which cell structure is responsible for efficiently packaging dna into a small volume to fit into the nucleus of a cell and protect the dna structure

HESI RN

Biology Test

1. Which cell structure is responsible for efficiently packaging DNA into a small volume to fit into the nucleus of a cell and protect the DNA structure and sequence?

A. Golgi apparatus
B. Chromatin
C. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
D. Mitochondria

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chromatin. Chromatin is responsible for packaging DNA into a more compact, dense shape to fit into the nucleus of a cell. This compact packaging helps protect the DNA structure and regulate gene expression. The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in lipid metabolism and detoxification. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, producing energy in the form of ATP.

2. What percentage of the parents' offspring is predicted to have a cleft chin if one parent carries the recessive gene for a cleft chin (c) while the other parent does not?

A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 0%
D. 75%

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (0%). If one parent carries the recessive gene for a cleft chin while the other parent does not carry it, none of their offspring is predicted to have a cleft chin. This is because the cleft chin trait is recessive, so for an offspring to express this trait, they would need to inherit the gene from both parents. In this scenario, none of the offspring will inherit the recessive gene from both parents, so the percentage of offspring predicted to have a cleft chin is 0%. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because in this situation, the offspring will not express the cleft chin phenotype, although they could be carriers of the recessive gene.

3. Which of the following is not true of mitosis?

A. Mitosis produces daughter cells
B. Mitosis has five main stages
C. Mitosis can only be done by haploids
D. Following mitosis, daughter cells are identical to parent cells

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Mitosis occurs in diploid cells and involves stages that result in the production of two identical daughter cells. Haploids do not undergo mitosis, as mitosis is a process specific to diploid cells. Choice A is true as mitosis does produce daughter cells. Choice B is incorrect as mitosis typically consists of four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Choice D is true, as one of the main outcomes of mitosis is the production of daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.

4. In the hierarchical organizational system, which of these is the most restrictive category?

A. Genus
B. Class
C. Kingdom
D. Species

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In the biological classification hierarchy, species is the most specific level, defining individual organisms that can interbreed. While genus, class, and kingdom are also categories in the hierarchy, they are broader and encompass a wider range of organisms compared to species. Genus groups together similar species, class groups similar orders, and kingdom is the broadest category grouping together similar phyla.

5. What are the nitrogenous bases of DNA?

A. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine
B. Adenine, guanine, and uracil
C. Adenine, guanine, and thymine
D. Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. These are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA. Adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine, forming the complementary base pairs in the double helix structure of DNA. Choice B is incorrect because uracil is a nitrogenous base found in RNA, not DNA. Choice C is incorrect as it is missing cytosine, one of the four bases in DNA. Choice D is incorrect because uracil is not a nitrogenous base in DNA, and it also lacks thymine, which is essential for DNA structure.