Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Translation

Which of the following is false about ribosomal binding sites?

Possible Answers:

Peptidyl transferase creates the bond between neighboring amino acids using tRNAs stationed at the P and A sites.

Ribosomes have a set of three mRNA binding sites, and one tRNA binding site.

The set of three binding sites is labelled A, P, and E.

If a tRNA molecule's anticodon is complementary to an mRNA codon, the tRNA is held at the P and A sites.

The mRNA is shifted three nucleotides' length through the ribosome for each amino acid added.

Correct answer:

Ribosomes have a set of three mRNA binding sites, and one tRNA binding site.

Explanation:

There are three tRNA binding sites -- A, P, and E (for Aminoacyl, Peptidyl, and Exit) -- but only one mRNA binding site. The enzyme which bonds amino acids carried by tRNAs at A and P is indeed called peptidyl transferase. tRNA is held at A and P when its anticodon matches the codon of the mRNA to be translated. Because each codon is three codons long, per amino acid, the mRNA is indeed shifted three nucleotides' length through the ribosome, each time an amino acid is added to the growing chain.

Example Question #2 : Translation

Which of the following amino acids has only one possible codon that codes for it?

Possible Answers:

Phenylalanine

Asparagine

Aspartic acid

Tyrosine

Methionine

Correct answer:

Methionine

Explanation:

Among the amino acids, there are two which only have one codon that code for them: tryptophan (UGG), and methionine. Methionine, is, of course, special among them, because the same codon is also the start codon -- AUG. Aspartic acid, asparagine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine all each have two possible corresponding codons (respectively: GAC/GAU, AAC/AAU, UAC/UAU, and UUC/UUU).

Example Question #3 : Translation

Which of the following translation initiation factors is incorrectly matched with its function?

Possible Answers:

None of these

eIF2B is a GEF for eIF1

eIF4E is a cap binding protein

eIF4G is a scaffolding protein

eIF4A is a helicase

Correct answer:

eIF2B is a GEF for eIF1

Explanation:

eIF2B is a GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor) for eIF1 eIF2. 

Example Question #11 : Translation

Which of the following eukaryotic elongation factors promotes translocation through GTP binding and hydrolysis? 

Possible Answers:

eEF1A

IP3

eEF2

Ran-GTP

eEF1B

Correct answer:

eEF2

Explanation:

eEF1A first binds to the aminoacyl-tRNA and has GTPase activity. eEF1B is a GEF for eEF1A. eEF2 has the elongation role similar to EF-G in prokaryotes. Neither Ran-GTP nor IP3 are elongation factors.

Example Question #21 : Protein Synthesis

__________ are 21-23 nucleotide long strands of duplex double stranded RNA with symmetric 2-3 nucleotide overhangs that trigger mRNA degradation.

Possible Answers:

siRNAs

miRNAs

pri-miRNAs

piRNAs

None of these

Correct answer:

siRNAs

Explanation:

All are part of RNA interference.

siRNA = short interfering RNA

miRNA = micro RNA

pri-miRNA = primary miRNA

piRNA = piwi interacting RNA

Example Question #22 : Protein Synthesis

During translation, which enzyme attaches the appropriate amino acid onto its tRNA?

Possible Answers:

DNA helicase

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

DNA polymerases

RNA polymerase

Correct answer:

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

Explanation:

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are important enzymes in translation. Their function is to match the specific amino acid to its tRNA. DNA polymerases, RNA polymerase, and DNA helicase are not involved in this process. DNA polymerases are enzymes involved in DNA replication; they create DNA molecules by assembling nucleotides. RNA polymerase produces RNA and has nothing to do with the translation process. Lastly, DNA helicase unwinds DNA during DNA replication, allowing the strands to be copied.

Example Question #23 : Protein Synthesis

Which of the following is not necessary in order for a protein to be transcribed and translated?

Possible Answers:

rRNA

miRNA

tRNA

DNA

mRNA

Correct answer:

miRNA

Explanation:

For this question, we're asked to identify an answer choice that contains something that is not needed for transcription and translation.

To begin, let's define these two terms. Transcription is the production of mRNA from DNA. The subsequent coding of a polypeptide from this mRNA is known as translation. During translation, tRNA serves as the carriers of amino acids. In doing so, these tRNA's bring certain amino acids to the ribosome-mRNA complex, depending on the codon sequence of the mRNA. Furthermore, the ribosome itself is composed of rRNA as well as protein. So in total, DNA, mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA are needed for transcription and, subsequently, translation.

But what about miRNA? This type of RNA, together with another class of RNA called siRNA, are both involved in a process called RNA interference. In this process, either miRNA or siRNA acts to inhibit gene expression by inhibiting certain key steps at the level of transcription and translation. Therefore, miRNA is not required for proper transcription and translation to occur because it acts to inhibit these processes.

Example Question #14 : Translation

Which of the following codons is neither a stop nor a start codon?

Possible Answers:

AUG

UGA

UAA

TAG

UAG

Correct answer:

TAG

Explanation:

AUG is the universal start codon. The stop codons are UGA, UAG, and UAA. 

Example Question #15 : Translation

What amino acid is synthesized as a part of the initiation signal for translation with the mRNA code, UAG?

Possible Answers:

Methionine

Leucine

Glycine

Lysine

Threonine

Correct answer:

Methionine

Explanation:

Protein translation begins by recognizing an initiation signal on the mRNA - the codon UAG. The amino acid that coded for by UAG is methionine.

Example Question #1151 : Biochemistry

Which of the following correctly describes the formation of the 80S initiation complex that begins translation? 

Possible Answers:

A tRNA that matches AUG on the mRNA will bind in the A site of the newly formed ribosome. 

Complementary mRNA strands for the start codon will bind in the P site of a ribosome. 

A tRNA that pairs with the UAG start codon on mRNA will begin translation after ribosome 40S and 60S assemble.

A tRNA with methionine will match with the mRNA start codon in the P site of the newly formed ribosome. 

The initiator tRNA with its alanine will bind in the P site of the ribosome. 

Correct answer:

A tRNA with methionine will match with the mRNA start codon in the P site of the newly formed ribosome. 

Explanation:

The initiation complex of a ribosome to start translation begins with the tRNA carrying methionine, matching the start codon AUG on mRNA, binding with the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits, to form an 80S ribosomal subunit with the initiation tRNA in the P site. 

The next tRNA that matches the following codon will then come into the A site to continue translation. 

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