340 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

1. The final proof for DNA as the genetic material (b) Vicia faba
came from the experiments of (c) Drosophila melanogaster
(a) Hershey and Chase (d) E. coli. (NEET­II 2016)
(b) Avery, MacLeod and McCarty
8. The equivalent of a structural gene is
(c) Hargobind Khorana
(a) muton (b) cistron
(d) Griffith. (NEET 2017)
(c) operon (d) recon.
2. If there are 999 bases in an RNA that code for a (NEET­II 2016)
protein with 333 amino acids, and the base at
9. Which of the following rRNAs acts as structural
position 901 is deleted such that the length of
the RNA becomes 998 bases, how many codons RNA as well as ribozyme in bacteria?
will be altered? (a) 5S rRNA (b) 18S rRNA
(a) 11 (b) 33 (c) 23S rRNA (d) 5.8S rRNA
(c) 333 (d) 1 (NEET­II 2016)
(NEET 2017) 10. A molecule that can act as a genetic material
3. During DNA replication, Okazaki fragments are must fulfill the traits given below, except
used to elongate (a) it should be able to express itself in the form
(a) the lagging strand towards replication fork of ‘Mendelian characters’
(b) the leading strand away from replication fork (b) it should be able to generate its replica
(c) the lagging strand away from the replication (c) it should be unstable structurally and
fork chemically
(d) the leading strand towards replication fork. (d) it should provide the scope for slow changes
(NEET 2017) that are required for evolution.
(NEET­II 2016)
4. Which of the following RNAs should be most
abundant in animal cell? 11. DNA­dependent RNA polymerase catalyses
(a) tRNA (b) mRNA transcription on one strand of the DNA which
(c) miRNA (d) rRNA is called the
(NEET 2017) (a) template strand (b) coding strand
(c) alpha strand (d) antistrand.
5. Spliceosomes are not found in cells of
(NEET­II 2016)
(a) fungi (b) animals
(c) bacteria (d) plants. 12. Which one of the following is the starter codon?
(NEET 2017) (a) UAA (b) UAG
6. The association of histone H1 with a nucleosome (c) AUG (d) UGA
indicates that (NEET­I 2016)
(a) DNA replication is occurring 13. Which of the following is required as inducer
(b) the DNA is condensed into a chromatin fibre (s) for the expression of Lac operon?
(c) the DNA double helix is exposed (a) Lactose
(d) transcription is occurring. (NEET 2017) (b) Lactose and Galactose
7. Taylor conducted the experiments to prove semi­ (c) Glucose
conservative mode of chromosome replication on (d) Galactose
(a) Vinca rosea (NEET­I 2016)
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 341

14. A complex of ribosomes attached to a single The percentages of the other three bases
strand of RNA is known as expected to be present in this DNA are
(a) polypeptide (b) Okazaki fragment (a) G 17%, A 33%, T 33%
(c) polysome (d) polymer. (b) G 8.5%, A 50%, T 24.5%
(NEET­I 2016) (c) G 34%, A 24.5%, T 24.5%
(d) G 17%, A 16.5%, T 32.5%.
15. Which one of the following is not applicable
(2015 Cancelled)
to RNA?
(a) Heterocyclic nitrogenous bases 21. Which one of the following is wrongly matched?
(b) Chargaff’s rule (a) Transcription ­ Writing information from
(c) Complementary base pairing DNA to tRNA.
(d) 5’ phosphoryl and 3’ hydroxyl ends (b) Translation ­ Using information in mRNA
(2015) to make protein.
(c) Repressor protein ­ Binds to operator to stop
16. Balbiani rings are sites of enzyme synthesis.
(a) polysaccharide synthesis (d) Operon ­ Structural genes, operator and
(b) RNA and protein synthesis promoter.
(c) lipid synthesis (2014)
(d) nucleotide synthesis. (2015)
22. Transformation was discovered by
17. Identify the correct order of organisation of (a) Meselson and Stahl
genetic material from largest to smallest. (b) Hershey and Chase
(a) Genome, chromosome, gene, nucleotide (c) Griffith
(b) Chromosome, genome, nucleotide, gene (d) Watson and Crick. (2014)
(c) Chromosome, gene, genome, nucleotide
(d) Genome, chromosome, nucleotide, gene 23. Select the correct option.
(2015) Direction of Direction of reading of
RNA synthesis the template DNA
18. Satellite DNA is important because it strand
(a) does not code for proteins and is same in (a) 5¢ – 3¢ 3¢ – 5¢
all members of the population (b) 3¢ – 5¢ 5¢ – 3¢
(b) codes for enzymes needed for DNA (c) 5¢ – 3¢ 5¢ – 3¢
replication (d) 3¢ – 5¢ 3¢ – 5¢ (2014)
(c) codes for proteins needed in cell cycle
(d) shows high degree of polymorphism in 24. Which of the following statements is not true
population and also the same degree of of two genes that show 50% recombination
polymorphism in an individual, which is frequency?
heritable from parents to children. (a) The gene show independent assortment.
(2015) (b) If the genes are present on the same
chromosome, they undergo more than one
19. Gene regulation governing lactose operon of crossovers in every meiosis.
E.coli that involves the lac I gene product is (c) The genes may be on different chromosomes.
(a) negative and repressible because repressor (d) The genes are tightly linked.
protein prevents transcription (NEET 2013)
(b) feedback inhibition because excess of
25. The diagram shows an important concept in
b­galactosidase can switch off transcription
the genetic implication of DNA. Fill in the
(c) positive and inducible because it can be
blanks A to C.
induced by lactose
(d) negative and inducible because repressor A B Proposed by
DNA m RNA Protein C
protein prevents transcription.
(2015 Cancelled) (a) A ­ Transcription, B ­Translation, C ­
Francis Crick
20. In sea urchin DNA, which is double stranded, (b) A ­ Translation, B ­ Extension, C ­ Rosalind
17% of the bases were shown to be cytosine. Franklin
342 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

(c) A ­ Transcription, B ­ Replication, C ­ James (a) VNTR (b) SSCP

Watson (c) SCAR (d) AFLP.
(d) A ­ Translation, B ­ Transcription, C ­ Ervin (Karnataka NEET 2013)
Chargaff (NEET 2013) 33. Removal of introns and joining of exons in a
26. Which enzyme will be produced in a cell if there defined order during transcription is called
is a nonsense mutation in the lac Y gene? (a) looping (b) inducing
(a) Transacetylase (c) slicing (d) splicing. (2012)
(b) Lactose permease and transacetylase
34. If one strand of DNA has the nitrogenous base
(c) b­galactosidase
sequence as ATCTG, what would be the
(d) Lactose permease (NEET 2013)
complementary RNA strand sequence?
C B Proposed by (a) TTAGU (b) UAGAC
27. DNA m RNA Protein A
(c) AACTG (d) ATCGU (2012)
The figure gives an important concept in the
35. Ribosomal RNA is actively synthesized in
genetic implication of DNA. Fill the blanks
(a) lysosomes (b) nucleolus
A, B and C.
(c) nucleoplasm (d) ribosomes.
(a) A­Maurice Wilkins, B­Transcription,
(2012)
C­Translation
(b) A­James Watson, B­Replication, C­ 36. Which one of the following is not a part of a
Extension transcription unit in DNA?
(c) A­Erwin Chargaff, B­Translation, (a) The inducer (b) A terminator
C­Replication (c) A promoter (d) The structural gene
(d) A­Francis Crick, B­Translation, (2012)
C­Transcription 37. Removal of RNA polymerase III from
(Karnataka NEET 2013) nucleoplasm will affect the synthesis of
28. Satellite RNAs are present in some (a) tRNA (b) hnRNA
(a) viroids (b) prions (c) mRNA (d) rRNA. (2012)
(c) bacteriophages (d) plant viruses.
38. What are the structures called that give an
(Karnataka NEET 2013)
appearance as ‘beads­on­string’ in the
29. Which of the following is not a property of the chromosomes when viewed under electron
genetic code? microscope?
(a) Non­overlapping (b) Ambiguous (a) Genes (b) Nucleotides
(c) Degeneracy (d) Universal (c) Nucleosomes (d) Base pairs (2011)
(Karnataka NEET 2013)
39. The unequivocal proof of DNA as the genetic
30. Genes of interest can be selected from a genomic
material came from the studies on a
library by using
(a) bacterium (b) fungus
(a) cloning vectors
(c) viroid (d) bacterial virus.
(b) DNA probes
(Main 2011)
(c) gene targets
(d) restriction enzymes. 40. Which one of the following does not follow
(Karnataka NEET 2013) the central dogma of molecular biology?
(a) Pea (b) Mucor
31. In an inducible operon, the genes are
(c) Chlamydomonas (d) HIV (2010)
(a) usually not expressed unless a signal turns
them”on”. 41. Which one of the following palindromic base
(b) usually expressed unless a signal turns them sequences in DNA can be easily cut at about
“off”. the middle by some particular restriction
(c) never expressed enzyme?
(d) always expresser.
(a)
(Karnataka NEET 2013)
32. One of the most frequently used techniques (b)
in DNA fingerprinting is
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 343

48. Whose experiments cracked the DNA and

(c) discovered unequivocally that a genetic code
is a “triplet”?
(d) (2010) (a) Hershey and Chase
(b) Morgan and Sturtevant
42. The one aspect which is not a silent feature of (c) Beadle and Tatum
genetic code, is its being (d) Nirenberg and Mathaei (2009)
(a) degenerate (b) ambiguous
(c) universal (d) specific. (2010) 49. Semi­conservative replication of DNA was first
demonstrated in
43. Select the two correct statements out of the (a) Escherichia coli
four (i –iv) statements given below about lac (b) Streptococcus pneumoniae
operon. (c) Salmonella typhimurium
(i) Glucose or galactose may bind with the (d) Drosophila melanogaster. (2009)
repressor and inactivate it.
(ii) In the absence of lactose the repressor binds 50. Removal of introns and joining the exons in
with the operator region. a defined order in a transcription unit is called
(iii) The z­gene codes for permease. (a) tailing (b) transformation
(iv) This was elucidated by Francois Jacob and (c) capping (d) splicing. (2009)
Jacques Monod. 51. What is not true for genetic code?
The correct statements are (a) It is nearly universal.
(a) (ii) and (iii) (b) (i) and (iii) (b) It is degenerate.
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (ii). (c) It is unambiguous.
(2010) (d) A codon in mRNA is read in a non­
44. The 3¢ ­ 5¢ phosphodiester linkages inside a contiguous fashion.
polynucleotide chain serve to join (2009)
(a) one DNA strand with the other DNA strand
52. In the DNA molecule,
(b) one nucleoside with another nucleoside
(a) the proportion of adenine in relation to
(c) one nucleotide with another nucleotide
thymine varies with the organism
(d) one nitrogenous base with pentose sugar.
(b) there are two strands which run antiparallel­
(Main 2010)
one in 5¢ ® 3¢ direction and other in
45. The lac operon consists of 3¢ ® 5¢
(a) four regulatory genes only (c) the total amount of purine nucleotides and
(b) one regulatory gene and three structural pyrimidine nucleotides is not always equal
genes (d) there are two strands which run parallel in
(c) two regulatory genes and two structural the 5¢ ® 3¢ direction. (2008)
genes
53. Which one of the following pairs of nitrogenous
(d) three regulatory genes and three structural
bases of nucleic acids, is wrongly matched with
genes. (Main 2010)
the category mentioned against it?
46. In eukaryotic cell transcription, RNA splicing (a) Guanine, Adenine ­ Purines
and RNA capping take place inside the (b) Adenine, Thymine ­ Purines
(a) ribosomes (b) nucleus (c) Thymine, Uracil ­ Pyrimdines
(c) dictyosomes (d) ER. (Main 2010) (d) Uracil, Cytosine ­ Pyrimidines (2008)
47. Which one of the following statements about 54. Polysome is formed by
the particular entity is true ? (a) a ribosome with several subunits
(a) Centromere is found in animal cells, which (b) ribosomes attached to each other in a linear
produces aster during cell division. arrangement
(b) The gene for producing insulin is present (c) several ribosomes attached to a single
in every body cell. mRNA
(c) Nucleosome is formed of nucleotides. (d) many ribosomes attached to a strand of
(d) DNA consists of core of eight histones. endoplasmic reticulum.
(Main 2010) (2008)
344 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

55. Which one of the following pairs of codons is 62. Telomerase is an enzyme which is a
correctly matched with their function or the (a) simple protein (b) RNA
signal for the particular amino acid? (c) ribonucleoprotein (d) repetitive DNA.
(a) AUG, ACG ­ Start/methionine (2005)
(b) UUA, UCA ­ Leucine
63. Using imprints from a plate with complete
(c) GUU, GCU ­ Alanine
medium and carrying bacterial colonies, you can
(d) UAG, UGA ­ Stop (2008)
select streptomycin resistant mutants and prove
56. One turn of the helix in a B­form DNA is that such mutations do not originate as
approximately adaptation. These imprints need to be used
(a) 2 nm (b) 20 nm (a) on plates with and without streptomycin
(c) 0.34 nm (d) 3.4 nm. (2006) (b) on plates with minimal medium
57. One gene­one enzyme hypothesis was (c) only on plates with streptomycin
postulated by (d) only on plates without streptomycin.
(a) Beadle and Tatum (2005)
(b) R. Franklin 64. Protein synthesis in an animal cell occurs
(c) Hershey and Chase (a) only on the ribosomes present in cytosol
(d) A. Garrod. (2006) (b) only on ribosome attached to the nuclear
58. Antiparallel strands of a DNA molecule means envelope and endoplasmic reticulum
that (c) on ribosome present in the nucleolus as well
(a) one strand turns clockwise as in cytoplasm
(b) one strand turns anti­clockwise (d) on ribosomes present in cytoplasm as well
as in mitochondria. (2005)
(c) the phosphate groups of two DNA strands, at
their ends, share the same position 65. Which one of the following makes use of RNA
(d) the phosphate groups at the start of two DNA template to synthesize DNA?
strands are in opposite position (pole). (a) DNA polymerase
(2006) (b) RNA polymerase
59. Which antibiotic inhibits interaction between (c) Reverse transcriptase
tRNA and mRNA during bacterial protein (d) DNA dependant RNA polymerase
synthesis? (2005)
(a) Tetracycline (b) Erythromycin 66. Which one of the following hydrolyses internal
(c) Neomycin (d) Streptomycin phosphodiester bonds in a polynucleotide chain?
(2006) (a) Lipase (b) Protease
60. Amino acid sequence, in protein synthesis is (c) Endonuclease (d) Exonuclease
decided by the sequence of (2005)
(a) rRNA (b) tRNA 67. During transcription holoenzyme RNA
(c) mRNA (d) cDNA. (2006) polymerase binds to a DNA sequence and the
61. E.coli cells with a mustard z gene of the lac DNA assumes a saddle like structure at that
operon cannot grow in medium containing only point. What is that sequence called?
lactose as the source of energy because (a) AAAT box (b) TATA box
(a) the lac operon is constitutively active in (c) GGTT box (d) CAAT box
these cells (2005)
(b) they cannot synthesize functional beta 68. After a mutation at a genetic locus the character
galactosidase of an organism changes due to change in
(c) in the presence of glucose, E.coli cells do (a) protein structure
not utilize lactose (b) DNA replication
(d) they cannot transport lactose from the (c) protein synthesis pattern
medium into the cell. (2005) (d) RNA transcription pattern. (2004)
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 345

69. Which form of RNA has a structure resembling 76. Which one of the following triplet codes, is
clover leaf? correctly matched with its specificity for an
(a) rRNA (b) hnRNA amino acid in protein synthesis or as ‘start’ or
(c) mRNA (d) tRNA (2004) ‘stop’ codon ?
70. During transcription, if the nucleotide sequence (a) UCG – start (b) UUU – stop
of the DNA strand that is being coded is ATACG (c) UGU – leucine (d) UAC – tyrosine
then the nucleotide sequence in the mRNA (2003)
would be 77. During transcription, the DNA site at which
(a) TATGC (b) TCTGG RNA polymerase binds is called
(c) UAUGC (d) UATGC. (2004) (a) promoter (b) regulator
71. In mutational event, when adenine is replaced (c) receptor (d) enhancer.
by guanine, it is a case of (2003)
(a) frame shift mutation
78. Degeneration of a genetic code is attributed to
(b) transcription
(c) transition the
(d) transversion. (2004) (a) first member of a codon
(b) second member of codon
72. The following ratio is generally constant for a (c) entire codon
given species: (d) third member of a codon. (2003)
(a) A + G / C + T (b) T + C / G + A
79. In the genetic code dictionary, how many codons
(c) G + C / A + T (d) A + C / T + G.
(2004) are used to code for all the 20 essential amino
acids ?
73. What would happen if in a gene encoding a
(a) 20 (b) 64
polypeptide of 50 amino acids, 25 th codon
(c) 61 (d) 60 (2003)
(UAU) is mutated to UAA ?
(a) A polypeptide of 24 amino acids will be 80. In a DNA percentage of thymine is 20% then
formed. what will be percentage of guanine?
(b) Two polypeptides of 24 and 25 amino acids (a) 20% (b) 40%
will be formed. (c) 30% (d) 60% (2002)
(c) A polypeptide of 49 amino acids will be 81. Transformation experiment was first performed
formed. on which bacteria?
(d) A polypeptide of 25 amino acids will be (a) E. coli
formed. (2003) (b) Diplococcus pneumoniae
74. What does “lac” refer to in what we call the lac (c) Salmonella
operon ? (d) Pasteurella pestis (2002)
(a) Lactose 82. Jacob and Monod studied lactose metabolism
(b) Lactase in E. coli and proposed operon concept. Operon
(c) Lac insect concept is applicable for:
(d) The number 1,00,000 (2003) (a) all prokaryotes
75. During translation initiation in prokaryotes, a (b) all prokaryotes and some eukaryotes
GTP molecule is needed in (c) all prokaryotes and all eukaryotes
(a) formation of formyl­met­tRNA (d) all prokaryotes and some protozoans.
(b) binding of 30S subunit of ribosome with (2002)
mRNA
83. In E. coli, during lactose metabolism repressor
(c) association of 30S mRNA with formyl­met­
binds to:
tRNA
(d) association of 50S subunit of ribosome with (a) regulator gene (b) operator gene
initiation complex. (c) structural gene (d) promoter gene.
(2003) (2002)
346 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

84. Out of 64 codons, 61 codons code for 20 types (a) dispersive (b) conservative
of amino acid. It is called (c) semi­conservative (d) non conservative.
(a) degeneracy of genetic code (2000)
(b) overlapping of gene
94. Which of the following is initiation codon?
(c) wobbling of codon
(a) UAG (b) AUC
(d) universility of codons. (2002)
(c) AUG (d) CCU (2000)
85. Which of the following reunites the exon 95. Anticodon occurs in
segments after RNA splicing? (a) tRNA (b) mRNA
(a) RNA polymerase (b) RNA primase (c) rRNA (d) DNA. (2000)
(c) RNA ligase (d) RNA proteoses
(2002) 96. Length of one loop of B­DNA
(a) 3.4 nm (b) 0.34 nm
86. Which of the following enzymes are used to join
(c) 20 nm (d) 10 nm. (2000)
bits of DNA?
(a) Ligase (b) Primase 97. In three dimensional view the molecule of tRNA
(c) DNA polymerase (d) Endonuclease is
(2002) (a) L­shaped (b) S­shaped
87. Exon part of mRNAs have code for (c) Y­shaped (d) E­shaped. (2000)
(a) protein (b) lipid 98. Similarity in DNA and RNA is that
(c) carbohydrate (d) phospholipid. (a) both are polymer of nucleotides
(2002) (b) both have similar pyrimidine
(c) both have similar sugar
88. Change in sequence of nucleotide in DNA is
(d) both are genetic material. (2000)
called as
(a) mutagen (b) mutation 99. The Pneumococcus experiment proves that
(c) recombination (d) translation. (a) bacteria do not reproduce sexually
(2002) (b) RNA sometime controls the production of
DNA and proteins
89. mRNA is synthesised on DNA template in which (c) DNA is the genetic material
direction (d) bacteria undergo binary fission. (1999)
(a) 5¢ ® 3¢ (b) 3¢ ® 5¢
(c) both (a) and (b) (d) any. (2001) 100. In operon concept, regulator gene functions as
(a) inhibitor (b) repressor
90. In negative operon, (c) regulator (d) all of these.
(a) co­repressor binds with repressor (1999)
(b) co­repressor does not bind with repressor
101. Initiation codon in eukaryotes is
(c) co­repressor binds with inducer
(a) GAU (b) AGU
(d) camp have negative effect on lac operon. (c) AUG (d) UAG. (1999, 1994)
(2001)
102. DNA is mainly found in
91. Gene and cistron words are sometimes used (a) nucleolus (b) nucleus only
synonymously because (c) cytoplasm only (d) none of these.
(a) one cistron contains many genes (1999)
(b) one gene contains many cistrons
103. In prokaryotes, the genetic material is
(c) one gene contains one cistron
(a) linear DNA without histones
(d) one gene contains no cistron. (2001)
(b) circular DNA without histones
92. Types of RNA polymerase required in nucleus (c) linear DNA with histones
of eukaryotes for RNA synthesis (d) circular DNA with histones. (1999)
(a) 1 (b) 2 104. In DNA, when AGCT occurs, their association
(c) 3 (d) 4. (2001) is as per which of the following pair?
93. Method of DNA replication in which two (a) AT­GC (b) AG­CT
strands of DNA separate and synthesize new (c) AC­GT (d) All of these
strands (1999)
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 347

105. The eukaryotic genome differs from the 114. The maximum formation of mRNA occurs in
prokaryotic genome because (a) ribosome (b) nucleoplasm
(a) the DNA is complexed with histone in (c) cytoplasm (d) nucleolus.
prokaryotes (1996)
(b) the DNA is circular and single stranded in
prokaryotes 115. Radio­tracer technique shows that DNA is in
(c) repetitive sequences are present in (a) multi­helix stage (b) single­helix stage
eukaryotes (c) double­helix stage (d) none of these.
(d) genes in the former case are organized into (1996)
operons. (1999) 116. The wild type E.coli cells are growing in normal
106. What base is responsible for hot spots for medium with glucose. They are transferred to a
spontaneous point mutations? medium containing only lactose as sugar. Which
(a) 5­bromouracil (b) 5­methylcytosine of the following changes take place?
(c) Guanine (d) Adenine (1998) (a) The lac operon is induced.
(b) E.coli cells stop dividing.
107. Genes that are involved in turning on or off the
(c) The lac operon is repressed.
transcription of a set of structural genes are
called (d) All operons are induced. (1995)
(a) redundant genes 117. The lac operon is an example of
(b) regulatory genes (a) repressible operon
(c) polymorphic genes (b) overlapping genes
(d) operator genes. (1998) (c) arabinose operon
108. DNA elements, which can switch their position, (d) inducible operon. (1995)
are called 118. An environmental agent, which triggers
(a) cistrons (b) transposons transcription from an operon, is a
(c) exons (d) introns. (1998) (a) depressor
109. The codons causing chain termination are (b) controlling element
(a) AGT, TAG, UGA (c) regulator
(b) UAG, UGA, UAA (d) inducer. (1995)
(c) TAG, TAA, TGA 119. If the sequence of bases in DNA is ATTCGATG,
(d) GAT, AAT, AGT. (1997) then the sequence of bases in its transcript will
110. DNA synthesis can be specifically measured by be
estimating the incorporation of radio­labelled (a) GUAGCUUA (b) AUUCGAUG
(a) thymidine (b) deoxyribose sugar (c) CAUCGAAU (d) UAAGCUAC.
(c) uracil (d) adenine. (1997) (1995)
111. The RNA that pick up specific amino acid from 120. If the DNA codons are ATG ATG ATG and a
amino acid pool in the cytoplasm to ribosome cytosine base is inserted at the beginning, then
during protein synthesis is called which of the following will result?
(a) rRNA (b) RNA (a) CAT GAT GATG
(c) mRNA (d) tRNA. (1997) (b) A non­sense mutation
112. Which of the following step of translation does (c) C ATG ATG ATG
not consume a high energy phosphate bond? (d) CA TGA TGA TG (1995)
(a) Peptidyl transferase reaction 121. In split genes, the coding sequences are called
(b) Aminoacyl tRNA binding to A­site (a) exons (b) cistrons
(c) Translocation (c) introns (d) operons. (1995)
(d) Amino acid activation (1997)
122. Anticodon is an unpaired triplet of bases in an
113. Which of the following serves as a terminal exposed position of
codon? (a) tRNA (b) mRNA
(a) UAG (b) AGA (c) rRNA (d) both (b) and (c).
(c) AUG (d) GCG (1996) (1995)
348 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

123. ‘Lac operon’ in E. coli, is induced by 133. The process of translation is

(a) ‘I’ gene (b) promoter gene (a) ribosome synthesis
(c) b­galactosidase (d) lactose. (1994) (b) protein synthesis
124. Initiation codon in eukaryotes is (c) DNA synthesis
(a) GAU (b) AGU (d) RNA synthesis. (1993)
(c) AUG (d) UAG. (1994) 134. A DNA with unequal nitrogen bases would most
125. There are special proteins that help to open up probably be
DNA double helix in front of the replication fork. (a) single stranded (b) double stranded
These proteins are (c) triple stranded (d) four stranded.
(a) DNA ligase (1993)
(b) DNA topoisomerase I 135. Nucleotide arrangement in DNA can be seen by
(c) DNA gyrase (a) X­ray crystallography
(d) DNA polymerase I. (1994) (b) electron microscope
126. In protein synthesis, the polymerization of amino (c) ultracentrifuge
acids involves three steps. Which one of the (d) light microscope. (1993)
following is not involved in the polymerisation 136. Experimental material in the study of DNA
of protein ? replication has been
(a) Termination (b) Initiation (a) Escherichia coli
(c) Elongation (d) Transcription (b) Neurospora crassa
(1994) (c) Pneumococcus
127. Nucleosome core is made of (d) Drosophila melanogaster. (1992)
(a) H1, H2A, H2B and H3 137. Khorana first deciphered the triplet codons of
(b) H1, H2A, H2B, H4 (a) serine and isoleucine
(c) H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 (b) cysteine and valine
(d) H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. (1993) (c) tyrosine and tryptophan
128. Initiation codon of protein synthesis (in (d) phenylalanine and methinonine. (1992)
eukaryotes) is 138. Escherichia coli fully labelled with 15N is
(a) GUA (b) GCA allowed to grow in 14N medium. The two strands
(c) CCA (d) AUG. (1993) of DNA molecule of the first generation bacteria
129. The transforming principle of Pneumococcus as have
found out by Avery, MacLeod and McCarty was (a) different density and do not resemble parent
(a) mRNA (b) DNA DNA
(c) protein (d) polysaccharide. (b) different density but resemble parent DNA
(c) same density and resemble parent DNA
(1993)
(d) same density but do not resemble parent
130. Who proved that DNA is basic genetic material? DNA. (1992)
(a) Griffith (b) Watson
139. The process of transfer of genetic information
(c) Boveri and Sutton
from DNA to RNA/formation of RNA from
(d) Hershey and Chase (1993)
DNA
131. Because most of the amino acids are represented (a) transversion (b) transcription
by more than one codon, the genetic code is (c) translation (d) translocation.
(a) overlapping (b) wobbling (1991)
(c) degenerate (d) generate. (1993)
140. An octamer of 4 histones complexed with DNA
132. During DNA replication, the strands separate by forms
(a) DNA polymerase (a) endosome
(b) topoisomerase (b) nucleosome
(c) unwindase/helicase (c) mesosome
(d) gyrase. (1993) (d) centromere. (1990)
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 349

141. In the genetic dictionary, there are 64 codons as (b) semi­conservative and semi­discontinuous
(a) 64 amino acids are to be coded (c) semi­conservative and discontinuous
(b) 64 types of tRNAs are present (d) conservative. (1989)
(c) there are 44 nonsense codons and 20 sense
143. Genetic code consists of
codons
(a) adenine and guanine
(d) genetic code is triplet. (1990)
(b) cytosine and uracil
142. DNA replication is (c) cytosine and guanine
(a) conservative and discontinuous (d) all the above. (1988)

Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (c)
11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (d) 19. (d) 20. (a)
21. (a,d) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (d) 25. (a) 26. (c) 27. (d) 28. (d) 29. (b) 30. (b)
31. (a) 32. (a) 33. (d) 34. (b) 35. (b) 36. (a) 37. (a) 38. (c) 39. (d) 40. (d)
41. (c) 42. (b) 43. (c) 44. (c) 45. (b) 46. (b) 47. (b) 48. (d) 49. (a) 50. (d)
51. (d) 52. (b) 53. (b) 54. (c) 55. (d) 56. (d) 57. (a) 58. (d) 59. (c) 60. (c)
61. (b) 62. (c) 63. (c) 64. (d) 65. (c) 66. (c) 67. (b) 68. (a) 69. (d) 70. (c)
71. (c) 72. (c) 73. (a) 74. (a) 75. (c) 76. (d) 77. (a) 78. (d) 79. (b) 80. (c)
81. (b) 82. (c) 83. (b) 84. (a) 85. (c) 86. (a) 87. (a) 88. (b) 89. (a) 90. (a)
91. (c) 92. (c) 93. (c) 94. (c) 95. (a) 96. (a) 97. (a) 98. (a) 99. (c) 100. (b)
101. (c) 102. (b) 103. (b) 104. (a) 105. (b) 106. (c) 107. (d) 108. (b) 109. (b) 110. (a)
111. (d) 112. (a) 113. (a) 114. (d) 115. (c) 116. (a) 117. (d) 118. (d) 119. (d) 120. (a)
121. (a) 122. (a) 123. (c) 124. (c) 125. (b) 126. (d) 127. (d) 128. (d) 129. (b) 130. (d)
131. (c) 132. (c) 133. (b) 134. (a) 135. (a) 136. (a) 137. (b) 138. (a) 139. (b) 140. (b)
141. (d) 142. (b) 143. (d)
350 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

1. (a) 9. (c) : 23S rRNA acts as structural RNA as well

2. (b) : 1 codon consists of 3 bases. Therefore, a as ribozyme in bacteria.
deletion on 901 position will affect 33 codons. 10. (c) : Genetic material should be structurally and
3. (c) : Lagging strand is a replicated strand of DNA chemically stable otherwise its expression will change
which is formed in short segments called Okazaki and leading to loss of several metabolic functions,
fragments. Its growth is discontinuous. The direction etc.
of growth of the lagging strand is 3’ ® 5’ though in 11. (a) : The strand of DNA on which RNA
each Okazaki fragment it is 5’ ® 3’. polymerase binds to catalyse transcription is called
4. (d) : rRNA (ribosomal RNA) is the most template strand. It is also known as master or antisense
abundant of all types of RNA (70­88%). Hence, it strand. It has the polarity of 3¢ ® 5¢.
will be present in highest amount. Percentage of tRNA 12. (c) : Polypeptide synthesis is signalled by two
and mRNA is 15% and 2­5% respectively. miRNA initiator codons or start codons i.e., AUG (methionine
(micro RNA) are 21­22 bp long RNA that bring codon) and rarely by GUG (valine codon).
degeneration of mRNA.
13. (a) : In Lac operon, lactose is an inducer. It binds
5. (c) : Spliceosomes helps in removal of introns. with suppressor and inactivates it. It allows RNA
They will not occur in prokaryotes because polymers access to the promoter and transcription
prokaryotes do not have introns and thus, processing proceeds.
does not require splicing of mRNA.
14. (c)
6. (b) : Histones help in packaging of DNA. In
15. (b) : Chargaff’s rules are applicable only for
eukaryotes, DNA packaging is carried out with the
double stranded DNA molecule. These are not
help of positively charged basic proteins called
applicable for single stranded DNA or RNA
histones. Histones are of five types – H1, H2A, H2B,
molecules. Chargaff’s rules state that DNA helices
H3 and H4. H1 is attached over the linker DNA.
Histone contains a large proportion of the positively contain equal molar ratios of A and T, G and C. This
charged (basic) amino acids, lysine and arginine in is because in a ds DNA molecule, complementary base
their structure. DNA is negatively charged due to the pairing occurs between A and T, and C and G base
phosphate groups on its backbone. The result of these pairs. This complementary base pairing is not possible
opposite charges is strong attraction and therefore, in case of single stranded RNA molecule. Thus,
high binding affinity between histones and DNA. Chargaff’s rules are not applicable to RNA.
7. (b) : Taylor et al (1957) conducted experiment 16. (b) : In certain development stages the polytene
on Vicia faba (broad bean) to prove semi­conservative chromosomes bear conspicuous swellings called
replication of DNA. He fed dividing cells of root tips chromosome puffs. The larger swellings are called
of Vicia faba with radioactive 3H containing thymine Balbiani rings. In the region of a puff or Balbiani ring,
instead of normal thymine and found that all the the DNA strands uncoil, become active and produce
chromosomes became radioactive. Labelled thymine number of copies of mRNA. The mRNAs may remain
was then replaced with normal one. Next generation temporarily stored in the puff and they may undergo
came to have radioactivity in one of the two transcription to form proteins. Thus, Balbiani rings
chromatids of each chromosome while in subsequent are the sites of RNA and protein synthesis.
generation radioactivity was present in 50% of the 17. (a) : In genome all the genes are contained in a
chromosomes. This is possible only if out of the two single set of chromosomes. The instructions in our
strands of a chromosome, one is formed a fresh while genome are present in the form of DNA. DNA has a
the other is conserved at each replication. complicated structure in the form of a double helix.
8. (b) : Cistron (or gene) is a length of DNA that Single strands of DNA are coiled up into structures
contains the information for coding a specific called chromosomes. Within the chromosomes,
polypeptide chain or a functional RNA molecule (i.e., segments of DNA are “read” together to form genes.
transfer RNA or ribosomal RNA). Hence, cistron is a Thus, a gene is a segment of DNA or chromosome
unit of function. Currently such a gene is called situated at a specific locus (gene locus) which carries
structural gene. coded information associated with a specific function
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 351

and can undergo crossing over as well as mutation. A = T + C. Now, given dsDNA has 17% cytosine and
nucleotide is the basic unit of DNA made up of a hence guanine will be also 17%. So, A + T must be
pentose sugar, phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous 66%, therefore, percentage of adenine or thymine
base. would be 66/2 = 33%.
18. (d) : Satellite DNA is that part of repetitive DNA 21. (a, d) : Transcription is the process in living cells
which has long repetitive nucleotide sequences in in which the genetic information of DNA is
tandem that forms a separate fraction on density transferred to mRNA as first step of gene expression.
ultracentrifugation. DNA fingerprinting involves An operon consists of structural genes, promoter,
identifying differences in some specific regions in operator and regulator gene.
DNA sequence called as repetitive DNA, because in 22. (c) : Transformation was first studied by S.F.
these sequences, a small stretch of DNA is repeated Griffith in 1928 while studying Streptococcus
many times. These repetitive DNA sequences are pneumoniae. He found that R­Type non virulent
separated from bulk genomic DNA as different peaks bacteria pick up virulence from heat killed virulent
during density gradient centrifugation. The bulk DNA S­type bacteria and transform into virulent forms. It
forms a major peak and the other small peaks are was this experiment which indicated presence of a
referred to as satellite DNA. Depending on base ‘transforming principle’ which was later found out
composition (A:T rich or G:C rich), length of segment, to be DNA, by Avery et al.
and number of repetitive units, the satellite DNA is
23. (a) : RNA polymerase initiates and extends the
classified into many categories, such as micro­
RNA (chain elongation) and functions always in 5¢
satellites, mini­satellites etc. These sequences
to 3¢ direction. The structural component of DNA has
normally do not code for any proteins, but they form
3¢ to 5¢ polarity. It is also called template DNA strand
a large portion of human genome. These sequences
or antisense (–) strand.
show high degree of polymorphism and form the basis
of DNA fingerprinting. Since DNA from every tissue 24. (d)
(such as blood, hair­follicle, skin, bone, saliva, sperm 25. (a) : The expression of the genetic material
etc.) from an individual show the same degree of occurs normally through the production of proteins.
polymorphism, they become very useful identification This involves two consecutive steps. These are
tool in forensic applications. transcription and translation. The DNA codes for the
19. (d) : The control of expression of lac operon is production of messenger RNA (mRNA) during
negative (as it is turned off normally) and inducible. transcription. Messenger RNA carries coded
Inducible operon is an operon which remains switched information to ribosomes. The ribosomes read this
off normally but becomes operational in the presence information and use it for protein synthesis. This
of an inducer (lactose, actually allolactose a process is called translation. F.H.C. Crick described
metabolite of lactose, in case of lac operon). The this undirectional flow of information in 1958 as the
inducible operon generally functions in catabolic ‘central dogma of molecular biology’.
pathways. In the presence of an inducer, the repressor 26. (c) : A nonsense mutation is the one which stops
has a higher affinity for the inducer than for the operator polypeptide synthesis due to the formation of
gene. When lactose is added, a few lactose molecules termination or non­sense codon. In lac operon,
are carried into the cell by the enzyme lactose permease sequence of structural genes is Z, Y, and A, which
as small amount of this enzyme is present in the cell respectively code for b­galactosidase, lactose
even when the operon is not working. These few lactose permease and transacetylase. If the gene Y has
molecules are converted into allolactose molecules nonsense mutation, gene expression will stop at it,
which act as an inducer and bind to the repressor (a resulting in non­expression of both gene Y and
product of regulator gene). The repressor­inducer successive gene A. Thus, only b­galactosidase enzyme
complex fails to join with the operator gene, thus it is will be produced.
turned on. 27. (d) : Refer to answer 25.
20. (a) : According to Chargaff’s rule, the amount 28. (d) : Plant viruses often contain parasites of their
of adenine is always equal to that of thymine and the own, referred to as satellites. Satellite RNAs are
amount of guanine is always equal to that of cytosine, highly dependent on their helper virus for both
i.e., A = T and G = C. Also, the purines and replication and encapsidation. Their size vary from
pyrimidines are always in equal amounts, i.e., A + G 194 to 1500 nucleotides (approx.) The larger satellites
352 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

contain open reading frame and express proteins, 37. (a) : In eukaryotes, RNA polymerase enzymes
whereas smaller satellites do not produce functional (Type I, II, III) catalyze the synthesis of RNA using
proteins. as a template either an existing DNA strand or an RNA
29. (b) : Genetic code is non­ambiguous. Non­ strand. Type I is responsible for synthesis of rRNA,
ambiguous code means that there is no ambiguity type II for mRNA and type III for tRNA synthesis.
about a particular code. One codon specifies only one 38. (c) : Nucleosomes appear as ‘beads­on­string’ in
amino acid and not any other. There are 64 codons. the chromosome when viewed under electron
Out of 64, 3 are stop codons or nonsense codons, microscope. The beads in ‘beads­on­string’
i.e., these do not code for any amino acid and rest 61 arrangement are complexes of histones and DNA.
code for one of the 20 amino acids. Neither of them The bead plus the connecting DNA that leads to the
code for more than one amino acids except GUG next bead from the nucleosome. Nucleosome is the
which normally code for valine but in certain fundamental unit of organization on which the higher­
conditions it also codes for N­formyl methionine as order packaging of chromatin is built. The bead of
initiation codon. each nucleosome contains eight histone molecules in
30. (b) : Gene bank or genomic library is a complete which two copies each of H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 are
collection of cloned DNA fragments which comprises found.
the entire genome of an organism. Molecular probes 39. (d) : The unequivocal proof that DNA is the
are small DNA segments that are used to detect the genetic material came from the experiments of Alfred
presence of complementary sequences in nucleic acid Hershey and Martha Chase (1952). They worked with
samples in genomic library. These are usually formed viruses that infect bacteria called bacteriophages.
of 200­500 nucleotide sequences. These segments or 40. (d) :
probes are labelled either with radioactive or with Transcription Translation
nonradioactive compound. Probes with DNA DNA mRNA Protein
sequence complementary to the gene to be isolated This one­way flow of information from DNA to
are used. They bind with the desired gene, making it mRNA and then to protein is called the central dogma
visible and help in isolating it from the library. of molecular biology by F.H.C. Crick (1958). But later
31. (a) : Refer to answer 19. on two American workers H. Temin and
32. (a) D. Baltimore reported that DNA is also formed from
33. (d) : Introns, which occur principally in RNA in retroviruses, e.g., HIV. This is called reverse
eukaryotes, are transcribed into messenger RNA transcription or Teminism, i.e.,
(mRNA) but are subsequently removed from the Translation
transcription before translation. In certain cases, Protein
removal of the introns is an autocatalytic process (self­
splicing) whereby the RNA itself has the properties This reverse transcription occurs under the influence
of an enzyme. of reverse transcriptase enzyme. So, HIV viruses does
34. (b) : In RNA, thymine is substituted with uracil not follow central dogma.
thus, the RNA strand complementary to DNA strand 41. (c) : Palindromic nucleotide sequences in the
ATCTG will be UAGAC. DNA molecule are groups of bases that form the same
35. (b) : Nucleolus is the centre for synthesis of sequence when read in both forward and backward
ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that form ribosomal subunits. direction. In the given question, only option (c)
Ribosomal proteins migrate to the nucleolus from represents a palindromic sequence, that can be easily
their assembly sites in the cytoplasm and are packaged cut at about the middle by some particular restriction
into ribonucleoproteins. These return to the cytoplasm enzyme.
where they become mature ribosome particles. 42. (b) : Refer to answer 29.
36. (a) : A transcription unit is a part of DNA that is 43. (c) : The two French scientists, Jacob and Monod
able to transcribe a complete RNA. It consists of a proposed the lac operon of E. coli. The lac operon
promoter region (where RNA polymerase binds to (an inducible operon) contains a promoter, an
start transcription), the structural gene (coding region) operator, a regulator gene and three structural genes
and the terminator region (that signals release of RNA z, y, and a, coding for the enzyme b­galactosidase,
polymerase and newly formed RNA strand). b­galactoside permease, and b­galactoside
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 353

transacetylase, respectively. b­galactoside permease 50. (d) : mRNA is not made directly in a eukaryotic
“pumps” lactose into the cell, where b­galactosidase cell. It is transcribed as heterogeneous nuclear RNA
cleaves it into glucose and galactose. The function of (hnRNA) in the nucleus. hnRNA contains introns and
the transacetylase is still not clear. The lac regulator exons. The introns are removed by RNA splicing
gene, designated the i gene, codes for a repressor. In leaving behind the exons,which contain the
the absence of the inducer (i.e., lactose, actually information. The exonic regions of RNA are joined
allolactose), the repressor binds to the lac operator together to produce a single chain RNA required for
sequence, preventing RNA polymerase from binding functioning as translational template.
to the promoter and transcribing the structural genes. 51. (d) : The relationship between the sequence of
The inducer of the operon, allolactose, is derived from amino acids in a polypeptide and nucleotide sequence
lactose in a reaction that is catalyzed by of DNA or mRNA is called genetic code. The genetic
b­galactosidase. Once formed, allolactose binds to the code is continuous and does not possess pause after
repressor, causing it to be released from the operator; the triplets. So a codon in mRNA is a non­contiguous
in doing so, it induces transcription of the z, y and fashion. If a nucleotide is deleted or added, the whole
a structural genes. CAP is activator called catabolic genetic code will read differently.
activator protein. It exerts a positive control in lac 52. (b) : A DNA molecule has two unbranched
operon because in its absence RNA polymerase is complementary strands which are spirally coiled. The
unable to recognise promotor gene. CAP activates lac two chains are antiparallel i.e., they run parallel but
genes only when glucose is absent. Such enzymes in opposite direction. One chain has the polarity 5¢
whose synthesis can be induced by adding the ® 3¢ whereas, other has 3¢ ® 5¢. Both are held
substrate are known as inducible enzymes and the together by hydrogen bonds between their bases i.e.,
genetic systems responsile for the synthesis of such A = T and G º C and the amount of adenine is equal
an enzyme are known as inducible operons. to thymine and guanine equals to cytosine. The base
44. (c) : The phosphodiester bonds is formed between ratio A + T / G + C may vary from one species to
the phosphate group, which is connected to carbon 5¢ of another but is constant for a given species. The purine
the sugar residue of one nucleotide, and carbon 3¢ of the and pyrimidines are always in equal amount (A + G
sugar residue of the next nucleotide. = T + C) but A + T is not necessarily equal to G + C.
45. (b) : Refer to answer 43. 53. (b) : The two DNA chains are held together by
hydrogen bonds between their nitrogenous bases.
46. (b) : Unlike in prokaryotes where transcription Adenine (A), a purine of one chain lies exactly
and translation take place in the same compartment, in opposite thymine (T), a pyrimidine of the other chain.
eukaryotes primary transcript is first processed in the Similarly, cytosine (C), a pyrimidine lies opposite
nucleus and then transported outside of the nucleus. guanine (G), a purine. Three hydrogen bonds occur
Since the primary transcripts of the eukaryotes between cytosine and guanine (C º G) at positions
contains both the expressing genes (exons) and non­ 1¢, 2¢, and 6¢ and two hydrogen bonds between
expressing genes (introns), it undergoes splicing of adenine and thymine (A = T) at positions 1¢ and 6¢.
introns and later capping and tailing at 5¢­end and 54. (c) : Ribosomes may occur in rosettes or helical
3¢­end respectively. groups called polyribosomes or polysomes (Gk. Poly
47. (b) : Insulin gene is found in every body cell but – many, soma – body). The different ribosomes of a
is not expressed in all cells. It is nucleosome which polyribosome are connected with a 10 – 20 Å thick
consists of a core of eight histones. DNA is composed strand of messenger or mRNA and its maintenance
of nucleotides. Centriole is found in animal cells, requires energy. Polyribosomes are formed during
which produces aster during cell division. periods of active protein synthesis when a number of
48. (d) : Genetic code was deciphered in 1960’s by copies of the same polypeptide are required.
Crick, Ochoa, Nirenberg, Mathaei and Khorana. 55. (d) : AUG codes for methionine and is initiation
or start codon which starts the synthesis of
49. (a) : Mathew Meselson and Franklin Stahl (1958)
polypeptide. UAA (ochre), UAG (amber) and UGA
conducted various experiments using isotopically
(opal) do not specify any amino acid so they are called
labelled DNA of Escherichia coli to provide evidence termination codons. CUU, CUC, CUA and CUG
in favour of semi­conservative mode of DNA codes for leucine whereas GCU, GCC, GCA and GCG
replication. codes for alanine.
354 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

56. (d) : DNA or deoxyribose nucleic acid is the having structures with triplet nucleotide sequences
largest macromolecule made of the helically twisted that are complementary to the triplet nucleotide coding
two antiparallel polydeoxyribonucleotide strands held sequences of mRNA. It binds with amino acids and
together by hydrogen bonds. The two strands of DNA transfers them to ribosomes.
are together called DNA duplex. It has a diameter of 61. (b)
20Å. One turn spiral has a distance of 34 Å. It contains
62. (c) : Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein molecule
10 deoxyribonucleotides in each strand so that the
that is enzymatic in nature. It uses a special
distance between two adjacent nucleotides is 3.4 Å.
mechanism for the synthesis of DNA at telomeric
57. (a) : In 1948, Beadle and Tatum proposed one­ ends. The DNA repeat sequence of telomere has one
gene one­enzyme hypothesis which states that a gene G rich strand and other C rich strand. The G rich strand
controls metabolic machinery of the organism through has a single stranded overhand. This overhand works
synthesis of an enzyme. This laid the foundation of as a primer and for its elongation uses as template
biochemical genetics. Beadle and Tatum were the RNA component of telomerase enzyme. Thus
awarded Nobel Prize in 1958. This one gene one telomerase synthesizes only the G rich strand of
enzyme theory has been changed to one gene one telomeres.
polypeptide hypothesis proposed by Yanofsky. i.e., one
63. (c) : Streptomycin is broad spectrum (active
gene synthesizes one polypeptide and many
against both Gram­positive and Gram­negative
polypeptides form one enzyme.
bacteria) and was the first really effective drug against
58. (d) : DNA is a type of nucleic acid that forms tuberculosis, but its use is limited by the development
genetic material in many organisms. It consists of a of resistant strains and by toxic side­effects. The
long polymer of nucleotides which transcribes the bactericidal action of streptomycin, as with other
coded information in the form of a triplet code of aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., neomycin) is through
nucleotides in mRNA. It is a double helical molecule. selective inhibition of protein synthesis on 70S
The two strands of DNA run in opposite directions to ribosomes.
one another with the hydrogen bonds between them. To check resistance of mutants against streptomycin
One strand of DNA has 5¢­3¢ direction and the other they must be grown on plates with streptomycin.
strand has 3¢­5¢ direction. So they are antiparallel. This
Only those bacterial colonies will propagate from the
direction is determined by the presence of a free
master that are resistant to the antibiotic.
phosphate or OH group at the end of the strand. If the
strand has phosphate group at the the 5¢ end and with a 64. (d) : The mitochondria contains its own set of
free OH group at the 3¢ end. ribosomes which synthesize proteins, so protein
synthesis occures both in mitochondria and
59. (c) : Neomycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic cytoplasm.
which was first isolated from a strain of Streptomyces
65. (c) : Refer to answer 40.
feadiae. It is effective against Gram positive as well
as Gram negative bacteria. Its mechanism of action 66. (c) : Endonucleases hydrolyse the internal
is by selective inhibition of protein synthesis on the phosphodiester bond. Exonucleases cleave the
70S (prokaryotic) ribosome by inhibiting the terminal nucleotides. Lipase digest fats and proteases
interaction of mRNA and tRNA during translation break down proteins.
process. 67. (b) : After 25 bases from start of transcription
60. (c) : Messenger RNA or mRNA has been named point are TATA boxes. After 40 bases from TATA
so because it carries the coded information from DNA boxes appears CAAT boxes. Both of these sequences
for the synthesis of proteins. It carries the coded serve as recognitions sites in eukaryotic promoters.
information in a number of base triplets called codons. Transcription in eukaryotic genes is a far more
It is transcribed on DNA by the enzyme RNA complicated process than in prokaryotes.
polymerase. Hence, its base sequence is 68. (a) : A mutation involves a change in the
complementary to DNA on which it has been sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid molecule.
synthesized. In eukaryotes each gene transcribes its This change will express itself in the form of a change
own mRNA, therefore the number of mRNAs in the sequence of aminoacids in the protein molecule
corresponds to the number of genes. rRNA is a type synthesized through the information, encoded in
of RNA that forms structural and functional nucleic acid segment. Therefore mutations at
components of ribosomes. tRNA is a class of RNA molecule level can be studied both by the study of
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 355

the sequence of amino acids in a protein and also by 74. (a) : In lac operon, lac refers to lactose. The lac
the study of sequence of nucleotides in a segment of operator is a part of the structural genes (lac Z, lac Y,
nucleic acid. lac A and lac I). It is responsible for the uptake and
69. (d) : Transfer RNA (tRNA) are species of RNA initial catabolism of lactose.
responsible for the transfer of specific amino acids b­galactosidase
Lactose ¾¾¾¾¾¾
to the growing end of a polypeptide chain during ® Glucose + Galactose
translation. R.Holly in 1965 gave clover leaf model 75. (c) : The initiation of polypeptide chain in
of tRNA for yeast alanyl tRNA. It has four major sites prokaryotes is always brought about by the amino acid
­ AAbinding site, anticodon, site, TUC loop and DHU methionine but it has to be formylated to form tRNA
loop. The chain is having unpaired base sequence fmet. Then methionine binds with tRNA fmet to form
CCA at 3¢ end and G at 5¢ end. f­met­tRNA fmet. This fmet­tRNA fmet complex binds
Amino acid with the mRNA­30S subunit complex using initiation
A 3¢ factors IF­2 and IF­1 and GTP.
C
C
5¢G 76. (d) : Codon UAC is correctly matched as it codes
Amino
acyl synthetase Ribosomal
binding loop
for amino acid tyrosine. UCG codes for serine, UUU
binding loop
(8­12 bases) (7 bases) codes for phenylalanine and UGU codes for cysteine.
Start codon is AUG and stop codons are UAA, UAG
Anticodon and UGA.
Lump
loop
(7 bases) 77. (a) : Promoter is region on a DNA molecule
Anticodon
upstream from the coding sequence, area to which
Fig. : Clover leaf model of tRNA structure
RNA polymerase initially binds prior to the initiation
of transcription. The promoter,or at least part of it,
70. (c) : During transcription RNA synthesis from a determines the nature of the polymerase that
DNA template takes place. It involves rewriting of associates with it. Certain consensus sequences within
the code without a change in its language. In mRNA, the promoter region seem to be particularly important
adenine pairs with uracil because thymine is not in the binding of RNA polymerase, and these are
present mRNA. So the nucleotide sequence in mRNA known as CAAT and TATA boxes. The promoter
would be– region extends from some 40 nucleotides to about
DNA template A T A C G five nucleotides upstream from the start of the gene­
coding region, the CAAT and TATA boxes being
located within the promoter region as short six or
mRNA U A U G C seven nucleotide sequence.
71. (c) : Transition mutant is one in which a purine is 78. (d) : In a triplet for a particular amino acid more
substituted by a different purine, or a pyrimidine by a than one word (synonyms) can be used. This
different pyrimidine. Such a change involves a base phenomenon is described by saying that the code is
pair change between a G–C pair and an A–T pair in degenerate. A degenerate code would be one where
the DNA whereas transversion results when one there is one to one relation between aminoacids and
nitrogen base is replaced by another different type e.g., the codons that 44 codons out of 64 will be useless or
C­G and A­T. Transcription is the formation of mRNA nonsense codons. A code is degenerate because of the
on DNA templete. third base of the codon. It has been shown that the
72. (c) : Refer to answer 52. same tRNA can recognize more than one codons
differing only at the third position. For example GCU,
73. (a) : UGA, UAG and UAA are three non sense
GCC and GCA all code for alanine amino acids.
(or termination) codon which do not code for any
amino acid. If in a gene encoding a polypeptide of 50 79. (b) : Refer to answer 29.
amino acid, 25th codon is mutated to UAA or any of 80. (c) : In a DNA, the percentage of thymine is 20%.
the termination codon, then the chain will be So, as it pairs with adenine, it is also 20%. So the
terminated at that place because it will become guanine and cytosine together forms 60% of DNA
difficult for tRNA to bring amino acid from amino and hence, guanine is 30%.
acid pool. So in that case a polypeptide of 24 amino 81. (b) : Transformation involves transfer of genetic
acid will be formed. material of one bacterial cell into another bacterial
356 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

cell by some unknown mechanism and it converts one 89. (a) : mRNA is synthesized on DNA template in
type of bacterium into another type. 5¢ – 3¢ direction. Synthesis of mRNA exhibits several
This was first studied by Griffith (1928) in features that are synonymous with DNA replication.
Diplococcus pneumoniae and hence is known as RNA synthesis requires accurate and efficient
Griffith effect. initiation, elongation proceeds in the 5¢ – 3¢ direction
(i.e., the polymerase oves along the template strand
82. (c) : Operon model was given by Jacob and
of DNA in the 5¢ – 3¢ direction), and RNA synthesis
Monod (1961) for regulation of protein synthesis in
requires distinct and accurate termination.
prokaryotes. In bacteria, the genes that contain the
Transcription exhibits several features that are distinct
information for assembling the enzymes for a from replication.
metabolic pathway are usually clustered together on
the chromosome in a functional complex called an 90. (a) : The tryptophan operon (trp operon) in
operon. bacteria is a repressible operon. Here, repressor is
Regulation of protein synthesis in eukaryotes is inactive and it becomes active as DNA binding protein
explained by gene battery model given by Britten and only when complexed with a co­repressor
(tryptophan). In absence of tryptophan, the operator
Davidson.
site is open to binding by RNA polymerase, which
83. (b) : In the lac operon of E.coli due to the activity transcribes the structural genes of tryptophan operon,
of regulator gene synthesis of repressor molecules leading to production of enzymes that synthesize
occurs. These repressor molecules get attached to the tryptophan. When tryptophan becomes available, the
operator gene and thus check mRNA synthesis and enzymes of tryptophan synthetic pathway are no
because of this no protein synthesis occurs. longer needed and tryptophan (co­repressor)­repressor
Structural genes complex blocks transcription. The regulation of this
Regulator Promoter Operator operon is also a negative control.
91. (c) : A gene is a hereditary unit consisting of a
Blocks transcription
of m RNA sequence of DNA and occupying a specific position
m RNA
or locus within the genome. Gene activity ultimately
affects the phenotype of the organism possessing the
Repressor
protein gene. Thus gene is a physical and functional unit of
genetic information. A cistron is a unit of genetic
84. (a) : Refer to answer 29. function. In prokaryotes there is one gene one enzyme
85. (c) : RNA polymerase enzyme catalyses the correspondence. It means that in these organisms
synthesis of RNA. It is single in prokaryotes. There genes and cistrons are equivalent.
are three types of RNA polymerases in eukaryotes– I 92. (c) : Refer to answer 85.
for 28S, 18S and 5.8S RNA, II for mRNA and snRNA
93. (c) : The method of DNA replication is semi­
and III for tRNA, 5SRNA and scRNA.
conservative. According to the semi­conservative
Primase is an RNA polymerase that is used to initiate model proposed by Watson and Crick, each strand of
DNA synthesis. RNA ligase reunites the exon segment the two double helices formed would have one old
after RNA splicing. and one new strand. So, the parental identity is
86. (a) : Ligases are used to join bits of DNA. conserved upto half extent and hence DNA replication
Primase is an RNA polymerase, used to initiate DNA is semi­conservative.
synthesis. DNA polymerase enzyme catalyses the 94. (c) : Refer to answer 55.
synthesis of DNA. Endonuclease, causes the splicing 95. (a)
of the intron carrying the coding sequence of the same 96. (a) : B­DNA is an antiparallel double helix. The
endonuclease. double strand or duplex is coiled plectonemically in
87. (a) : DNA transcribes to form mRNA. Its function right handed fashion around a common axis like a
is to carry coded information from DNA for the rope stair case twisted in a spiral. The coiling produces
synthesis of proteins. The RNA consists of a coding alternate major and minor grooves. One turn of spiral
region called exon and non­coding region called has a distance between two adjacent nucleotides is
introns. The exons are thus the functional part that 3.4 Å.
have code for proteins. 97. (a) : 3­D model of tRNA looks like flattened
88. (b) : Refer to answer 68. L­shaped molecule.
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 357

tRNA acts as adoptor molecule which carries material is linear and double stranded DNA. It is
amino acids to the site of protein synthesis associated with histone proteins to form nucleosome
(i.e., ribosomes). Most accepted model for tRNA unit.
structure is ‘clover leaf model. 104. (a) : DNA molecule has four bases ­ adenine,
98. (a) : Deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid guanine, cytosine and thymine. Adenine always pairs
as the name suggests are made up of several with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine. Their
nucleotide monomers. Each nucleotide consists of association is A­T and G­C.
pentose sugar, phosphate group and nitrogenous 105. (b) : Genome refers to the total sets of
bases. DNA has deoxyribose sugar whereas RNA has chromosomes carried by each cell of the organism.
ribose sugar. The bases in DNA molecule are A, T, G In prokaryotes the genetic material is circular and
and C whereas in RNA, thymine is absent and instead single stranded DNA. It has no association of histones.
uracil is found. The eukaryotic genetic material is linear and double
99. (c) : Transformation was first discovered by stranded DNA. It is associated with histone proteins
Griffith (1928), in Pneumococcus (Streptococcus to form nucleosome unit.
pneumoniae), that causes pneumonia.
106. (c) : Mutations are rare events in nature and are
Griffith injected a group of mice with
then described as spontaneous mutations. Some of
nonencapsulated, rough (R), pneumococci; a second
these mutations originate from mistakes in normal
group with heat­killed encapsulated pneumococci
cells, and a third group a mixture consisting of a few duplication of DNA. Transitions may be produced by
living nonencapsulated, rough pneumococci derived tautomeric shift or ionization of bases which leads to
from a type S culture, and heat­killed encapsulated mistaken, A – C base pairing and more frequently
cells (S type). Griffith observed that the mice in the mistaken G – T base pairing. Guanine pairs with the
first two groups were not infected, and the mice in rare enol form of thymine and is thus considered as
the third group died within a few days. The mice of hot spot for spontaneous point mutations.
the third group should have survived as the organisms 107. (d) : Operator genes are a region of DNA
which could kill them had been killed, and the cell of sequence capable of interacting with a specific
R type were incapable of causing disease. However, repressor molecule and in doing so it affects the
the mice died, and living virulent encapsulated cells activity of other genes downstream from it.
of the type S were recovered from their dead bodies. 108. (b) : Transposons are portable genetic elements
It was observed by Griffith, that killed encapsulated which can insert themselves at random into a plasmid
pneumococci had liberated some substance which or any chromosome independently of the host cell
favoured non­capsulated cells (R type) to produce a recombination system. It was discovered by Barbara
capsular substance. Mc Clintock (1940) in maize and termed as jumping
This substance in later experiments was proved to be genes. Later Headges and Jacob termed them as
DNA. These experiments showed that DNA is the transposons.
genetic material. Introns are nontranslated sequences within the coding
100. (b) : Regulator gene is a gene whose function is sequence of a gene. Such sequences are transcribed
to control the transcriptional activity of other genes, into hnRNA but are then spliced out and are not
either adjacent or distant in the genome. In the case represented in the message. The non­intron sequences
of the lac operon of E.coli the regulator gene lac i of the gene are referred to as exons.
produces a protein product that represses the operator Cistron sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule
gene of the operon. In bacteria the same regulator code for one particular polypeptide chain.
gene may affect a series of non­adjacent operons. 109. (b) : Refer to answer 55.
101. (c) : Refer to answer 55. 110. (a) : Autoradiography is the study of labelled
102. (b) : DNA is mainly found in nucleus. It is precursors like 3H by knowing the movement of
associated with RNA and proteins to form compact radioactivity with the help of photographic films and
chromosomes. But some amount of DNA is also emulsions at short intervals.
found in chloroplasts and mitochondria. This DNA Radioactive material like tritiated thymidine which
is called extra­chromosomal DNA. is formed by replacing normal hydrogen of thymidine
103. (b) : The genetic material of prokaryotes is with H3 (heavy isotope of hydrogen). Thymidine only
circular and single stranded DNA. It has no is used for this purpose because RNA will not be
association of histones. The eukaryotic genetic labelled by this.
358 Chapterwise NEET­AIPMT SOLUTIONS

111. (d) : Transfer RNA or tRNA help in transfer of DNA A T T C G A T G

amino acids to ribosomes mRNA complex to form | | | | | | | |
the polypeptide chain. It has four key regions a carrier mRNA U A A G C U A C
and recognition end, enzyme site and ribosome site. (transcript)
This recognition end has three anticodons with the 120. (a) : Nonsense mutation is a mutation which
help of which amino acids are identified. rRNA forms interconverts a nonsense to or from a sense­coding
67% of 70S ribosomes and 50% of 80S ribosomes. triplet, resulting in an abnormally foreshortened or
mRNA carries the coded information from DNA for elongated polypeptide chain. But in this example
the synthesis of proteins. cytosine is added at the beginning so CAT GAT
112. (a) : Protein synthesis or translation consists of GATG will result.
ribosomes, amino acids, mRNA, tRNAs and 121. (a) : Split gene are those genes that consist of
aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The ribosomes have two continuous sequence of nucleotide (coding sequence)
binding sites namely aminoacyl site or A­site and interrupted by intervening sequences. Most eukaryotic
peptide site or P­site. The starting amino acid genes are split as are genes of some animal viruses.
methionine lies at the P­site of the ribosome. The next The continuous coding sequences are called exons
incoming tRNA is called amino acyl tRNA, it is bound and the intervening non­coding sequence are called
to A­site. A peptide bond is formed between COOH introns. These introns are not represented in mRNA
group of the tRNA at P­site and NH2 group of transcribed from the gene and are not utilized for the
aminoacyl tRNA. This is facilitated by the enzyme synthesis of proteins.
peptidyl transferase and does not require high energy
122. (a) : Anticodon is the sequence of three
phosphate bonds.
nucleotides in a transfer RNA molecule that pairs with
113. (a) : Refer to answer 55. a complementary sequence of three nucleotides
114. (d) : Nucleolus is a plasmosome body that is (codon) on a molecule of messenger RNA. tRNA has
formed around the nucleolus organizer and is located clove like shape or L shape (three dimensional). It
in the secondary constriction on that chromosome. It has G at 5¢ end CCA at 3¢ end. CCA at 3¢ end is meant
is made up of RNA and proteins. The associated for attaching to a specific amino acid (AA­binding
nucleolar chromatin contains DNA. It forms mRNA site). On the opposite side lies an anticodon that is
that has low molecular weight. Ribosomes are mainly complementary to a specific codon of mRNA. The
concerned with proteins synthesis. They are sites for two are called recognition sites.
synthesis of rRNA and tRNA is synthesized in the 123. (c) : Lac operon in E. coli is induced by
cytoplasm. b­galactosidase an enzyme meant for hydrolysis of
115. (c) : 14C and 3H are incorporated in bases like lactose in glucose and galactose.
thymidine, uridine and amino acids to study the Lactose b­galactosidase Glucose + Galactose
structure of DNA and proteins. Radio tracer technique
These enzymes are called as inducible enzymes,
shows that DNA is in double helical form.
because the synthesis of such enzymes are induced
116. (a) : When E.coli bacteria are transfered to by adding substrate such as lactose by 10, 000 times.
medium containing lactose, then the lac opeon is
indueed. The lac opeaon consists of 3 structural gene
(lac Z, lac Y and lac A). It involves the synthesis of
b­galactosidase enzyme in E.coli, which hydrolyses
lactose into glucose and galactose.
117. (d) : Refer to answer 43.
118. (d) : Inducer is a metabolite (or analogue of
similar chemical structure), usually of low molecular
weight, which promotes the production of an enzyme.
124. (c) : Refer to answer 55.
Inducers are often substrates for the enzymes they
induce, e.g. lactose in case of the synthesis of b­ 125. (b) : DNA is a double helical molecule and it
galoctosidase in lac operon. opens to form a replication fork for its replication.
The two strands of DNA are joined with the help of
119. (d) : In transcription, mRNA is formed from H­bonds between the strands. Topoisomerases are
DNA template and thymine of DNA is replaced by specialized to cause nicks or breaks in the double helix
uracil of RNA. Uracil pairs with adenine. and helps separate the DNA stands. Helicase unwinds
Molecular Basis of Inheritance 359

the DNA helix from that nick caused by the are some twenty amino acids involved in protein
topoisomerase and this seperates the two strands. synthesis. In translation, the message coded by DNA
DNA gyrase introduces negative supercoils in DNA on mRNA is translated into a specific protein.
strands of prokayotes. 134. (a) : A DNA with unequal nitrogen bases would
DNA polymerase adds nucleotides units to the 3¢ end most probably be single stranded. Nitrogenous bases
of a DNA chain. DNA ligase joins the ends of DNA. are unequal in number in single stranded DNA, because
126. (d) : Transcription is the mechanism of copying they do not possess complementary base pairs.
the message of DNA on RNA with the help of enzyme 135. (a) : Nucleotide arrangement in DNA can be seen
RNA polymerase. It is meant for taking the coded by X­ray crystallography. Watson and Crick, 1953
information from DNA to the site where it is required proposed the double helical model for DNA. They were
for protein synthesis. awarded Nobel prize in 1962. This model was developed
Translation or protein synthesis is a complicated by them on the basis of several previous observations
process involving several steps such as – activation of including the d­helix of Pauling, 1951 and X­ray
amino acid, transfer of amino acid to tRNA, initiation reflection studies of Franklin and Gosling, 1953.
of polypeptide synthesis, elongation of polypeptide 136. (a) : Experimental material in the study of DNA
chain and, termination of polypeptide chain. replication has been Escherichia coli. E. coli fully
127. (d) : Nucleosome core is made up of H2A, H2B, labelled with 15N is allowed to grow in 14N medium.
H3 and H4. It is about 7­10 nm in diameter, consisting The two strands of DNA molecule of the first
of histones around which a DNA strand, about 120 generation bacteria have different density and do not
base pair long is wrapped in chromosomes. resemble parent DNA. Meselson and Stahl, 1958 by
using 14N and 15N confirmed that the replication of
128. (d) : Refer to answer 55. DNA in E. coli is semi­conservative in nature.
129. (b) : The transforming principle of 137. (b) : Khorana synthesised a chain of alternate
Pneumococcus as found out by Avery, MacLeod and nucleotide GUGUGUGUGU. He found that it
McCarty was DNA. In 1944, Avery, MacLeod and stimulated synthesis of a peptide having alternate
McCarty repeated Griffith’s experiment successfully. valine­cysteine­valine­cysteine.
They separated the proteins, carbohydrates and DNA 138. (a) : Refer to answer 136.
of S III strains and separately mixed them in the pure
139. (b) : The process in living cells in which the
cultures of R II. Only DNA could bring about genetic information of DNA is transferred to a
transformation of R II type into S III and not the molecule of mesenger RNA (mRNA) is the first step
proteins or the carbohydrates. in protein synthesis. Transcription takes place in the
130. (d) : Hershey and Chase proved that DNA is a cell nucleus or nuclear region and is regulated by
basic genetic material. Hershey and Chase, 1952, by transcription factors.
using P32 and S35 with a T­2 type phage concluded 140. (b) : An octamer of 4 histones complexed with
that DNA is the genetic material. DNA forms nucleosome. The association of histones
131. (c) : Certain amino acids are identified by more with DNA is very characteristic. It involves the
than one codons. This phenomenon is called as formation of linear array of spherial structures called
degeneracy e.g., only AUG codes for methionine and nucleosomes. These structures contains four pairs of
UGG tryptophan. histones (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4) in a ball; around which
is wrapped a stretch of about 150 base pairs of DNA.
132. (c) : During DNA replication, the strands
141. (d) : Refer to answer 29.
separate by unwindase/helicase. The molecule is
unwound by DNA unwinding proteins called 142. (b) : Refer to answer 93.
helicases. The helicases II and III get attached to 143. (d) : The genetic information is transferred from
logging strand and protein to the leading strand. The DNA to mRNA to protein. The proteins are made up
formation of bands is avoided by single stranded DNA of some 20 amino acids whose sequence is hidden in
binding proteins (SSB). the sequence of nucleotides of mRNA. Hence, genetic
code consists of all 20 amino acids. Thus genetic code
133. (b) : The process of translation is protein is the relationship of amino acids sequence in a
synthesis. Emil Fischer, a German chemist established polypetide and nucleotide/base sequence in mRNA
that the proteins are polymers of amino acids. There antisense strand and DNA.