Molecular Biology Quiz on DNA and Vaccines

A polymer of nucleotides. Includes DNA and RNA.

A subunit of nucleic acid, consisting of a nucleobase, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic molecule that is one component of a nucleotide.

A nucleobase linked to a pentose sugar. Examples include adenosine (A) and guanosine (G).

A five-carbon sugar found in RNA. Ribose has a hydroxyl group at the 2' position.

A five-carbon sugar found in DNA. Deoxyribose lacks a hydroxyl group at the 2' position.

A molecule composed of a phosphate group. An important component of nucleotides.

The linkage between a nucleobase and a sugar in a nucleoside.

The phenomenon where a molecule can exist in different forms, with the same molecular formula but different structures.

A measure of the strength of an acid. It measures the tendency of an acid to donate a proton (H+).

The process of breaking hydrogen bonds between DNA strands, causing the double helix to separate into two single strands.

The process of re-forming hydrogen bonds between complementary DNA strands, causing them to come back together as a double helix.

The temperature at which half of the DNA molecules in a solution have denatured.

A DNA molecule with a higher GC content will have a higher melting temperature (Tm) because G-C base pairs have three hydrogen bonds, making them more stable than A-T base pairs, which have two hydrogen bonds.

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself.

The process of DNA replication is divided into three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination.

A technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence in vitro.

Changes to DNA that do not alter the nucleotide sequence but still affect gene expression.

A chemical group used to protect a molecule from unwanted reactions during synthesis. It's like a shield that prevents other molecules from attaching to a sensitive spot.

The process of building a new strand of DNA or RNA from individual nucleotides. It's like adding bricks to build a wall.

A method of oligonucleotide synthesis where the growing chain is attached to a solid support. It's like building a model on a sturdy base.

In oligonucleotide synthesis, each cycle involves four steps: deprotection, coupling, capping, and oxidation. It's like a recipe with four ingredients to build a biomolecule.

The ability to create new bonds to form a larger molecule. It's like connecting train carriages to make a longer train.

A method of linking together short DNA fragments to create a longer sequence. It uses PCR to amplify the desired sequence.

A method of DNA sequencing that uses a chain termination reaction. Short fragments with different fluorescent labels reveal the order of nucleotides.

Short DNA or RNA fragments with a specific nucleotide added at the end. They are used to identify the final nucleotide in Sanger sequencing.

A type of vaccine that uses genetic material (DNA or mRNA) to trigger an immune response against a specific pathogen. This material encodes for a pathogen antigen, which the immune system will recognize and produce antibodies against.

A type of nucleic acid vaccine that delivers mRNA coding for a specific viral protein. The mRNA is encased in a lipid nanoparticle to protect it from degradation and help it enter cells.

A method to modify genetic material in the lab, enabling the production of tailored proteins. It involves inserting a gene of interest into a host cell, which then expresses the desired protein.

A substance that can trigger the production of a specific protein in a host cell. It is often used in recombinant technology to stimulate the expression of a desired protein.

A living organism (such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells) used to produce large quantities of a desired protein within a controlled laboratory setting.

A short single-stranded DNA sequence used as a starting point for DNA replication by DNA polymerase. Primers are essential for initiating DNA synthesis and are typically about 10-20 nucleotides long.

DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for replicating DNA. It reads the original DNA strand and uses it as a template to create a complementary new strand.

A type of DNA damage caused by exposure to radiation, particularly ultraviolet (UV) sunlight. This damage involves the formation of a cyclobutane ring between two adjacent thymine bases in a DNA strand, distorting the DNA structure.

A type of DNA damage caused by radiation, particularly ultraviolet (UV) sunlight. This damage forms a covalent bond between two thymine bases in a DNA strand, altering the normal DNA structure.

The process of synthesizing DNA molecules in a laboratory setting. It utilizes protected nucleotides and an automated synthesis cycle to create specific DNA sequences.

Chemically modified nucleotides used in DNA synthesis to prevent unwanted reactions during the synthesis process. Protecting groups allow the synthesis to occur in a controlled manner, preventing side reactions and ensuring the desired sequence is created.

Nucleic acid vaccines are a new type of vaccine that uses genetic material to induce an immune response.

Viral-vector vaccines use a modified virus to deliver the genetic material that encodes the antigen of interest.

mRNA vaccines use a messenger RNA molecule to instruct cells to produce the antigen.

mRNA is chemically unstable and highly negatively charged, requiring special delivery mechanisms like lipid nanoparticles to get it into cells.

Nucleic acid vaccines can be designed and produced very quickly, making them ideal for responding to emerging infectious diseases.

Current nucleic acid vaccines often need to be stored at cold temperatures, limiting their accessibility in some settings.

Researchers are exploring potential applications for nucleic acid vaccines against latent viruses, cancer, and even personalized therapies.

Nucleic acid vaccines offer a new and promising approach to vaccine development, with the potential to revolutionize how we protect ourselves from infectious diseases.