CLE 3210.4.1 Investigate how genetic information is encoded in nucleic acids.
1. The genetic material of an organism is composed of
A. lipids.
B. polypeptides.
C. deoxyribonucleic acids.
D. monosaccharide.
2. The diagram below represents a process that occurs during normal human development.
lung cells
brain cells
fertilized egg
heart cells
Which statement is correct regarding the cells and DNA?
A. All the cells have identical DNA.
B. Only the fertilized egg contains DNA.
C. The DNA of the fertilized egg differs from the DNA of all the other cells.
D. The DNA of the fertilized egg differs from some, but not all, of the other cells.
3. The diagram below represents a structure found in most cells.
The section labeled A in the diagram is most likely a
A. biological catalyst.
B. a gene for a particular trait.
C. chromosome undergoing a mutation.
D. protein composed of folded chains of base subunits.
4. In a eukaryotic cell, which of the following processes directly involves DNA?
A. translation
B. cellular respiration
C. active transport of ions
D. replication of chromosomes
5. How do the functions of DNA and RNA differ?
A. DNA directs protein transport, while RNA aids in energy production.
B. DNA aids in energy production, while RNA directs protein transport.
C. DNA stores genetic information, while RNA relays genetic information for protein synthesis.
D. DNA relays genetic information for protein synthesis, while RNA stores genetic information.
6. The correct order of molecules involved in protein synthesis is
A. messenger RNA, polypeptide, DNA, transfer RNA, DNA.
B. DNA, messenger RNA, polypeptide, transfer RNA.
C. DNA, messenger RNA, transfer RNA, polypeptide.
D. messenger RNA, transfer RNA, DNA, polypeptide.
7. The diagram below shows some of the steps in protein synthesis.
The segment of DNA being used to make the strand of mRNA is known as a
A. chromosome.
B. carbohydrate.
C. ribosome.
D. gene.
The next question has two parts. Answer part A, and then answer part B.
8. Part A. Which statement describes the diagram located to
the right?
A. DNA transcription is producing messenger RNA.
B. DNA transcription is producing replicated RNA.
C. DNA translation is producing messenger RNA.
D. DNA translation is producing replicated RNA.
9. Part B. Based on the correct answer to Part A, this process
occurs in what cellular location?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Golgi Body
C. Ribosome
D. Nucleus
10. Certain classes of antibiotics specifically interfere with bacterial ribosomes. This interference
would effectively halt which of the following cellular processes?
A. replication
B. translation
C. transcription
D. photosynthesis
11. Asexually reproducing organisms pass on hereditary information as
A. chains of complex amino acids.
B. sequences of A, T, C, and G.
C. folded protein molecules.
D. simple inorganic sugars.
12. Which of the following is correctly matched with its function?
A. rRNA - contains codes to make new ribosomes
B. DNA - carries the amino acids to the ribosomes
C. tRNA - combines with proteins to make up ribosomes
D. mRNA - carries genetic codes from nucleus to the ribosomes
13. In the synthesis of proteins, what is the function of messenger RNA molecules?
A. They act as a template for the synthesis of DNA.
B. They remove amino acids from the nucleus.
C. They carry information that determines the sequence of amino acids.
D. They carry specific enzymes for dehydration synthesis.
14. The figure below shows genetic material.
What information confirms that this is an RNA molecule?
A. The molecule contains adenine.
B. The molecule is single-stranded.
C. The molecule has hydrogen bonds.
D. The molecule has a sugar-phosphate backbone.
15. Certain classes of antibiotics specifically interfere with bacterial ribosomes. This interference
would effectively halt which of the following cellular processes?
A. translation
B. transcription
C. photosynthesis
D. DNA replication
16. How do the functions of DNA and RNA differ?
A. DNA directs protein transport, while RNA aids in energy production.
B. DNA aids in energy production, while RNA directs protein transport.
C. DNA stores genetic information, while RNA relays genetic information for protein synthesis.
D. DNA relays genetic information for protein synthesis, while RNA stores genetic information.
17. The illustration shows the transcription process.
What is the main purpose of the structure labeled W?
A. carrying instructions for protein synthesis
B. transforming into a protein
C. replacing damaged DNA
D. passing traits to offspring
18. Which nuclear process is represented below?
DNA molecule → The two strands of → Molecular bases → Two identical DNA
untwists.
DNA separate.
pair up.
molecules are produced.
A. recombination
B. replication
C. fertilization
D. mutation
19. The diagram below represents a process that occurs within a cell in the human pancreas.
If the ribosome in the picture above were to degrade and break apart, what step in the process shown
would no longer be able to occur?
A. Base pairs of the codon matching with the anticodon.
B. tRNA’s ability to carry an amino acid.
C. Amino acids being added to the polypeptide chain.
D. mRNA leaving the nucleus, carrying the genetic material.
20. The diagram above shows a combination of building blocks that will produce a protein. If building
block “B” were to be replaced with building block “F” what would be the most probable affect on the
protein?
A. The protein would not be affected by this change.
B. The protein would change shapes, but still be functional.
C. The protein would not function due to drastic change in shape.
D. The protein would be identical to the original protein.
21. Which of the following explains why natural selection acts on the phenotype of an organism
instead of its genotype?
A
Phenotypes directly influence the interaction of an organism with its environment.
B
Genotypes do not change except by the process of transcription.
C
Genotypes change in direct response to habitat changes.
D
Phenotypes can be inherited by offspring.
22. A particular allele in mice is lethal in homozygotes. Heterozygotes, however, develop normally.
Why does this allele remain in the population?
A
Natural selection selects for the homozygous individual with normal alleles.
B
Natural selection selects against the heterozygous individual.
C
Homozygous mice pass the allele to their offspring.
D
The recessive allele is masked in heterozygotes.
CLE 3210.4.2 Describe the relationships among genes, chromosomes, proteins, and
hereditary traits.
1. The inheritance of a trait, such as hair color or eye color in humans, is best described as being
determined by
A. a single allele.
B. one or more pairs of alleles.
C. one pair of chromosomes.
D. the sex chromosomes of the offspring.
2. The picture below shows two dogs and their puppies.
The parent dogs are each heterozygous for two traits: fur color and white spotting. Both parent dogs
are solid black. Their puppies, however, have four different phenotypes as listed below.
• solid black
• black with white spots
• solid red
• red with white spots
Which of the following explains how these parent dogs can produce puppies with these four
phenotypes?
A. The genes for these traits are sex-linked.
B. The genes for these traits mutate frequently.
C. The genes for these traits assort independently. *
D. The genes for these traits are on the same chromosome.
3. Which statement is true about the chemical structure of DNA?
A. It is made up mostly of water.
B. It is a complex carbohydrate.
C. It contains codes for making proteins.
D. It stores energy for a cell’s chemical reactions.
4. Which situation is least likely to result in new inherited characteristics?
A. altering genetic information
B. changes in the structure of genes
C. producing new individuals by means of cloning
D. changes in the structure of individual chromosomes
5. Coded instructions that are passed from one generation to the next can be most directly changed
by the processes of
A. passive transport, natural selection, and synthesis.
B. selective breeding, replication, and absorption.
C. recombination, mutation, and genetic engineering.
D. evolution, reproduction, and digestion.
6. Proteins are complex molecules needed for the growth and repair of cells. What is true about
where these proteins in multicellular organisms come from?
A. These proteins are built by specialized cells for all other cells in the organism to use.
B. These proteins are built by each cell for its own use.
C. These proteins are not built by the cells; instead, they are taken in from the cell’s environment.
D. These proteins are not built by the cell or taken in from the outside; these proteins are already in
the cell.
7. Which of these is directly determined by DNA?
A. the order of amino acids in a protein
B. the amount of protein a person needs
C. the compounds available for protein synthesis
D. the location where the proteins are synthesized
8. After the replication of the DNA molecule is completed, each of the two daughter cells is usually
composed of
A. fragments from both strands of the parent DNA molecule.
B. nucleotides slightly different from the parent DNA molecule.
C. one nucleotide strand exactly like the parent nucleotide strands.
D. nucleotides like the parent DNA molecule except that thymine is substituted for uracil.
9. Which of the following features of DNA is most important in determining the phenotype of an
organism?
A. the direction of the helical twist
B. the number of deoxyribose sugars
C. the sequence of nitrogenous bases
D. the strength of the hydrogen bonds
10. Fireflies produce light inside their bodies. The enzyme luciferase is involved in the reaction that
produces the light. Scientists have isolated the luciferase gene. A scientist inserts the luciferase gene
into the DNA of cells from another organism. If these cells produce light, the scientist knows that
which of the following occurred?
A. The luciferase gene mutated inside the cells.
B. The luciferase gene was transcribed and translated.
C. The luciferase gene destroyed the original genes of the cells.
D. The luciferase gene moved from the nucleus to the endoplasmic reticulum.
11. Which of the following best describes how DNA and RNA are similar?
A. They both are formed in a double-helix structure.
B. They both are composed of five different nucleotides.
C. They both contain the nitrogen bases thymine and adenine.
D. They both contain the nitrogen bases cytosine and guanine.
12. Although all of the cells of a human develop from one fertilized egg, the human is born with many
different types of cells. Which statement best explains this observation?
A. Developing cells may express different parts of their identical genetic instructions.
B. Mutations occur during development as a result of environmental conditions.
C. All cells have different genetic material.
D. Some cells develop before other cells.
13. In carrier pigeons there is a rare inherited condition that causes the death of the chicks before
hatching. In order for this disease to be passed from generation to generation there must be parent
birds that
A. are heterozygous for the disease.
B. have the disease themselves.
C. produce new mutations for this disease.
D. are closely interbred.
14. Which of these make up the primary link between a gene and the expression of a trait?
A. vitamins
B. proteins
C. sugars
D. lipids
15. The position of an amino acid in a protein molecule is determined by the
A. sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA.
B. sequence of amino groups in an amino acid.
C. concentration of amino acids in the cytoplasm.
D. amount of ATP in the cell synthesizing the protein.
16. Select the type of nucleic acid molecule that is best described by the following phrase:
may contains guanine, double-helix structure, cannot leave an intact nucleus
A. DNA molecules, only
B. RNA molecules, only
C. Both DNA and RNA molecules
D. Neither DNA nor RNA molecules
17. Select the type of nucleic acid molecule that is best described by the following phrase:
are present in the nuclei of human cheek cells.
A. DNA molecules, only
B. RNA molecules, only
C. Both DNA and RNA molecules
D. Neither DNA nor RNA molecules
18. The presence of DNA is important for cellular metabolic activities because DNA
A. is a structural component of cell membranes.
B. directly increases the solubility of nutrients.
C. is the major component of cytoplasm.
D. directs the production of proteins.
19. What is the relationship between the three structures in the diagram above?
A. DNA is produced by a protein, which is produced in the cell.
B. Protein is composed of DNA, which is produced in the cell.
C. DNA controls the production of proteins inside the cell.
D. A cell is composed of DNA and protein.
20. The diagram below shows the chromosomes from a cell after they were photographed under a
microscope.
Which of the following questions may best be answered by studying the chromosomes above?
A. Is the organism endangered?
B. What mutations has the organism acquired?
C. What is the gender of the organism?
D. How does the organism obtain its food?
CLE 3210.4.6 Describe the connection between mutations and human genetic disorders.
1. A single nucleotide insertion or deletion that occurs in a prokaryotic gene will most likely have
which of the following effects?
A. It will prematurely halt transcription at that point.
B. It will shift the reading frame and likely result in a nonfunctional polypeptide.
C. It will result in the substitution of a different amino acid for the normal one only at that location.
D. It will have minimal effects on the resulting polypeptide due to redundancy of the genetic code.
2. Study the statements below.
1. THE CAT SAW THE FAT RAT
2. THE CAT SAW THE RAT
The change in Statement 1 to form Statement 2 is most similar to what type of mutation?
A. insertion
B. deletion
C. substitution
D. frameshift
3. Sickle-cell anemia is a disease that affects the shape of red blood cells and impairs their ability to
transport oxygen. Which of these statements best explains why sickle-cell anemia is classified as a
hereditary disease?
A. Both males and females can be carriers of the disease.
B. The disease is highly contagious from a carrier to another person.
C. A gene controls the protein synthesis for the components of red blood cells.
D. Red blood cells are transmitted between mother and offspring during pregnancy.
4. The graph shows the effect of 4 mutagens on human skin and blood cells grown in a laboratory.
One conclusion that might be drawn from this information is that
A. mutagens affect cells in different ways.
B. nicotine is equally harmful to all human cells.
C. human cells are equally affected by mutagens.
D. nitrous oxide equally affects skin and blood cells.
5. Which statement about mutations is most correct?
A. Most mutations are recessive and beneficial.
B. Mutations are sources of variations in offspring.
C. Mutations occur in only fruit flies and molds.
D. Mutations cannot occur unless the mutating cell is exposed to ionizing radiation.
6. Individuals with one form of lactose intolerance do not produce the enzyme lactase because the
gene coding for the production of lactase is shut off in their cells. This means that which of the
following processes does not occur for the gene?
A. hydrogenation
B. mutation
C. replication
D. transcription
7. In phenylketonuria (PKU), an enzyme that converts one amino acid into another does not work
properly. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this genetic condition?
A. an error in the transcription of the gene for the enzyme
B. a mutation in the DNA sequence that codes for the enzyme
C. an excess of the amino acids necessary to produce the enzyme
D. a structural variation in the amino acid modified by the enzyme
8. After a culture of cells is allowed to multiply and is viewed through a microscope, the cells are xrayed with high-energy radiation for less than 1/100th of a second. After the radiation, many newly
reproduced cells appear different. What has probably occurred?
A. mutation
B. speciation
C. contamination
D. bacterial infection
9. Which of the following are known to cause genetic mutation?
A. I and IV
B. I, II and III
C. I, III and IV
D. II, III and IV
10. A scientist cloned a goat. Which of these is a true statement about the cloned goat?
A. It has new genes and traits.
B. It lacks the genes for reproduction.
C. It has genes that are identical to the original goat.
D. It looks the same as the original goat but has different genes.
11. Geneticists have learned that segments of a cell’s DNA can be removed and replaced with
different segments of DNA. What development can arise as a result of this knowledge?
A. animals that can inherit acquired traits
B. crops that have more desirable genetic traits
C. crops that can avoid passing genetic traits to offspring
D. animals that can convert acquired traits into genetic ones
12. Why will knowledge of the human genome enable scientists to better understand proteins
involved in human diseases?
A. Nucleic acid molecules have shapes similar to those of proteins.
B. The bases that make up DNA are also present in RNA.
C. DNA contains the information used to make proteins.
D. Chromosomes can combine to form proteins.
13. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that contains a gene that results in the production of a
natural pesticide that kills insects. Genetic engineers have successfully inserted this Bt gene into the
DNA of some corn varieties, allowing the corn to produce its own pesticide.
What negative consequence could result from this technology?
A. Only corn that is resistant to the Bt gene will survive.
B. Individual insects that eat the genetically modified corn will develop resistance to Bt.
C. The genetically modified crops will insert this Bt gene into the DNA of humans that eat the corn.
D. Only Bt resistant insects will survive to reproduce, eventually producing a population of entirely
resistant individuals
14. Geneticists have learned that segments of a cell’s DNA can be removed and replaced with
different segments of DNA. What development can arise as a result of this knowledge?
A. animals that can inherit acquired traits
B. crops that have more desirable genetic traits
C. crops that can avoid passing genetic traits to offspring
D. animals that can convert acquired traits into genetic ones
15. Genetic engineering has produced goats whose milk contains proteins that can be used as
medicines. This effect was produced by
A. mixing foreign genes into the milk.
B. injecting foreign genes into the goats’ udders.
C. inserting foreign genes into fertilized goat eggs.
D. genetically modifying the nutritional needs of the goats’ offspring.
16. In phenylketonuria (PKU), an enzyme that converts one amino acid into another does not work
properly. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this genetic condition?
A. an error in the transcription of the gene for the enzyme
B. a mutation in the DNA sequence that codes for the enzyme
C. a structural variation in the amino acid modified by the enzyme
D. an excess of the amino acids necessary to produce the enzyme
17. Sickle-cell anemia is a disease that affects the shape of red blood cells and impairs their ability to
transport oxygen. Which of these statements best explains why sickle-cell anemia is classified as a
hereditary disease?
A. Both males and females can be carriers of the disease.
B. The disease is highly contagious from a carrier to another person.
C. A gene controls the protein synthesis for the components of red blood cells.
D. Red blood cells are transmitted between mother and offspring during pregnancy.
18. Exposure to cosmic rays, x rays, ultraviolet rays, and radiation from radioactive substances may
promote
A. new inheritable characteristics.
B. an increase in population size.
C. the production of similar organisms
D. a change from sexual to asexual reproduction.
19. A cellular process uses a strand of genetic material to produce a new strand. Parts of the strands
are shown below.
Original strand ATT CAG
New strand UAA GUC
This new strand will most likely be used for
A. gene splicing.
B. crossing-over.
C. DNA synthesis.
D. protein synthesis.
20. A mutation has occurred in an mRNA fragment that was originally CUU.
Which of the following mutated mRNA fragments would result in an amino acid sequence different
from that produced by the CUU fragment?
A. CUC
B. CUA
C. CUG
D. CAU
21. Shelly and Jason are siblings, but Shelly looks like their father while Jason looks like their
mother. Which of the following statements best explains the difference in Shelly’s and Jason’s
features?
A. Shelly inherited a greater number of chromosomes from their father than Jason did.
B. Shelly inherited a smaller number of X chromosomes from their mother than Jason did.
C. Shelly and Jason had different mutations occur in the 46 chromosomes they inherited from their
mother and father.
D. Shelly and Jason inherited different combinations of 23 chromosomes from their mother and 23
chromosomes from their father.
CLE 3210.4.7 Assess the scientific and ethical ramifications of emerging genetic technologies.
1. Genetically engineered bacteria can be used
A. to identify the remains of an unknown person
B. to develop a DNA fingerprint for blood left at a crime scene
C. to make human insulin for diabetics
D. to produce corn that is resistant to herbicides
2. Genetic engineering has produced goats whose milk contains proteins that can be used as
medicines. This effect was produced by
A. mixing foreign genes into the milk.
B. injecting foreign genes into the goats’ udders.
C. inserting foreign genes into fertilized goat eggs.
D. genetically modifying the nutritional needs of the goats’ offspring.
3. Which information was most important to the development of genetic engineering techniques?
A. the observation of nondominant alleles
B. the discovery of lethal genes
C. the formulation of Punnett squares
D. the structure of a DNA molecule
4. Some species of bacteria produce a substance that is toxic to insects but harmless to humans.
Scientists have isolated the gene that controls production of this substance. Which of the following is
the best reason for inserting this gene into corn plants?
A. The corn will grow faster.
B. Less fertilizer will be needed.
C. Fewer pesticides will be needed.
D. The corn will be more nutritious.
5. Genetic engineering in corn allows genes from bacteria to be added to the genetic material of corn.
In traditional breeding, genes of only closely related types of corn can be exchanged. What is one
risk of genetically engineering corn plants?
A. decreases the amount of pesticide needed to grow corn.
B. increases the length of time corn can be stored before it rots
C. increases the chance of adding a trait to corn that causes allergies
D. decreases the number of corn plants a farmer can grow in a season
6. The Human Genome Project was begun in 1988 by scientists from 13 nations as a worldwide effort
to understand the sequencing of the entire DNA in the human body. What is one potential scientific of
this research?
A. It will help to explain human cultural differences.
B. It will create communication between research centers.
C. It will help find the genes responsible for many diseases.
D. It helps to classify man most accurately in the animal kingdom.
7. In the laboratory, scientists remove the gene for insulin from human chromosomes. They insert the
gene into the DNA of bacteria. This causes the bacteria to produce human insulin. The insulin is used
to treat diabetes in humans. Which of these describes this process?
A. gel electrophoresis
B. fertilization
C. gene splicing
D. DNA fingerprinting
8. Two farmers plant different varieties of corn on neighboring farms. Farmer A plants genetically
modified corn. Farmer B plants a non-modified variety of corn. What would be farmer B’s primary
concern if she plans to gather seed for next year’s crop?
A. loss of genetic variability in the non-modified variety
B. that mutation rates will increase in the non-modified variety
C. that insects will only pollinate the genetically modified corn
D. unintended transfer of modified genes to her crop by cross-pollination
9. Certain disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, are linked to specific genes. Some scientists would
like to use gene therapy to cure such disorders. Gene therapy involves replacing the nonworking cells
with cells that have been genetically altered. Which of these is a logical argument against gene
therapy?
A. Changing one gene may negatively affect other genes.
B. Changing one gene may lead to the formation of a new species.
C. Scientists may not be able to distinguish one gene from another.
D. Drugs may already exist to cure these diseases, so there is no need for risky therapy.
10. Scientists have used genetic engineering to produce new types of grains and vegetables. These
grains and vegetables can live in hot temperatures. This research is beneficial to humans because
the research
A. could eliminate the need to fertilize crops.
B. makes crops more resistant to pollutants.
C. show these crops are less likely to be infested by insects and other pests.
D. indicates that these crops may grow in hot, dry areas.
11. Some geneticists are suggesting the possibility of transferring some of the genes that influence
photosynthesis from an efficient variety of crop plant to a less efficient crop plant to produce a new
variety with improved productivity. To produce this new variety, the project would most likely involve
A. amniocentesis
B. genetic engineering
C. genetic screening
D. inbreeding
12. In the United States, there has been relatively little experimentation involving the insertion of
genes from other species into human DNA. One reason for the lack of these experiments is that
A. the subunits of human DNA are different from the DNA subunits of other species.
B. there are many ethical questions to be answered before inserting foreign genes into human DNA.
C. inserting foreign DNA into human DNA would require using techniques completely different from
those used to insert foreign DNA into the DNA of other mammals.
D. human DNA always promotes human survival, so there is no need to alter it.
13. What process would produce a large group of individuals with identical genotypes?
A. cloning
B. meiosis
C. sexual reproduction
D. fertilization
14. The diagram above shows the procedure scientists used to clone a frog from a nucleus of a skin
cell. The tadpole produced by the cloning process will be genetically
A. similar to the unfertilized egg
B. different from the adult frog
C. similar to the frog skin cells
D. different from the unfertilized egg
15. The DNA fingerprint from four dogs and a puppy are shown below
If a puppy is to be registered the owners must know who the father is. Based on the DNA fingerprint
above which dog would be identified as the father of the puppy?
A. Dog #1
B. Dog #2
C. Dog #3
D. Dog #4
16. The DNA fingerprint of a baby and four couples is shown below.
The baby above has lost her identification tag while at the hospital. In order to identify her parents the
hospital administration ran a DNA fingerprint. Based off the data above, which couple is most likely
the parents of the baby?
A. Couple W
B. Couple X
C. Couple Y
D. Couple Z