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Milestones in the Discovery of DNA Quiz

#1

In the DNA double helix, adenine pairs with which other base?

Thymine
Explanation

Adenine pairs with thymine via two hydrogen bonds.

#2

Which enzyme is responsible for 'unzipping' the DNA double helix during replication?

DNA helicase
Explanation

DNA helicase unwinds the double helix during replication.

#3

In the context of DNA, what does the term 'complementary' mean?

Having opposite sequences
Explanation

Complementary DNA strands have base pairs that match A-T and C-G.

#4

Which technique allows the amplification of specific DNA sequences in vitro?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Explanation

PCR rapidly amplifies DNA sequences in vitro for analysis.

#5

What is the term for the process by which RNA is synthesized from a DNA template?

Transcription
Explanation

Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.

#6

Who is credited with the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA?

James Watson and Francis Crick
Explanation

Watson and Crick elucidated the structure based on X-ray diffraction data.

#7

Which X-ray diffraction photograph provided crucial evidence for the structure of DNA?

Photograph 51
Explanation

Photograph 51 revealed the helical structure of DNA.

#8

What is the role of RNA primase in DNA replication?

Adds RNA primers to the template strand
Explanation

RNA primase initiates DNA replication by adding RNA primers.

#9

What is the term for the sequence of three nucleotides that codes for a specific amino acid in a protein?

Codon
Explanation

Codons are the basic units of the genetic code, encoding amino acids.

#10

Which nitrogenous base is not found in RNA?

Thymine
Explanation

Thymine is replaced by uracil in RNA.

#11

What is the name of the scientist who discovered that DNA is the genetic material of the cell?

Oswald Avery
Explanation

Avery demonstrated that DNA, not protein, carries genetic information.

#12

What is the function of DNA polymerase in DNA replication?

Adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand
Explanation

DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.

#13

Which scientist proposed the model of DNA replication known as the 'semi-conservative model'?

Meselson and Stahl
Explanation

Meselson and Stahl confirmed DNA replication follows a semi-conservative pattern.

#14

Who discovered the enzyme DNA helicase?

Kornberg and Lehman
Explanation

Kornberg and Lehman identified and characterized DNA helicase.

#15

What is the function of DNA ligase in DNA replication?

Joins Okazaki fragments
Explanation

DNA ligase seals the nicks between Okazaki fragments.

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