Study GuidesExam QuestionsPast Papers
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.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

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

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

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.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

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

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?

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.

Choose your answer

Did this page help you?