QBM 1 Exam Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
Molecular biology involves the study, analysis, and manipulation of Ans: DNA
and proteins
Geber: (~800): Ans: Developed the experimental method, acid synthesis,
distillation, crystallization
1700-1900: Ans: Huge advancements in chemistry, atomic theory, elements,
small molecule synthesis
1930's: Ans: - Understanding of DNA, genes, proteins
- Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Virology
1938: Ans: "Molecular Biology" by Warren Weaver
1944: Ans: OSWALD AVERY showed DNA was the basis for genes
1900-present: Ans: Simple organisms used to perform biochemistry (E. coli, S.
cerevisiae, Drosophila)
Phage Research: Ans: Max Delbrück believed the only biology was
"quantitative"
- Trained hundreds of scientists at the Phage course who went on to lay the
foundation of molecular bio
Watson & Crick: Ans: Discovered structure & inheritance of DNA
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-"True beginning of molecular bio"
Molecular Bio consists of understanding the mechanisms of information
exchange within cells &: Ans: - Study molecular processes to understand cell
function
- Storage, replication, expression, repair, recombination, and control of
genetic information
- Structure/function of proteins
- Pathways (synthesis, degradation, phosphorylation, activation), errors
- Kinetics, thermodynamics, energetics (transport, ATP generation, energy
conversion)
Central Dogma is Ans: DNA(via DNA polymerase)--> RNA(via RNA
polymerase)--> Proteins (via ribosomes)
II. DNA & Protein: Ans: - Carbon - 4 bonds allow for diversity
- Precursors (H2O, CO2, NH4+,NO3-, N2)
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- Small molecules: nucleotides, amino acids, sugars, fatty acids
-Macromolecules
Macromolecules: Ans: - Large protein/DNA complexes, enzyme/substrate
interactions, chromosomes, organelles, plasma membrane
- Held together by covalent bonds and weak forces (hydrophobic, hydrogen
bonds, etc.),
- Interact w/ other macromolecules, structural complementarity required for
interactions
DNA: Ans: - Deoxyribonucleic acid
-Double stranded Antiparallel , 5'3' architecture (phosphate backbone)
- Base pairing: A;T, G;C
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-Held together by H-bond & base stacking
- DNA --> protein
Amino acids are made in the Ans: N to C direction; amino acid added to C
terminus
- First amino acid (methionine) will have a free N-terminus & its carboxyl
group will form a peptide bond w/ the amino group of the next amino acid.
The end of the protein will have a free C-terminus
There are 20 amino acids, amino acids (R-groups) can be characterized by
their properties such as Ans: acidic (negatively-charged), basic (positively-
charged), hydrophobic, nucleophilic, small, bulky, and aromatic
Proteins are made up amino acid residues held together by peptide bonds,
which consist of a Ans: amino (N) group, hydrogen, R-group, and carboxyl (C)
group
Recombinant DNA technology involves using techniques such as cloning, PCR,
restriction enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis to take a Ans: gene from
one source, join it with another piece of DNA creating a new recombinant
DNA, and inserting that into bacteria for further study
cDNA library from mRNA generation has no Ans: introns
Miniprep can Ans: lyse bacteria and provide micrograms of DNA
-Bacteria can make millions of copies of the plasmid & insert
Primary structure of protein: Ans: amino acid sequence