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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

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!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What does DNA stand for?

Dynamic nucleic acid
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Dynamically arranged nucleotides
Dual nucleic acid

The correct answer is: Deoxyribonucleic acid

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, which is the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms. The term is derived from its structure; "deoxyribo" refers to the sugar component of DNA, which is deoxyribose, and "nucleic acid" indicates that it belongs to a class of macromolecules that also includes RNA (ribonucleic acid). This specific naming reflects not only the chemical structure of the molecule but also its vital role in storing and transmitting biological information essential for the growth, development, and functioning of all living organisms. Understanding the correct terminology is crucial in biology, as it sets the foundation for more advanced topics, such as genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry, where the roles of different nucleic acids in encoding and expressing genes are explored.