BIOL 3001 MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION BEST RATED A+ FOR SUCCESS
DNA Sequencing uses the same basic components as cellular Replication - CORRECT
ANSWERS -DNA Template
-DNA Primer
-Deoxynucleotides
-DNA Polymerase
-Reaction Buffer
DNA Template - CORRECT ANSWERS the DNA fragment that is being sequenced. In
Sanger sequencing, the template is single-stranded DNA. Thousands of copies of each fragment
are required. These copies can be created by cloning but most methods now use template DNA
fragments produced using the Polymerase Chain Reaction. This technique allows a researcher
to target very specific DNA locations within the genome and amplify millions of near-perfect
copies within a few minutes or hours.
DNA Primer - CORRECT ANSWERS The Primer is a short strand of DNA that binds to the
DNA template near the beginning of the fragment being sequenced. This binding occurs
through the base pairing of complementary nucleotides. Exactly as in Replication, sequencing
primers act as the starting place for DNA synthesis. Unlike Replication, primers used in
sequencing are DNA-based, not RNA.
Deoxynucleotide - CORRECT ANSWERS All four of the normal deoxynucleotides are
included in the DNA synthesis reactions. The deoxynucleotide triphosphates are abbreviated
dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP, depending on which of the four different nitrogenous bases are
attached (adenine, cytosine, guanine or thymine). When a nucleotide is added to a growing
strand, two phosphates are released. The energy from this release drives the formation of the
phosphodiester bond between the incoming nucleotide and the primer end.
DNA Polymerase - CORRECT ANSWERS This enzyme is required to catalyze formation
the phosphodiester bonds. Polymerases used in sequencing are usually modified to operate
efficiently in test tube environments and to have excellent proofreading capabilities (error
prevention).
, BIOL 3001 MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION BEST RATED A+ FOR SUCCESS
Reaction Buffer - CORRECT ANSWERS Since DNA sequencing is taking place in a test
tube, various chemicals and salts are added to highly purified water to mimic conditions in the
cell where Replication normally occurs.
What is Ingredient #6 of DNA Sequencing (The faulty ingredient) - CORRECT ANSWERS
di-deoxynucleotides
di-deoxynucleotides - CORRECT ANSWERS identical to the deoxynucleotides normally
used during DNA Replication, with the exception that they lack the OH group on the 3' position
of the ribose sugar. During DNA sequencing, a di-deoxynucleotide can be added to a growing
DNA strand but because the 3' OH is missing, the next phosphodiester bond cannot form (i.e.
chain termination occurs).
BLAST - CORRECT ANSWERS Searches through BLAST attempt to match sequences that
you enter (your query sequence) with sequences that are available in GenBank. It will find
regions of similarity between different biological sequences. The program compares both
nucleotide and protein sequences to previously reported sequences and then report the best
matches that it finds.
Mitochondrial DNA - CORRECT ANSWERS DNA found only in mitochondria, often used
as a molecular clock
Useful properties of mitochondrial DNA - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Mitochondria are
found in all organisms.
2. mtDNA is haploid.
3. mtDNA is a mix of highly variable and highly conserved DNA regions.
DETAILED ANSWERS UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION BEST RATED A+ FOR SUCCESS
DNA Sequencing uses the same basic components as cellular Replication - CORRECT
ANSWERS -DNA Template
-DNA Primer
-Deoxynucleotides
-DNA Polymerase
-Reaction Buffer
DNA Template - CORRECT ANSWERS the DNA fragment that is being sequenced. In
Sanger sequencing, the template is single-stranded DNA. Thousands of copies of each fragment
are required. These copies can be created by cloning but most methods now use template DNA
fragments produced using the Polymerase Chain Reaction. This technique allows a researcher
to target very specific DNA locations within the genome and amplify millions of near-perfect
copies within a few minutes or hours.
DNA Primer - CORRECT ANSWERS The Primer is a short strand of DNA that binds to the
DNA template near the beginning of the fragment being sequenced. This binding occurs
through the base pairing of complementary nucleotides. Exactly as in Replication, sequencing
primers act as the starting place for DNA synthesis. Unlike Replication, primers used in
sequencing are DNA-based, not RNA.
Deoxynucleotide - CORRECT ANSWERS All four of the normal deoxynucleotides are
included in the DNA synthesis reactions. The deoxynucleotide triphosphates are abbreviated
dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP, depending on which of the four different nitrogenous bases are
attached (adenine, cytosine, guanine or thymine). When a nucleotide is added to a growing
strand, two phosphates are released. The energy from this release drives the formation of the
phosphodiester bond between the incoming nucleotide and the primer end.
DNA Polymerase - CORRECT ANSWERS This enzyme is required to catalyze formation
the phosphodiester bonds. Polymerases used in sequencing are usually modified to operate
efficiently in test tube environments and to have excellent proofreading capabilities (error
prevention).
, BIOL 3001 MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION BEST RATED A+ FOR SUCCESS
Reaction Buffer - CORRECT ANSWERS Since DNA sequencing is taking place in a test
tube, various chemicals and salts are added to highly purified water to mimic conditions in the
cell where Replication normally occurs.
What is Ingredient #6 of DNA Sequencing (The faulty ingredient) - CORRECT ANSWERS
di-deoxynucleotides
di-deoxynucleotides - CORRECT ANSWERS identical to the deoxynucleotides normally
used during DNA Replication, with the exception that they lack the OH group on the 3' position
of the ribose sugar. During DNA sequencing, a di-deoxynucleotide can be added to a growing
DNA strand but because the 3' OH is missing, the next phosphodiester bond cannot form (i.e.
chain termination occurs).
BLAST - CORRECT ANSWERS Searches through BLAST attempt to match sequences that
you enter (your query sequence) with sequences that are available in GenBank. It will find
regions of similarity between different biological sequences. The program compares both
nucleotide and protein sequences to previously reported sequences and then report the best
matches that it finds.
Mitochondrial DNA - CORRECT ANSWERS DNA found only in mitochondria, often used
as a molecular clock
Useful properties of mitochondrial DNA - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Mitochondria are
found in all organisms.
2. mtDNA is haploid.
3. mtDNA is a mix of highly variable and highly conserved DNA regions.
