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1.5 Nucleic Acids: Structure & DNA Replication

Question Paper
Course AQA AS Biology

Section 1. Biological Molecules
Topic 1.5 Nucleic Acids: Structure & DNA Replication
Difficulty Hard
Time Allowed 90
Score /67
Percentage /100
Page 1 of 11
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Question 1a
Describe the term, ‘frame-shift mutation’ and evaluate the likely impact of this kind of
mutation on the phenotype of the organism.
[6 marks]
Question 1b
Suggest why most mutations in eukaryotic cells are regarded as ‘neutral’.
[3 marks]
Page 2 of 11
Question 1c
Certain environmental factors can increase the rate of mutation above the normal, very
low rate. Identify two such factors and describe their interaction with DNA that gives
them their mutagenic effect.
[3 marks]
Question 1d
In the absence of mutagens, the rate of mutations is very low, approximately 160 bases
per cell cycle. Given that the human genome contains 3.2 billion base pairs, calculate
the percentage copying error rate of each cell cycle.
[1 mark]
Question 2a
The two strands of DNA are described as ‘antiparallel’. Explain the meaning of
‘antiparallel’ in this context.
[2 marks]
Page 3 of 11
Question 2b
The ends of a DNA strand are referred to as the 3’ (“3-prime”) end and the 5’ (“5-prime”)
end. Describe the aspects of DNA structure that give rise to this naming system .
[3 marks]
Question 2c
Adenine / thymine and guanine / cytosine are well known to hydrogen-bond to each
other in complementary base-pairs within the DNA double helix. These bases can also
form hydrogen bonds to other molecules in order to carry out their function. Suggest
how other such molecules can bind to the bases and explain how this adds functionality.
[4 marks]
Page 4 of 11
Question 2d
Watson and Crick first proposed the double-helical structure of DNA and, in later work,
the semi-conservative replication of DNA. Meselson and Stahl’s experiment proved
Watson and Crick’s theory of semi-conservative replication. Define semi-conservative
replication and outline the steps in Meselson and Stahl’s experiment that provided this
proof.
[6 marks]
Page 5 of 11
Question 3a
A section of DNA contains 1,200 base pairs.
The number of guanine molecules on strand one was counted as 156.
The number of cytosine molecules on strand one was counted as 209.
The number of adenine molecules on strand two was counted as 264.
Complete the table below to include the total number of each base present in the section, and the % composition of each
base.
Number of molecules
% composition
present
Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Thymine
[4 marks]
Question 3b
Compare and contrast the structures of DNA and RNA.
[6 marks]
Page 6 of 11
Question 3c
Identify and explain the structural difference between a single strand of DNA and an RNA
strand that makes DNA a better storage molecule than RNA.
[2 marks]
Question 3d
The technique of DNA sequencing is used to determine the exact nucleotide sequence
of an individual gene, chromosome or even an entire organism's genome. One of the
applications of this technique is in forensic science, to examine samples of DNA left at
crime scenes. DNA sequencing is preceded by a technique called Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR) which employs DNA polymerase.
Suggest and explain two advantages of using PCR to produce samples for forensic
analysis.
[3 marks]
Page 7 of 11
Question 4a
Ultraviolet exposure can cause guanine to be oxidised to 8-oxyguanine, which is unable
to hydrogen bond to cytosine. Instead, during replication, 8-oxyguanine can form
hydrogen bonds with adenine, resulting in a base pair. Outline the possible
consequences of this change.
[3 marks]
Page 8 of 11
Question 4b
The structures of the four bases of DNA are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Draw the positions of the hydrogen bonds that form during base-pairing.
[2 marks]
Question 4c
Explain why it is incorrect to state that RNA is always single-stranded.
[2 marks]
Page 9 of 11
Question 4d
Describe and explain the structure and function of a ribosome.
[4 marks]
Question 5a
The structure of DNA has many characteristics that give the molecule excellent
functionality. Describe and explain three such structural features.
[6 marks]
Page 10 of 11
Question 5b
Account for the long period of time (approximately 80 years) between the identification
of a molecule of (what turned out to be) DNA and the proof that DNA carried genetic
information.
[2 marks]
Question 5c
Name the pyrimidine and purine bases in DNA and RNA and explain their base-pairing
characteristics.
[3 marks]
Question 5d
During replication of DNA, nucleotides are activated prior to incorporation into a
nascent strand of DNA. Describe what is meant by ‘activated’ nucleotides and their role
in replication.
[2 marks]
Page 11 of 11

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1.5 Nucleic Acids: Structure & DNA Replication

Course AQA AS Biology

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