Molecular Genetics

Question 1

Who were the scientists responsible for discovering the following: DNA is the hereditary material; the structure of DNA; DNA replication is semi-conservative

Answer 1

Hershey and Chase: DNA is the Hereditary Material
Levene and Chargaff - there are bases and there is a 1:1 ratio
Wilkins and Franklin - semi conservatibe

Question 2

What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA? In RNA?

Answer 2

Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, cytosine

Question 3

What is meant by ‘semi-conservative’ replication of DNA

Question 4

How does replication of DNA differ on the leading strand and the lagging strand?

Question 5

State the function of the following enzymes in DNA replication: helicase, gyrase, DNA polymerase I; DNA polymerase III; primase, ligase

Question 6

Why must RNA primers be added to the strand during DNA replication?

Question 7

What are telomeres?

Question 8

What are the three modifications that must be made to the primary mRNA transcript before it can leave the nucleus?

Question 9

Name and describe the three types of point (substitution) mutations

Question 10

What are the two types of frameshift mutations

Question 11

Name and describe the four levels of gene regulation