UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

1. The sequence of bases in a nucleotide of DNA makes up an organism’s genetic

code. How could a change in a sequence of DNA bases affect an organism?

A. The function of the resulting protein could change.

B. The DNA nucleotide could form an ATP nucleotide.
C. The DNA molecule could change into an RNA molecule.
D. The gene could code for carbohydrates instead of proteins.
B.6.E

2. In a particular variety of corn, the kernels turn red when exposed to sunlight. In
the absence of sunlight, the kernels remain yellow. Based on this information, it
can be concluded that the color of these corn kernels is due to –

F. a different type of DNA that is produced when sunlight is present.

G. the effect of sunlight on the number of chromosomes inherited.
H. a different species of corn that is produced in sunlight.
J. the effect of environment on gene expression.
B.6.D

3. An m-RNA sequence is shown below.

AUGCCGAAACGU
Which of the following statements describes how the m-RNA sequence
specifies the production of an amino acid chain?

A. Each individual m-RNA base codes for a single amino acid.

B. Each group of three m-RNA bases codes for a single amino acid.
C. Each group of three m-RNA bases codes for an enzyme that helps join
amino acids together.
D. Each individual m-RNA base codes for the ribosome location where
amino acids are assembled.
B.6.C
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

4. DNA is composed of strands of nucleotides that pair in regular patterns and are
held together by the forces shown in the diagram above. What forces,
represented by dotted lines, hold together the two strands of DNA shown in the
diagram above?

F. Ionic Bonds
G. Covalent Bonds
H. Hydrogen Bonds
J. Carbon-carbon Bonds
B.6.A
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

5. The base sequence below show two different sequences of the same gene.

Wild type: TTGACTCGGTATAC

Mutant: TTGACTCGTATAC
What type of point mutation is illustrated?

A. Deletion
B. Insertion
C. Inversion
D. Substitution
B.6.E

6. The diagram below represents a process that occurs in the nucleus of a

eukaryotic cell.

Which of the following statements describes what is happening in this

process?

F. Molecules of RNA are forming chromosomes.

G. A molecule of mRNA is directing the production of tRNA.
H. Molecules of DNA are being packaged for export to the ribosomes.
J. A molecule of DNA is being replicated to make two identical copies.
B.5.A
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

Genes for medically important proteins can be cloned and inserted into bacteria,
as shown in the diagram below.

7.

Why can bacteria recognize a human gene and then produce a human protein?

A. DNA replication in bacteria and humans is the same.

B. Bacterial cells contain the same organelles as human cells.
C. The basic components of DNA are the same in humans and bacteria.
D. Bacterial cells and human cells contain the same kind of chromosomes.
B.6.B
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

8. Which molecule is paired with its correct role in protein synthesis?

F. Nucleus – forms peptide bonds

G. Ribosome – carries DNA instructions
H. mRNA – joins amino acids
J. tRNA – transfers amino acids
B.6.C

9. The ozone layer of Earth’s atmosphere helps to filter ultraviolet radiation. As the
ozone layer is depleted, more ultraviolet radiation reaches Earth’s surface. This
increase in ultraviolet radiation may be harmful because it can directly cause

A. Photosynthesis to stop in all marine organisms

B. Abnormal migration patterns in waterfowl
C. Mutations in the DNA of organisms
D. Sterility in most species of mammals and birds
B.6.E

10. Each person’s DNA profile is unique. DNA gives the body instructions on how
to assemble proteins. What can you infer from this information?

F. Each person has a unique combination of proteins that determines

their physical characteristics.
G. Each person has a unique set of physical characteristics that is
determined by their environment.
H. Each person has a unique combination of proteins that determines
their DNA profile.
J. Each person has a combination of proteins that is shared by all
members of their family.
B.6.A
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

11. What would you expect to find in all organisms?

A. The same genetic information

B. The same percentages of DNA base pairs
C. The same four DNA nucleotides
D. The same amount of thymine
B.6.B

Use the diagram below to answer question 12.

12. If one nucleotide is omitted or accidentally repeated in the process of DNA

replication, which of the following is most likely to occur?

F. Gene deletion
G. Gene mutation
H. Gene insertion
J. Gene segregation
B.6.E
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

Use the diagram below to answer question #13.

Eyes Skin

Leg muscles

13. Every cell in each of these structures contains

A. Equal amounts of ATP

B. Identical genetic information
C. Proteins that are all identical
D. Organelles for the synthesis of glucose
B.6.A

Use the diagram below to answer question 14.

14. The diagram above shows the processes that occur during gene expression.
Which of the following processes is represented at letter B?

F. Translation
G. Replication
H. Transcription
J. Protein synthesis
B.6.C
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

15. Each cell within a developing body will express different genes, depending on
the cell’s age and the location within the body. How is gene expression
regulated?

A. By internal and environmental cues

B. By messenger RNA
C. By temperature and light exposure
D. By Mutations caused by imperfect gene replication
B.6.D

Use the chart below to answer question 16.

16. A

strand of DNA with the sequence AAC AAG CCC undergoes a mutation, and the
first A is changed to a C. How will this mutation affect the amino acid sequence?

F. One amino acid will change.

G. Two amino acids will change.
H. All of the amino acids will change.
J. The amino acids will remain the same.
B.6.E
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

17. Which statement best describes the primary function of DNA replication?

A. To ensure daughter cells have a complete copy of the DNA

B. To prevent mutations from occurring in cells
C. To provide genetic variation within specific organisms
D. To allow prokaryotic cells to undergo meiosis
B.5.A

The diagram below shows a normal gene sequence and three mutated
sequences of a segment of DNA.

CATTAGAAC

Mutation A Mutation B Mutation C

CTTAGAAC GATTAGAAC CATGTAGAAC

Row Mutation A Mutation B

Mutation C

1 Deletion Substitution Insertion

2 Insertion Substitution Deletion

3 Insertion Deletion Substitution

4 Deletion Insertion Substitution

18. Which row in the chart below correctly identifies the cause of each type of
mutation?

F. 1
G. 2
H. 3
J. 4
B.6.E

19. Which best describes the interaction between DNA and RNA during protein
synthesis?
 UNIT 9 COMMON ASSESSMENT

A. RNA carries the code to the nucleus where DNA translates the code
into a protein.
B. DNA travels to the ribosome where RNA translates the code into a
Protein.
C. RNA carries the code from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome for protein
synthesis.
D. DNA travels to the cytoplasm while RNA remains in the nucleus.
B.6.C

The diagram below represents a process that occurs during normal

human development.

20. Which statement is correct regarding the cells and DNA?

F. All the cells have identical DNA.

G. The DNA of the fertilized egg differs from the DNA of all the other cells.
H. The DNA of the fertilized egg differs from some, but not all, of the other
cells.
J. Only the fertilized egg contains DNA.
B.6.A