Biology STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

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Study for the Biology STAAR Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

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What are the building blocks of DNA called?

Amino acids
Nucleotides
Proteins
Carbohydrates

The correct answer is: Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA are known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three components: a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose in the case of DNA), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine). These nucleotides link together through phosphodiester bonds to form the long, double-stranded helical structure of DNA, with the bases pairing in a specific manner (adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine) to create the genetic code that underlies all biological functions. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play a completely different role in cellular function. Similarly, proteins themselves are large molecules made up of one or more chains of amino acids and perform a wide variety of functions within organisms, such as catalyzing biochemical reactions and providing structural support. Carbohydrates are primarily used for energy storage and structural integrity in cells and are not directly involved in the structure of DNA.