So I don't know the first thing about genetics, but a friend of mine is taking a genetics class (it's an upper-level undergraduate class) and could use some random quizzing questions thrown at them, as apparently the professor is known for throwing out tricky questions (presumably stuff not straight from the book or lectures?). Who better to turn to then Massassi?

Please throw out some quizzing questions (and spoiler-tag the answers) that would be relevant to the beginning of the semester genetics class. Thanks!

This is a terrible idea geb

What level class are we talking about here?

It's been a while...buuuuuut.

DNA strands go from 5' -> 3' on one end and 3' -> 5' on the other.

Cytosine, Guanine, Adenosine, Tha--**** I forget this one.

C to T, A to G.

DNA builds itself using an enzyme called polymerase. Forsensics use what's called Polymerase Chain Reaction to rebuild DNA from very tiny samples. After the DNA splits for replication, polymerase helps rebuild the "other half"

Proteins are built from tRNA. At the ends of the tRNA, there is an amino acid. To build a protein, tRNA "reads" what is on the mRNA. Hydrogen bonds form between amino acids and the protein structure is built.

Oh and females are the "default" gender of humans. Without the presence of the Y chromosome, the human embryo develops into female. The Y chromosome carries a gene called SRY. Without this gene, humans grow as female. More trippy: Skin of the scrotum is of the same type of tissue as are the labia minora.

what are all the different functions of RNA?

Fixed that for you.

Damnit!

Why is Dawkins such a douche?