User interface language: English | Español

Date May 2019 Marks available 1 Reference code 19M.1.HL.TZ2.13
Level Higher level Paper Paper 1 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Determine Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

A nucleotide containing dideoxyribose is shown.

 

What is the reason for the use of dideoxyribonucleotides to terminate sequences in base sequencing?

A. Nucleotides cannot form 5′ to 3′ linkages with dideoxyribonucleotides.

B. Nucleotides cannot form base pairs with dideoxyribonucleotides.

C. Dideoxyribonucleotides cannot form hydrogen bonds with deoxyribose.

D. Dideoxyribonucleotides do not have all four nitrogenous bases.

Markscheme

A

Examiners report

This question discriminated well. In Topic 7.1 it states that candidates should be able to understand the use of nucleotides containing dideoxyribonucleic acid to stop DNA replication in preparation of samples for base sequencing. Some candidates believed dideoxynucleotides failed to form base pairs with nucleotides, showing lack of understanding of the sequencing process.

Syllabus sections

Additional higher level » Topic 7: Nucleic acids » 7.1 DNA structure and replication
Show 32 related questions
Additional higher level » Topic 7: Nucleic acids
Additional higher level

View options