Structure and Organization Questions
with Correct Answers
Five Great Ideas of Biology - ANSWERS1. The cell as the basic unit of living systems
2. The gene as a unit of heredity
3. Life as chemistry
4. Biology as a set of organized + regulated systems
5. Evolution by Natural Selection
What is a gene? - ANSWERSa transcribed portion of the genome whose product (which
could be a functional RNA, protein, etc) carries out a function
Central Dogma - ANSWERSA model for how genotype and environmental factors
influence phenotype
genotype + environment--> - ANSWERSphenotype
Two ways to determine the relative contributions of genes and the environment to a
particular phenotype - ANSWERS1. Keep genes the same but change environment
(twin studies)
2. keep environment the same but change genes (manipulate genes through
mutagenesis or transgenes
DNA - ANSWERSA double-stranded nucleic acid that contains the genetic information
for cell growth, division, and function.
Anti-parallel and double stranded
DNA synthesis always occurs by - ANSWERSadding 5' phosphate of the next
nucleotide to the existing 3' OH
DNA is polymerized in what direction? and how? - ANSWERS5' to 3' and by DNA
polymerases using the other strand as a template
phosphodiester bond - ANSWERSthe type of bond that links the nucleotides in DNA or
RNA. Joins the phosphate group of one nucleotide to the hydroxyl group on the sugar of
another nucleotide
sugar-phosphate backbone - ANSWERSThe alternating chain of sugar and phosphate
to which the DNA and RNA nitrogenous bases are attached