct answer:

protein . . . DNA

Explanation:

A transcription factor is a protein that binds to a specific sequence of DNA, thereby controlling the rate of transcription. Transcription factors work by binding to DNA prior to transcription and act to either increase or decrease the rate of subsequent transcription processes. Transcription factors bind to enhancer or promoter regions and may attract corepressor or coactivator proteins to the binding site, but corepressors and coactivators are not themselves transcription factors.

Example Question #18 : Central Dogma Of Biology

What is the main enzyme that transcribes DNA into RNA?

Possible Answers:

Primase

Helicase

RNA Polymerase

DNA Polymerase I

DNA Polymerase III

Correct answer:

RNA Polymerase

Explanation:

Both DNA polymerase I and DNA polymerase III play a role in the replication of DNA, but not in its transcription. Helicase acts to unwind the DNA strand. Primase synthesizes the RNA fragments necessary for DNA replication. RNA polymerase binds to DNA at the promoter region and builds mRNA along the template, therefore "RNA polymerase" is the correct answer.

Example Question #19 : Central Dogma Of Biology

What is the first amino acid in every protein made in a eukaryotic cell?

Possible Answers:

Glutamic Acid

Alanine

Cysteine

Glycine

Methionine

Correct answer:

Methionine

Explanation:

While all of the answer choices are amino acids, only one corresponds to the "start" codon. All start codons correspond to the amino acid methionine, the most common being "AUG." Due to corresponding with the start codon, methionine will be the first amino acid laid down in every protein made in a eukaryotic cell.

Example Question #21 : Central Dogma Of Biology

Which of the following occurs during the initiation phase of transcription?

Possible Answers:

The DNA double helix reforms.

RNA polymerase binds to DNA at the promoter sequence. 

RNA polymerase continues to enlogate until it reaches the terminator sequence. 

mRNA, initiator tRNA, and ribosome subunits associate to form a complex. 

RNA polymerase joins the ribonucleoside triphosphates to form an mRNA strand.

Correct answer:

RNA polymerase binds to DNA at the promoter sequence. 

Explanation:

While many of the answer choices deal with the process of transcription, only one corresponds to the initiation stage. The joining of ribonucleotides, the reformation of the double helix, and elongation until the termination sequence occur during the elongation and termination stages of transcription. During the initiation stage of transcription, the RNA polymerase enzyme binds to DNA at the promoter sequence and then begins to unwind the DNA. The only answer choice that fits this definition is "RNA polymerase binds to DNA at the promoter sequence."

Example Question #22 : Central Dogma Of Biology

Where is the Shine-Dalgarno sequence found?

Possible Answers:

On mRNA, upstream of the start codon

On the initiator tRNA

On mRNA, downstream of the start codon

On the large ribosomal subunit

On the small ribosomal subunit

Correct answer:

On mRNA, upstream of the start codon

Explanation:

The Shine-Dalgarno sequence is a ribosomal binding site in prokaryotic mRNA located upstream of the start codon. The role of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence is to help recruit the ribosome to the mRNA to initiate protein synthesis. The only answer that matches the proper location of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence is "On mRNA upstream of the start codon."

Example Question #23 : Central Dogma Of Biology

Which of the following does NOT play a role in the initiation of translation?

Possible Answers:

All of the above are involved

Ribosomal subunits

RNA polymerase

Initiator RNA

mRNA

Correct answer:

RNA polymerase

Explanation:

During translation initiation, mRNA, initiator tRNA, and both small and large ribosomal subunits associate with each other to form a translation complex. RNA polymerase acts to produce RNA using DNA as a template and does not play any role in the process of translation initiation. Therefore, the correct answer is "RNA polymerase."

Example Question #24 : Central Dogma Of Biology

Which of the following is not part of the central dogma of biology?

Possible Answers:

RNA --> Protein

RNA --> DNA

All of the other answers are correct.

DNA --> RNA

Protein --> RNA

Correct answer:

Protein --> RNA

Explanation:

The central dogma of biology can be summarized as "DNA --> RNA --> Protein"; however, one can also go from RNA to DNA using reverse transcriptase. This is also part of the central dogma.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors