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All About Genes and DNA Trivia Quiz

Life's instructions. How much do you know about genes and DNA?

A multiple-choice quiz by jbogacik. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
jbogacik

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
355,646

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
1073

Last 3 plays: Guest 138 (10/10), Guest 212 (10/10), Guest 62 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. DNA is written in a special alphabet containing only the four letters A, T, C and G. If the letters A and T pair up together, what letter does C pair with? Hint

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. DNA is shaped like a curved ladder. What is this shape called? Hint

A square

A circle

A double helix

A ball

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Question 4 of 10

4. _______ are made up of DNA and are the instructions for life. Hint

Books

Teachers

Laws

Genes

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Question 5 of 10

5. Gregor Mendel is known as the father of genetics. He did experiments on a plant that makes round, green vegetables in a pod. What is this type of plant? Hint

Cauliflower

Pea

Corn

Carrot

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Question 6 of 10

6. In genetics, what is hair color an example of? Hint

A molecule

A trait

An atom

A wig

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Question 7 of 10

7. DNA is wrapped together and packaged in structures called _____________. Humans have 46 of these. Hint

boxes

lysosomes

containers

chromosomes

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Question 8 of 10

8. Most genes code for a specific molecule that carries out the functions needed for life. What is this molecule called? Hint

A protein

Fat

Water

Sugar

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Question 9 of 10

9. In what part of the cell can you find packaged DNA? Hint

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

Lysosomes

Brain

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Question 10 of 10

10. Sometimes, genes have mistakes where there is change from the original code. What is this change called? Hint

Nothing

Growing up

A mutation

A switch

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.

Answer: True

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. Genes are the instructions for life, and genes are made up of a specific DNA code. DNA determines your eye color, hair color, height, and much much more!

2. DNA is written in a special alphabet containing only the four letters A, T, C and G. If the letters A and T pair up together, what letter does C pair with?

Answer: G

These letters are called bases or nucleotides. The letters are initials for the nucleotides adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine.

3. DNA is shaped like a curved ladder. What is this shape called?

Answer: A double helix

DNA's shape is a double helix, which is a spiral ladder of two strands. Each rung on the ladder contains the special DNA alphabet. The alphabet has only four letters: A, T, C, and G. The letters A and T pair up together on a rung, and the letters C and G pair together on a rung.

4. _______ are made up of DNA and are the instructions for life.

Answer: Genes

Genes are the instructions for life just as blueprints are the instructions for building a house. People have thousands of genes in every cell with each gene having a specific function, called a trait. An example of a trait is eye color.

5. Gregor Mendel is known as the father of genetics. He did experiments on a plant that makes round, green vegetables in a pod. What is this type of plant?

Answer: Pea

Gregor Mendel used the pea plant because of its special properties. Mendel could control pollination and cross breeding. Also, the pea plant has specific traits (flower color, plant height, etc.) that can be easily studied.

6. In genetics, what is hair color an example of?

Answer: A trait

A trait is a characteristic that can be passed on from parent to child. Genes code for specific traits. Some genes are dominant meaning that they are always expressed in a person, such as brown hair color. And, some genes are recessive meaning that they are only expressed when a dominant gene is not present, such as red hair.

7. DNA is wrapped together and packaged in structures called _____________. Humans have 46 of these.

Answer: chromosomes

You inherit 23 chromosomes from your mother and 23 chromosomes from your father to make a total of 46 chromosomes.

8. Most genes code for a specific molecule that carries out the functions needed for life. What is this molecule called?

Answer: A protein

The DNA code in genes directs the process for making proteins. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are known as the building blocks of life.

9. In what part of the cell can you find packaged DNA?

Answer: Nucleus

The nucleus holds most of a cell's DNA. DNA is organized and packaged into tight structures called chromosomes.

10. Sometimes, genes have mistakes where there is change from the original code. What is this change called?

Answer: A mutation

A mutation is a permanent change in a gene's DNA. The effect of gene mutations varies. Some mutations have no effect, and some mutations have very harmful effects.

Source: Author jbogacik

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