All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1273 : Ap Biology
Which of the following is not a function of the cumulus oophorus?
Provide energy substrates to the oocyte
The cumulus oophorus neither protects the oocyte nor provides it with energy substrates
Protect the oocyte
Protect and provide energy substrates to the ooctye
Protect and provide energy substrates to the ooctye
The cumulus oophorus is a cluster of cells surrounding the oocyte after ovulation. The cumulus oophorus protects the oocyte and provides it with the energy substrates needed for further development.
Example Question #1274 : Ap Biology
Which of the following best describes the cause for the decrease in aging women’s ovarian reserves?
Lower levels of estrogen
Endometrial breakdown
Decreased efficiency of double stranded DNA repair
Double stranded DNA breaks increase the rate of apoptosis
Decreased efficiency of double stranded DNA repair
As women age, the number of follicles and viable oocytes decrease; there is an inverse correlation between age and fertility. This is due to the decreased efficiency of the double stranded DNA break repair mechanism. The primordial follicles contain primary oocytes—formed by meiosis. They typically repair double stranded DNA breaks by homologous recombination. As women age, the efficiency of this repair mechanism declines and leads to a depletion of viable oocytes.
Example Question #305 : Systems Physiology
Which statement describes the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA?
Mitochondrial DNA is solely inherited from the father
Mitochondrial DNA is developed by the fetus, and is unrelated to either parent
Mitochondrial DNA is solely inherited from the mother
Mitochondrial DNA is derived from an undefined mix between the mitochondrial DNA of the parents
Half of the mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother and half is inherited from the father
Mitochondrial DNA is solely inherited from the mother
When a sperm and egg fuse to form a zygote, the nucleus of the sperm enters the cytoplasm of the egg. As a result, the father's genome is passed onto the offspring, but no cellular organelles from the sperm are transferred. Any DNA contained in the mitochondria must come from the mother's egg, and could not have come from the cytoplasm of the sperm. The offspring will inherit all mitochondrial DNA from the mother.
This allows geneticists to trace mitochondrial lineages to find distant ancestors and track the evolution of species.
Example Question #1275 : Ap Biology
What structure is responsible for secreting progesterone following ovulation?
Corpus luteum
Secondary follicle
Corpus albicans
Zona pellucida
Corpus luteum
Following ovulation, the remaining follicle previously containing the egg is called the corpus luteum. This structure will release progesterone, and continue to do so if the egg is fertilized and a zygote is formed. If no pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum will degrade into the corpus albicans.
Example Question #3 : Understanding Other Reproductive Physiology
Which of the following is caused by the luteal surge?
Oogenesis
Menstruation
Ovulation
Fertilization
Ovulation
The luteal surge is characterized by a sharp increase in estradiol (estrogen) levels, which then causes an increase in luteinizing hormone levels. This event causes ovulation to take place.
Example Question #1276 : Ap Biology
Which of the following choices best describes where the secondary oocyte travels in the female reproductive tract after it is released from the follicle?
Uterus
Ovary
Vagina
Fallopian tube
Fallopian tube
The release of the secondary oocyte from the follicle is called ovulation. During this process, a hole called the “stigma” is formed and it allows the secondary oocyte to leave the follicle surrounded by a layer of cells called the cumulus oophorus. After its release, the secondary oocyte enters the fallopian tube.
Example Question #1277 : Ap Biology
Which of the following hormones does not spike in concentration to trigger ovulation?
Estrogen
Progesterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Progesterone
Leading up to ovulation, the developing follicle secretes estrogen. Over time, this secretion increases estrogen concentration. This high concentration of estrogen triggers the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland. The spike in LH and FSH concentrations lead to the release of the secondary oocyte from the follicle. Progesterone, on the other hand, is only present at low concentrations at the time of ovulation. Progesterone levels rise after ovulation.
Example Question #4 : Understanding Other Reproductive Physiology
Which of the following molecular changes leading to ovulation is caused by a spike in luteinizing hormone (LH)?
Meiotic recombination of the secondary oocyte
The release of proteolytic enzymes to form the stigma
A release of hormones that develop the zona pellucida
The maturation of the secondary oocyte
The release of proteolytic enzymes to form the stigma
The slow increase in estrogen concentration leading up to ovulation triggers the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland. The spike in LH initiates signal transduction pathways that release proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes create a hole, or stigma, in the follicle that allows the secondary oocyte to exit.
Example Question #81 : Reproductive Physiology
Which of the following best describes the effect of high estrogen concentrations on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels?
Increases FSH levels
Maintains FSH levels
Decreases FSH levels
Has no effect on FSH levels
Increases FSH levels
During the follicular phase of the estrous cycle, estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are in a positive feedback loop. High concentrations of estrogen stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH.
Example Question #82 : Reproductive Physiology
In mammalian reproduction, what is the stigma?
The entrance to the fallopian tubes
The hole that forms in the follicle to allow for oocyte release
The layer of cells surrounding the released oocyte
The resulting diploid organism that develops after the fusion of an egg and sperm
The hole that forms in the follicle to allow for oocyte release
The increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration during the follicular stage of the estrous cycle leads to the release of proteolytic enzymes from the follicle. These enzymes degrade the follicle tissue and create a hole called the “stigma.” The secondary oocyte exits the follicle from the stigma in a process called ovulation.