AP®BiologyCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 1: Chemistry of LifeNucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids (College Board AP® Biology)

Exam Questions

5 mins5 questions
11 mark

DNA and RNA molecules have structural similarities and differences related to their function. Which of the following best describes the differences between DNA and RNA?

  • Both DNA and RNA have three components—sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually single stranded; RNA is usually double stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

  • Both DNA and RNA have two components—sugar and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually single stranded; RNA is usually double stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

  • Both DNA and RNA have three components—sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains deoxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually double stranded; RNA is usually single stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

  • Both DNA and RNA have three components—sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. DNA contains oxyribose and RNA contains ribose. RNA contains uracil and DNA contains thymine. DNA is usually single stranded; RNA is usually double stranded. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA are antiparallel in directionality.

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21 mark

DNA and RNA are made up of a repeating unit bonded together via strong covalent bonds. Which of the following is the correct term to describe DNA or RNA?

  • Polymer of bases

  • Polymer of nucleotides

  • Monomer of bases

  • Monomer of nucleotides

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31 mark

RNA and DNA are comprised of monomers called nucleotides. Nucleotides are made up of three different structures. Which of the following correctly shows the structure of a nucleotide?

  • Chemical structure of adenine nucleotide showing a phosphate group, ribose sugar, and adenine base. Phosphate is circled and connected to ribose.
  • Chemical structure of adenosine monophosphate, featuring a nucleotide with a phosphate group, ribose sugar, and adenine base.
  • Chemical structure of adenosine monophosphate, showing adenine ring linked to a ribose sugar and phosphate group.
  • Chemical structure of adenine nucleotide, showing a phosphate group, ribose sugar, and adenine base with atomic bonds and labels.

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41 mark

A length of DNA is used to transcribe a segment of RNA called mRNA. This happens during the process of transcription within the nucleus of a cell.

Which of the following shows the correctly transcribed RNA from the length of DNA shown in Figure 1.

A-G-G-T-C-C-A-T-G-T-A-A-A

Figure 1. A length of DNA

  • A-G-G-U-C-C-A-U-G-U-A-A-A

  • A-G-G-T-C-C-A-T-G-T-A-A-A

  • U-C-C-A-G-G-U-A-C-A-U-U-U

  • T-C-C-A-G-G-T-A-C-A-T-T-T

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51 mark

There are several different types of RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA).

Which of the following is not a type of RNA?

  • Diagram of a Y-shaped RNA secondary structure with three loops and ladder-like lines indicating base pairs along the arms and body.
  • Illustration of a DNA double helix with a grey colour scheme, depicting its twisted ladder structure with base pairs as connecting rungs.
  • Diagram of a nucleotide sequence, displayed as a linear arrangement with letters A, U, G, C. Arrows indicate direction, in a double-stranded layout.
  • Illustration of a DNA double helix structure with twisting strands and connecting base pairs, depicted in black and white on a plain background.

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