Question 1
DNA polymerase synthesises DNA in which direction?
Big Data and Biological Networks Quiz 1: 15 March 2026 (January 2026 term)
The IIT Madras BS Big Data and Biological Networks (Big Data and Biological Networks) Quiz 1 paper sat on 15 Mar 2026, in the January 2026 term: 37 questions for 50 marks in 120 minutes. Every question is below with its answer. Take it as a timed mock test to be marked, or read it through first.
- 37
- 50
- 120 min
- 18
- 5
- 9
- 5
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Correct answer
Question 2
RNA polymerase binds to a specific DNA sequence called
Operator
Terminator
Promoter
Enhancer
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Correct answer
Promoter
Question 3
The sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for an amino acid is called
Anticodon
Codon
Exon
Intron
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Correct answer
Codon
Question 4
The transcriptome of a cell is
Constant across all tissues
Independent of environmental signals
Dynamic and condition-dependent
Identical to the genome
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Correct answer
Dynamic and condition-dependent
Question 5
GWAS is primarily used to
Sequence the entire genome of one individual
Study gene expression patterns
Identify genetic variants associated with traits or diseases
Modify disease-causing genes
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Correct answer
Identify genetic variants associated with traits or diseases
Question 6
The amplification method used in Illumina sequencing is
Emulsion PCR
Rolling circle amplification
Bridge amplification
RT-PCR
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Correct answer
Bridge amplification
Question 7
In a network, a 'bridge' node connects two otherwise isolated groups. If a node has 6 neighbors, and 3 of these neighbors form a complete clique among themselves while the other 3 have no connections to anyone else, what is this node's clustering coefficient?
0.50
0.20
0.10
0.33
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Correct answer
0.20
Question 8
1.6
0.83
0.25
1.25
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Correct answer
0.83
Question 9
Generate two distinct realizations of the Erdős–Rényi random network model. Network 1: node_num=1000 and prob=0.001 Network 2: node_num=100 and prob=0.001
While plotting the degree distribution plot, which of the following statements best describes and compares the degree distributions of these two networks?
Poisson; Poisson
Poisson; Binomial
Binomial; Poisson
Binomial; Binomial
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Correct answer
Poisson; Poisson
Question 10
Regular lattice model
Random network model
Rich gets richer model
Configuration model
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Correct answer
Random network model
Question 11
In which of the following network architectures are degree centrality and betweenness centrality typically most strongly correlated, particularly for the highest-ranking nodes?
Bipartite graph
Scale free network
Erdos Renyi network
2D lattice network
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Correct answer
Scale free network
Question 12
1.0
0
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0
Question 13
If you are tasked with deploying defensive equipment (such as anti-aircraft batteries or rapid-response units) to protect a nation from air-to-ground attacks, and your primary objective is to ensure that these units can reach any point in the network in the fewest possible steps, which centrality measure should you prioritize for site selection?
Eigenvector centrality
Degree centrality
Betweenness centrality
Closeness centrality
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Correct answer
Closeness centrality
Question 14
A network with a skewed adjacency matrix where most entries are in a few rows/columns is a hallmark of:
Bipartite network
Erdos Renyi network
Scale-free network
US power grid network
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Correct answer
Scale-free network
Question 15
Transcription involves which of the following?
DNA as a template
RNA polymerase
Ribosomes
Ribonucleotides
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DNA as a template
RNA polymerase
Ribonucleotides
Question 16
Which of the following statements are true regarding metabolomics and fluxomics?
Metabolomics is primarily a dynamic analysis of metabolic activity over time.
Fluxomics focuses on the rate of metabolite flow through metabolic pathways.
Metabolomics provides a snapshot of metabolite concentrations in a biological system.
Fluxomics commonly uses stable isotope labelling to quantify pathway activity
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Fluxomics focuses on the rate of metabolite flow through metabolic pathways.
Metabolomics provides a snapshot of metabolite concentrations in a biological system.
Fluxomics commonly uses stable isotope labelling to quantify pathway activity
Question 17
In the context of network ensembles, which of the following accurately differentiate an Erdős–Rényi (ER) random network from a Scale-Free (SF) biological network?
ER networks are resilient to targetted attacks on hubs, while SF networks are not.
ER networks always have higher clustering coefficients than SF networks.
ER networks have a homogeneous distribution, while SF networks are heterogneneous.
The diameter of an ER network scales is typically larger than SF networks.
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Correct answers
ER networks are resilient to targetted attacks on hubs, while SF networks are not.
ER networks have a homogeneous distribution, while SF networks are heterogneneous.
The diameter of an ER network scales is typically larger than SF networks.
Question 18
The Power Law (Scale-Free) network model is a cornerstone of modern network science. However, it possesses several structural and dynamical disadvantages when used to represent real-world biological or infrastructure systems. Which of the following are recognized disadvantages or limitations of this model?
Less vulnerability to Targeted Attacks: Because the network's integrity relies on a small number of massive hubs, the deliberate removal of these high-degree nodes leads to a rapid decrease in network diameter and eventual integration.
Lack of High Clustering: The basic Barabási–Albert model fails to produce the high local clustering (triadic closure) observed in real-world social and metabolic networks, as it primarily focuses on global connectivity growth.
The "First-Mover" Bias: The model assumes that the oldest nodes always accumulate the most edges, failing to account for "late-comer" nodes that might become hubs due to superior fitness or functional relevance (the "Fit-get-Richer" phenomenon).
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Lack of High Clustering: The basic Barabási–Albert model fails to produce the high local clustering (triadic closure) observed in real-world social and metabolic networks, as it primarily focuses on global connectivity growth.
The "First-Mover" Bias: The model assumes that the oldest nodes always accumulate the most edges, failing to account for "late-comer" nodes that might become hubs due to superior fitness or functional relevance (the "Fit-get-Richer" phenomenon).
Question 19
In a large, regular lattice network, a "shortcut" edge is added between two distant peripheral nodes. Which of the following centrality measures would remain unaffected for the vast majority of nodes in the network (excluding the two nodes directly involved in the new connection)?
Eigenvector centrality
Degree centrality
Betweenness centrality
Clustering coefficient of each unaffected node
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Correct answers
Degree centrality
Clustering coefficient of each unaffected node
Question 20
The following question consists of two statements: an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the options below:
Assertion (A): The Human Genome Project revealed that a large portion of the human genome does not code for proteins. Reason (R): Only a small percentage of human DNA consists of genes that are translated into proteins.
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
A is true, but R is false
A is false, but R is true
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Correct answer
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
Question 21
Match the following and choose the correct option
A–5, B–1, C–3, D–2, E–4
A–1, B–5, C–3, D–2, E–4
A–5, B–3, C–1, D–2, E–4
A–4, B–1, C–3, D–5, E–2
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Correct answer
A–5, B–1, C–3, D–2, E–4
Question 22
Which of the following statements are true regarding enzymes involved in replication?
A. Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix B. DNA ligase seals nicks between Okazaki fragments C. Primase synthesises DNA primers D. DNA polymerase I removes RNA primers
A and B only
A, B and D
B, C and D
A, C and D
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Correct answer
A, B and D
Question 23
Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(A) is true, but (R) is false.
(A) is false, but (R) is true.
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Correct answer
(A) is false, but (R) is true.
Question 24
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Identify the template strand for transcription.
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 20 words.
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A written answer, not marked automatically.
Question 25
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Write the RNA strand synthesised.
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 20 words.
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A written answer, not marked automatically.
Question 26
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Identify the start codon and stop codon (if present) in the RNA strand.
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 20 words.
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Question 27
During Sanger sequencing of a DNA fragment, the sequencing gel shows bands in the following order from bottom to top: G, A, T, C, C, A, G, T, A
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
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Correct answer: G
Question 28
During Sanger sequencing of a DNA fragment, the sequencing gel shows bands in the following order from bottom to top: G, A, T, C, C, A, G, T, A
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Which dideoxynucleotide (ddNTP) caused termination of the longest DNA fragment?
NOTE: Enter the exact answer without any extra space in the beginning or at the end. Answers Case Sensitive : No
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Correct answer: ddATP
Question 29
During Sanger sequencing of a DNA fragment, the sequencing gel shows bands in the following order from bottom to top: G, A, T, C, C, A, G, T, A
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Why is the DNA sequence read from bottom to top in a Sanger sequencing gel?
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 50 words.
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Question 30
The following DNA coding strand sequence is given: 5′-ATGACCTTACGATAA-3′. Answer the given subquestions using this Codon chart.
Write the corresponding mRNA sequence.
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 20 words.
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Question 31
The following DNA coding strand sequence is given: 5′-ATGACCTTACGATAA-3′. Answer the given subquestions using this Codon chart.
Identify the start codon.
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 3 words.
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Question 32
The following DNA coding strand sequence is given: 5′-ATGACCTTACGATAA-3′. Answer the given subquestions using this Codon chart.
Write the amino acid sequence coded by this nucleotide sequence.
NOTE: Your answer should not exceed 10 words.
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A written answer, not marked automatically.
Question 33
Consider the following network. Answer the given subquestions.
What is the diameter of the given network?
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Correct answer: 5 (accepted within ±0.2)
Question 34
Consider the following network. Answer the given subquestions.
What is the characteristic path length of the network?
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Correct answer: 2.3 (accepted within ±0.1)
Question 35
Consider the following network. Answer the given subquestions.
What is the clustering coefficient of node D if we add an edge between A and D?
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Correct answer: 0.325 (accepted within ±0.075)
Question 36
Consider the following network. Answer the given subquestions.
How many new edges must be added to this network so that its density becomes 1?
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Correct answer: 19
Question 37
Consider the following network. Answer the given subquestions.
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Correct answer: 6