Test Bank for Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 4th Edition Bauman

Test Bank for Microbiology with Diseases by

Taxonomy 4th Edition Bauman

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Exam

Name___________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1) Which of the following types of plasmids allows a bacterial cell to kill its competitors? 1)
A) resistance factors
B) bacteriocin factors
C) cryptic plasmids
D) fertility factors
E) virulence factors
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

2) The Ames test demonstrates that a chemical is 2)

A) mutagenic in humans.
B) mutagenic in Salmonella.
C) carcinogenic.
D) carcinogenic in Salmonella.
E) carcinogenic in humans.
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

3) The procedure known as "replica plating" is used in 3)

A) both positive and negative selection.
B) positive selection only.
C) the Ames test.
D) negative selection only.
E) mutagenesis.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

1
4) Transfer of random pieces of DNA mediated by phage is known as 4)
A) conjugation
B) generalized transduction
C) transposition
D) transformation of competent cells.
E) specialized transduction.
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

5) DNA replication and RNA transcription have many features in common. Which of the following 5)
does NOT occur in both processes?
A) directionality of synthesis
B) energy to drive the process is provided by triphosphate nucleotides
C) base-pairing of complementary nucleotides
D) a requirement for a primer
E) separation of the DNA strands ("unzipping")
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

6) A codon is a particular combination of three nucleotides. Therefore, there are ________ possible 6)
combinations of the nucleotides A, C, G, and T.
A) 64 B) 32 C) 4 D) 16 E) 12
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

7) Which of the following is NOT involved the packaging of eukaryotic chromosomes? 7)

A) euchromatin
B) heterochromatin
C) nucleosomes
D) histones
E) Okazaki fragments
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

2
 8) The horizontal transfer process known as transduction 8)
A) requires a plasmid.
B) involves a virus.
C) requires a pilus.
D) involves a mutagen.
E) requires a cell to be "competent."
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

9) Which of the following is a DNA repair enzyme activated by visible light? 9)

A) bacteriocin
B) DNA photolyase
C) primase
D) transposase
E) DNA ligase
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

10) Which of the following statements concerning transcription in bacteria is FALSE? 10)
A) The same RNA polymerase transcribes primer RNA, mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.
B) Sigma factors are parts of RNA polymerase that recognize promoter regions.
C) There are a variety of sigma factors that affect transcription.
D) Termination is either self-induced or due to the presence of Rho protein.
E) It occurs in the nucleoid region.
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

11) The process of ________ requires participation of tRNA molecules. 11)

A) translation
B) capping
C) transcription
D) dark repair
E) DNA replication
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

3
12) The process known as ________ is initiated with the incorporation of fMet. 12)
A) DNA replication
B) capping
C) light repair
D) translation
E) transcription
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

13) The DNA sequence of a portion of gene in a wild-type organism is TTACCATATTCACCC, and the 13)
corresponding peptide sequence is Leu-Pro-Tyr-Ser-Pro. The corresponding gene fragment in
phenotypic variant of the organism is TTACCATATTCACCC and the peptide sequence is
Leu-Pro-Cys-Ser-Pro. This is an example of a ________ mutation (type) resulting in a ________
mutation (effect).
A) base substitution; nonsense
B) base substitution; missense
C) base substitution; silent
D) insertion; nonsense
E) deletion; missense
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

14) The AUG codon functions in coding for the amino acid methionine and as a 14)
A) termination signal.
B) recognition site for RNA polymerase.
C) "wobble" codon.
D) marker for introns.
E) start signal.
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

4
15) Another term for the palindromic sequence found at the ends of transposons is a(n) 15)
A) bacteriophage.
B) transposase.
C) complex transposon.
D) inverted repeat.
E) insertion sequence.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

16) Typical eukaryotic genomes are composed of ________ DNA molecule(s). 16)
A) a single circular
B) a single linear
C) multiple linear
D) multiple circular
E) both linear and circular
Answer: C
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

17) Frederick Griffith discovered 17)

A) transformation.
B) DNA.
C) transposons.
D) conjugation.
E) the lac operon.
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

5
18) 18)

The process indicated by the arrow in Figure 7.1 represents

A) translation.
B) leading strand synthesis.
C) transcription.
D) lagging strand synthesis.
E) homologous recombination.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

19) Codons are recognized during 19)

A) transcription.
B) transduction.
C) DNA replication.
D) translation.
E) base excision.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

20) The process of ________ is described as semiconservative. 20)

A) translation
B) DNA replication
C) transcription
D) transformation
E) mismatch repair
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

6
21) Which of the following statements is true of bacterial plasmids? 21)
A) They are small circular DNA molecules.
B) They are small circular DNA molecules that can replicate autonomously.
C) They are always found in the nucleoid.
D) They carry genes for essential metabolic functions.
E) They can replicate autonomously.
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

22) Which of the following processes is involved in the "central dogma" of genetics? 22)
A) transcription and translation
B) DNA replication and translation
C) translation only
D) transcription only
E) DNA replication only
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

23) In conjugation, F+ cells 23)

A) serve as recipient cells.
B) can transfer DNA only to other F+ cells.
C) contain "jumping genes."
D) do not have conjugation pili.
E) contain an F plasmid.
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

24) Which of the following regulatory RNAs alter translation in response to environmental conditions? 24)
A) miRNA-induced silencing complexes (miRISCs)
B) microRNAs
C) small interfering RNAs
D) transfer RNAs
E) riboswitches
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

7
25) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Okazaki fragments? 25)
A) They begin with an RNA primer.
B) They are checked for accuracy by DNA polymerase III.
C) They are longer in eukaryotic cells.
D) They make up the lagging strand of replicated DNA.
E) They are joined together by DNA ligase.
Answer: C
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

26) RNA polymerase is primarily responsible for 26)

A) transcription.
B) DNA replication.
C) transformation.
D) polyadenylation.
E) translation.
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

27) The events of ________ are initiated at sequences called origins. 27)
A) translation
B) transposition
C) DNA replication
D) transcription
E) splicing
Answer: C
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

28) Which of the following are considered to be frameshift mutations? 28)

A) deletions only
B) insertions only
C) inversions only
D) both inversion and insertions
E) both deletions and insertions
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

8
29) If the codon AAA is changed to AAG, it still codes for the amino acid lysine; this is an example of a 29)
A) frameshift mutation.
B) missense mutation.
C) silent mutation.
D) dimer formation.
E) nonsense mutation.
Answer: C
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

30) During ________, a new peptide bond is formed with the amino acid located in the A site. 30)
A) DNA replication
B) transcription
C) polyadenylation
D) mismatch repair
E) translation
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

31) Inducible operons 31)

A) are active in the presence of a repressor.
B) are generally anabolic pathways.
C) usually require a repressor to be transcribed.
D) usually require an activator to be transcribed.
E) are normally active.
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

9
32) A wild-type organism and a genetic variant both have a gene encoding a receptor producing a 32)
chemotactic response to metabolite A. The genetic variant has a mutation in a regulatory gene for
expression of the receptor. Which of the following statements with respect to the receptor is
CORRECT?
A) The phenotypes of both organisms are the same, but the genotypes differ.
B) The genotypes and phenotypes of both organisms are the same.
C) The organisms have different genetic sequences for the receptor.
D) The organisms have the same receptor genotype but different phenotypes.
E) The answer cannot be determined from the information provided.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

33) Semiconservative DNA replication means that 33)

A) the sequence of a DNA molecule is preserved as it is being replicated.
B) each strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule is replicated differently.
C) nucleotides are constantly being recycled as cells make DNA.
D) each daughter DNA molecule is composed of one original strand and one new strand.
E) the cell can proofread its newly synthesized DNA only part of the time.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

34) All of the following are associated with nucleic acid structure EXCEPT 34)
A) hydrogen bonds.
B) ribose.
C) phosphate.
D) ionic bonds.
E) uracil.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

10
35) The bacterial chromosome is 35)
A) usually circular.
B) found in a nucleus.
C) found in a nucleoid.
D) both circular and found in a nucleoid.
E) both circular and found in a nucleus.
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

36) Which of the following is found at the 5' end of a DNA strand? 36)
A) a hydrogen bond
B) a phosphate group
C) histones
D) a methyl group
E) a hydroxyl group
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

37) Which of the following is NOT involved in the regulation of the lac operon? 37)
A) cyclic AMP
B) an inducer
C) glucose
D) an iRNA
E) a repressor protein
Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

38) Which of the following is involved in translation? 38)

A) tRNA only
B) rRNA only
C) mRNA only
D) both mRNA and tRNA
E) mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA are all involved.
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

11
39) DNA damage caused by ethidium bromide results in ________ mutations. 39)
A) insertion
B) deletion
C) substitution
D) both inversion and insertion
E) both insertion and deletion
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

40) The process of ________ requires the activity of DNA ligase. 40)
A) transcription
B) capping
C) transduction
D) translation
E) DNA replication
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

41) Which of the following is a characteristic shared by DNA and RNA polymerases? 41)
A) direction of polymerization
B) dependence on helicase
C) type of nucleotides used
D) efficiency of proofreading
E) speed
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

42) Genetic elements known as promoters are initiation points in the process of 42)
A) transformation.
B) DNA replication.
C) transcription.
D) translation.
E) mutation repair.
Answer: C
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

12
 43) During elongation a charged tRNA first enters the ribosomal ________ site and then moves into the 43)
________ site.
A) A, P B) E, A C) A, E D) P, E E) P, A
Answer: A
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

44) Which of the following is characteristic of prokaryotic genomes but NOT eukaryotic genomes? 44)
A) enclosed in a nuclear membrane
B) circular chromosomes
C) linear chromosomes
D) histones
E) typically consist of a few to several chromosomes
Answer: B
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

45) Which of the following causes mutations by creating thymine dimers? 45)
A) gamma rays
B) nucleotide analogs
C) nitrous acid
D) benzopyrene
E) ultraviolet light
Answer: E
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

46) Acridine dyes distort the structure of DNA causing (frameshift/missense/nonsense) 46)
mutations in gene sequences. (Answer in terms of the effect on gene function.)
Answer: frameshift
Explanation:

47) A(n) (operon/codon/gene) is a specific sequence of nucleotides that codes for a protein or 47)
an RNA molecule.
Answer: gene
Explanation:

13
48) While studying a bacterial strain a scientist notes a short DNA sequence between inverted 48)
repeats is present in both the chromosome and a plasmid within the cell. This sequence is
most likely a(n) (phage/transposon/F plasmid).
Answer: transposon
Explanation:

49) A(n) (genome/codon/operon) is a set of prokaryotic genes that are regulated and 49)
transcribed as a unit.
Answer: operon
Explanation:

50) The (phenotype/genome/genotype) is the set of genes in the genome of an organism. 50)
Answer: genotype
Explanation:

51) The (leading/lagging/replicating) strand is the DNA strand that is synthesized 51)
continuously during DNA replication.
Answer: leading
Explanation:

52) Except during initiation of translation, transfer RNA molecules carrying amino acids 52)
initially bind to the ribosome at the (P/A/E) site.
Answer: A
Explanation:

53) The phenotype of an organism is its set of (genes/traits/chromosomes). 53)

Answer: traits
Explanation:

54) The chemical 5-bromouracil mimics the chemical structure of thymine, making it a(n) 54)
(analog/nucleotide/precursor) of thymine.
Answer: analog
Explanation:

55) Loosely packed, transcriptionally active regions of a eukaryotic chromosome are called 55)
(euchromatin/heterochromatin/nucleosomes).
Answer: euchromatin
Explanation:

56) The (codon/antidcodon/loop) of a transfer RNA molecule is complementary to a codon in a 56)

messenger RNA molecule.
Answer: anticodon
Explanation:

57) Transfer of DNA between bacterial cells by viruses is called 57)

(transformation/transduction/conjugation).
Answer: transduction
Explanation:

14
 58) The enzyme responsible for separating the DNA strands during DNA replication is 58)
(topoisomerase/primase/helicase).
Answer: helicase
Explanation:

59) RNA polymerase initiates transcription by recognizing specific DNA sequences called 59)
(promoter/origins/operons).
Answer: promoters
Explanation:

60) A protein has altered function as a result of a single amino acid substitution in the 60)
polypeptide. This change resulted from a (missense/nonsense/silent) mutation.
Answer: missense
Explanation:

TRUE/FALSE. Write 'T' if the statement is true and 'F' if the statement is false.

61) The structure of DNA explains both its ability to encode genetic information and the way in which 61)
it is copied during cell reproduction.
Answer: True False
Explanation:

62) A chemical is reported to inhibit bacterial replication. Bacterial cells are placed in medium with all 62)
nutrients necessary for replication. The chemical is added to the culture, and after a half hour an
extract of the DNA is prepared. A significant percentage of the DNA is in pieces about 1000 to 2000
bases in length. The results are consistent with the chemical blocking the function of DNA ligase.
Answer: True False
Explanation:

63) Prokaryotic cells are diploid. 63)

Answer: True False
Explanation:

64) DNA polymerase III participates in the dark repair mechanism of DNA mutation repair. 64)
Answer: True False
Explanation:

65) The phenotype of an organism reflects only part of its genotype. 65)
Answer: True False
Explanation:

66) Pyrimidine dimers are severe mutations because cells have few mechanisms for repairing them. 66)
Answer: True False
Explanation:

67) Bidirectional replication means that each strand of a DNA molecule is replicated in the opposite 67)
direction from the other.
Answer: True False
Explanation:

15
 68) In generalized transduction, viruses carry random DNA sequences from one cell to another. 68)
Answer: True False
Explanation:

69) DNA, which is negatively charged, wraps around positively charged histones as part of the 69)
packaging of eukaryotic chromosomes.
Answer: True False
Explanation:

70) Most bacteria have a natural ability to take up DNA from their environment. 70)
Answer: True False
Explanation:

ESSAY. Write your answer in the space provided or on a separate sheet of paper.

71) A point mutation can be completely harmless, or it can result in the death of a cell or organism. Explain why
these types of mutations can have such varying effects.
Answer: A point mutation is a single base change in the nucleotide sequence of a cell's genome. The effects of a
point mutation can depend on its location. Point mutations in noncoding regions of the genome are
usually harmless. Even in coding regions, point mutations can be harmless if they result in silent
mutations. Silent mutations preserve the sense of the amino acid code because of the concept of "wobble,"
in which two codons can code for the same amino acid by varying only at the third base of the codon. If
the point mutation has occurred at this third base, then the amino acid sequence of the protein will
remain unchanged. Point mutations occurring at the first or second base of the codon are almost always
much more serious because they change the codon to a completely different amino acid. This type of
point mutation is known as a missense mutation. Occasionally changes in the first or second base are still
silent, in the case of amino acids specified by several codons (e.g. CGG and AGG both code for Arginine).
(Another exception to this occurs when the new amino acid is chemically similar to the previous amino
acid, in which case the missense mutation usually causes little or no change in the overall structure or
function of the protein.) Finally, one of the most serious types of point mutations is a nonsense mutation
in which the codon has been changed to a stop codon. These types of mutations result in the abnormal
termination of a protein sequence. In all such cases, if the protein affected by the mutation is an enzyme
or some other vital protein required for proper cellular function, then the cell and/or organism may die as
a result of these relatively simple mutations.

72) Describe the various types of nucleic acids that are typically found in cells.
Answer: All cells possess one or more DNA molecules that serve as the genetic blueprint of the cell; these
molecules are generally referred to as chromosomes. Prokaryotic chromosomes differ from eukaryotic
chromosomes in their number and physical shape. Eukaryotic chromosomes tend to be more complex in
their organization, involving specialized packaging proteins called histones. Eukaryotic cells also tend to
contain more chromosomes than prokaryotes, which have no more than two chromosomes. In addition,
all cells contain additional nucleic acid in the form of various types of RNA (mRNA, tRNA, primer RNA,
siRNA, RNAi, and rRNA), which are used to assist in the cell's genetic processes. Most cells contain other
types of nucleic acid, such as plasmids or the DNA found in organelles such as mitochondria and
chloroplasts. Plasmids are a common form of prokaryotic DNA and confer a variety of special abilities to
the cell, depending on the specific genes carried by the plasmid. Some eukaryotic cells may also contain
plasmids. The DNA of eukaryotic mitochondria and chloroplasts is used to partially control the activities
of these organelles in conjunction with genes found in the cell's nucleus.

16
73) Bacterial strain A contains a plasmid. Bacterial strain B does not. When the bacteria are incubated together in a
broth culture strain B cells containing the plasmid can be isolated. Devise an experiment to determine what type
of gene transfer process is involved.
Answer: A variety of answers are possible. For example, bacterial strains A & B could be placed on either side of a
filter with a pore size too small to allow bacteria to cross; if no strain B recombinants are produced the
results would be consistent with gene transfer by conjugation. Another experiment would be to mix the
bacteria in the presence of DNase; if recombinants are not detected the results would suggest
transformation of competent cells is involved. If recombinants are detected, genetic transfer by
conjugation or transduction are possible. A good experimental design will include appropriate controls.
An excellent answer may include multiple experimental approaches and/or discussion of alternatives to
the proposed experiment.

74) Describe the basic similarities and differences between DNA replication and transcription.
Answer: DNA replication and transcription are similar processes in that they both involve the production of
molecules of nucleic acids using a preexisting template. Therefore, they both involve the polymerization
of nucleotides to create long chains, as well as the utilization of complementary base-pairing rules to
create the nucleotide sequence of the new molecule based on the sequence of the template. Additionally,
these chains of nucleotides are synthesized in the same direction, 5' to 3', regardless of the type of nucleic
acid being produced. However, there are a number of differences between these two processes as well.
During DNA replication both DNA strands serve as template, while only one DNA strand is the template
for transcription. The product of DNA replication is an exact, complete DNA copy of an entire DNA
molecule that will be passed on to the offspring of the cell producing it. The product of transcription is an
RNA copy of a limited region (a gene) of a DNA molecule. Furthermore, this RNA molecule may not be
an exact copy of the gene, because transcription is more prone to errors than DNA replication. The RNA
molecules produced during transcription are used within the cell that produces them to provide
information for the synthesis of proteins during translation.

75) Compare and contrast the lactose operon with the tryptophan operon.
Answer: Both the lactose and the tryptophan operons have certain features in common. They both contain a set of
genes dedicated to a common purpose (such as the catabolism of lactose by the genes of the lactose
operon) and regulatory elements such as a promoter and an operator. Each of these operons makes use of
a repressor protein, which binds to the operator region and alters the activity of the operon. However, the
lactose operon is classified as an inducible operon, which means it requires an inducer (a lactose
metabolite) in order to be activated. In the absence of the inducer, the repressor protein shuts down the
operon. In contrast, the tryptophan operon is a repressible operon, which requires a corepressor
(tryptophan itself) in order to activate the repressor and shut down the operon. In the absence of the
corepressor and repressor, the operon is fully functional. In both types of operons, the molecule either
catabolized (in the case of lactose) or synthesized (in the case of tryptophan) is an important component
of the regulation of the operon. In this way, the cell maintains precise control over these genetic pathways
and does not spend time and energy making enzymes that are not needed. For example, making enzymes
to catabolize lactose when no lactose is present would waste energy and metabolites.

17
Answer Key
Testname: C7

1) B
2) B
3) D
4) B
5) D
6) A
7) E
8) B
9) B
10) A
11) A
12) D
13) B
14) E
15) D
16) C
17) A
18) D
19) D
20) B
21) B
22) A
23) E
24) E
25) C
26) A
27) C
28) E
29) C
30) E
31) B
32) D
33) D
34) D
35) D
36) B
37) D
38) E
39) E
40) E
41) A
42) C
43) A
44) B
45) E
46) frameshift
47) gene
48) transposon
49) operon
50) genotype
18
Answer Key
Testname: C7

51) leading
52) A
53) traits
54) analog
55) euchromatin
56) anticodon
57) transduction
58) helicase
59) promoters
60) missense
61) TRUE
62) TRUE
63) FALSE
64) FALSE
65) TRUE
66) FALSE
67) FALSE
68) TRUE
69) TRUE
70) FALSE
71) A point mutation is a single base change in the nucleotide sequence of a cell's genome. The effects of a point mutation
can depend on its location. Point mutations in noncoding regions of the genome are usually harmless. Even in coding
regions, point mutations can be harmless if they result in silent mutations. Silent mutations preserve the sense of the
amino acid code because of the concept of "wobble," in which two codons can code for the same amino acid by varying
only at the third base of the codon. If the point mutation has occurred at this third base, then the amino acid sequence
of the protein will remain unchanged. Point mutations occurring at the first or second base of the codon are almost
always much more serious because they change the codon to a completely different amino acid. This type of point
mutation is known as a missense mutation. Occasionally changes in the first or second base are still silent, in the case of
amino acids specified by several codons (e.g. CGG and AGG both code for Arginine). (Another exception to this occurs
when the new amino acid is chemically similar to the previous amino acid, in which case the missense mutation
usually causes little or no change in the overall structure or function of the protein.) Finally, one of the most serious
types of point mutations is a nonsense mutation in which the codon has been changed to a stop codon. These types of
mutations result in the abnormal termination of a protein sequence. In all such cases, if the protein affected by the
mutation is an enzyme or some other vital protein required for proper cellular function, then the cell and/or organism
may die as a result of these relatively simple mutations.
72) All cells possess one or more DNA molecules that serve as the genetic blueprint of the cell; these molecules are
generally referred to as chromosomes. Prokaryotic chromosomes differ from eukaryotic chromosomes in their number
and physical shape. Eukaryotic chromosomes tend to be more complex in their organization, involving specialized
packaging proteins called histones. Eukaryotic cells also tend to contain more chromosomes than prokaryotes, which
have no more than two chromosomes. In addition, all cells contain additional nucleic acid in the form of various types
of RNA (mRNA, tRNA, primer RNA, siRNA, RNAi, and rRNA), which are used to assist in the cell's genetic processes.
Most cells contain other types of nucleic acid, such as plasmids or the DNA found in organelles such as mitochondria
and chloroplasts. Plasmids are a common form of prokaryotic DNA and confer a variety of special abilities to the cell,
depending on the specific genes carried by the plasmid. Some eukaryotic cells may also contain plasmids. The DNA of
eukaryotic mitochondria and chloroplasts is used to partially control the activities of these organelles in conjunction
with genes found in the cell's nucleus.

19
Test Bank for Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 4th Edition Bauman

Answer Key
Testname: C7

73) A variety of answers are possible. For example, bacterial strains A & B could be placed on either side of a filter with a
pore size too small to allow bacteria to cross; if no strain B recombinants are produced the results would be consistent
with gene transfer by conjugation. Another experiment would be to mix the bacteria in the presence of DNase; if
recombinants are not detected the results would suggest transformation of competent cells is involved. If recombinants
are detected, genetic transfer by conjugation or transduction are possible. A good experimental design will include
appropriate controls. An excellent answer may include multiple experimental approaches and/or discussion of
alternatives to the proposed experiment.
74) DNA replication and transcription are similar processes in that they both involve the production of molecules of
nucleic acids using a preexisting template. Therefore, they both involve the polymerization of nucleotides to create
long chains, as well as the utilization of complementary base-pairing rules to create the nucleotide sequence of the new
molecule based on the sequence of the template. Additionally, these chains of nucleotides are synthesized in the same
direction, 5' to 3', regardless of the type of nucleic acid being produced. However, there are a number of differences
between these two processes as well. During DNA replication both DNA strands serve as template, while only one
DNA strand is the template for transcription. The product of DNA replication is an exact, complete DNA copy of an
entire DNA molecule that will be passed on to the offspring of the cell producing it. The product of transcription is an
RNA copy of a limited region (a gene) of a DNA molecule. Furthermore, this RNA molecule may not be an exact copy
of the gene, because transcription is more prone to errors than DNA replication. The RNA molecules produced during
transcription are used within the cell that produces them to provide information for the synthesis of proteins during
translation.
75) Both the lactose and the tryptophan operons have certain features in common. They both contain a set of genes
dedicated to a common purpose (such as the catabolism of lactose by the genes of the lactose operon) and regulatory
elements such as a promoter and an operator. Each of these operons makes use of a repressor protein, which binds to
the operator region and alters the activity of the operon. However, the lactose operon is classified as an inducible
operon, which means it requires an inducer (a lactose metabolite) in order to be activated. In the absence of the inducer,
the repressor protein shuts down the operon. In contrast, the tryptophan operon is a repressible operon, which requires
a corepressor (tryptophan itself) in order to activate the repressor and shut down the operon. In the absence of the
corepressor and repressor, the operon is fully functional. In both types of operons, the molecule either catabolized (in
the case of lactose) or synthesized (in the case of tryptophan) is an important component of the regulation of the
operon. In this way, the cell maintains precise control over these genetic pathways and does not spend time and energy
making enzymes that are not needed. For example, making enzymes to catabolize lactose when no lactose is present
would waste energy and metabolites.

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