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Structure of DNA Trivia Quiz

What do you know about the basic structure of DNA?

A multiple-choice quiz by Cher40. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Cher40

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
268,841

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
5380

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 79 (10/10), Guest 161 (7/10), Guest 80 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The structural shape of DNA is, of course, the famous double helix. What is a "double helix"? Hint

Two spirals, like a twisty ladder

Two X-shaped strands

Two loops, like a figure eight

Two Y-shaped strand

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Question 2 of 10

2. DNA is constructed of repeating units. What are these units called? Hint

Fatty acids

Amino acids

Nucleotides

Monosaccharides

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Question 3 of 10

3. In DNA, to what base does adenine bond? Hint

Guanine

Other adenines

Cytosine

Thymine

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Question 4 of 10

4. What bases are called purines? Hint

Adenine & thymine

Thymine & cytosine

Guanine & cytosine

Adenine & guanine

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Question 5 of 10

5. To whom is the discovery of the structure of DNA credited? Hint

Charles Darwin

Gregor Mendel

Alexander Fleming

Watson & Crick

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Question 6 of 10

6. What part of DNA is found at the centre of the molecule? Hint

Bases

Phosphates

Sugars

Amino Acids

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Question 7 of 10

7. Weak hydrogen bonds are found between which molecules in DNA? Hint

Between acids

Between purines

Between sugars and phosphates

Between bases

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Question 8 of 10

8. What process is used to copy DNA to produce another identical strand? Hint

Replication

Translation

Transcription

Photocopying

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Question 9 of 10

9. To what molecule is the nitrogen base attached in a nucleotide? Hint

Lipid

Phosphate

Sugar

Helix

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Question 10 of 10

10. What kind of sugar is found in DNA? Hint

Glucose

Ribose

Deoxyribose

Galactose

Most Recent Scores

Dec 17 2024 : Guest 79: 10/10
Nov 26 2024 : Guest 161: 7/10
Nov 17 2024 : Guest 80: 8/10
Nov 14 2024 : Guest 94: 4/10
Nov 10 2024 : Guest 99: 5/10
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 81: 8/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 94: 9/10
Oct 29 2024 : Guest 93: 3/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 161: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The structural shape of DNA is, of course, the famous double helix. What is a "double helix"?

Answer: Two spirals, like a twisty ladder

The double helix shape of DNA is two spirals, resembling a twisted ladder, or two spring coiled together.

2. DNA is constructed of repeating units. What are these units called?

Answer: Nucleotides

A nucleotide consists of a nitrogen base, a sugar, and a phosphate.

3. In DNA, to what base does adenine bond?

Answer: Thymine

Adenine and thymine always bond together, just as cytosine and guanine always bond together.

4. What bases are called purines?

Answer: Adenine & guanine

Purines always bond with pyrimidines. Adenine and guanine are both purines, bonding to the pyrimidines thymine and cytosine respectively.

5. To whom is the discovery of the structure of DNA credited?

Answer: Watson & Crick

James Watson and Francis Crick are widely credited with the discovery of the structure of DNA, based on research carried out by Rosalind Franklin. Darwin is associated with natural selection, Fleming with the discovery of penicillin, and Mendel with genetics.

6. What part of DNA is found at the centre of the molecule?

Answer: Bases

The phosphates and sugars are found on the outside of the molecule while the bases are found in the centre.

7. Weak hydrogen bonds are found between which molecules in DNA?

Answer: Between bases

The bases guanine and cytosine form three hydrogen bonds, while the bases adenine and thymine share two hydrogen bonds.

8. What process is used to copy DNA to produce another identical strand?

Answer: Replication

In replication, an exact copy of the DNA strand is created as it "unzips" and complementary nucleotides rebuild each side. Transcription and translation are used during protein synthesis.

9. To what molecule is the nitrogen base attached in a nucleotide?

Answer: Sugar

In a nucleotide, the base is bonded to the sugar, as is the phosphate, so that the phosphates and bases are not bonded together. The phosphates and sugars repeat to form the outer sides of the ladder-shape, while the bases, bonded to the sugars, form the ladder-like rungs on the inside of the molecule.

10. What kind of sugar is found in DNA?

Answer: Deoxyribose

Deoxyribonucleic acid contains the 5-carbon deoxyribose sugar. RNA contains ribose sugar. Galactose and glucose are not found in nucleic acids.

Source: Author Cher40

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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