Molecular Genetics Quizzes for Medical Students

Question 1

In a laboratory setting, which technique is commonly employed to separate DNA fragments based on their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Restriction enzyme digestion

Question 2

Which of the following techniques is used to separate DNA fragments based solely on their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

DNA sequencing

Question 3

Which technique separates DNA fragments by their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Question 4

Which of these is NOT a fundamental principle of Mendelian inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Law of Incomplete Dominance

Answer

Law of Segregation

Answer

Law of Independent Assortment

Answer

Law of Dominance

Question 5

Which technique is used to modify the genetic material of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Recombinant DNA technology

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 6

The Human Genome Project was a landmark effort that:

Accepted Answer

Sequenced the entire human genome

Answer

Identified all human genes

Answer

Developed new gene therapies

Answer

Cured all genetic diseases

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a single-gene disorder?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Type 2 diabetes

Answer

Cancer

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a type of mutation?

Accepted Answer

Protein folding

Answer

Point mutation

Answer

Frameshift mutation

Answer

Silent mutation

Question 9

The process by which DNA is copied is known as:

Accepted Answer

Replication

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Answer

Mutation

Question 10

Which enzyme is involved in cutting DNA at specific recognition sequences?

Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes

Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

RNA polymerase

Answer

Ligase

Question 11

Identify the key structural difference between DNA and RNA molecules:

Accepted Answer

DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is typically single-stranded.

Accepted Answer

DNA contains thymine, while RNA contains uracil.

Answer

DNA is found in the nucleus, while RNA is found in the cytoplasm.

Answer

DNA is transcribed into RNA, while RNA is translated into proteins.

Question 12

Which inheritance pattern is NOT considered a Mendelian pattern?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial

Answer

Autosomal dominant

Answer

Autosomal recessive

Answer

X-linked recessive

Question 13

A genetic disorder caused by a mutation in a DNA repair gene is most likely to result in:

Accepted Answer

Cancer

Answer

Neurological disorders

Answer

Developmental abnormalities

Answer

Cardiovascular diseases

Question 14

The Human Genome Project primarily provided insights into:

Accepted Answer

The complete sequence of the human genome

Answer

The function of all human genes

Answer

The genetic basis of complex diseases

Answer

Ethical implications of genetic information

Question 15

Which technique is primarily used to detect genetic mutations associated with diseases?

Accepted Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Microarray analysis

Question 16

The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 technology revolutionized genetic engineering primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Simplifying gene editing

Answer

Expanding the range of treatable genetic diseases

Answer

Reducing the cost of genetic therapies

Answer

Improving the safety of gene editing procedures

Question 17

The process by which genetic information is transferred from DNA to RNA is called:

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Answer

Replication

Answer

Translation

Answer

Gene regulation

Question 18

Evaluate the ethical and societal implications of genetic engineering technologies, considering both their potential benefits and risks.

Accepted Answer

Ethical implications include privacy concerns, potential for discrimination, and unintended consequences.

Accepted Answer

Societal impacts may encompass advancements in healthcare, increased food production efficiency, and economic growth.

Answer

Genetic engineering should be strictly prohibited due to ethical and societal concerns.

Question 19

In Mendelian inheritance, what is the term for a trait that appears only when both copies of a gene are recessive?

Accepted Answer

Recessive

Answer

Dominant

Answer

Codominant

Answer

Incomplete dominance

Question 20

What is the probability of a homozygous recessive individual with genotype aa producing an offspring with the dominant allele A?

Accepted Answer

0%

Answer

25%

Answer

50%

Answer

75%

Question 21

Which of the following techniques is NOT used to identify specific genetic mutations responsible for inherited diseases?

Accepted Answer

Karyotyping

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 22

What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

Accepted Answer

To synthesize a complementary RNA molecule from DNA

Answer

To unwind the DNA double helix

Answer

To process and modify the RNA molecule

Answer

To translate the RNA molecule into protein

Question 23

What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

To assemble amino acids into polypeptide chains

Answer

To unwind the DNA double helix

Answer

To synthesize mRNA from DNA

Answer

To transport proteins to the cell membrane

Question 24

What is the difference between a genome and an exome?

Accepted Answer

The genome includes all the DNA in an organism, while the exome includes only the protein-coding regions.

Answer

The exome includes all the DNA in an organism, while the genome includes only the protein-coding regions.

Answer

The genome and exome are synonymous terms.

Answer

The exome includes only the non-coding regions of the genome.

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of Mendelian inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Law of recombination

Answer

Law of segregation

Answer

Law of independent assortment

Answer

Law of dominance

Question 26

Which genetic disorder is primarily caused by a defect in the CFTR gene?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Answer

Huntington's disease

Answer

Tay-Sachs disease

Question 27

Which process involves the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template?

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Mutation

Question 28

Which technique is commonly used to separate DNA fragments based on their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Microarray analysis

Question 29

Which of the following is a major ethical concern associated with genetic testing?

Accepted Answer

Potential for genetic discrimination

Answer

Cost of testing

Answer

Lack of accuracy

Answer

Unavailability of testing

Question 30

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a dominant allele?

Accepted Answer

Expressed in both homozygous and heterozygous individuals

Answer

Masked by a recessive allele

Answer

Carried but not expressed in heterozygous individuals

Answer

Only expressed in homozygous individuals

Question 31

What is the primary role of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in genetic engineering?

Accepted Answer

To make targeted changes to DNA sequences

Answer

To amplify DNA

Answer

To sequence DNA

Answer

To repair DNA damage

Question 32

What is the key difference between a genotype and a phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is its observable traits.

Answer

Genotype is the observable traits of an organism, while phenotype is its genetic makeup.

Answer

Genotype and phenotype are the same thing.

Answer

Genotype is the environment of an organism, while phenotype is its genetic makeup.

Question 33

What is the term used to describe a change in the DNA sequence?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Recombination

Answer

Translocation

Answer

Deletion

Question 34

Which technology offers the ability to precisely edit DNA?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR-Cas9

Answer

DNA microarrays

Answer

PCR

Answer

Gene cloning

Question 35

What is the key difference between a homozygous and a heterozygous genotype?

Accepted Answer

A homozygous genotype has two identical alleles, while a heterozygous genotype has two different alleles.

Answer

A homozygous genotype has two dominant alleles, while a heterozygous genotype has one dominant and one recessive allele.

Answer

A homozygous genotype has two recessive alleles, while a heterozygous genotype has one dominant and one recessive allele.

Answer

There is no difference between homozygous and heterozygous genotypes.

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of a condition primarily caused by a mutation in a single gene?

Accepted Answer

Huntington's disease

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Cancer

Answer

Heart disease

Question 37

Which type of mutation involves the addition of an extra nucleotide into the DNA sequence?

Accepted Answer

Insertion

Answer

Deletion

Answer

Substitution

Answer

Translocation

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of Mendelian inheritance? (Select one)

Accepted Answer

Blending inheritance

Answer

Segregation of alleles

Answer

Independent assortment

Answer

Incomplete dominance

Question 39

What type of genetic disorder is caused by a mutation in a single gene? (Select one)

Accepted Answer

Monogenic disorder

Answer

Polygenic disorder

Answer

Multifactorial disorder

Answer

Chromosomal disorder

Question 40

Which technique is primarily used to identify and analyze specific DNA sequences? (Select one)

Accepted Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

PCR

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Microarray

Question 41

What is the primary role of introns in eukaryotic gene expression? (Select one)

Accepted Answer

Non-coding regions that are spliced out

Answer

Coding regions for proteins

Answer

Regulatory elements for gene expression

Answer

Telomere sequences

Question 42

Which of the following processes is responsible for transmitting genetic material from parents to offspring? (Select one)

Accepted Answer

Meiosis

Answer

Mitosis

Answer

Transformation

Answer

Transduction

Question 43

How does a mutation in the HBB gene cause sickle cell anemia?

Accepted Answer

The mutation replaces a single amino acid in the beta-globin protein, altering its shape and making it less soluble, causing red blood cells to become sickle-shaped.

Answer

The mutation creates a premature stop codon in the HBB gene, leading to a shortened, non-functional beta-globin protein.

Answer

The mutation affects the HBB gene's promoter region, reducing gene expression and beta-globin production.

Answer

The mutation has no significant impact on the beta-globin protein or its function.

Question 44

What is a defining characteristic of dominant alleles?

Accepted Answer

They are phenotypically expressed even when paired with a recessive allele.

Answer

Their expression is unaffected by environmental factors.

Answer

They are only expressed in homozygous individuals.

Question 45

Which technique is used to separate DNA fragments according to size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Question 46

Which of the following disorders is caused by a mutation in a single gene?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Answer

Heart disease

Answer

Cancer

Answer

Diabetes

Question 47

What is a potential benefit of genetic engineering?

Accepted Answer

Development of innovative therapies to treat genetic diseases.

Answer

Enhancement of human abilities beyond natural limits.

Answer

Creation of designer babies with enhanced traits.

Answer

Eradication of genetic diversity within populations.

Question 48

What is a defining feature of a heterozygote?

Accepted Answer

Possession of two different alleles for a specific gene.

Answer

Always exhibiting a recessive phenotype.

Answer

Always exhibiting a dominant phenotype.

Question 49

Which process involves the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template?

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Translation

Question 50

Which enzyme is responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix during replication?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Answer

Primase

Answer

Ligase

Answer

Polymerase

Question 51

Which genetic disorder is caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion?

Accepted Answer

Huntington's disease

Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Tay-Sachs disease

Answer

Down syndrome

Question 52

Which of the following is a mechanism of genetic recombination?

Accepted Answer

Crossing over

Answer

Gene duplication

Answer

Mutation