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

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 #4 : Differentiation

How do master regulators, which are transcription factors, establish cell subtypes and cell subtype-specific gene expression? 

Possible Answers:

Master regulators promote the deposition of methyl or acetyl groups to mark inactive or active enhancers 

Master regulators bind promoters by not enhancers to initiate specific gene expression

Master regulators always promote formation of euchromatin in nucleosome dense regions 

Master regulators promote active promoter formation by deposition of methyl groups 

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Master regulators promote the deposition of methyl or acetyl groups to mark inactive or active enhancers 

Explanation:

The correct answer is master regulators promote the deposition of methyl or acetyl groups to mark inactive or active enhancers. Master regulators bind enhancer regions that have been created by pioneer factors to establish the chromatin state of the cell by deposition of methyl or acetyl groups on chromatin. Methylation correlates with inactive enhancers, whereas acetylation correlates with active enhancers. The fingerprint of active/inactive enhancers and its effect on gene expression establishes cell subtypes. Some, but not all master regulators function as pioneer factors to bind nucleosome rich DNA to promote euchromatin formation. 

Example Question #5 : Differentiation

RNA of Gene X was injected into the posterior of a fruit fly embryo, and the resulting embryo had two heads instead of a head and a tail. What type of protein does gene X most likely code for?

Possible Answers:

Growth factor 

Morphogen 

Lipid

Enzyme

Receptor

Correct answer:

Morphogen 

Explanation:

Morphogens are proteins that can regulate the patterning of embryos over a multi-cell distance. Classic morphogens were discovered by injecting cytoplasm of embryos from the anteiror to the posterior, which would give rise to an animal with two heads. Injecting cytoplasm from the posterior to the anterior would give rise to animals with two posteriors. If injecting the RNA of a particular gene changes the patterning of the animal dramatically, it is likely a morphogen.

Example Question #6 : Differentiation

Homeobox (Hox) genes are essential regulators of development of an organism, as they define region specific development of an embryo along its anterior-posterioir axis. A mutation in the gene Antennapedia, for example, causes Drosophila melanogaster to grow legs from its head instead of antennae.  

Given that hox genes regulate segmental identity of an organism, which of the following phenotypes would possibly be present in a fruit fly with a mutation in a Hox gene required for formation of very anterior structures?

Possible Answers:

Genital structures missing

Missing wing appendages

Extra wing appendages

Extra legs extending from thorax

Head missing or malformed

Correct answer:

Head missing or malformed

Explanation:

The only 'very anterior' structure listed among the answers is the head. If this particular hox gene is required to create the proper anterior appendage, we can predict that of the structures listed the head is most likely to be affected.

Example Question #7 : Differentiation

HOX genes are a group of genes that have been well characterized to control body plan development along the anterior to posterior axis in developing embryos. What do HOX genes encode?

Possible Answers:

Mitochondrial proteins

Transcription factors

Transmembrane receptors 

Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum trafficking proteins

Structural proteins 

Correct answer:

Transcription factors

Explanation:

The correct answer is transcription factors. HOX transcription factors turn on genes during embryonic development to determine the type of segment structure (examples are legs or antennae) at different spatial regions of the embryo. Absence or mis-expression of HOX genes in early development renders misinformed or non-viable organisms. 

Example Question #141 : Cell Biology

Which of the following is an example of a multipotent stem cell differentiation into a terminal cell type?

Possible Answers:

iPS cells giving rise to cardiomyocytes

Endoderm cells giving rise to enterocytes

A zygote giving rise to germ layers

Bone marrow cells giving rise to lymphosites

Correct answer:

Bone marrow cells giving rise to lymphosites

Explanation:

Multipotent cell types can give rise to a small number of cell types but have a restricted fate. This is in contrast to totipotent (zygote) or pluripotent cells (germ layers, iPS (induced pluripotent cells)) which can give rise to many different cell types, some that may make up very different parts of the body.

Example Question #141 : Cell Biology

During asymmetric cell division, cells divide such that the mitotic spindles are oriented perpendicular to the plane on which the cells reside. What types of cells are the original parent cells and how does this affect cell lineage?

Possible Answers:

Asymmetric cell division begins the de-differentiation process from "parent" differentiated cells

Asymmetric cell division begins the differentiation process from "parent" immune cells

Asymmetric cell division is proliferation from "parent" differentiated cells

Asymmetric cell division is proliferation process "parent" stem cells

Asymmetric cell division begins the differentiation process from "parent" stem cells

Correct answer:

Asymmetric cell division begins the differentiation process from "parent" stem cells

Explanation:

The correct answer is that asymmetric cell division begins the differentiation process from "parent" stem cells. Symmetric cell division generates two identical daughter cells that have mitotic spindles oriented parallel to the plane on which the cells reside. However, cells that begin a differentiation lineage undergo asymmetric cell division. The perpendicularity of the mitotic spindle in cells that eventually differentiate contributes to this process. 

Example Question #2 : Help With Stem Cells

Which is the following answers best describes the key difference between totipotent and pluripotent stem cells?

Possible Answers:

Totipotent stem cells have the potential to become an entire organism; pluripotent stem cells only have the potential to become blood and bone cell types. 

Pluripotent stem cells can only form a very limited subset of tissue types depending on their origin; totipotent stem cells have the potential to become any of the three embryonic germ layers. 

Totipotent stem cells have the potential to become an entire organism; pluripotent stem cells can form any of the three embryonic germ layers, but cannot give rise to an entire organism. 

Totipotent and pluripotent stem cells are different names for the same cell type, and thus there is no difference in their potential. 

Pluripotent stem cells have the potential to become an entire organism; totipotent stem cells can form any of the three embryonic germ layers, but cannot give rise to an entire organism. 

Correct answer:

Totipotent stem cells have the potential to become an entire organism; pluripotent stem cells can form any of the three embryonic germ layers, but cannot give rise to an entire organism. 

Explanation:

Totipotent stem cells are the stem cells with the greatest potential of all stem cell types. A totipotent stem cell can give rise to any embryonic cell type, and can ultimately form an entire organism. Pluripotent stem cells can become any of the three embryonic germ layers, however, they do not have the capacity to form an entire organism because they cannot give rise to the extraembryonic tissue required for development, such as the placenta. 

Example Question #71 : Cellular Processes

Which of the following mutations in the EGF pathway could lead to increased proliferation of cells?

Possible Answers:

Mutation causing constitutively phosphorylated Erk

Mutation introducing hydrophillic domains in the hydrophobic region of EGFR 

Mutation abolishing kinase activity of RAF

Mutation blocking EGF binding to EGFR

Correct answer:

Mutation causing constitutively phosphorylated Erk

Explanation:

The phosphorylation of Erk is the final step of the protein cascade of EGF pathway, and phosphorylated Erk enters the nucleus to increase transcription of genes that induce proliferation. If Erk is constitutively active, it will likely lead to higher proliferation rate.

Preventing EGF from binding to EGFR or disrupting EGFR's ability to enter the membrane would abolish EGF pathway activity and reduce proliferation. Likewise, abolishing kinase activity of RAF would terminate the signal transduction and lead to reduced proliferation.

Example Question #72 : Cellular Processes

Production of which of the following cytokines is stimulated when the  concentration decreases in the circulatory system?

Possible Answers:

Interleukin 2

Tumor necrosis factor

Transforming growth factor beta 1

Interferon type II

Erythropoietin

Correct answer:

Erythropoietin

Explanation:

Erythropoietin, released by the kidney, stimulates the production of red blood cells, which becomes necessary if circulating  has decreased. Tumor necrosis factor stimulates systemic inflammation and regulates the immune system. Transforming growth factor beta 1 controls cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and other processes. Interferon type II modulates immune functions. Interleukin 2 also modulates the immune cells.

Example Question #3 : Help With Growth Factors

Which of the following growth factors is primarily produced by the kidney and is essential for the production of red blood cells?

Possible Answers:

Erythropoietin

Myostatin

Insulin-like growth factor

Angiopoietin

Fibroblast growth factor

Correct answer:

Erythropoietin

Explanation:

Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that is crucial for the production of red blood cells, a process also called "erythropoiesis." Each of the other answers contains a growth factor, but none of these have a primary function in red blood cell production. 

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

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