Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Test 1

Correct answer Carries: 4.

Wrong Answer Carries: -1.

Which of the following is the genetic material in most organisms?

RNA
Protein
DNA
Lipids
3

DNA is the genetic material in most organisms, except some viruses where RNA serves as the genetic material.

Who discovered DNA as an acidic substance present in the nucleus?

Watson and Crick
Friedrich Miescher
Rosalind Franklin
Erwin Chargaff
2

Friedrich Miescher discovered DNA as an acidic substance in the nucleus in 1869 and named it ‘Nuclein’.

What is the function of histone proteins in eukaryotic DNA?

Catalyze DNA replication
Protect DNA from mutations
Help in the packaging of DNA
Act as genetic material
3

Histone proteins help in the packaging of DNA into nucleosomes, making up chromatin.

Which of the following statements about DNA structure is correct?

It is single-stranded in all organisms
The two strands run parallel
It is composed of nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds
RNA has thymine instead of uracil
3

DNA is composed of nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds, forming a double-stranded helical structure.

What is the role of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

Synthesizes RNA primers
Joins Okazaki fragments
Adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand
Unwinds the DNA helix
3

DNA polymerase catalyzes the addition of nucleotides to the growing DNA strand during replication.

Which scientist(s) provided experimental proof for semiconservative DNA replication?

Watson and Crick
Hershey and Chase
Meselson and Stahl
Beadle and Tatum
3

Meselson and Stahl conducted an experiment using nitrogen isotopes to prove semiconservative DNA replication.

Which of the following statements about DNA replication is correct?

DNA replication occurs in the 3' to 5' direction.
DNA replication is a conservative process.
DNA polymerase can initiate DNA synthesis without a primer.
DNA replication is semi-conservative.
4

DNA replication is semi-conservative, meaning each new DNA molecule consists of one parental and one newly synthesized strand.

Which of the following statements about transcription is incorrect?

RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA in the 5' to 3' direction.
In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus.
Both DNA strands act as templates for RNA synthesis simultaneously.
Promoters regulate the initiation of transcription.
3

Only one DNA strand (the template strand) is transcribed into RNA at a time, not both simultaneously.

Which of the following statements about ribosomes is correct?

Ribosomes are present only in eukaryotic cells.
Ribosomes consist of rRNA and proteins.
Ribosomes synthesize DNA during replication.
Ribosomes are membrane-bound organelles.
2

Ribosomes are made of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, and they facilitate protein synthesis.

Which of the following statements about genetic code is incorrect?

The genetic code is universal.
Each codon codes for only one amino acid.
The genetic code is overlapping.
The genetic code is degenerate.
3

The genetic code is non-overlapping, meaning each nucleotide is part of only one codon at a time.

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