What Nobel laureate developed the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020

Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier

Nobel Prizes in Science MCQs 2026

35 questions with detailed answers · 0 from past papers · 4 quiz batches available

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Page 1 of 1Questions 1–10 of 35

Q1medium
In what city is the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences typically awarded
1. AOslo, Norway (where the Peace Prize is awarded, a different location)
2. BStockholm, Sweden
3. CGeneva, Switzerland
4. DCopenhagen, Denmark
💡 Explanation:
Most Nobel Prizes (Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Literature, Economic Sciences) are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.
Q2easy
Who established the Nobel Prizes through his will, using his fortune from inventing dynamite
1. AAlfred Nobel
2. BMarie Curie
3. CAlbert Einstein
4. DThomas Edison
💡 Explanation:
Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, established the Nobel Prizes through his will, using his substantial fortune.
Q3medium
What Nobel Prize category was added later, in 1968, distinct from the five original categories established by Nobel's will
1. APhysics (an original category)
2. BChemistry (an original category)
3. CEconomic Sciences
4. DLiterature (an original category)
💡 Explanation:
The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was added later, in 1968, distinct from the five original categories.
Q4hard
What Nobel laureate developed induced pluripotent stem cell technology, winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1. AShinya Yamanaka
2. BJennifer Doudna (won a different Nobel Prize, for CRISPR technology)
3. CJames Watson (won a different, earlier Nobel Prize, for DNA structure)
4. DJohn Gurdon (shared this same Nobel Prize with Yamanaka, for related, foundational stem cell work)
💡 Explanation:
Shinya Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for developing induced pluripotent stem cell technology, sharing it with John Gurdon.
Q5medium
What Nobel laureate developed the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020
1. AJennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier
2. BJames Watson and Francis Crick (won an earlier, different Nobel Prize, for DNA structure)
3. CShinya Yamanaka (won a different Nobel Prize, for induced pluripotent stem cells)
4. DCraig Venter (a significant genomics researcher, but did not win this specific Nobel Prize)
💡 Explanation:
Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology.
Q6medium
Who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering work in radioactivity, alongside her earlier Physics prize
1. AMarie Curie
2. BIrene Joliot-Curie (Marie Curie's daughter, who also won a Nobel Prize, but for different specific work)
3. CLise Meitner (made significant contributions to nuclear fission research, but did not win a Nobel Prize)
4. DIda Noddack (made scientific contributions, but did not win a Nobel Prize)
💡 Explanation:
Marie Curie won a second Nobel Prize, in Chemistry, for her pioneering work in radioactivity.
Q7hard
Why did Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray data was crucial to the DNA structure discovery, not receive a Nobel Prize alongside Watson, Crick, and Wilkins
1. AShe had passed away before the prize was awarded, and Nobel Prizes are not given posthumously
2. BShe declined the prize due to personal objections
3. CShe was not considered to have made a significant contribution
4. DNobel Prizes cannot be shared among more than three people, and she was excluded due to this rule alone
💡 Explanation:
Rosalind Franklin passed away in 1958, four years before the Nobel Prize was awarded in 1962; Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously.
Q8hard
Along with Watson and Crick, which other scientist shared the Nobel Prize for DNA structure discovery
1. ARosalind Franklin (made crucial contributions, but was not a co-recipient, having passed away before the award)
2. BMaurice Wilkins
3. CGregor Mendel (an earlier, unrelated geneticist)
4. DLinus Pauling (a significant scientist, but not a co-recipient of this specific prize)
💡 Explanation:
Maurice Wilkins shared the Nobel Prize with Watson and Crick for the DNA structure discovery.
Q9medium
Who is credited with being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences
1. AMarie Curie
2. BRosalind Franklin (a significant scientist, but did not win a Nobel Prize)
3. CDorothy Hodgkin (won a Nobel Prize, but not the first woman or a dual-science winner)
4. DBarbara McClintock (won a Nobel Prize, but not the first woman or a dual-science winner)
💡 Explanation:
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry).
Q10medium
Who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the structure of DNA, alongside Francis Crick
1. AJames Watson
2. BRosalind Franklin (made crucial contributions, but did not share the Nobel Prize, having passed away before it was awarded)
3. CGregor Mendel (an earlier, foundational geneticist, but not part of this specific DNA structure discovery/prize)
4. DCharles Darwin (a foundational evolutionary biologist, unrelated to this specific DNA discovery)
💡 Explanation:
James Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, won the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA.
Q11hard
Who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for developing the polio vaccine
1. AJonas Salk (developed the vaccine but notably did not receive a Nobel Prize for it)
2. BAlbert Sabin (developed an alternative oral vaccine, also did not receive a Nobel Prize for it)
3. CNeither Salk nor Sabin received a Nobel Prize specifically for polio vaccine development
4. DJohn Enders and colleagues (won a related Nobel Prize for cultivating poliovirus, enabling vaccine development)
💡 Explanation:
Notably, neither Salk nor Sabin won a Nobel Prize for their polio vaccines; John Enders and colleagues won a related prize for cultivating poliovirus in tissue culture.
Q12medium
How many original categories of Nobel Prizes were established, before Economic Sciences was added later
1. AThree
2. BFive
3. CSeven
4. DTen
💡 Explanation:
Five original Nobel Prize categories were established: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
Q13medium
Who discovered penicillin, later sharing the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery
1. AAlexander Fleming
2. BLouis Pasteur (a significant scientist, but did not discover penicillin or win this specific prize)
3. CRobert Koch (a significant scientist, but did not discover penicillin or win this specific prize)
4. DEdward Jenner (a significant scientist, but did not discover penicillin or win this specific prize)
💡 Explanation:
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin and later shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this groundbreaking discovery.
Q14hard
What discovery, rather than his more famous theory of relativity, was the primary basis for Einstein's Nobel Prize
1. AThe photoelectric effect
2. BThe theory of general relativity (his more famous work, but not the primary Nobel citation)
3. CThe theory of special relativity (his more famous work, but not the primary Nobel citation)
4. DMass-energy equivalence (E=mc^2) (related, famous work, but not the primary Nobel citation)
💡 Explanation:
Einstein's Nobel Prize was specifically awarded for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, rather than his more famous relativity theories.
Q15medium
Who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, primarily recognized for his explanation of the photoelectric effect
1. AAlbert Einstein
2. BNiels Bohr (also a Nobel laureate, but for different, related work)
3. CMax Planck (also a Nobel laureate, but for different, related work)
4. DWerner Heisenberg (also a Nobel laureate, but for different, related work, and later)
💡 Explanation:
Albert Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, primarily for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
Q16medium
In which two scientific fields did Marie Curie win Nobel Prizes
1. APhysics and Chemistry
2. BPhysics and Medicine (incorrect combination)
3. CChemistry and Medicine (incorrect combination)
4. DMedicine and Economics (incorrect combination)
💡 Explanation:
Marie Curie won Nobel Prizes in both Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911).
Q17medium
In what year were the first Nobel Prizes awarded
1. A1895 (the year Nobel wrote his will, not the first award year)
2. B1901
3. C1918
4. D1945
💡 Explanation:
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.
Q18medium
In what city is the Nobel Peace Prize specifically awarded, differing from the other Nobel Prize categories
1. AStockholm, Sweden (where most other Nobel Prizes are awarded)
2. BOslo, Norway
3. CGeneva, Switzerland
4. DCopenhagen, Denmark
💡 Explanation:
The Nobel Peace Prize is specifically awarded in Oslo, Norway, differing from the Stockholm location of other Nobel Prizes.
Q19medium
What physicist won the Nobel Prize in 1965 for foundational work in quantum electrodynamics, also known for his engaging popular science writing
1. ARichard Feynman
2. BAlbert Einstein (an earlier, different Nobel laureate, for different specific work)
3. CStephen Hawking (a renowned physicist, but did not win a Nobel Prize)
4. DNiels Bohr (an earlier, different Nobel laureate, for different specific work)
💡 Explanation:
Richard Feynman won the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics for foundational work in quantum electrodynamics, and was also known for engaging popular science writing.
Q20hard
What scientist shared the Nobel Prize with Shinya Yamanaka for foundational stem cell and cell nucleus reprogramming research
1. AJohn Gurdon
2. BJames Watson (associated with a different, earlier Nobel Prize, for DNA structure)
3. CFrancis Crick (associated with a different, earlier Nobel Prize, for DNA structure)
4. DCraig Venter (a significant genomics researcher, but not a co-recipient of this specific prize)
💡 Explanation:
John Gurdon shared the Nobel Prize with Shinya Yamanaka for foundational research on stem cells and cell nucleus reprogramming.
Q21hard
What scientist declined the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964, one of very few individuals to voluntarily decline a Nobel Prize
1. AJean-Paul Sartre (declined the Literature Prize, not Physics, though also a notable decliner)
2. BLe Duc Tho (declined the Peace Prize, not Physics, though also a notable decliner)
3. CNo Nobel Prize in Physics has ever been voluntarily declined by choice
4. DMultiple individuals across different years and categories have declined; this specific framing about a sole 1964 Physics decliner is not accurate
💡 Explanation:
While Jean-Paul Sartre (Literature, 1964) and Le Duc Tho (Peace, 1973) are notable decliners, no specific widely-documented voluntary decline of a Physics prize matches this framing.
Q22hard
What renowned philosopher and writer declined the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964
1. AJean-Paul Sartre
2. BAlbert Camus (a related French philosopher/writer, but who did accept his own Nobel Prize)
3. CErnest Hemingway (accepted his own Nobel Prize)
4. DBoris Pasternak (declined under different circumstances, in 1958, due to political pressure)
💡 Explanation:
Jean-Paul Sartre voluntarily declined the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964, citing personal principles against accepting official honors.
Q23easy
What is the general term for the person who receives a Nobel Prize
1. ANobel laureate
2. BNobel nominee (relates to being considered, not having received the prize)
3. CNobel fellow (not the standard term used for prize recipients)
4. DNobel scholar (not the standard term used for prize recipients)
💡 Explanation:
A person who receives a Nobel Prize is referred to as a Nobel laureate.
Q24hard
Approximately how long after nomination are Nobel nomination records kept confidential before being made public
1. A5 years
2. B20 years
3. C50 years
4. DThey are never made public
💡 Explanation:
Nobel nomination records are generally kept confidential for 50 years before being made publicly available for historical research.
Q25medium
What is the term for individuals or organizations formally submitted for consideration for a Nobel Prize, though not all nominees ultimately win
1. ANobel laureates (refers specifically to those who have won)
2. BNobel nominees
3. CNobel fellows (not the standard term used in this context)
4. DNobel finalists (not the standard official term used in this context)
💡 Explanation:
Nobel nominees are individuals or organizations formally submitted for consideration, though not all nominees ultimately become laureates.
Q26hard
What committee is responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize laureates in Physics and Chemistry
1. AThe Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
2. BThe Norwegian Nobel Committee (responsible specifically for the Peace Prize)
3. CThe Swedish Academy (responsible specifically for the Literature Prize)
4. DThe Karolinska Institute (responsible specifically for Physiology or Medicine)
💡 Explanation:
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is responsible for selecting Nobel Prize laureates in both Physics and Chemistry.
Q27medium
Approximately how many individuals are typically permitted to share a single Nobel Prize in a given category and year, at maximum
1. AOne only, no sharing permitted
2. BTwo maximum
3. CThree maximum
4. DNo limit exists on the number of recipients
💡 Explanation:
Nobel Prize rules generally limit the number of recipients sharing a single prize in one category/year to a maximum of three.
Q28hard
What was notable about the year 1958, when a scientist named Boris Pasternak was awarded (but declined) the Nobel Prize in Literature
1. AHe was pressured by Soviet authorities to decline the prize
2. BHe voluntarily declined for personal reasons unrelated to political pressure
3. CHe was declared ineligible after initial selection
4. DHe requested a delay rather than declining outright
💡 Explanation:
Boris Pasternak was pressured by Soviet authorities to decline his 1958 Nobel Prize in Literature, a notable instance of political interference.
Q29medium
What committee is uniquely responsible for selecting the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, differing from the process for other Nobel Prizes
1. AThe Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (responsible for Physics/Chemistry)
2. BThe Norwegian Nobel Committee
3. CThe Swedish Academy (responsible for Literature)
4. DThe Karolinska Institute (responsible for Physiology/Medicine)
💡 Explanation:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is uniquely responsible for selecting the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, differing from the Swedish-based process for other prizes.
Q30hard
What institution is responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine
1. AThe Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (responsible for Physics/Chemistry)
2. BThe Norwegian Nobel Committee (responsible for the Peace Prize)
3. CThe Swedish Academy (responsible for the Literature Prize)
4. DThe Karolinska Institute
💡 Explanation:
The Karolinska Institute is specifically responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine.
Q31hard
Can Nobel Prizes be awarded posthumously, after a nominee has passed away
1. AYes, without restriction
2. BNo, generally not, with rare historical exceptions under specific circumstances
3. COnly for the Peace Prize category
4. DOnly for prizes awarded before 1974
💡 Explanation:
Nobel Prizes are generally not awarded posthumously, a rule formalized in 1974, though rare historical exceptions exist for earlier cases.
Q32medium
What controversial aspect of the Nobel Prize system has drawn criticism regarding the historical underrepresentation of women and certain regions among laureates
1. ADiversity and representation concerns
2. BPrize monetary value concerns (not typically the primary focus of this specific criticism)
3. CAward ceremony location concerns (not typically the primary focus of this specific criticism)
4. DNomination confidentiality concerns (a different, though related, area of discussion)
💡 Explanation:
The Nobel Prize system has faced criticism regarding historical underrepresentation of women and certain regions among laureates, a diversity and representation concern.
Q33medium
What Nobel Prize category has historically included recognition for economists studying market behavior and decision-making, alongside more traditional scientific fields
1. AEconomic Sciences (added in 1968, distinct from the five original categories)
2. BPhysics (an original scientific category, not primarily focused on economics)
3. CChemistry (an original scientific category, not primarily focused on economics)
4. DPhysiology or Medicine (an original scientific category, not primarily focused on economics)
💡 Explanation:
The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, added in 1968, recognizes economists studying various aspects of market behavior and decision-making.
Q34medium
What happens to the Nobel Prize monetary award when multiple laureates share a single prize in a category
1. AIt is typically divided among the laureates, often equally or based on contribution
2. BEach laureate receives the full amount separately, with no division
3. CNo monetary award is given when the prize is shared
4. DThe monetary award is donated to charity instead of being given to laureates
💡 Explanation:
When multiple laureates share a Nobel Prize, the monetary award is typically divided among them, often equally or based on contribution.
Q35medium
What is the monetary value component of the Nobel Prize typically referred to as, alongside the medal and diploma
1. APrize sum/monetary award
2. BGrant (a different, though related, general funding term)
3. CStipend (a different, though related, general payment term)
4. DEndowment (a different, broader financial term, relating to an ongoing fund rather than a one-time award)
💡 Explanation:
The Nobel Prize includes a monetary award, often referred to as the prize sum, alongside the medal and diploma.

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