AP Biology : DNA, RNA, and Proteins

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Understanding Nucleotides And Base Pairs

In the DNA strand, with which nitrogenous base does guanine pair?

Possible Answers:

Cytosine

Uracil

Adenine

Thymine

Correct answer:

Cytosine

Explanation:

In the DNA strand, guanine bonds to cytosine. It does not bond to the other nitrogenous bases. Guanine and cytosine form three hydrogen bonds to keep complementary strands of DNA together.

Example Question #51 : Dna And Rna Structure

What is one of the primary differences between the purines and pyrimidines of DNA?

Possible Answers:

The purines bond to the phosphates on the DNA backbone, whereas the pyrimidines bond to sugar

Purines consist of two rings, whereas pyrimidines consist of one ring

Purines have a lipid chain, whereas pyrimidines do not

Purines consist of a single ring, whereas pyrimidines consist of two rings

Correct answer:

Purines consist of two rings, whereas pyrimidines consist of one ring

Explanation:

One of the primary differences between purines and pyrimidines is that purines consist of two rings, whereas the pyrimidines consist of one ring. One way to help remember the differences between purines and pyrimidines is that pyrimidines are like pyramids: sharp. Sharp things CUT (Cytosine Uracil Thymine). Note that uracil is only present in RNA, while thymine is only present in DNA. All nitrogenous bases bond to the sugar in the DNA backbone. The sugar is also connected to a phosphate group via a phosphodiester bond.

Example Question #52 : Dna And Rna Structure

Which of the following nitrogenous bases are purines?

Possible Answers:

Cytosine and adenine

Guanine and adenine

Adenine and thymine

Thymine and uracil

Thymine and guanine

Correct answer:

Guanine and adenine

Explanation:

Purines are adenine and guanine, while pyrimidines are cytosine, thymine, and uracil.

Example Question #1 : Transcription

Which of the following statements about post-transcriptional processing is true?

Possible Answers:

Exons are spliced out of hnRNA and are not part of the mature mRNA

A poly-A tail is added to the 5' end of the mature mRNA

Post-transcriptional hnRNA processing prevents RNA from degrading as it leaves the nucleus

A methylguanine cap is added to the 3' end of the mature mRNA

Correct answer:

Post-transcriptional hnRNA processing prevents RNA from degrading as it leaves the nucleus

Explanation:

The hnRNA (heterogeneous nuclear RNA) produced from transcription must be processed by several enzymes to create an mRNA (messenger RNA) product that can pass from the nucleus to the cytoplasm without degrading. This involves cutting out introns, which remain in the nucleus, and splicing exons together. Furthermore, a methylguanine cap is added to the 5' end and a poly-A tail is added to the 3' end. 

Example Question #1 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which of the following is not an example of a post-transcriptional modification of mRNA molecules?

Possible Answers:

Splicing of anticodons 

Addition of a poly-A tail

Splicing of introns

Addition of a 5-methyl guanosine cap

Correct answer:

Splicing of anticodons 

Explanation:

Addition of a 5-methyl guanosine cap, the splicing out and removal of introns, and the addition of a poly-A tail are all processes that are essential to making stable, mature mRNA.

Codons are contained on the exons of mature mRNA and are matched to appropriate anticodons during translation. Anticodons are found on tRNA molecules, and are not involved in mRNA transcription.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which biotechnology method will allow you to distinguish between identical twins?

Possible Answers:

DNA fingerprinting

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) Analysis

Southern blot

Standard fingerprinting

Correct answer:

Standard fingerprinting

Explanation:

Fingerprints are different in all individuals, even identical twins. Due to RNA processing, or post-transcription modification, the grooves of a finger are different even in individuals with identical DNA.

The other techniques are used for DNA analysis between individuals with different DNA. Identical twins will be indistinguishable under these techniques, because their DNA is the same.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which of the following statements is false concerning post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

Methylation is not part of post-transcriptional modification

A 5' cap is added in order to provide an attachment site for ribosomes during translation

Both the 5' cap and poly A tail protect the transcript from degradation

Spliceosomes remove exons from the transcript and splice together the introns

A poly A tail is attached to the 3' end of the transcript

Correct answer:

Spliceosomes remove exons from the transcript and splice together the introns

Explanation:

During post-transcriptional modification, spliceosomes can remove introns from the transcript and splice together exons. Introns are the parts that are removed from the transcript, meaning they are not translated. Exons are the portions of mRNA that code for the correct amino acids sequence for the desired gene.

Other modifications involve the poly-A tail, which is added to the 3' end, and the 5' cap. Both structures protect the transcript from damage during transport and provide binding sites for various proteins, as well as the ribosome itself. Methylation is a part of epigenetic DNA modification, and is not involved with transcription processes.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

snRNPs assist in what post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

The removal of introns

Exporting the transcript to the ribosome

Addition of the poly-A tail

Addition of the 5' cap

Correct answer:

The removal of introns

Explanation:

snRNPs, or small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, are an essential part of the spliceosome complex. The spliceosome is responsible for the removal of introns from the primary transcript.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which of the following is not an example of eukaryotic post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

After splicing, the exons are rejoined to form a final mRNA transcript

A methylguanosine cap is added to the 5' end

A poly-A tail is added to the 3' end

Exons, or non-coding regions, are removed via splicing

The 3' end of the growing strand is cleaved

Correct answer:

Exons, or non-coding regions, are removed via splicing

Explanation:

Post-transcriptional modifications are changes that are made to the mRNA transcript before it is translated into a protein. The first of these changes is cleavage at the 3' end to separate the new strand, or "primary transcript," from the transcription machinery. Next, a protective 5' cap is added, as is a string of adenine nucleotides at the 3' end. Finally, noncoding regions, called introns, are spliced out and the exons, or coding regions, are reconnected.

The incorrect statement confuses exons and introns.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which of the following choices is not one of the processes associated with post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

Polyadenylation

5' capping

Splicing

Protein folding

Correct answer:

Protein folding

Explanation:

Post-transcriptional modification is the stage where the recently synthesized primary RNA transcript undergoes changes to become a mature RNA molecule. Post-transcriptional modifications ensure that the correct RNA transcripts are produced and that the correct proteins are translated. Post-transcriptional modification includes the processes of polyadenylation, 5’ capping, and splicing. Polyadenylation is the addition of adenine bases (the poly-A tail) to the 3’ end of the RNA primary transcript. The poly-A tail is important in export, stability, and translation of the transcript. 5’ capping is the addition of guanine bases to the 5’ end of the primary transcript. The 5’ cap aids in export and translation of the transcript and also protects it from degradation. Splicing is the removal of non-coding regions, or introns, from the primary transcript.

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