DNA

Question 1

What is the basic unit of DNA?

Answer 1

Nucleotide

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA, consisting of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Question 2

What type of molecule is DNA?

Answer 2

Polynucleotide

DNA is a polymer made up of long chains of nucleotides.

Question 3

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 3

Double helix

DNA consists of two strands that coil around each other, forming a helical structure.

Question 4

Who were the key scientists in discovering the structure of DNA?

Answer 4

Francis Crick, James Watson, and Maurice Wilkins

They were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962 for their work on the DNA structure.

Question 5

What was the significance of Rosalind Franklin’s work?

Answer 5

She produced X-ray diffraction images of DNA

Her famous Photograph 51 provided critical evidence for the helical structure of DNA.

Question 6

What type of replication does DNA undergo?

Answer 6

Semi-conservative replication

This means that each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Question 7

What is the function of DNA?

Answer 7

Heredity material responsible for passing genetic information

DNA carries the instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms.

Question 8

What type of DNA is found in prokaryotes?

Answer 8

Short, circular DNA not associated with proteins

Prokaryotic DNA is simpler and typically lacks histones.

Question 9

What is the structure of eukaryotic DNA?

Answer 9

Long, thin, linear DNA associated with histones

Eukaryotic DNA is organized into chromosomes within the nucleus.

Question 10

How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have?

Answer 10

23 pairs (46 total)

Humans have homologous chromosomes, consisting of pairs that contain the same genes.

Question 11

What are homologous chromosomes?

Answer 11

Matching chromosomes of the same size and genes

They can have different alleles for those genes.

Question 12

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

Answer 12

DNA and RNA

Both types store genetic information but have different structures and functions.

Question 13

What type of bond holds the two strands of DNA together?

Answer 13

Hydrogen bonds

These bonds form between the nitrogenous bases of the two strands.

Question 14

What are the nitrogenous base pairs in DNA?

Answer 14

Adenine-Thymine, Cytosine-Guanine

These pairs are held together by hydrogen bonds.

Question 15

What is the sugar component of DNA?

Answer 15

Deoxyribose

This sugar differs from ribose, which is found in RNA.

Question 16

What is the sugar in RNA?

Answer 16

Ribose

RNA contains ribose instead of deoxyribose, which is found in DNA.

Question 17

Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not in DNA?

Answer 17

Uracil

Uracil replaces thymine in RNA.

Question 18

What is the role of the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA?

Answer 18

Provides structural support

The backbone consists of alternating sugar and phosphate groups linked by phosphodiester bonds.

Question 19

What is a polynucleotide?

Answer 19

A chain of nucleotides

Polynucleotides form the structure of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.

Question 20

How many nucleotide base pairs are there in one turn of the DNA helix?

Answer 20

10 base pairs

This refers to the structural organization of the DNA double helix.

Question 21

What is the difference between heterozygous and homozygous?

Answer 21

Heterozygous has different alleles; homozygous has the same alleles

These terms describe the genetic makeup of an organism regarding a specific gene.