1.6 Nucleic Acids
Which of the following correctly lists the three structural components of a nucleotide monomer?
A researcher isolates a nucleic acid from a cell and finds that it contains ribose sugar and uracil. The molecule is most likely which of the following?
During nucleic acid synthesis, a new nucleotide is added to a growing strand. To which position on the existing strand does this new nucleotide attach?
The two strands of a DNA double helix are described as antiparallel. Which of the following best describes this arrangement?
A DNA template strand has the sequence 3'-AATCGC-5'. What is the sequence of the mRNA molecule transcribed from this template?
A student claims that RNA cannot form any base pairs because it is single stranded. Which of the following is the most accurate correction of this claim?
Chargaff's data from various organisms showed that the percentage of adenine in double-stranded DNA is always approximately equal to the percentage of thymine. Which principle directly explains this observation?
A pharmaceutical company develops a molecule that blocks the formation of covalent bonds between adjacent nucleotides in a growing DNA strand. What is the most direct effect of this molecule on a cell?
Which of the following correctly pairs a structural feature of DNA with its contribution to DNA's function as a long-term information storage molecule?
In a sample of double-stranded DNA, 22% of the nitrogenous bases are cytosine. What percentage of the bases in this sample are adenine?
An organism's messenger RNA molecule contains the codon sequence 5'-AUG-3'. Which of the following represents the DNA template strand sequence from which this codon was transcribed?
A scientist discovers a novel single-stranded nucleic acid in an extremophile organism. Analysis shows it contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, but no thymine. The sugar in its backbone has one more oxygen atom than deoxyribose. Based on these observations, which conclusion is best supported?
A student is asked to explain why the term "deoxy" appears in deoxyribonucleic acid. Which of the following responses is most accurate?
During an investigation, a student heats a DNA sample to 95°C and observes that the two strands separate. Which type of bond is most directly disrupted by this treatment?
A marine biologist discovers that a deep-sea organism stores its genetic material in a molecule that is single stranded, contains thymine, and uses deoxyribose sugar. Compared to organisms that use standard double-stranded DNA, which of the following is the most significant disadvantage this organism faces for long-term genetic information storage?
Which of the following functions is made possible by RNA's typically single-stranded structure but would be difficult for double-stranded DNA to perform?