AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Transcription

Which of the following is not an example of a post-transcriptional modification of mRNA molecules?

Possible Answers:

Splicing of anticodons 

Addition of a 5-methyl guanosine cap

Splicing of introns

Addition of a poly-A tail

Correct answer:

Splicing of anticodons 

Explanation:

Addition of a 5-methyl guanosine cap, the splicing out and removal of introns, and the addition of a poly-A tail are all processes that are essential to making stable, mature mRNA.

Codons are contained on the exons of mature mRNA and are matched to appropriate anticodons during translation. Anticodons are found on tRNA molecules, and are not involved in mRNA transcription.

Example Question #61 : Dna, Rna, And Proteins

Which biotechnology method will allow you to distinguish between identical twins?

Possible Answers:

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) Analysis

DNA fingerprinting

Standard fingerprinting

Southern blot

Correct answer:

Standard fingerprinting

Explanation:

Fingerprints are different in all individuals, even identical twins. Due to RNA processing, or post-transcription modification, the grooves of a finger are different even in individuals with identical DNA.

The other techniques are used for DNA analysis between individuals with different DNA. Identical twins will be indistinguishable under these techniques, because their DNA is the same.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which of the following statements is false concerning post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

Methylation is not part of post-transcriptional modification

A poly A tail is attached to the 3' end of the transcript

Both the 5' cap and poly A tail protect the transcript from degradation

Spliceosomes remove exons from the transcript and splice together the introns

A 5' cap is added in order to provide an attachment site for ribosomes during translation

Correct answer:

Spliceosomes remove exons from the transcript and splice together the introns

Explanation:

During post-transcriptional modification, spliceosomes can remove introns from the transcript and splice together exons. Introns are the parts that are removed from the transcript, meaning they are not translated. Exons are the portions of mRNA that code for the correct amino acids sequence for the desired gene.

Other modifications involve the poly-A tail, which is added to the 3' end, and the 5' cap. Both structures protect the transcript from damage during transport and provide binding sites for various proteins, as well as the ribosome itself. Methylation is a part of epigenetic DNA modification, and is not involved with transcription processes.

Example Question #5 : Transcription

snRNPs assist in what post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

Addition of the poly-A tail

Exporting the transcript to the ribosome

Addition of the 5' cap

The removal of introns

Correct answer:

The removal of introns

Explanation:

snRNPs, or small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, are an essential part of the spliceosome complex. The spliceosome is responsible for the removal of introns from the primary transcript.

Example Question #4 : Transcription

Which of the following is not an example of eukaryotic post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

The 3' end of the growing strand is cleaved

After splicing, the exons are rejoined to form a final mRNA transcript

Exons, or non-coding regions, are removed via splicing

A poly-A tail is added to the 3' end

A methylguanosine cap is added to the 5' end

Correct answer:

Exons, or non-coding regions, are removed via splicing

Explanation:

Post-transcriptional modifications are changes that are made to the mRNA transcript before it is translated into a protein. The first of these changes is cleavage at the 3' end to separate the new strand, or "primary transcript," from the transcription machinery. Next, a protective 5' cap is added, as is a string of adenine nucleotides at the 3' end. Finally, noncoding regions, called introns, are spliced out and the exons, or coding regions, are reconnected.

The incorrect statement confuses exons and introns.

Example Question #3 : Transcription

Which of the following choices is not one of the processes associated with post-transcriptional modification?

Possible Answers:

Splicing

5' capping

Polyadenylation

Protein folding

Correct answer:

Protein folding

Explanation:

Post-transcriptional modification is the stage where the recently synthesized primary RNA transcript undergoes changes to become a mature RNA molecule. Post-transcriptional modifications ensure that the correct RNA transcripts are produced and that the correct proteins are translated. Post-transcriptional modification includes the processes of polyadenylation, 5’ capping, and splicing. Polyadenylation is the addition of adenine bases (the poly-A tail) to the 3’ end of the RNA primary transcript. The poly-A tail is important in export, stability, and translation of the transcript. 5’ capping is the addition of guanine bases to the 5’ end of the primary transcript. The 5’ cap aids in export and translation of the transcript and also protects it from degradation. Splicing is the removal of non-coding regions, or introns, from the primary transcript.

Example Question #7 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which of the following choices is not a true characteristic of spliceosomes?

Possible Answers:

They splice introns from primary RNA transcripts

Most spliceosomes are found in the nucleus

They are composed of small nuclear RNA molecules (snRNAs)

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have spliceosomes

Correct answer:

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have spliceosomes

Explanation:

The spliceosome is a complex structure composed of small nuclear RNA molecules (snRNAs) and other proteins. They are often located in the nucleus. The spliceosome splices introns from the primary RNA transcript. This process occurs through splicing at 5’ and 3’ sites that are identified by particular nucleotide sequences. Prokaryotic cells do not contain spliceosomes. 

Example Question #2 : Understanding Post Transcription Modification

Which statement correctly describes the process of alternative splicing?

Possible Answers:

There are different methods of alternative splicing (spliceosomes, self-splicing, etc.)

Alternative splicing can create a variety of proteins from the same primary transcript

In alternative splicing, some primary RNA transcripts are spliced and others are not

There are different alternative splicing processes between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Correct answer:

Alternative splicing can create a variety of proteins from the same primary transcript

Explanation:

Alternative splicing is the process where many different proteins can be formed from a primary transcript. This can be done in a number of ways, including using different splice sites, maintaining introns, and splicing out exons. Alternative splicing is an important process because it increases cellular efficiency; if many proteins can result from the same primary transcript, then the genome doesn’t need to code for as many unique transcripts.

Example Question #71 : Dna, Rna, And Proteins

Which of the following processes converts mRNA codons into proteins?

Possible Answers:

Replication

Glycolysis

Transcription

Translation

Apoptosis

Correct answer:

Translation

Explanation:

Translation is the process of converting an mRNA codon sequence into protein via the ribosome, so that is the correct answer. Apoptosis is programmed cell death. Transcription is close, but it is the process of making RNA from DNA. Glycolysis is the process of creating two pyruvate molecules from glucose, and produces two ATP.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Translation Processes

Which of the following templates is used during translation?

Possible Answers:

mRNA

microRNA

tRNA

DNA

rRNA

Correct answer:

mRNA

Explanation:

mRNA is the template used during translation. The mRNA strand is read and "translated" into a polypeptide by tRNA.

DNA would be the template for transcription, not for translation.

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