High School Biology : High School Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #44 : Dna

What is a common feature of all the nucleotides in DNA?

Possible Answers:

They are the same nucleotides used in RNA

They are bound to a sugar backbone

They contain the same atoms in different structures

Each of the nucleotides can bind to any of the other ones

They are all used in equal amounts in a strand of DNA

Correct answer:

They are bound to a sugar backbone

Explanation:

There are four nitrogenous bases in DNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. A nucleotide is composed of one of these bases bound to a deoxyribose sugar and a phosphate group. Polymers of nucleotides form strands of DNA, which adhere to one another by hydrogen bonding between the bases.

Each strand of DNA is unique and may contain any ratio of the nitrogenous bases, but strands of DNA will always be complementary to one another. The structure of the bases requires that adenine bind to thymine and cytosine bind to guanine to maintain the structural integrity of the DNA molecule. RNA does not contain thymine, and instead uses uracil.

Example Question #45 : Dna

The DNA of a eukaryotic cell is found to contain 30% cytosine. The DNA also contains __________.

Possible Answers:

20% adenine

30% thymine

30% adenine

20% guanine

Correct answer:

20% adenine

Explanation:

There are four bases in DNA: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. Adenine always pairs with thymine, so the number of adenine residues always equals the number of thymine residues. Guanine always pairs with cytosine, which means they are always present in equal amounts as well. If one strand contains three cytosine bases and five thymine bases, then the opposite strand must contain three guanine bases and five adenine bases.

The trick to this problem is remembering that the sum of all four bases by percentage must be 100%.

We know that 30% of the bases are cytosine. Since cytosine pairs with guanine, there is also 30% guanine.

That leave us with 40% of the bases being thymine and adenine.

Since adenine and thymine will be equal, each will represent 20% of the DNA composition.

Example Question #51 : Dna

 Which of these molecules could not be found in a nucleotide?

Possible Answers:

Arginine

Pentose sugar

Phosphate group

Thymine

Correct answer:

Arginine

Explanation:

A nucleotide is the building block of nucleic acids (a type of macromolecule). It is made up of three main parts: phosphate group(s), pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine, or uracil). The amount of phosphate groups, the type of pentose sugar, and the type of nitrogenous base varies based on the nucleotide. For example, RNA contains ribose sugar whereas DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.

Arginine is a type of amino acid. Recall that amino acids are found in polypeptide chains that make up proteins (another type of macromolecule); therefore, arginine is found in proteins rather than nucleic acids.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Nucleotides

Which of the following is true regarding a nucleotide and a nucleoside?

Possible Answers:

A nucleotide contains at least one more phosphate group than a nucleoside

A nucleoside contains at least one more phosphate group than a nucleotide

A nucleotide contains at least one more nitrogenous base than a nucleoside

A nucleoside contains at least one more nitrogenous base than a nucleotide

Correct answer:

A nucleotide contains at least one more phosphate group than a nucleoside

Explanation:

The main difference between a nucleotide and a nucleoside is the presence or absence of phosphate group(s). A nucleotide contains one or more phosphate groups, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. A nucleoside, on the other hand, contains only a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base; therefore, a nucleotide always contains more phosphate groups than a nucleoside.

Example Question #3 : Understanding Nucleotides

Which of the following does not contain a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative?

I. NADH

II. cAMP

III. Acetylcholine

Possible Answers:

II and III

III only

I, II, and III

II only

Correct answer:

III only

Explanation:

NADH is a coenzyme that functions to carry electrons during metabolism. It is made up of adenine (a nitrogenous base), nicotinamide (a modified nitrogenous base), two phosphate groups, and two pentose sugars. Since it contains nitrogenous bases, phosphate groups, and pentose sugars it is a type of nucleotide.

cAMP, or cyclic adenosine monophosphate, is a second messenger molecule that facilitates signal transduction inside the cell. It is made up of adenine, a phosphate group, and a pentose sugar (ribose); therefore, it is also a type of nucleotide.

Acetylcholine is a type of neurotransmitter that plays a key role in signal transmission between neurons. Acetylcholine does not contain the three essential groups for a nucleotide; therefore, acetylcholine is not a nucleotide.

Example Question #4 : Understanding Nucleotides

A nucleotide molecule contains more __________ than the DNA backbone.

Possible Answers:

pentose sugars

nitrogenous bases

hexose sugars

phosphate groups

Correct answer:

nitrogenous bases

Explanation:

To answer this question you need to know the difference between a nucleotide and a DNA backbone. A nucleotide is the monomer of nucleic acids and is made up of phosphate group(s), a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. A DNA molecule is a type of nucleic acid and is made up of several nucleotides.

DNA has two different structural divisions: the DNA backbone and the nitrogenous bases. The DNA backbone consists of the phosphate groups and pentose sugars, whereas the bases consist of only the nitrogenous bases. This means that the DNA backbone does not contain any nitrogenous bases; therefore, nucleotide contains more nitrogenous bases than the DNA backbone.

Since the full DNA molecules has several nucleotides, the DNA backbone contains multiple phosphate groups and pentose sugars; therefore, the DNA backbone always contains more phosphate groups and pentose sugars than a nucleotide molecule.

Example Question #52 : Dna

Nucleotides in DNA consist of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases. Which of the following is not a nitrogenous base found in DNA?

Possible Answers:

Uracil

Thymine

Adenine

Cytosine

Correct answer:

Uracil

Explanation:

The four nitrogenous bases found in DNA are: thymine, cytosine, adenine, and guanine. Uracil is a nitrogenous base that takes the place of thymine in RNA. Note that uracil only base pairs with adenine, forming two hydrogen bonds.

Example Question #52 : Dna

Guanine, the DNA nitrogen base, binds with which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Guanine

Adenine 

Uracil

Thymine

Cytosine

Correct answer:

Cytosine

Explanation:

DNA contains four nitrogen bases: adenine, thiamine, guanine and cytosine. Adenine and thymine pair, and guanine and cytosine pair. Adenine and thiamine form two hydrogen bonds, and guanine and cytosine form three hydrogen bonds. In RNA, uracil takes thiamine's and binds with adenine.

Example Question #53 : Dna

When separating strands of DNA, little ‘bubbles’ will often form due to certain portions of the molecule separating before others. Which portion of DNA will separate first under high heat?

Possible Answers:

Portions with a low ratio of adenine-thymine bonds

Portions with a high ratio of adenine-uracil bonds

Portions with a high ratio of guanine-cytosine bonds

Portions with a high ratio of adenine-thymine bonds

Correct answer:

Portions with a high ratio of adenine-thymine bonds

Explanation:

Bonds between A-T (adenine and thymine) are held together by 2 hydrogen bonds, while G-C (guanine and cytosine) are held together by 3 hydrogen bonds. Therefore, A-T bonds are weaker, and will separate first when exposed to heat stress. DNA does not contain uracil.

Example Question #32 : Dna Structure

In regard to DNA, which nucleotide only binds to guanine?

Possible Answers:

Uracil

Cytosine

Adenine

Thymine

Correct answer:

Cytosine

Explanation:

Guanine always binds to cytosine in DNA and RNA. Thymine always bonds to adenine in DNA. Uracil replaces thymine in RNA, and uracil bonds to adenine.

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