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CHEM 210 Biochemistry Module 6
Exam (2025/2026) – Portage Learning
Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Guarantee Pass
Below is a set of 40 multiple-choice questions for the CHEM 210 Biochemistry Module 6 Exam
for the 2025/2026 academic year, aligned with Portage Learning’s biochemistry curriculum. The
questions cover nucleic acids, DNA/RNA structure, replication, transcription, and translation,
reflecting key competencies for biochemistry students. Each question includes four answer
options, with the correct answer and a concise, expert-level rationale based on biochemical
principles. The questions are designed to test understanding of molecular processes and their
applications, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the exam.
1. What is the primary function of nucleic acids in cells?
a) Energy storage
b) Structural support
c) Genetic information storage and transfer
d) Catalyzing reactions
Correct Answer: c) Genetic information storage and transfer
Rationale: Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) store and transmit genetic information,
encoding instructions for protein synthesis (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
2. What is the sugar component of DNA?
a) Ribose
b) Deoxyribose
c) Glucose
d) Fructose
Correct Answer: b) Deoxyribose
Rationale: DNA contains deoxyribose, a five-carbon sugar lacking a hydroxyl group at
the 2’ position, unlike ribose in RNA (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
3. Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not DNA?
a) Adenine
b) Guanine
c) Uracil
d) Thymine
Correct Answer: c) Uracil
Rationale: RNA contains uracil, which pairs with adenine, while DNA contains thymine
(Nelson & Cox, 2021).
4. What type of bond links nucleotides in a DNA strand?
a) Hydrogen bonds
, 2
b) Phosphodiester bonds
c) Peptide bonds
d) Glycosidic bonds
Correct Answer: b) Phosphodiester bonds
Rationale: Phosphodiester bonds link the 3’ carbon of one nucleotide to the 5’ carbon of
the next in DNA (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
5. What is the structure of DNA described by Watson and Crick?
a) Single helix
b) Double helix
c) Triple helix
d) Linear chain
Correct Answer: b) Double helix
Rationale: DNA’s double helix structure consists of two antiparallel strands stabilized by
hydrogen bonds (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
6. Which enzyme unwinds DNA during replication?
a) DNA polymerase
b) Helicase
c) Ligase
d) Primase
Correct Answer: b) Helicase
Rationale: Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix, separating strands for replication
(Nelson & Cox, 2021).
7. What direction does DNA replication proceed?
a) 3’ to 5’
b) 5’ to 3’
c) Both directions
d) Random direction
Correct Answer: b) 5’ to 3’
Rationale: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the 3’ end, synthesizing DNA in the 5’
to 3’ direction (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
8. What is the role of DNA primase in replication?
a) Seals nicks in DNA
b) Synthesizes RNA primers
c) Unwinds DNA strands
d) Adds nucleotides to DNA
Correct Answer: b) Synthesizes RNA primers
Rationale: Primase synthesizes short RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA
polymerase (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
9. Which strand is synthesized continuously during DNA replication?
a) Lagging strand
b) Leading strand
c) Okazaki strand
d) Template strand
Correct Answer: b) Leading strand
Rationale: The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction,
following the replication fork (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
CHEM 210 Biochemistry Module 6
Exam (2025/2026) – Portage Learning
Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Guarantee Pass
Below is a set of 40 multiple-choice questions for the CHEM 210 Biochemistry Module 6 Exam
for the 2025/2026 academic year, aligned with Portage Learning’s biochemistry curriculum. The
questions cover nucleic acids, DNA/RNA structure, replication, transcription, and translation,
reflecting key competencies for biochemistry students. Each question includes four answer
options, with the correct answer and a concise, expert-level rationale based on biochemical
principles. The questions are designed to test understanding of molecular processes and their
applications, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the exam.
1. What is the primary function of nucleic acids in cells?
a) Energy storage
b) Structural support
c) Genetic information storage and transfer
d) Catalyzing reactions
Correct Answer: c) Genetic information storage and transfer
Rationale: Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) store and transmit genetic information,
encoding instructions for protein synthesis (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
2. What is the sugar component of DNA?
a) Ribose
b) Deoxyribose
c) Glucose
d) Fructose
Correct Answer: b) Deoxyribose
Rationale: DNA contains deoxyribose, a five-carbon sugar lacking a hydroxyl group at
the 2’ position, unlike ribose in RNA (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
3. Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not DNA?
a) Adenine
b) Guanine
c) Uracil
d) Thymine
Correct Answer: c) Uracil
Rationale: RNA contains uracil, which pairs with adenine, while DNA contains thymine
(Nelson & Cox, 2021).
4. What type of bond links nucleotides in a DNA strand?
a) Hydrogen bonds
, 2
b) Phosphodiester bonds
c) Peptide bonds
d) Glycosidic bonds
Correct Answer: b) Phosphodiester bonds
Rationale: Phosphodiester bonds link the 3’ carbon of one nucleotide to the 5’ carbon of
the next in DNA (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
5. What is the structure of DNA described by Watson and Crick?
a) Single helix
b) Double helix
c) Triple helix
d) Linear chain
Correct Answer: b) Double helix
Rationale: DNA’s double helix structure consists of two antiparallel strands stabilized by
hydrogen bonds (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
6. Which enzyme unwinds DNA during replication?
a) DNA polymerase
b) Helicase
c) Ligase
d) Primase
Correct Answer: b) Helicase
Rationale: Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix, separating strands for replication
(Nelson & Cox, 2021).
7. What direction does DNA replication proceed?
a) 3’ to 5’
b) 5’ to 3’
c) Both directions
d) Random direction
Correct Answer: b) 5’ to 3’
Rationale: DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the 3’ end, synthesizing DNA in the 5’
to 3’ direction (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
8. What is the role of DNA primase in replication?
a) Seals nicks in DNA
b) Synthesizes RNA primers
c) Unwinds DNA strands
d) Adds nucleotides to DNA
Correct Answer: b) Synthesizes RNA primers
Rationale: Primase synthesizes short RNA primers to initiate DNA synthesis by DNA
polymerase (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
9. Which strand is synthesized continuously during DNA replication?
a) Lagging strand
b) Leading strand
c) Okazaki strand
d) Template strand
Correct Answer: b) Leading strand
Rationale: The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction,
following the replication fork (Nelson & Cox, 2021).
