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Genetics and Molecular Biology Practice Tests

These Grade 12 Science practice tests develop Genetics and Molecular Biology skills through questions on DNA, RNA, gene expression, inheritance, biotechnology, disease, and molecular experiments.

Skills covered

  • Analyzing nucleotide structure, DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation, mutations, and operons
  • Applying Mendelian inheritance, non-Mendelian patterns, linkage, recombination, population genetics, genetic drift, founder effects, and gene flow
  • Explaining enhancers, repressors, epigenetics, microRNA, alternative splicing, PCR, electrophoresis, sequencing, and CRISPR targeting
  • Connecting oncogenes, tumor suppressors, apoptosis, telomeres, stem cells, gene therapy, viral vectors, vaccines, and tumor heterogeneity
  • Evaluating controls, expression assays, cDNA, pedigrees, protein detection, microarrays, null hypotheses, coverage, replication, and conclusions

How to use these practice tests

Trace the flow from sequence to expression to phenotype. For laboratory questions, identify the control, variable, measurement, and limitation before selecting a conclusion.

For more Grade 12 Science practice, return to the Grade 12 Science category.

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1. Test

Grade 12 Genetics and Molecular Biology Practice Tests

Practice Grade 12 Science questions about DNA, RNA, gene expression, inheritance, population genetics, biotechnology, cancer biology, and molecular experiments.

Choose the best answer. Connect molecular mechanisms to inheritance or phenotype, and interpret experimental evidence within its limits.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a nucleotide made of?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids and differ according to their sugar and nitrogenous base.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids and differ according to their sugar and nitrogenous base.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

What does it mean that DNA strands are antiparallel?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The two strands run in opposite chemical directions.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: One DNA strand runs 5′ to 3′ while the complementary strand runs 3′ to 5′, allowing base pairing.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is The two strands run in opposite chemical directions.

One DNA strand runs 5′ to 3′ while the complementary strand runs 3′ to 5′, allowing base pairing.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the role of helicase during DNA replication?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It separates the two strands by breaking hydrogen bonds between bases.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Helicase opens the double helix so each strand can serve as a template.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is It separates the two strands by breaking hydrogen bonds between bases.

Helicase opens the double helix so each strand can serve as a template.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is the leading strand synthesized continuously?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is DNA polymerase can add nucleotides continuously in the direction of the replication fork.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Because DNA polymerase adds to a 3′ end, one new strand can be extended continuously as the fork opens.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is DNA polymerase can add nucleotides continuously in the direction of the replication fork.

Because DNA polymerase adds to a 3′ end, one new strand can be extended continuously as the fork opens.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the function of a promoter?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It is a DNA region where transcription machinery binds to begin gene expression.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Promoters help determine where and when RNA polymerase begins transcription.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is It is a DNA region where transcription machinery binds to begin gene expression.

Promoters help determine where and when RNA polymerase begins transcription.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

What happens during eukaryotic RNA processing?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Introns are removed and a mature messenger RNA receives features such as a cap and poly-A tail.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Processing produces a stable, translatable messenger RNA from the initial transcript.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is Introns are removed and a mature messenger RNA receives features such as a cap and poly-A tail.

Processing produces a stable, translatable messenger RNA from the initial transcript.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a codon?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A sequence of three messenger RNA nucleotides that specifies an amino acid or stop signal.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Ribosomes read messenger RNA in groups of three nucleotides called codons.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is A sequence of three messenger RNA nucleotides that specifies an amino acid or stop signal.

Ribosomes read messenger RNA in groups of three nucleotides called codons.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a missense mutation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is A nucleotide change that causes a different amino acid to be incorporated.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: A missense substitution changes a codon so it specifies a different amino acid, which may affect protein function.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is A nucleotide change that causes a different amino acid to be incorporated.

A missense substitution changes a codon so it specifies a different amino acid, which may affect protein function.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What can a frameshift mutation result from?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is An insertion or deletion that changes the reading frame of a coding sequence.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Insertions or deletions not in multiples of three shift how downstream codons are read.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is An insertion or deletion that changes the reading frame of a coding sequence.

Insertions or deletions not in multiples of three shift how downstream codons are read.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

What is an operon?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A group of genes regulated together under the control of shared regulatory sequences.

  1. Identify the molecular genetics concept: Determine whether the question concerns DNA, RNA, inheritance, regulation, biotechnology, disease, or experimental analysis.
  2. Apply the genetic principle: Operons allow coordinated control of related genes, especially in prokaryotic cells.
  3. Connect sequence, expression, and phenotype: The correct answer is A group of genes regulated together under the control of shared regulatory sequences.

Operons allow coordinated control of related genes, especially in prokaryotic cells.

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