Lesson 1: DNA and Protein Synthesis

Question 1

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 1

DNA is a double helix composed of two strands of nucleotides.

Question 2

What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?

Answer 2

Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

Question 3

Which base pairs with Adenine in DNA?

Answer 3

Thymine (T) pairs with Adenine (A).

Question 4

What is the role of RNA in protein synthesis?

Answer 4

RNA acts as a messenger that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes.

Question 5

True or False: RNA contains Thymine.

Answer 5

False. RNA contains Uracil instead of Thymine.

Question 6

What is transcription?

Answer 6

Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Question 7

What enzyme is responsible for transcription?

Answer 7

RNA polymerase.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: During transcription, RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA in the __________ direction.

Answer 8

5’ to 3’

Question 9

What is the primary function of mRNA?

Answer 9

mRNA serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Question 10

What is translation?

Answer 10

Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Question 11

What are ribosomes made of?

Answer 11

Ribosomes are made of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins.

Question 12

What are the three stages of translation?

Answer 12

Initiation, elongation, and termination.

Question 13

True or False: tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome.

Answer 13

True.

Question 14

What is an anticodon?

Answer 14

An anticodon is a sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that pairs with a corresponding codon on mRNA.

Question 15

What is a codon?

Answer 15

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Question 16

How many amino acids are there in the genetic code?

Answer 16

There are 20 standard amino acids.

Question 17

What is a stop codon?

Answer 17

A stop codon is a codon that signals the termination of protein synthesis.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The start codon is __________.

Answer 18

AUG

Question 19

What is the purpose of the promoter region in DNA?

Answer 19

The promoter region is where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Question 20

What is the function of introns?

Answer 20

Introns are non-coding sequences that are removed from the pre-mRNA during processing.

Question 21

What are exons?

Answer 21

Exons are coding sequences that remain in the mRNA after splicing.

Question 22

True or False: DNA replication occurs during transcription.

Answer 22

False. DNA replication occurs before cell division.

Question 23

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

Answer 23

DNA -> RNA -> Protein.

Question 24

What is a mutation?

Answer 24

A mutation is a change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Question 25

What are the two types of mutations?

Answer 25

Point mutations and frameshift mutations.

Question 26

What is a point mutation?

Answer 26

A point mutation is a change in a single nucleotide.

Question 27

What is a frameshift mutation?

Answer 27

A frameshift mutation is caused by insertion or deletion of nucleotides that changes the reading frame.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: The __________ is the site of protein synthesis in the cell.

Answer 28

ribosome

Question 29

What is the significance of the genetic code being universal?

Answer 29

The genetic code is nearly the same in all organisms, allowing for the transfer of genes between species.

Question 30

What is the role of the 5' cap on mRNA?

Answer 30

The 5' cap protects mRNA from degradation and helps in ribosome binding.

Question 31

What is polyadenylation?

Answer 31

Polyadenylation is the addition of a poly-A tail to the 3' end of mRNA for stability and export from the nucleus.

Question 32

True or False: All genes are expressed at all times.

Answer 32

False. Gene expression is regulated and can vary by cell type and environmental conditions.

Question 33

What is the role of transcription factors?

Answer 33

Transcription factors are proteins that help regulate the transcription of specific genes.

Question 34

What is alternative splicing?

Answer 34

Alternative splicing is the process by which different combinations of exons are joined together to produce multiple protein variants from a single gene.

Question 35

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription?

Answer 35

Prokaryotic transcription occurs in the cytoplasm and does not involve introns, while eukaryotic transcription occurs in the nucleus and involves RNA processing.

Question 36

What is the role of chaperone proteins?

Answer 36

Chaperone proteins assist in the proper folding of newly synthesized proteins.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The process of synthesizing a protein from an mRNA template is called __________.

Answer 37

translation

Question 38

What are the two main types of RNA involved in protein synthesis?

Answer 38

mRNA (messenger RNA) and tRNA (transfer RNA).