GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : Cellular Structures and Functions

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 #1 : Help With Mitochondria Structure

Crucial steps of the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain occur within the mitochondria. Which of the following pairs of answers contains an enzyme essential to ATP synthesis, and its correct mitochondrial localization?

Possible Answers:

ADP phosphorylase, inner mitochondrial membrane

ATP synthase, outer mitochondrial membrane

ATP synthase, inner mitochondrial membrane

ATP reductase, mitochondrial cristae

ADP phosphatase, mitochondrial cristae

Correct answer:

ATP synthase, inner mitochondrial membrane

Explanation:

ATP synthase is the correct enzyme, and it is powered by a  gradient that permits the addition of an inorganic phosphate group to a molecule of ADP. This is located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, where the ETC is pumping  out to form the necessary gradient required to power ATP synthase. 

Example Question #1 : Mitochondria And Chloroplasts

Where do the light reactions take place in the chloroplast?

Possible Answers:

The outer membrane

The stroma

The intermembrane space

The thylakoid membrane

Correct answer:

The thylakoid membrane

Explanation:

The chloroplast has a very simular structure to the mitochondrion, as it is a double-membraned organelle. The chloroplast is used to house the processes of photosynthesis. The light reactions take place in the thylakoid membrane, while the light independent reactions take place in the stroma. 

Example Question #2 : Mitochondria And Chloroplasts

Which of the following is not true of the endosymbiotic theory?

Possible Answers:

The mitochondria shows similarities to fossilized microorganisms 

The inner membrane of mitochondria displays similarities to bacterial membranes

Mitochondria have their own genomes that contain similarities to bacterial genomes

None of the answers

Correct answer:

None of the answers

Explanation:

All three of the given answers are true and supportive of the endosymbiotic theory. Because mitochondria have membranes and genomes similar to those contained by bacteria, it is likely that they were once free-living organisms. The mitochondria have also been known to display remarkable similarities to fossilized microorganisms.

Endosymbiotic theory suggests that mitochondria were once free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a larger prokaryote. The engulfed cell still generated a proton gradient between its cell membrane and cell wall for energy synthesis, which the larger surrounding cell was able to use. The larger cell provided protection for the engulfed cell. Over time, the engulfed cell lost some of its distinct features, but continued to produce energy, evolving into the modern mitochondrial organelle.

Example Question #3 : Mitochondria And Chloroplasts

The __________ theory hypothesizes that __________ were originally free-living prokaryotes. 

Possible Answers:

endosymbiotic . . . mitochondria

ectosymbiotic . . . mitochondria

endosymbiotic . . . lysosomes

ectosymbiotic . . . lysosomes

Correct answer:

endosymbiotic . . . mitochondria

Explanation:

Ectosymbiosis is a term that refers to an organism that lives on the outside of the host. Both lysosomes and mitochondria are inside of the cell, so these choices cannot be correct.

The endosymbiotic theory postulates that mitochondria were once free-living prokaryotes that have evolved to form a symbiotic relationship with eukaryotic cells. The original prokaryotes were engulfed by larger prokaryotic cells, but continued to generate energy via the membrane gradient. This energy was used by both the smaller engulfed cell and the larger cell, and the smaller cell gained protection and nutrients. Eventually, this relationship evolved into modern eukaryotic cells and mitochondria. There is a plethora of evidence to support this theory. A few examples are that the mitochondrial membranes are more similar in structure to those of bacteria than of eukaryotes, and mitochondria contain their own genomes. 

Example Question #31 : Cell Biology

Which if the following organelles is not theorized to have arisen in eukaryotes via an endosymbiotic relationship?

Possible Answers:

Ribosomes

Flagella

Mitochondria

Chloroplasts

Correct answer:

Ribosomes

Explanation:

The endosymbiotic theory states that ancient prokaryotes may have had a symbiotic relationship with early eukaryotes, leading them to become permanent organelles in the eukaryote. Chloroplasts, mitochondria, and flagella have all been tied to this theory. Ribosomes, however, are organelles found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, so they are not a part of the theory.

Example Question #4 : Mitochondria And Chloroplasts

Which of the following statements is false concerning mitochondria?

Possible Answers:

Mitochondria contain a small circular genome that is separate from the cellular genome

Mitochondria divided separately from the rest of the cell by binary fission

Mitochondria code for their own ribosomes that resemble bacterial ones

The outer membrane of mitochondria contain porins

Mitochondria are surrounded with a thin peptidoglycan layer

Correct answer:

Mitochondria are surrounded with a thin peptidoglycan layer

Explanation:

The endosymbotic theory suggests that mitochondria originated from a bacteria that was engulfed by a proto-eukaryotic cell. Much evidence for this theory is based on the fact that mitochondria resemble bacteria in many ways. They do not however contain a peptidoglycan cell wall like almost all bacterial cells do.

Example Question #1 : Endoplasmic Reticulum And Golgi Apparatus

Which component of the Golgi apparatus is primarily responsible for "receiving" proteins to be packaged and modified? 

Possible Answers:

Medial Golgi

Cis Golgi

Vacuoles

Trans Golgi

Cisternae

Correct answer:

Cis Golgi

Explanation:

The cis Golgi is usually closely apposed to the endoplasmic reticulum, where proteins are synthesized by ribosomes. Once they have left the ribosome, the proteins are already close to the Golgi and are taken up by the cis side of the apparatus. The trans Golgi sends the newly packaged proteins out to their final destinations. 

Example Question #2 : Endoplasmic Reticulum And Golgi Apparatus

Which component/suborganelle structure of the Golgi apparatus accepts vesicles from the rough endoplasmic reticulum containing nascent proteins to be processed through the Golgi apparatus? 

Possible Answers:

Lumen

Trans Golgi stack

Trans face

Medial Golgi stack

Cis face

Correct answer:

Cis face

Explanation:

The cis face of the Golgi apparatus is the first part of the apparatus that faces the rough endoplasmic reticulum and interacts with recently synthesized proteins that need to be processed and packaged by the Golgi apparatus. The rest of the structures listed are indeed parts of the Golgi that the proteins must pass through during the course of processing, but the cis face is met first. 

Example Question #1 : Help With Endoplasmic Reticulum Function

Which of the following is a function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Possible Answers:

Macromolecule digestion 

Triglyceride production

Protein synthesis

Ribosome production

Correct answer:

Triglyceride production

Explanation:

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks ribosomes on its surface, meaning it does not participate in protein translation. It does play a key role in the production of various lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides.

Example Question #1 : Endoplasmic Reticulum And Golgi Apparatus

Where in the cell does new membrane synthesis take place?

Possible Answers:

In the mitochondria

In the Golgi apparatus

In the lysosome

In the ribosomes

In the endoplasmic reticulum

Correct answer:

In the endoplasmic reticulum

Explanation:

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the cellular organelle responsible for membrane synthesis. Products from the ER are moved to the Golgi, where they are tagged and shipped off to their final destination. Lysosomes are important for degradation and ribosomes play a role in translation. Mitochondria are for energy production in the form of ATP.

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

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