OUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL, ALWARQA’A

GRADE 12 BIOLOGY
CHAPTER – MOLECULAR BASIS OF INHERITANCE
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a bacterium when RNA-polymerase binds to the promoter on a transcription
unit during transcription, it
a. terminates the process
b. helps remove introns
c. initiates the process
d. inactivates the exons
2. In a DNA strand, the nucleotides are linked together by—
a. glycosidic bonds
b. phosphodiester bonds
c. peptide bonds
d. hydrogen bonds
3. With regard to mature mRNA in eukaryotes, which of the following is true?
a. Exons and introns do not appear in the mature RNA
b. Exons appear but introns do not appear in the mature mRNA
c. Introns appear but exons do not appear in the mature mRNA
d. Both exons and introns appear in the mature mRNA
4. Which of the following is true with respect to AUG?
a. It codes for methionine only
b. It is an initiation codon
c. It codes for methionine in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes
d. All of the above
5. The human chromosome with the highest and least number of genes in them are
respectively:
a. Chromosome 21 and Y
b. Chromosome 1 and X
c. Chromosome 1 and Y
d. Chromosome X and Y
6. Removal of introns in a transcription unit is —
a. Transformation
b. Splicing
c. Tailing
d. Capping
7. In E-coli, the lac operon gets switched on when —
a. lactose is present and it binds to the repressor

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 b. repressor binds to operator
c. RNA polymerase binds to the operator
d. lactose is present and it binds to RNA polymerase
8. The protein of DNA, which contains information for an entire polypeptide is
called as —
a. Cistron
b. Muton
c. Recon
d. Operon
9. RNA polymerase III transcribes —
a. hnRNA
b. tRNA
c. SS rRNA
d. Both b and c
10. In the absence of lactose, the operator gene of lac- operon is suppressed by genetic
material—
a. Structural gene
b. Repressor protein
c. Regulator gene
d. Promoter gene
11. Escherichia coli fully labelled with *5N is allowed to grow in *4N
medium. The two strands of DNA molecule of the first generation
bacteria have:
a. same density but do not resemble with their parent DNA.
b. same density and resemble with their parent DNA.
c. different density and do not resemble with their parent DNA.
d. different density but resemble with their parent DNA
12. Nitrogenous bases are linked to sugar by:
a. phosphodiester bond.
b. N-glycosidic bond.
c. O-glycosidic bond.
d. hydrogen bond
13. Select incorrect match.
a. Purines—Adenine and Guanine
b. Pyrimidines-Cytosine and Uracil
c. Nucleosides—Adenosine and Thymidine
d. DNA—Basic biomolecule
14. Triplet UUU codes for—
a. leucine
b. methionine

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 c. phenylalanine
d. glycine
15. A gene of operon, which forms the repressor protein, is—
a. Operator
b. Promoter
c. Regulator
d. Structural
16. A nucleoside differs from a nucleotide. It lacks the
a. base
b. sugar
c. phosphate group
d. hydroxyl group
17. Which was the last human chromosome to be completely sequenced?
a. Chromosome 1
b. Chromosome 11
c. Chromosome 21
d. Chromosome-X
18. While analysing the DNA of an organism a total number of 5386 nucleotides
were found out of which the proportion of different bases were: Adenine = 29%,
Guanine = 17%, Cytosine = 32%, Thymine = 17%. Considering the Chargaff’s
rule it can be concluded that:
a. it is a double stranded circular DNA
b. It is single stranded DNA
c. It is a double stranded linear DNA
d. No conclusion can be drawn
19. Control of gene expression takes place at the level of
a. DNA replication
b. transcription
c. translation
d. None of these
20. In the Lac operon system, {3-galactosidase is encoded by—
a. a-gene
b. i-gene
c. y-gene
d. z-gene

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 Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Answer these questions selecting the appropriate option given below:
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is False but R is true
21. Assertion: Replication on one strand of DNA is continuous and on another is
discontinuous.
Reason: The DNA polymerase works in 3' → 5' direction.
22. Assertion: UAA, UAG and UGA terminate protein synthesis.
Reason: tRNA does not recognize them.
23. Assertion: Genetic code is universal.
Reason: Genetic code is same for all organisms.
24. Assertion: Frameshift mutations form the genetic basis of proof that
codon is a triplet.
Reason: Insertion or deletion of one or two bases changes the reading
frame from the point of insertion or deletion.
25. Assertion: DNA fingerprinting is very well known for its application
in paternity testing in case of disputes.
Reason: It employs the principle of polymorphism in DNA sequences,
as the polymorphisms are inheritable from parent to children.
26. Assertion: A single mRNA strand can form a number of different
polypeptide chains.
Reason: The mRNA strand has termination codons.
27. Assertion: Repetitive sequences make up very large portion of human
genome.
Reason: Repetitive sequences do not have direct coding functions in
the genome.
28. Assertion: The genetic code is degenerate.
Reason: Most amino acids are coded by more than one codon.
29. Assertion: hnRNA is larger than mRNA.
Reason: hnRNA has non-translating introns which are not required for
translation.
30. Assertion: Thet wo chains of DNA have anlt-parallel
polarity.
Reason: In one chain of DNA, ribose sugar at 5’ end consists of a free
phosphate moiety while at the other end the ribose has a free
3’-OH group

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 CASE STUDY BASED QUESTION
31. Read the following and answer the questions given below
Molecular basis of inheritance involves the study of genes, genetic variations and
heredity. It explain how an offspring looks similar to the parents. DNA, RNA and genetic
code form the basis of the molecular basis of inheritance. They transmit the hereditary
genes from the parents to the offspring. DNA carries all the genetic information of an
individual. When it replicates each strand gives rise to a daughter strand and passes the
genetic information to it. This way it forms the basis of inheritance.

I. How many types of nucleic acids are present in the living systems?
a. One
b. Two
c. Three
d. Four
II. Through which among the following linkages are the two nucleotides
connected through the 3’-5’ end?
a. Phosphodiether linkage
b. Phosphodisulphide linkage
c. Phosphodinitrate linkage
d. Phosphodiester linkage
III. Which among the following is the exact ratio of guanine to cytosine in a DNA
double helical structure?
a. 3:2
b. 2:1
c. 1:3
d. 1:1
IV. Which is the correct complementary strand for AGAATTCGC?
a. CTCCGGATA
b. GAGGCCTAT
c. TCTTAAGCG
d. GTGGCCATA
V. During DNA replication, Okazaki fragments are used to elongate:
a. the lagging strand towards replication fork.
b.the leading strand away from replication fork.
c. the lagging strand away from the replication fork.
d.the leading strand towards replication fork.

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32. Read the following and answer the questions given below
Occasionally, situations arise in which people require concrete, scientific evidence
of parent age, whether it be their own or that of someone else. In mosl instances,
maternity is easy to determine. Unfortunately, questions of paternity are not so easy
to answer. In order to make a determination of fatherhood, scientists usually work
backwards--from the child to the potential parent-
-to ascertain the actual nature of the relationship.
The process of DNA fingerprinting first became available for paternity testing in
1988. Before this sort of DNA analysis was available, blood types were the most
common factor considered in human paternity testing. Blood groups are a popular
example of Mendelian genetics at work. After all, there are numerous human blood
groups with multiple alleles, and these alleles exhibit a range of dominance
patterns.
I. Which of the following statements regarding DNA fingerprinting is false?
a. DNA fingerprinting cannot be used for paternity testing
b. DNA profile using STR (short terminal repeats) is unique to an individual
c. PCR is used for DNA profiling
d. Forensic analysis makes use of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in
coding sequences to distinguish between individuals.
II. Who was the first person to develop DNA finger printing?
a. David Suzuki
b. Khorana
c. Alec Jaffreys
d. Gilbert
III. During DNA profiling, DNA nucleotides hybridized with the probe can be
detected through
a. Electrophoresis
b. Polymerase chain reaction
c. Autoradiography
d. Hybridoma
IV. Electrophoresis helps to separate
a. DNA segments
b. Cells from DNA
c. Tissues

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 d. RNA from DNA
V. This test includes samples from the mother (top row), the child
(middle row}, and the alleged father (bottom row). What can be
concluded from the above figure:

a. The maternal marker that has been passed to the child is 6.

b. The alleged father matches the child, since one of his markers is
indeed 7.
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
33. Read the following and answer the questions given below
DNA Fingerprinting
DNA is present in nearly every cell of our body, and we leave cells behind everywhere
we go without even realizing it. Flakes of skin, drops of blood, hair, and saliva all contain
DNA that can be used to identify us. In fact, the study of forensics, commonly used by
police departments and prosecutors around the world, frequently relies upon these
small bits of shed DNA to link criminals to the crimes they commit. This fascinating
science is often portrayed on popular television shows as a simple, exact, and infallible
method of finding a perpetrator and bringing him or her to justice. In truth, however,
teasing out a DNA fingerprint and determining the likelihood of a match between a
suspect and a crime scene is a complicated process. More than 99.9 % of everyone’s
genome is exactly alike (100% In case of identical twins). But the tiny bit that’s not is
what makes one physically and mentally different from someone else. DNA
fingerprinting, or identity testing, in genetics, method of isolating and identifying
variable elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA
fingerprinting uses chemicals to separate strands of DNA and reveal the unique parts of
your genome. The results show up as a pattern of stripes that can be matched against

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other samples. DNA fingerprinting, one of the great discoveries of the late 20th century,
has revolutionized forensic investigations.
I. DNA fingerprinting works because:
a. Most genes are dominant
b. All organisms contain RNA
c. The most important genes are different among most people
d. No two people, except identical twins, have exactly the same DNA
II. DNA finger printing relies on:
a. Difference in patterns of genes between individuals
b. Difference in order of genes between individuals
c. Difference in junk DNA patterns between individuals
d. All of these
III. Minisatellites are:
a. 10-40 bp sized short sequences within the genes
b. Short coding repetitive regions on the eukaryotic genome
c. Short Non-coding repetitive sequences present throughout the
chromosome
d. Are regions of chromosomes after secondary constriction
IV. Identify the incorrect pair.
a. Expressed sequence tags—Genes that are express as RNA
b. Sequence annotation—sequencing genome with coding sequences
c. Automated DNA sequences—Work on the principle developed by
Frederick Sanger
d. None of these
V. Assertion: DNA fingerprinting involves identifying differences in
specific regions in DNA sequence.
Reason: DNA fingerprinting is the basis of paternity testing.
a. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct
explanation of the assertion.
b. Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct
explanation of the assertion.
c. Assertion is true but reason is false.
d. Both assertion and reason are false.

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 SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [2 MARKS]
34. Mention two functions of codon AUG.
35. Name the enzyme involved in the continuous replication of DNA strand. Mention the polarity
of template strand.
36. The length of a DNA molecule in a typical mammalian cell is calculated to be approximately
2.2 meters. How is the packaging of this long molecule done to accommodate it within the
nucleus of the cell.
37. Name the category of codons UGA belongs to. Mention another codon of the same category.
Explain their role in protein synthesis.
38. How do histones acquire positive change?
39. Draw a neat labeled sketch of replicating fork of DNA.
40. Draw a labeled schematic diagram of a transcription unit.
41. Draw a neat labeled diagram of a nucleosome
42. State the functions of the following in a prokaryote:
(i) tRNA (ii) rRNA
43. Why is DNA considered a better hereditary material than RNA?
44. How are the DNA fragments separated and isolated for DNA finger printing? Explain
45. What is meant by semiconservative nature of DNA replication?
46. Explain what happens in frameshift mutation. Name one disease caused by the
disorder
47. If a double-stranded DNA has 20 % of cytosine, calculate the % of adenine in the
DNA.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [3 MARKS]

48. Given below is part of the template strand of a structural gene: TAC CAT TAG GAT
(a) Write its transcribed mRNA strand with its polarity.
(b) Explain the mechanism involved in initiation of transcription of this strand.
49. Draw a schematic representation of a transcription unit and show the following in it.
(i) Direction in which the transcription occurs
(ii) Polarity of the two strands involved
(iii) Template strand
(iv) Terminator
50. Mention the role of ribosomes in peptide bond formation. How does ATP facilitate it?
51. In a series of experiments with Streptococcus and mice, F. Griffith concluded that R-
strain bacteria had been transformed. Explain.
52. Draw a schematic representation of a nucleotide. Label the following : (i) The
components of a nucleotide (ii) 5’ end (iii) N-glycosidic linkage (iv) phosphodiester
linkage
53. Unambiguous, universal and degenerate are some of the terms used for genetic code.
Explain the salient features of each one of them.
54. Draw a schematic diagram of lac operon in its ‘switched off’ position. Label
(i) The Structural genes
(ii) Repressor bound to its correct position
(iii) Promoter gene

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 (iv) Regulator gene
55. How is hnRNA processed to from mRNA?
56. How did Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase arrive at the conclusion that DNA is the
genetic material?
57. The average length of a DNA double helix in a typical mammalian cell is approximately
2.2 m and the dimension of a nucleus is about 10-6 m.
(a) How is it possible that long DNA polymers are packed with in a very small nucleus?
(b) Differentiate between euchromatin and heterochromatin.
(c) Mention the role of non-histone chromosomal protein.
58. Answer the following questions based on Meselson and Stahl’s Experiment.
(a) Why did the scientists use 15NH4CI and 14NH4CI as sources of nitrogen in the
culture medium for growing E.Coli.?
(b) Name the molecule(s) that 15N was incorporated into.
(c) How did they distinguish between 15N labeled molecules from 14N ones?

Diagram Based Questions

59. This is a diagram of polynucleotides. What does A and B represent? How are nucleotides linked?

60. This is a diagram of a nucleosome.

1. Label A and B
2. What is the composition of B
3. What is the length of the DNA wrapped?

61. Look at the pictures given below related to an

experiment.
a. Who performed this experiment?
b. What was the objective?
c. What was the conclusion after this experiment?
d. Write the results of the experiment A-D.

62.
a) What was the objective of this experiment?
b) Who performed it?
c) How was the DNA separated into different layers?
d) Name any other scientist who has performed experiment to prove the
same.

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63. The diagram shows steps in DNA fingerprinting. Some of the steps are unlabeled.
Label the steps 3, 5,7,10.

64.
a) Mention the ‘Nonsense codons’.
b) Which codon initiates translation? Does it have any other function?
c) Genetic code is degenerate. Take help of this table to explain it.
d) If any mRNA is as written as below then how many Amino acid will the polypeptide contain?
5’ AUGCAGGGUUCAAAAUAGGAUUCCGGACUA 3’

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