Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections, 8e (Reece et al.)
Chapter 10 Molecular Biology of the Gene
10.1 Multiple-Choice Questions
1) Which of the following people conducted the experiments that demonstrated that DNA is the
genetic material of bacteriophages?
A) Watson and Crick
B) Hershey and Chase
C) Franklin
D) Pauling
2) One type of virus that infects bacteria is called a
A) phage.
B) retrovirus.
C) rhinovirus.
D) coronavirus.
3) When a T2 bacteriophage infects an Escherichia coli cell, which part of the phage enters the
bacterial cytoplasm?
A) the whole phage
B) only the RNA
C) only the DNA
D) the protein “headpiece” and its enclosed nucleic acid
4) The way that genetic material of a bacteriophage enters a bacterium is most like the way that
A) a drug is injected with a hypodermic needle.
B) a person swallows a pill.
C) skin lotion is rubbed onto the hands.
D) water soaks into a sponge.
5) The monomers of DNA and RNA are
A) monosaccharides.
B) nucleotides.
C) fatty acids.
D) nucleic acids.
6) Which of the following statements regarding DNA is false?
A) DNA uses the sugar deoxyribose.
B) DNA uses the nitrogenous base uracil.
C) One DNA molecule can include four different nucleotides in its structure.
D) DNA molecules have a sugar-phosphate backbone.
7) Which of the following statements regarding RNA is false?
A) RNA uses the sugar dextrose.
B) RNA uses the nitrogenous base uracil.
C) One RNA molecule can include four different nucleotides in its structure.
D) RNA molecules have a sugar-phosphate backbone.
8) How would the shape of a DNA molecule change if adenine paired with guanine and cytosine
paired with thymine?
A) The DNA molecule would be longer.
B) The DNA molecule would be shorter.
C) The DNA molecule would be circular.
D) The DNA molecule would have irregular widths along its length.
9) Which of the following statements regarding the structure of DNA is false?
A) The DNA molecule has a uniform diameter.
B) In a DNA molecule, adenine bonds to thymine and guanine to cytosine.
C) Watson and Crick received a Nobel Prize for their description of the structure of DNA.
D) The sequence of nucleotides along the length of a single DNA strand is restricted by the base-
pairing rules.
10) The shape of a DNA molecule is most like
A) a set of railroad tracks.
B) a wooden ladder.
C) a twisted rope ladder.
D) beads on a string.
11) Which of the following statements regarding a DNA double helix is true?
A) The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of uracil, and the amount of guanine is equal to
the amount of cytosine.
B) The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of guanine, and the amount of thymine is equal
to the amount of cytosine.
C) The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of cytosine, and the amount of guanine is equal
to the amount of thymine.
D) The amount of adenine is equal to the amount of thymine, and the amount of guanine is equal
to the amount of cytosine.
12) DNA replication
A) occurs through the addition of nucleotides to the end of the parental DNA molecule.
B) results in the formation of four new DNA strands.
C) uses each strand of a DNA molecule as a template for the creation of a new strand.
D) begins when two DNA molecules join together to exchange segments.
13) If one strand of DNA is CGGTAC, then the corresponding strand would be
A) GCCTAG.
B) GCCAUC.
C) TAACGT.
D) GCCATG.
14) The copying mechanism of DNA is most like
A) taking a picture of yourself and of your reflection in a mirror.
B) mixing flour, sugar, and water to make bread dough.
C) dripping water out of a faucet.
D) carving a figure out of wood.
15) When one DNA molecule is copied to make two DNA molecules, the new DNA contains
A) none of the parent DNA.
B) 50% of the parent DNA.
C) 75% of the parent DNA.
D) 100% of the parent DNA
16) Multiple origins of replication on the DNA molecules of eukaryotic cells serve to
A) remove errors in DNA replication.
B) create multiple copies of the DNA molecule at the same time.
C) shorten the time necessary for DNA replication.
D) assure the correct orientation of the two strands in the newly growing double helix.
17) Which of the following enzymes catalyzes the elongation of a new DNA strand?
A) helicase
B) ligase
C) single-stranded binding protein
D) DNA polymerase
18) Why does a DNA strand grow only in the 5′ to 3′ direction?
A) because DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides to the 3′ end of the growing molecule
B) because DNA polymerases can only add nucleotides to the 5′ end of the growing molecule
C) because the DNA molecule only unwinds in the 5′ to 3′ direction
D) because DNA polymerase requires the addition of a starter nucleotide at the 5′ end
19) Which of the following options best depicts the flow of information when a gene directs the
synthesis of a cellular component?
A) RNA → DNA → RNA → protein
B) DNA → RNA → protein
C) protein → RNA → DNA
D) DNA → tRNA → mRNA → protein
20) The transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA is called
A) translation.
B) transcription.
C) initiation.
D) elongation.
21) The “one gene-one polypeptide” theory states that
A) the synthesis of each gene is catalyzed by one specific enzyme.
B) the synthesis of each enzyme is catalyzed by one specific gene.
C) the function of an individual gene is to dictate the production of a specific polypeptide.
D) the function of each polypeptide is to regulate the synthesis of each corresponding gene.
22) Experiments have demonstrated that the “words” of the genetic code (the units that specify
amino acids) are
A) single nucleotides.
B) two-nucleotide sequences.
C) three-nucleotide sequences.
D) nucleotide sequences of various lengths.
23) The directions for each amino acid in a polypeptide are indicated by a codon that consists of
________ nucleotides in an RNA molecule.
A) five
B) four
C) three
D) two
24) We would expect that a 15-nucleotide sequence that includes a stop codon at the end (as part
of the 15-nucleotide sequence) will direct the production of a polypeptide that consists of
A) two amino acids.
B) three amino acids.
C) four amino acids.
D) five amino acids.
25) In the genetic code,
A) some codons specify more than one amino acid.
B) some codons consist of two nucleotides.
C) some amino acids are not specified by any codons.
D) many amino acids are specified by more than one codon.
26) Which of the following enzymes catalyzes the production of a strand of RNA from DNA?
A) RNA polymerase
B) RNA ligase
C) a ribozyme
D) tRNA
27) Which of the following occurs when RNA polymerase attaches to the promoter DNA?
A) elongation of the growing RNA molecule
B) termination of the RNA molecule
C) initiation of a new RNA molecule
D) initiation of a new polypeptide chain
28) ________ marks the end of a gene and causes transcription to stop.
A) A stop codon
B) RNA ligase
C) A terminator
D) Methionine
29) Where do transcription and translation occur in prokaryotic cells?
A) on the plasma membrane
B) in the nucleus
C) in the cytoplasm
D) in chromatophores
30) Which of the following statements about eukaryotic RNA is true?
A) Introns are added to the RNA.
B) Exons are spliced together.
C) A small cap of extra nucleotides is added to both ends of the RNA.
D) The modified RNA molecule is transported into the nucleus.
31) Which of the following takes place during translation?
A) the conversion of genetic information from the language of nucleic acids to the language of
proteins
B) the conversion of genetic information from DNA nucleotides into RNA nucleotides
C) the conversion of genetic information from the language of proteins to the language of
enzymes
D) DNA replication
32) Which of the following is a function of a tRNA molecule?
A) recognizing the appropriate anticodons in mRNA
B) transferring nucleotides to rRNA
C) helping to translate codons into nucleic acids
D) joining to only one specific type of amino acid
33) Considering only the steps that take place during translation, which of the following is not
needed in order for translation to occur?
A) DNA template
B) ribosomes
C) tRNA
D) sources of energy, including ATP
34) Which of the following statements about ribosomes is false?
A) A ribosome consists of two subunits.
B) Ribosomal subunits are made of proteins and ribosomal RNA.
C) The ribosomes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes are the exactly the same in structure and
function.
D) Each ribosome has two binding sites for tRNA molecules.
35) Which of the following statements is false?
A) Translation consists of initiation, elongation, and termination.
B) During polypeptide initiation, an mRNA molecule, the first amino acid attached to its tRNA,
and the two subunits of a ribosome are brought together.
C) The start codon can be different depending on what kind of protein is to be translated.
D) During the first step of initiation, an mRNA molecule binds to a small ribosomal subunit.
36) Which of the following options most accurately lists the sequence of events in translation?
A) codon recognition → translocation → peptide bond formation → termination
B) peptide bond formation → codon recognition → translocation → termination
C) codon recognition → peptide bond formation → translocation → termination
D) codon recognition → peptide bond formation → termination → translocation
37) Which of the following statements regarding the flow of genetic information is false?
A) Polypeptides form proteins that determine the appearance and function of the cell and
organism.
B) Eukaryotic mRNA is processed in several ways before export out of the nucleus.
C) Transcription occurs in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
D) Ribosomes function as factories that coordinate the functioning of mRNA and tRNA.
38) Any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA is called
A) a mutation.
B) a mutagen.
C) a base substitution.
D) an anticodon.
39) Consider the following sentence: “The dog did not eat.” Which of the following variations of
this sentence is most like a base substitution mutation?
A) The dog did not et.
B) The dog dog did not eat.
C) The did dog not eat.
D) The doe did not eat.
40) Consider the following sentence: “The dog did not eat.” Which of the following variations of
this sentence is most like a frameshift mutation?
A) The did dog not eat.
B) The dod idn ote at.
C) The did not eat.
D) The dog did dog did not eat.
41) A physical or chemical agent that changes the nucleotide sequence of DNA is called a(n)
A) terminator.
B) transposon.
C) mutagen.
D) anticodon.
42) A protein coat enclosing a viral genome is known as a(n)
A) capsule.
B) envelope.
C) capsid.
D) prophage.
43) Which of the following statements characterizes the lytic cycle of a viral infection?
A) The cycle typically ends when the host bacterium divides.
B) The cycle typically leads to the lysis of the host cell.
C) The virus reproduces outside of the host cell.
D) The viral genes typically remain inactive once they are inside the host cell.
44) Which of the following statements is false?
A) Some prophage genes can cause the transformation of a nonpathogenic bacterium into a form
that causes human disease.
B) Sometimes an environmental signal can trigger a switchover from the lysogenic to the lytic
cycle.
C) The lysogenic cycle always occurs inside of host cells.
D) The lysogenic cycle typically results in the rapid lysis of all infected cells.
45) Viral DNA incorporated into host cell DNA is known as a(n)
A) capsid.
B) prophage.
C) envelope.
D) phage.
46) The envelope of a mumps virus
A) helps the virus enter the cell.
B) is coded by host genes.
C) helps the virus insert its DNA into the host cell genome.
D) accounts for viral resistance to antibiotics.
47) Which of the following statements about herpesviruses is false?
A) Herpesviruses reproduce inside the host cell’s mitochondria.
B) Herpesviruses acquire their envelopes from the host cell nuclear membrane.
C) Herpesviruses may remain dormant for long periods of time while inside the host cell nucleus.
D) Herpesviruses may cause cold sores or genital sores to appear during times of physical or
emotional stress.
48) Which of the following statements about plant viruses is false?
A) Once in a plant, a virus can spread from cell to cell through plasmodesmata.
B) The genetic material in most plant viruses is RNA.
C) Preventing infections and breeding resistant plants can control viral infection in plants.
D) There are many successful ways to rid infected plants of a virus.
49) Which of the following statements regarding viral diseases is false?
A) RNA viruses tend to have an unusually high rate of mutation because their RNA genomes
cannot be corrected by proofreading.
B) New viral diseases often emerge when a virus infects a new host species.
C) Very few new human diseases have originated in other animals because the genetic
differences are too great.
D) AIDS was around for decades before becoming a widespread epidemic.
50) The 2009 H1N1 flu virus
A) was an avian flu virus.
B) was spread by mosquitoes.
C) evolved through the genetic reshuffling of viruses that infect humans, birds, and pigs.
D) killed over 50 million people worldwide.
51) What kind of virus is HIV?
A) a paramyxovirus
B) a retrovirus
C) a complex virus
D) a provirus
52) Which of the following enzymes does HIV use to synthesize DNA on an RNA template?
A) ligase
B) RNA polymerase
C) reverse transcriptase
D) DNA convertase