BIO 1330 EXAM #2 | COMPREHENSIVE BIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE,
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
transcription - correct answer ✔✔The process that creates an RNA molecule from information archived
in DNA.
translation - correct answer ✔✔The process that uses the information in messenger RNA (mRNA) to
synthesize a protein.
DNA only - correct answer ✔✔- secondary structure usually consists of a double helix
- No -OH group on 2' carbon
- contains the nitrogenous bases A,T,G,C
RNA only - correct answer ✔✔- contains the nitrogenous bases A, U, G, C
- often contains secondary structures w/ short double helix "stem" and a single-stranded loop
Both DNA and RNA - correct answer ✔✔- part of the chemical family called nucleic acids
- primary structure is formed by phosphodiester bonds
RNA is synthesized in the 5′ to 3′ direction, meaning that RNA polymerase adds complementary RNA
bases to the 3′ end of the growing strand. In what direction does RNA polymerase "read" the DNA
template? - correct answer ✔✔3′ to 5′
gene - correct answer ✔✔A segment of DNA that contains the information required to produce a
product that functions in the organism.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) - correct answer ✔✔RNA molecules that form part of the ribosome. Ribosomes
also contain proteins.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) - correct answer ✔✔RNA molecules that function in transferring amino acids to the
ribosome during translation.
RNA polymerase - correct answer ✔✔An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of phosophodiester
linkages between ribonucleotides, forming an RNA product that is complementary to the sequences of
bases in a DNA template.
Genetic code - correct answer ✔✔The set of relationships between the 64 possible codons in mRNA and
the amino acids that are added to a newly synthesized protein.
Codon - correct answer ✔✔A group of three bases in an mRNA that codes for an amino acid.
Start codon - correct answer ✔✔The codon that signals where the ribosome begins translation and thus
protein synthesis. Usually AUG and also codes for the amino acid methionine (Met).
Stop codon - correct answer ✔✔A codon that signals where the ribosome ends translation and thus
protein synthesis. Usually UAA, UAG, and UGA.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
transcription - correct answer ✔✔The process that creates an RNA molecule from information archived
in DNA.
translation - correct answer ✔✔The process that uses the information in messenger RNA (mRNA) to
synthesize a protein.
DNA only - correct answer ✔✔- secondary structure usually consists of a double helix
- No -OH group on 2' carbon
- contains the nitrogenous bases A,T,G,C
RNA only - correct answer ✔✔- contains the nitrogenous bases A, U, G, C
- often contains secondary structures w/ short double helix "stem" and a single-stranded loop
Both DNA and RNA - correct answer ✔✔- part of the chemical family called nucleic acids
- primary structure is formed by phosphodiester bonds
RNA is synthesized in the 5′ to 3′ direction, meaning that RNA polymerase adds complementary RNA
bases to the 3′ end of the growing strand. In what direction does RNA polymerase "read" the DNA
template? - correct answer ✔✔3′ to 5′
gene - correct answer ✔✔A segment of DNA that contains the information required to produce a
product that functions in the organism.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) - correct answer ✔✔RNA molecules that form part of the ribosome. Ribosomes
also contain proteins.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) - correct answer ✔✔RNA molecules that function in transferring amino acids to the
ribosome during translation.
RNA polymerase - correct answer ✔✔An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of phosophodiester
linkages between ribonucleotides, forming an RNA product that is complementary to the sequences of
bases in a DNA template.
Genetic code - correct answer ✔✔The set of relationships between the 64 possible codons in mRNA and
the amino acids that are added to a newly synthesized protein.
Codon - correct answer ✔✔A group of three bases in an mRNA that codes for an amino acid.
Start codon - correct answer ✔✔The codon that signals where the ribosome begins translation and thus
protein synthesis. Usually AUG and also codes for the amino acid methionine (Met).
Stop codon - correct answer ✔✔A codon that signals where the ribosome ends translation and thus
protein synthesis. Usually UAA, UAG, and UGA.
