GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

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All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 201 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Cellular Respiration And Photosynthesis

Cytochrome C is a small protein localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane that has an important role in the last steps of the electron transport chain. What is cytochrome C's primary role in the electron transport chain? 

Possible Answers:

Cytochrome C accepts electrons from complex II and shuttles them to Complex III, which is required for further activation of complex IV

Cytochrome C catalyzes the conversion of 2 ADP to 2 ATP, thus contributing to the energetic gain in the electron transport chain

Cytochrome C removes electrons from complex IV and transfers them to molecular oxygen in the mitochondria

Cytochrome C accepts electrons from complex IV and directly transfers these electrons to molecular oxygen

Cytochrome C accepts electrons from complex III in the mitochondrial membrane and transfers them to complex IV

Correct answer:

Cytochrome C accepts electrons from complex III in the mitochondrial membrane and transfers them to complex IV

Explanation:

Cytochrome C is responsible for accepting the electrons generated in the bc1 complex (complex III) and transferring them over to complex IV. In other words, cytochrome C oxidizes complex III and is oxidized by complex IV. This is required to then add those electrons to molecular oxygen, which forms water and contributes to the proton gradient required for ATP production. 

Example Question #101 : Biochemistry

What is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?

Possible Answers:

Cytochrome C

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain is oxygen gas. one oxygen gas molecule will accept 4 electrons and combine with 4 protons in order to create 2 water molecules. This reaction is the reason water is a byproduct of aerobic cellular respiration.

Example Question #2 : Help With The Electron Transport Chain

Krebs cycle occurs in the __________ and the electron transport chain occurs in the __________.

Possible Answers:

cytoplasm . . . mitochondrial matrix

mitochondrial inner membrane . . . mitochondrial matrix

mitochondrial matrix . . . cytoplasm

mitochondrial matrix . . . mitochondrial inner membrane

Correct answer:

mitochondrial matrix . . . mitochondrial inner membrane

Explanation:

Glycolysis, the first step in metabolism of carbohydrates, occurs in the cytoplasm. The products of glycolysis (pyruvate and NADH) are transported to the mitochondrial matrix. The products undergo series of reactions called the Krebs cycle. The products of Krebs cycle and NADH from glycolysis enter the inner mitochondrial membrane and go through the electron transport chain (ETC). During ETC, oxidative phosphorylation generates most of the ATP used by the cells.

Example Question #31 : Cellular Respiration And Photosynthesis

Which of the following molecule(s) undergoes reduction during the electron transport chain?

Possible Answers:

Both of these are reduced

Oxygen

None of these are reduced

NADH

Correct answer:

Oxygen

Explanation:

Reduction is the process of gaining electrons. In electron transport chain (ETC), electron carriers such as NADH and  donate electrons to the electron carriers in the ETC. These electrons are transported to subsequent molecules. The final acceptor of electrons in ETC is oxygen, which accepts electrons and gets converted into water. Since electrons are being lost from them, NADH and  are oxidized in the ETC. On the other hand, oxygen accepts electrons and is reduced in the electron transport chain.

Example Question #32 : Cellular Respiration And Photosynthesis

Oligomycin is an inhibitor of ATP synthase. Which of the following will you observe in the cells of a patient taking oligomycin?

I. There will be a higher concentration of protons in the intermembrane space

II. Proton pump will no longer be functional

III. ATP production will be decreased

Possible Answers:

I and II

III only

I, II, and III

I and III

Correct answer:

I and III

Explanation:

The question states that oligomycin inhibits ATP synthase. Recall that ATP synthase (found on the inner mitochondrial membrane) generates ATP by transporting protons from the intermembrane space (space between inner and outer mitochondrial membrane) into the mitochondria. Inhibiting this will prevent the transport of protons and will, subsequently, lead to a buildup of protons in the intermembrane space.

Proton pumps are also found on the inner mitochondrial membrane. They function to pump out protons from the inside of mitochondria to the intermembrane space, thereby providing the proton gradient for ATP synthase to generate ATP. Halting ATP synthase will cause proton pump to stop pumping protons into the intermembrane space (due to the increase in protons in intermembrane space).

ATP synthase is the major generator of ATP; therefore, halting ATP synthase via oligomycin will decrease the amount of ATP generated.

Example Question #32 : Cellular Respiration And Photosynthesis

During ATP synthesis in mitochondria, protons move directly through __________.

Possible Answers:

F0 subunit of ATP synthase

Outer mitochondrial membrane

Ubiquinone

Cytoplasmic cellular membrane

F1 subunit of ATP synthase

Correct answer:

F0 subunit of ATP synthase

Explanation:

The F0 subunit of ATP synthase is where protons flow through to create ATP. This mechanism involves a rotation of the subunit, producing ATP with each turn. ATP synthase is part of oxidative phosphorylation, the greatest ATP producing segment of cellular respiration.

Example Question #101 : Biochemistry

You are studying three different reduction-oxidation couples in the electron transport chain. Their energies are as follows:

"A" +.02 V

"B" - .31 V

"C" - .41 V

What correctly describes the flow of electrons through these redox couples?

Possible Answers:

A, B, C

A, C, B

C, B, A

B, C, A

C, A, B

Correct answer:

C, B, A

Explanation:

Electrons flow throughout the electron transport chain via redox reactions. They flow from the most negative voltage to the most positive voltage within the chain. Thus the correct flow would be from C (most negative) to B (Less negative) to A (most positive).

Example Question #104 : Biochemistry

Which molecule transfers electrons from photosystem II to photosystem I?

Possible Answers:

Plastocyanin

Cytochrome c

NADP+

Ferredoxin

Correct answer:

Plastocyanin

Explanation:

Photosystems I and II are each capable of conducting electrons, with photosystem II handing off electrons to photosystem I. This is accomplished by the electron carrier molecule plastocyanin. 

Example Question #105 : Biochemistry

Which product is made in photosystem I?

Possible Answers:

ATP

NADPH

NADH

Glucose

Correct answer:

NADPH

Explanation:

Photosystems I and II are responsible for the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. These two photosystems work in tandem to create ATP and NADPH products. ATP is created in photosystem II, while NADPH is created in photosystem I.

Example Question #3 : Help With Light Reactions

What fuels ATP synthase to make ATP from ADP + Pi in the light reaction of photosynthesis?

Possible Answers:

Light excites photosystem II to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen accumulates in the thylakoid space. Oxygen then moves down its concentration gradient from the thylakoid space to the stroma by passing through ATP synthase, fueling the synthesis of ATP

NADPH is formed from NADP+ reductase in the thylakoid membrane. NADPH can then donate hydrogen to ATP synthase to fuel the synthesis of ATP

Light excites photosystem II to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen ions accumulate in the thylakoid space. Hydrogen moves down its concentration gradient from the thylakoid space to the stroma by passing through ATP synthase, fueling the synthesis of ATP

The mechanism by which ATP synthase is fueled is not entirely known

Light excites photosystem I to generate electrons that pass through the thylakoid membrane to excite ATP synthase to generate ATP

Correct answer:

Light excites photosystem II to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen ions accumulate in the thylakoid space. Hydrogen moves down its concentration gradient from the thylakoid space to the stroma by passing through ATP synthase, fueling the synthesis of ATP

Explanation:

Excitation of photosystem II splits water in the thylakoid space into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen then passes through ATP synthase to move down its concentration gradient and into the stroma. Excitation of photosystem I passes electrons to NADP+ reductase to convert NADP+ to NADPH. Regeneration of NADPH is necessary for the Calvin cycle. 

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

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