Quiz: Are You a Genetics Genius? | National Institute of General Medical Sciences

#1. Which of these is a part of DNA?

A. Adrenaline B. Cytokines C. Tryptophan D. Guanine

The correct answer is D. DNA molecules are shaped like twisted ladders where the rungs are pairs of four building blocks, or bases: guanine, cytosine, thymine, and adenine. Sequences of these bases contain instructions for building molecules, most of which are proteins.

Three cells with spheres in their centers highlighted.

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#2. Where do human, animal, and plant cells store genetic information (DNA)?

A. Nucleus B. Endoplasmic reticulum C. Cell membrane D. Microtubules

The correct answer is A. Genetic information is stored in a cellular compartment called the nucleus. To fit in this compartment, DNA must be tightly packed into structures known as chromosomes.

Chromosomes from a human cell, shown as pairs of glowing parallel lines on a dark background.

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#3. How many genes do humans have, approximately?

A. 23 B. 700 C. 20,000 D. 1.5 million

The correct answer is C. Scientists estimate that humans have about 20,000 genes. A person’s genetic material is typically divided into 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus.

A cell splitting two full sets of its genetic information to ultimately form two new cells.

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#4. What’s a genome?

A. A segment of DNA that isn’t a gene B. All of an organism's genetic material C. A small group of genes with related roles D. A tool that researchers use to extract DNA

The correct answer is B. A genome is all of an organism’s genetic material, including genes and other elements that control the genes’ activity. An organism’s entire genome is found in nearly every one of its cells.

An illustration of a DNA molecule on a background of genetic code and binary code.

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#5. Which of these is a use for DNA sequencing?

A. Determining if a person is at risk for a disease B. Predicting how someone will respond to a medicine C. Determining where a person's ancestors may have lived D. All of the above

The correct answer is D. DNA sequencing can shed light on a person’s health and ancestry, and it can help doctors make diagnoses. However, it can’t treat diseases.

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#6. Which of these is NOT a reason geneticists study research organisms?

A. They share key genes with humans B. Their lifespans are short, making disease progression faster C. Their genes can be edited to study the genetic effects D. Their genomes are identical to human genomes

The correct answer is D. Humans and other organisms share many genes because all living things evolved from a common ancestor. Learn more about research organisms by reading our fact sheet.

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Archived: Quiz: Are You a Genetics Genius?

#1. Which of these is a part of DNA?

#2. Where do human, animal, and plant cells store genetic information (DNA)?

#3. How many genes do humans have, approximately?

#4. What’s a genome?

#5. Which of these is a use for DNA sequencing?

#6. Which of these is NOT a reason geneticists study research organisms?

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Abbey Bigler