Molecular Biology and Genomics Practice Questions

Q: The gaps between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication are rejoined and sealed by:

DNA Ligase. ***DNA Ligase*** - **DNA ligase** forms a **phosphodiester bond** between the **3'-OH group** of one Okazaki fragment and the **5'-phosphate group** of the adjacent fragment, effectively sealing the nicks. - After **DNA polymerase I** removes the **RNA primers** and fills in the gaps, DNA ligase completes the synthesis of the **lagging strand** during DNA replication. - This enzyme is essential for maintaining the **integrity of the DNA backbone**. *DNA Helicase* - **DNA helicase** functions to **unwind the DNA double helix**, separating the two strands to create a replication fork. - It does not participate in joining DNA fragments. *DNA Phosphorylase* - **DNA phosphorylase** is not a standard enzyme involved in the direct sealing of DNA fragments during replication. - This is not the enzyme responsible for ligating Okazaki fragments. *DNA Topoisomerase* - **DNA topoisomerase** relieves the **supercoiling tension** that builds up in the DNA double helix ahead of the replication fork due to unwinding. - It does not have a role in forming phosphodiester bonds between newly synthesized DNA fragments.

Q: Location of gene on chromosome is identified by

Genetic mapping. ***Genetic mapping*** - **Genetic mapping** (also called chromosome mapping) uses various techniques to determine the **physical location (locus)** of genes on a chromosome. - Techniques include **linkage analysis**, **FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization)**, chromosomal banding, and analysis of **inheritance patterns** of traits and genetic markers. - This identifies both the **relative positions** between genes and their **absolute chromosomal addresses**. *Karyotyping* - **Karyotyping** is a technique that visualizes the entire set of chromosomes in an organism. - While it can identify **large chromosomal abnormalities** like aneuploidy or major deletions/insertions, it does not pinpoint the exact location of a specific gene. *Microarray* - **Microarray** technology is used to study the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously or to detect specific genetic variations. - It does not directly map the physical location of a gene on a chromosome. *Genomic imprinting* - **Genomic imprinting** is an epigenetic phenomenon where certain genes are expressed in a **parent-of-origin-specific manner**. - It describes a mechanism of gene regulation rather than a method for identifying the location of a gene on a chromosome.

Q: What are Okazaki fragments?

Short pieces of DNA on the lagging strand.. ***Short pieces of DNA on the lagging strand.*** - **Okazaki fragments** are the short, newly synthesized DNA fragments that are formed on the **lagging strand** during DNA replication. - The lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides in the **5' to 3' direction**, requiring it to move away from the replication fork as the DNA unwinds. *Long pieces of DNA on the lagging strand.* - The lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously in **short fragments**, not long continuous pieces. - The enzyme **DNA ligase** eventually joins these short fragments together to form a continuous strand. *Short pieces of DNA on the leading strand.* - The **leading strand** is synthesized continuously in one long stretch, moving towards the replication fork. - It does not require the synthesis of short fragments like the lagging strand. *Long pieces of DNA on the leading strand.* - While the leading strand is synthesized in a continuous, long piece, this statement does not accurately describe Okazaki fragments, which are specific to the lagging strand. - The leading strand's continuous synthesis is due to its **3' to 5' template orientation**, allowing DNA polymerase to proceed uninterrupted.

Q: Which of the following statements is true regarding the sigma factor?

It is a subunit of RNA polymerase.. ***It is a subunit of RNA polymerase.*** - The **sigma factor** is a crucial component of **bacterial RNA polymerase**, guiding it to specific promoter regions on the DNA. - It plays a vital role in **initiation of transcription** by recognizing and binding to the **-10 and -35 boxes** of the promoter. *It is a subunit of DNA polymerase.* - **DNA polymerase** is primarily involved in **DNA replication and repair**, not transcription. - Its subunits, such as the **beta clamp** or **alpha subunit**, are distinct from the sigma factor. *It initiates DNA replication.* - **DNA replication** is initiated by **DNA helicases** unwinding the double helix and **primase** synthesizing RNA primers. - The sigma factor's role is in **transcription**, the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. *It is a subunit of the 50s ribosome.* - The **50S ribosomal subunit** is a component of the **ribosome**, responsible for **peptide bond formation** during translation. - Its subunits are ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNA molecules, not the sigma factor.

Q: Which type of RNA contains codons for specific amino acids?

Messenger RNA (mRNA). ***Messenger RNA (mRNA)*** - **mRNA** carries the genetic information from **DNA** in the nucleus to the **ribosomes** in the cytoplasm. - This information is encoded in sequences of three nucleotides called **codons**, each specifying a particular amino acid. *Transfer RNA (tRNA)* - **tRNA** molecules are responsible for **carrying specific amino acids** to the ribosome during protein synthesis. - Each **tRNA** has an **anticodon** that base-pairs with a complementary **codon** on the **mRNA** strand. *Small nuclear RNA (snRNA)* - **snRNA** is primarily involved in **RNA splicing**, a process that removes introns from pre-mRNA. - It forms part of the **spliceosome** complex, which is crucial for mature mRNA formation but does not contain codons itself. *Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)* - **rRNA** is a major component of **ribosomes**, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis. - While it plays a critical structural and catalytic role in translation, it does not carry genetic code in the form of codons.

Q: Which type of RNA is primarily involved in gene silencing?

miRNA. ***miRNA*** - **miRNA** (microRNA) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in **post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression**. - It functions by binding to complementary messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, leading to **mRNA degradation** or **inhibition of translation**, thereby silencing genes. - miRNA is the primary RNA type involved in **gene silencing** through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. *rRNA* - **rRNA** (ribosomal RNA) is a primary component of **ribosomes**, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis. - Its main function is to **catalyze peptide bond formation** and provide structural integrity to the ribosome, not gene silencing. *tRNA* - **tRNA** (transfer RNA) is responsible for carrying specific **amino acids** to the ribosome during protein synthesis. - It acts as an adapter molecule, translating the **genetic code** in mRNA into an amino acid sequence. *mRNA* - **mRNA** (messenger RNA) carries genetic information from **DNA to ribosomes** for protein synthesis. - While mRNA can be targeted by gene silencing mechanisms (like miRNA), it is not the RNA type that performs the silencing function itself.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the genetic code?

Overlapping. ***Overlapping*** - The genetic code is generally **non-overlapping**, meaning each nucleotide is part of only one codon, and codons are read sequentially. - An overlapping code would mean that a single nucleotide could be part of multiple codons, which is not how protein synthesis typically occurs. *Nonambiguous* - This statement IS a characteristic; each codon specifies **only one amino acid**, meaning there is no ambiguity about which amino acid will be added. - While multiple codons can specify the same amino acid, a single codon never specifies more than one different amino acid. *Universal* - This statement IS a characteristic; the genetic code is largely **universal** across almost all organisms, from bacteria to humans. - The same codons typically specify the same amino acids in different species, which supports the idea of common ancestry. *Degeneracy* - This statement IS a characteristic; the genetic code is **degenerate**, meaning that most amino acids are specified by more than one codon. - This redundancy helps protect against the effects of single-nucleotide mutations.

Q: A frameshift mutation does not affect the complete amino acid sequence if it occurs in multiples of what number?

3. ***3*** - A **frameshift mutation** occurs when nucleotides are inserted or deleted in a number not divisible by three, altering the **reading frame** of the codons. - If insertions or deletions occur in multiples of **three**, the reading frame is restored after the mutation, largely preserving the downstream amino acid sequence. *1* - An insertion or deletion of a single nucleotide (1) definitively causes a **frameshift mutation**. - This alters all subsequent **codons**, leading to a completely different amino acid sequence downstream from the mutation. *2* - An insertion or deletion of two nucleotides (2) also results in a **frameshift mutation**. - This change shifts the **reading frame**, leading to the production of an altered protein or a premature stop codon. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because a specific number, **three**, can allow for a frameshift mutation to not affect the complete amino acid sequence. - Multiples of three maintain the original **reading frame** (although potentially adding or removing a specific amino acid), whereas other numbers guarantee a frameshift.

Q: Which enzyme polymerises Okazaki fragments?

DNA polymerase III. ***DNA polymerase III*** - **DNA polymerase III** is the primary replicative enzyme in **prokaryotes (bacteria)** responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands, including the **polymerization of Okazaki fragments** on the lagging strand. - It possesses high processivity (can add ~500 nucleotides without dissociating), essential for rapid and efficient DNA synthesis during replication, adding nucleotides in a **5' to 3' direction**. - In **eukaryotes**, DNA polymerase δ (delta) performs the analogous function of polymerizing Okazaki fragments. *DNA polymerase I* - **DNA polymerase I** in prokaryotes primarily functions in **removing RNA primers** left by primase and **filling the resulting gaps** with DNA nucleotides. - It has 5' to 3' exonuclease activity for primer removal and polymerase activity for gap filling, but is **not the main enzyme for elongating Okazaki fragments**. - Its role is in **DNA repair and finishing replication**, not the extensive synthesis of Okazaki fragments. *DNA polymerase II* - **DNA polymerase II** in prokaryotes is primarily involved in **DNA repair mechanisms**, particularly in **restarting stalled replication forks** and responding to DNA damage. - It is not the main enzyme responsible for the polymerization of **Okazaki fragments** during normal DNA replication. *RNA polymerase* - **RNA polymerase** (specifically **primase**, a specialized RNA polymerase) synthesizes short **RNA primers** (8-12 nucleotides) during DNA replication, which provide the 3'-OH group necessary to initiate DNA synthesis. - It does not synthesize DNA or polymerize **Okazaki fragments**; its function is to create RNA primers, not extend DNA strands.

Question 1

The gaps between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication are rejoined and sealed by:

Accepted Answer

DNA Ligase

Answer

DNA Helicase

Answer

DNA Phosphorylase

Answer

DNA Topoisomerase

Question 2

Location of gene on chromosome is identified by

Accepted Answer

Genetic mapping

Answer

Karyotyping

Answer

Microarray

Answer

Genomic imprinting

Question 3

What are Okazaki fragments?

Accepted Answer

Short pieces of DNA on the lagging strand.

Answer

Long pieces of DNA on the lagging strand.

Answer

Short pieces of DNA on the leading strand.

Answer

Long pieces of DNA on the leading strand.

Question 4

What is a key similarity between the processes of replication and transcription?

Accepted Answer

Involve phosphodiester bond formation with elongation occurring in the 5' - 3' direction.

Answer

Use RNA primers for initiation.

Answer

Use ribonucleotides as precursors.

Answer

Are semi-conservative events.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true regarding the sigma factor?

Accepted Answer

It is a subunit of RNA polymerase.

Answer

It is a subunit of DNA polymerase.

Answer

It initiates DNA replication.

Answer

It is a subunit of the 50s ribosome.

Question 6

Which type of RNA contains codons for specific amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Answer

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Answer

Small nuclear RNA (snRNA)

Answer

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Question 7

Which type of RNA is primarily involved in gene silencing?

Accepted Answer

miRNA

Answer

rRNA

Answer

tRNA

Answer

mRNA

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the genetic code?

Accepted Answer

Overlapping

Answer

Universal

Answer

Degeneracy

Answer

Nonambiguous

Question 9

A frameshift mutation does not affect the complete amino acid sequence if it occurs in multiples of what number?

Accepted Answer

3

Answer

1

Answer

2

Answer

None of the options

Question 10

Which enzyme polymerises Okazaki fragments?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase III

Answer

DNA polymerase I

Answer

DNA polymerase II

Answer

RNA polymerase

Molecular Biology and Genomics — MCQs

Molecular Biology and Genomics — MCQs

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