Content Benchmark L.12.A.1
Students known genetic information passed from parents to offspring is coded in the DNA molecule. E/S
1st Item Specification: Identify the location of the DNA molecule and the shape of its double helix structure.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. DNA is found in all the following cell structures EXCEPT the
A. nucleus.
B. mitochondria.
C. chloroplasts
D. ribosomes.
2. Which of the following describes the normal shape of a DNA molecule?
A. It forms a double helix.
B. It consists of a single helix.
C. It contains two straight strands.
D. It is formed from a single stand.
3. Which statement below correctly describes the relationship between genome size and organism complexity?
A. As organisms get more complex their genomes get larger.
B. Organisms of similar complexity have genomes of similar size.
C. There appears to be little relationship between complexity and genome size.
D. Individuals of the same species have vastly different genomes.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
4. A molecule contains the original directions for the formation of proteins. In which structure would it most likely be found in a cell?
A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Endoplasmic reticulum
D. Golgi apparatus
5. A molecule that consists of two strands running in the opposite direction generally forms a(n)
A. antiparrallel double helix.
B. parallel double helix.
C. twisted ladder shape.
D. coiled spring-like shape.
6. Use the diagram below to answer the next question.
What macromolecule results when these molecules and other like them are joined together?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Protein
C. Lipid
D. Nucleic acid
2nd Item Specification: Explain that DNA copies itself.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
7. Chargaff’s rule states that in DNA the amount of
A. adenine equals the amount of thymine.
B. guanine equals the amount of thymine.
C. cytosine equals the amount of thymine.
D. adenine equals the amount of guanine.
8. Which one of the following pairs normally bond together in a DNA molecule?
A. cytosine - guanine
B. adenine - cytosine
C. cytosine - uracil
D. adenine - cytosine
9. Which of the following are complimentary base pairs in DNA?
A. adenine - thymine; uracil - cytosine.
B. adenine - thymine; guanine - cytosine.
C. adenine - guanine; thymine - cytosine.
D. uracil - thymine; guanine - cytosine.
10. If the nucleotide sequence on one side of a DNA molecule is CCTAGCT, then the sequence on the complimentary strand of DNA will be
A. TTGCATG.
B. CCTAGCT.
C. AAGTATC.
D. GGATCGA.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
11. If the amount of adenine in a DNA molecule is 20%, the amount of cytosine would be
A. 20%
B. 30%
C. 50%
D. 80%
12. If the amount of guanine in a DNA molecule is 32%, the amount of thymine would be
A. 16%
B. 18%
C. 32%
D. 36%
3rd Item Specification: Explain that DNA contains hereditary information.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
13. Which molecule carries the code for traits of most organisms?
A. Ribonucleic acids
B. Carbohydrates
C. Adenosine triphosphate
D. Deoxyribonucleic acids
14. Which statement below best describes the role of DNA?
A. It is the main supplier of energy for cells.
B. It is used to store energy in the body.
C. It carries information for building proteins.
D. It serves as the memory molecule in brain cells.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
15. Use the diagram below to answer the next question. The diagram illustrates an experiment performed in the early part of the 1900’s in work done with two strains of bacteria called the R and S strains. In this experiment, the researcher is trying to determine if he could transform one strain of bacteria into the other strain.
(From http://activity.ntsec.gov.tw/lifeworld/english/content/images/en_gene_c7.jpg)
Which statement below correctly describes a possible conclusion for this experiment?
A. The R and S strains both cause the mice to die.
B. The R and S strains can be changed into the other.
C. The S strain is always lethal.
D. The R strain can be converted into a lethal strain.
16. Use the table below to answer the next question.
Table 1: Distribution of Bases Found in Different Types of Organisms
Organism / G / A / C / TMold / 15.2 / 34.0 / 14.9 / 35.1
Plant / 19.7 / 41.2 / 19.5 / 42.1
Reptile / 12.9 / 35.6 / 13.2 / 35.7
Mammal / 14.6 / 39.5 / 13.8 / 37.6
Table adapted from Modern Biology test bank.
Which conclusion BEST describes the data in this table in reference to life on Earth?
A. The genetic code is generally universal among living organisms.
B. Organisms have different proportions of bases in their DNA.
C. Animals have similar amounts of bases in their cells.
D. Plants are least related genetically to other organisms on this table.
4th Item Specification: Describe the process of DNA replication in the formation of sex cells.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
17. How many times does DNA replicate during meiosis?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. Four times
18. During the process of meiosis DNA replicates
A. twice and divides once.
B. twice and divides twice.
C. once and divides once.
D. once and divides twice.
19. An offspring of two parents had an extra chromosome in its karyotype. The most likely cause of this condition would have been
A. a point mutation.
B. translocation.
C. nondisjunction.
D. a nonsense mutation.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
20. Which statement below correctly describes what happens to DNA during the formation of sex cells?
A. When DNA replicates, each of the two new DNA molecules has one old strand and one new strand.
B. As a result of DNA replication, one DNA molecule is completely new and one remains as the original.
C. After the formation of sex cells the DNA molecules are a mix of old and new strands.
D. Each new sex cell contains a random, but equal amount of the original DNA molecules.
21. An organism has 3 pairs of chromosomes. How many different combinations of chromosomes are possible as a result of meiosis if crossing over or chromosomal mutations do not occur?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 8
D. 16
Content Benchmark L.12.A.1
Students known genetic information passed from parents to offspring is coded in the DNA molecule. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. D, DOK Level 1
2. A, DOK Level 1
3. C, DOK Level 1
4. B, DOK Level 2
5. A, DOK Level 2
6. D, DOK Level 2
7. A, DOK Level 1
8. A, DOK Level 1
9. B, DOK Level 1
10. D, DOK Level 1
11. B, DOK Level 2
12. B, DOK Level 2
13. D, DOK Level 1
14. C, DOK Level 1
15. D, DOK Level 2
16. A, DOK Level 2
17. A, DOK Level 1
18. C, DOK Level 1
19. C, DOK Level 1
20. A, DOK Level 2
21. C, DOK Level 2