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

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Example Questions

Example Question #45 : Cellular Metabolism

During the photosynthetic light reactions, which of the following molecules acts as the electron acceptor?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Electrons excited in photosystem I are accepted by , thus converting  to .  is the reduced form of  and while  acts as an electron acceptor in certain reactions, the light reactions utilize  which has an extra phosphate.  and  are not used to accept electrons in this context. 

Example Question #42 : Cellular Metabolism

What molecule is remade in the Calvin cycle so that carbon dioxide can attach when entering?

Possible Answers:

Glucose-6-phosphate

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

1,3-bisphosphoglycerate

Correct answer:

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate

Explanation:

In order to keep the Calvin cycle going, the 5-carbon molecule that carbon dioxide attaches to in the first step must be remade at the end of the cycle. This molecule is called ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, or RuBP.

Example Question #43 : Cellular Metabolism

Which of the following is an advantage of C4 photosynthesis compared to C3 photosynthesis?

Possible Answers:

C3 plants are more suitable than C4 plants for growth in arid climates because they keep their stroma closed longer than C4 plants.

C3 plants physically separate carbon fixation and the Calvin cycle, whereas C4 plants execute both processes in the chloroplast stroma.

C3 plants have fewer photosystems than C4 plants; as a result, C4 plants are able to utlize a broader spectra of light in the light reactions of photosynthesis.

The calvin cycle in C4 plants does not require NADPH; therefore, the light reactions are more efficient because they do not have to regenerate NADPH from NADP+

C3 plants fix carbon dioxide through rubisco; however, oxygen competes for rubisco binding, reducing the ability for C3 plants to fix carbon. C4 plants use phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase instead of rubisco, which binds carbon dioxide specifically.

Correct answer:

C3 plants fix carbon dioxide through rubisco; however, oxygen competes for rubisco binding, reducing the ability for C3 plants to fix carbon. C4 plants use phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase instead of rubisco, which binds carbon dioxide specifically.

Explanation:

C3 plants use rubisco to fix carbon dioxide; however, oxygen also competes for binding. C4 plants have evolved to use PEP carboxylase, which only binds carbon dioxide, eliminating competition with oxygen. Furthermore, C4 plants separate carbon fixation and the Calvin cycle by location, but C3 plants do not. The light reactions of C3 and C4 plants are very similar, but C4 plants are more suited for arid climates due to their ability to close their stroma for longer periods of time to prevent water loss.

Example Question #111 : Biochemistry

Plants that utilize only the Calvin cycle to __________ carbon dioxide are known as __________ plants. 

Possible Answers:

phosphorylate . . . C3

oxidize . . . C2

fix . . . C2

fix . . . C3

oxidize . . . C3

Correct answer:

fix . . . C3

Explanation:

The purpose of the Calvin cycle is the fixation of carbon dioxide, which essentially turns inorganic carbon dioxide into an organic compound that can be used for energy production. C3 plants only use the Calvin cycle, whereas C4 plants can use a number of processes to fix carbon, including the use of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP carboxylase). 

Example Question #1 : Help With Anabolism

Which of the following mnemonics is helpful in remembering the relationship between anabolism and catabolism?

Possible Answers:

PAD

RICE

ABCD

AWSOME

STEVE

Correct answer:

ABCD

Explanation:

ABCD correlates to anabolism=build catabolism=destroy. Anabolism is the constructive phase of metabolism during which tissues are built. Catabolism is the opposite of anabolism, representing the destructive phase of metabolism. Metabolism is the total of all the chemical changes that take place in the body.

STEVE is the pathway of sperm through the male reproductive system: Seminiferous Tubules, Epididymis, Vas Deferens, Ejaculatory duct. PAD is the layers of the meninges: Piamater, Arachnoid mater, Dura mater. RICE refers to the treatment for an injury to a joint: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. AWSOME is the signs and symptoms of depression: Affect flat, Weight change, Energy loss, Sad feelings, Others (guilt, loss of pleasure, hopelessness), Memory loss, Emotional blunting. 

Example Question #1 : Help With Catabolism

__________ is an enzyme used to help break down glycogen. The end product is __________.

Possible Answers:

Glycogen phosphatase . . . glucose-6-phosphate

Glycogen phosphatase . . . glucose-1-phosphate

Glycogen phosphorylase . . . glucose-1-phosphate

Glycogen phosphorylase . . . glucose-6-phosphate

Correct answer:

Glycogen phosphorylase . . . glucose-1-phosphate

Explanation:

Phosphorylases are enzymes that attach phosphate groups to acceptors by breaking a chemical bond. Phosphatases are enzymes that remove phosphate groups.

Glycogen catabolism occurs by activation of glycogen phosphorylase, which then catalyzes the reaction of glycogen into glucose-1-phosphate (and a glycogen chain that is one glucose shorter).

Example Question #2 : Help With Catabolism

__________ helps transfer fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix.

Possible Answers:

Fatty acid transferase

Carnitine

Biotin

Acyl-CoA

Correct answer:

Carnitine

Explanation:

Carnitine is ultimately responsible for helping fatty acids enter into the mitochondrial matrix. Acyl-CoA is actually the activated fatty acid that is being transferred. Carnitine reacts with acyl-CoA, and the newly formed acyl carnitine is moved into the mitochondrial matrix by a translocase.

Biotin is a vitamin that has many functions, including aiding in fatty acid synthesis. There is no protein that is actually called fatty acid transferase.

Example Question #3 : Help With Catabolism

Which of the following statements about catabolic pathways are not true?

Possible Answers:

Polysaccharides eventually release energy in the form of NADH and ATP

Macromolecules are only involved in catabolic pathways

Lipids are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids

Polysaccharides are hydrolyzed to glucose, which can then pass through glycolysis and the citric acid cycle

Proteins are hydrolyzed into their amino acids, which feed into glycolysis or the citric acid cycle

Correct answer:

Macromolecules are only involved in catabolic pathways

Explanation:

Macromolecules, such as peptides, polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins can be broken down to provide energy as well as operate in reverse through anabolic pathways. Anabolic and catabolic processes can occur simultaneously. All of the other answers are true. 

Example Question #4 : Help With Catabolism

Which of the following cellular processes is defined as a catabolic reaction?

Possible Answers:

Gylcolysis

Gluconeogenesis

Protein synthesis

Glycogenesis

Correct answer:

Gylcolysis

Explanation:

A catabolic reaction is defined as a reaction in which a large molecule is broken down into smaller subunits. Of the following options, all listed are anabolic except for glycolysis. Glycolysis is the process of converting a glucose molecule into 2 pyruvate molecules, which classifies it as catabolic in nature.

Example Question #112 : Biochemistry

Which of the following choices is a likely response to low blood glucose levels?

I. Phosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase

II. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase

III. Enhanced production of insulin

Possible Answers:

I only

I and III

I and II

II and III

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

When blood glucose levels are low, the obvious bodily response is to create more free glucose. Glycogen phosphorylase is an enzyme that is responsible for freeing glucose monomers from glycogen (thus creating more free glucose and raising the blood glucose concentration). Phosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase activates the enzyme to create more free glucose. Thus, statement I should appear in our answer.

Glycogen synthase is an enzyme that does just the opposite; it traps free-floating glucose monomers by adding them to glycogen chains. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase inhibits the enzyme's function to create more free glucose. Thus, statement II should also appear in our answer.

Increasing the production of insulin would lower blood glucose levels even further (glucagon, another hormone, would help raise them). Thus, statement III should not appear in our answer.

The final answer is statements I and II.

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

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