DNA, RNA, and Proteins

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GED Science › DNA, RNA, and Proteins

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following actions is performed by proteins?

Serving as biological catalysts

Storing genetic information

Providing energy for the body

Creating the structure of the cellular membrane

Explanation

Proteins have a variety of functions in the body, one of which is acting as biological catalysts. These specialized proteins are called enzymes and are used to facilitate all types of chemical reactions in organisms.

Storing genetic information is accomplished by nucleic acids, and energy is provided by carbohydrates. Lipids (or phospholipids to be specific) help create the plasma membrane structure.

2

Which of the following actions is performed by proteins?

Serving as biological catalysts

Storing genetic information

Providing energy for the body

Creating the structure of the cellular membrane

Explanation

Proteins have a variety of functions in the body, one of which is acting as biological catalysts. These specialized proteins are called enzymes and are used to facilitate all types of chemical reactions in organisms.

Storing genetic information is accomplished by nucleic acids, and energy is provided by carbohydrates. Lipids (or phospholipids to be specific) help create the plasma membrane structure.

3

What is the name of the segment of DNA that RNA polymerase attaches to in order to initiate transcription?

Promoter

Operator

Origin of replication

Terminator

Explanation

Transcription is initiated when RNA polymerase attaches to DNA at the promoter site. This allows the RNA polymerase to be appropriately positioned so that the whole gene is transcribed.

The origin of replication is the site that allows the initiation of DNA replication. Operators are segments of DNA that can bind transcription factors and regulate certain genes.

4

What is the name of the segment of DNA that RNA polymerase attaches to in order to initiate transcription?

Promoter

Operator

Origin of replication

Terminator

Explanation

Transcription is initiated when RNA polymerase attaches to DNA at the promoter site. This allows the RNA polymerase to be appropriately positioned so that the whole gene is transcribed.

The origin of replication is the site that allows the initiation of DNA replication. Operators are segments of DNA that can bind transcription factors and regulate certain genes.

5

Which of the following RNA molecules brings amino acids to the ribosomal complex during translation?

tRNA

mRNA

rRNA

aRNA

Explanation

The process of translation involves a variety of RNA molecules, all with specific roles necessary in order to create the functional protein. mRNA (messenger RNA) is the product of DNA transcription and provides the template that the ribosome will read. rRNA (ribosomal RNA) helps create the functional ribosomal complex. tRNA (transfer RNA) brings individual amino acids to the ribosome in order to lengthen the growing polypeptide chain.

6

Which of the following RNA molecules brings amino acids to the ribosomal complex during translation?

tRNA

mRNA

rRNA

aRNA

Explanation

The process of translation involves a variety of RNA molecules, all with specific roles necessary in order to create the functional protein. mRNA (messenger RNA) is the product of DNA transcription and provides the template that the ribosome will read. rRNA (ribosomal RNA) helps create the functional ribosomal complex. tRNA (transfer RNA) brings individual amino acids to the ribosome in order to lengthen the growing polypeptide chain.

7

Which of the following statements is false?

RNA is more stable than DNA

The RNA backbone contains the carbohydrate ribose

RNA is usually single-stranded, while DNA is usually double-stranded

RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil

Explanation

Because RNA is usually single-stranded (vs. double-stranded DNA), it is more susceptible to degradation by nucleases; therefore, RNA is NOT more stable than DNA.

RNA does contain the carbohydrate sugar ribose in its backbone, while DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose. RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil; in contrast, DNA contains thymine.

8

Which of the following statements is false?

RNA is more stable than DNA

The RNA backbone contains the carbohydrate ribose

RNA is usually single-stranded, while DNA is usually double-stranded

RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil

Explanation

Because RNA is usually single-stranded (vs. double-stranded DNA), it is more susceptible to degradation by nucleases; therefore, RNA is NOT more stable than DNA.

RNA does contain the carbohydrate sugar ribose in its backbone, while DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose. RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil; in contrast, DNA contains thymine.

9

Which of the following is NOT common to both DNA and RNA?

Both use thymine as a nitrogenous base

Both are composed of nucleotides

Both use adenine as a nitrogenous base

Both have a sugar phosphate backbone

Explanation

RNA and DNA have many similarities in structure. They are both nucleic acids, meaning they are polymers of nucleotides; the structure of both DNA and RNA is made by bonding many nucleotide units into a long polymer chain. These chains are created by bonding in the sugar phosphate backbone. Each nucleotide contains a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base. When the sugars and phosphates bind, nucleotides are strung together to create the nucleic acid chain.

There are two key structural differences between DNA and RNA. The first is the identity of the sugar used in the sugar phosphate backbone. DNA uses deoxyribose, while RNA uses ribose. Both are pentose sugars, meaning they have five carbons, but the 2' carbon in RNA has a hydroxyl group that is absent in DNA. The second major difference is the identity of the nitrogenous bases used to code genetic information. DNA uses cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine. RNA uses cytosine, guanine, adenine, and uracil. Thymine will not be found in RNA and uracil will not be found in DNA.

10

Which of the following is NOT common to both DNA and RNA?

Both use thymine as a nitrogenous base

Both are composed of nucleotides

Both use adenine as a nitrogenous base

Both have a sugar phosphate backbone

Explanation

RNA and DNA have many similarities in structure. They are both nucleic acids, meaning they are polymers of nucleotides; the structure of both DNA and RNA is made by bonding many nucleotide units into a long polymer chain. These chains are created by bonding in the sugar phosphate backbone. Each nucleotide contains a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base. When the sugars and phosphates bind, nucleotides are strung together to create the nucleic acid chain.

There are two key structural differences between DNA and RNA. The first is the identity of the sugar used in the sugar phosphate backbone. DNA uses deoxyribose, while RNA uses ribose. Both are pentose sugars, meaning they have five carbons, but the 2' carbon in RNA has a hydroxyl group that is absent in DNA. The second major difference is the identity of the nitrogenous bases used to code genetic information. DNA uses cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine. RNA uses cytosine, guanine, adenine, and uracil. Thymine will not be found in RNA and uracil will not be found in DNA.

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