DNA STRUCTURE

Question 1

What does RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) primarily do?

Answer 1

Carries out the instructions coded in DNA

RNA plays a crucial role in the process of translating genetic information into proteins.

Question 2

What type of sugar is found in RNA?

Answer 2

Ribose

Unlike DNA, which contains deoxyribose sugar, RNA contains ribose.

Question 3

RNA is typically single stranded instead of what?

Answer 3

Double helix

This structural difference allows RNA to perform various functions in the cell.

Question 4

In RNA, which base pairs with Adenine instead of thymine?

Answer 4

Uracil

This is a key difference between RNA and DNA.

Question 5

What are chromosomes?

Answer 5

Long, tightly coiled (condensed) strands of DNA

Chromosomes are essential for the organization and distribution of genetic material during cell division.

Question 6

Do more chromosomes indicate a more complex organism?

Answer 6

No

Different organisms have different numbers of chromosomes, but this does not correlate with complexity.

Question 7

Define a gene.

Answer 7

A piece/section of DNA that has instructions to code for a protein

Genes are the fundamental units of heredity.

Question 8

Eukaryotes usually have more than one chromosome. True or False?

Answer 8

TRUE

Eukaryotic cells typically contain multiple chromosomes, unlike prokaryotic cells which usually have a single circular chromosome.

Question 9

Each chromosome can have over __________ base pairs.

Answer 9

100,000,000

This large number of base pairs can code for several thousand genes.

Question 10

What is the centromere?

Answer 10

Section of repeating sequences near the center where spindle fibers attach during cell division

The centromere is crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes during cell division.

Question 11

What are telomeres?

Answer 11

Repeating sequences on the ends of chromosomes that protect genetic info during cell division

Telomeres shorten with each cell division, eventually limiting the number of times a cell can divide.

Question 12

During cell division, chromosomes condense to form __________.

Answer 12

Individually separated chromosomes

This condensation is necessary for the chromosomes to be accurately distributed to daughter cells.

Question 13

What is chromatin?

Answer 13

More relaxed & loose version of DNA than chromosomes

Chromatin is the form of DNA that is preferred when the cell is not dividing.

Question 14

Why is the loose version of DNA (chromatin) NOT preferable for cell division?

Answer 14

It is not compact enough

During cell division, DNA must be tightly packed to ensure proper segregation.

Question 15

When DNA is replicated, the original chromosome and its new copy stay attached at the __________.

Answer 15

Centromere

This attachment is crucial for the separation of sister chromatids during cell division.

Question 16

What are sister chromatids?

Answer 16

Each of the two identical copies of one chromosome attached at the centromere

Sister chromatids are separated during cell division to ensure each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.