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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

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 #1 : Endoplasmic Reticulum And Golgi Apparatus

Which of the following organelles has the function of storing intracellular calcium?

Possible Answers:

Endoplasmic reticulum 

Lysosome

Nucleolus

Golgi complex

Autophagosome

Correct answer:

Endoplasmic reticulum 

Explanation:

The endoplasmic reticulum, while crucial to protein synthesis, is also an intracellular calcium storage organelle, and calcium can be released in response to signaling cascades as needed. None of the other organelles listed participates in storage of calcium.

Example Question #1 : Endoplasmic Reticulum And Golgi Apparatus

What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus?

Possible Answers:

Protein sorting

All of these are primary functions of the Golgi apparatus

Maintaining the secretory pathway

Post-translational modifications of proteins

Correct answer:

All of these are primary functions of the Golgi apparatus

Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is a complex organelle with many various functions. These functions are primarily dedicated to protein modification, protein packaging, and protein sorting. Some of post-translational modifications that take place in this organelle include glycosylation and phosphorylation. The Golgi apparatus is an important relay in the secretory pathway, as it produces the vesicles that contain most secreted peptides.

Example Question #2 : Help With Golgi Apparatus Function

Which of the following GTP-binding proteins is associated with COPI during vesicle assembly and budding in the cis-Golgi?

 

Possible Answers:

SAR1A

ATPases

Soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE)

ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs)

Glycosidases

Correct answer:

ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs)

Explanation:

The correct answer is ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs). ARFs are active when bound by GTP, and inactive when bound by GDP. The active GTP-bound form of ARF binds the vesicle coat protein 1 (COPI), to faciliate vesicle budding from the cis-Golgi face.

Example Question #41 : Cellular Structures And Functions

Each of the following functions are associated with the Golgi apparatus, except __________.

Possible Answers:

Delivery of proteins to the lysosome

Contains resident proteins required for the electron transport chain (ETC)

Formation of proteoglycans for the extracellular matrix

Post-translational modifications to proteins to aid in their sorting

Delivery of proteins to the plasma membrane

Correct answer:

Contains resident proteins required for the electron transport chain (ETC)

Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is considered the post office of the cell; proteins are received, sorted, modified, and sent to their final cellular destination. The proteins required for the electron transport chain are localized to the mitochondria, and are not within the Golgi apparatus, thus this is the correct selection. 

Example Question #41 : Cell Biology

Which of the following proteins are abundant in the extracellular matrix?

Possible Answers:

Tubulin

Collagen

Myosin

Actin

Correct answer:

Collagen

Explanation:

Actin and tubulin, which forms microtubules, are components of the cytoskeleton. While the extracellular matrix is linked to the cytoskeleton, these proteins are not large components of the matrix. Myosin is a motor protein that largely interacts with actin in muscle tissue. Collagens are the most abundant proteins in the extracellular matrix and have many important functions, including helping maintain cell and tissue structure.

Example Question #1 : Extracellular Matrix

Which of the following proteins is a transmembrane protein responsible for anchoring the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

Possible Answers:

Laminin

Integrins

Fibronectin

Collagen 

Correct answer:

Integrins

Explanation:

The only choice that is actually a transmembrane protein is "integrins." This class of protein has several important functions, including anchoring the extracellular matrix to the cell. Integrins serve as the connection between the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. Integrins directly interact with fibronectins to help hold important proteins, such as collagens and laminins, in place. These proteins, however, are located outside of the cell and are not embedded in the membrane.

Example Question #2 : Extracellular Matrix

Which of the following is correct about integrins?

Possible Answers:

They facilitate integration of foreign DNA into a host genome by homologous recombination

They promote conjugative pili firing through motile force during bacterial conjugation 

None of the other answers are correct

They synthesize fibronectin, vitronectin, collagen, and laminin

 

They anchor the cell to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and relay signals from the ECM to the cell

Correct answer:

They anchor the cell to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and relay signals from the ECM to the cell

Explanation:

The correct answer is that integrins anchor the cell to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and relay signals from the ECM to the cell. Integrins are transmembrane receptors that bind ECM ligands such as fibronectin, vitronectin, collagen, and laminin to relay messages to the cell, ultimately regulating transcription of genes involved in the cell cycle, cell shape, and motility. 

Example Question #3 : Extracellular Matrix

Which of the following is the primary structural component of the basal lamina?

Possible Answers:

Entactin

Microfilaments

Laminins

Type IV collagen

Integrins

Correct answer:

Type IV collagen

Explanation:

Type IV collagen is the major component of the basal lamina, which is a crucial sub-foundation for many tissue types and epithelia. Laminins and entactin are found in the basal lamina, but there is more Type IV collagen. Integrins and microfilaments are proteins with important structural functions in other contexts. 

Example Question #41 : Cell Biology

Which of the following might explain why no known motor proteins have been found to utilize intermediate filaments?

Possible Answers:

Intermediate filaments are too small for motor proteins

Intermediate filaments are too large for motor proteins

Microtubules and actin are polarized, while intermediate filaments are not

Actin and microtubules are non-polar, while intermediate filaments are polar

Correct answer:

Microtubules and actin are polarized, while intermediate filaments are not

Explanation:

One of the most likely explanations for why intermediate filaments have no known motor proteins is because they are nonpolar. What this means is that there are no distinct ends to the filament. Motor proteins have ways of detecting which direction they are moving along actin or microtubules because they have distinct ends (polarization). Size should not affect the ability of a motor protein to function, especially because actin is smaller than intermediate filaments and microtubules are larger (hence the name "intermediate").

Example Question #2 : Cytoskeleton And Cell Motility

Which cellular filament is found in the flagella of eukaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Microfilaments

Collagen

Intermediate filaments

Microtubules

Correct answer:

Microtubules

Explanation:

Eukaryotic flagella are composed of nine pairs of microtubules. In contrast, prokaryotic flagella are composed of the protein flagellin.

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

1 Diagnostic Test 201 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors