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 #2 : Lysosomes

Which cell organelle is tasked with collecting and recycling cytoplasmic debris?

Possible Answers:

Endoplasmic reticulum

Mitochondria

Ribosomes

Lysosome

Nucleus

Correct answer:

Lysosome

Explanation:

A lysosome is a cell organelle that is part of the intracellular digestive system. Inside its limiting membrane there are hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down proteins and carbohydrates. Lysosomal enzymes contribute to the digestion of pathogens phagocytosed by a cell, and also to the tissue damage that accompanies inflammation. In short, they swallow up dead cells and debris, breaking down these compounds and recycling their components.

The mitochondria are frequently referred to as "powerhouses" because they are the site of the reactions of anabolic metabolism and most ATP synthesis. The nucleus is considered the "brain" of the cell because it controls the cell and contains the cell's genetic material. The ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum are the sites of protein synthesis; smooth endoplasmic reticulum also synthesizes lipids and digests toxins.

Example Question #3 : Lysosomes

Which of the following is not a function of the lysosome within the cell?

Possible Answers:

Contain an acidic, aqueous lumen for efficient destruction of components. 

Degradation of cellular components that have become too old to function properly.

Degradation of RNA and DNA into monomeric subunits to be recycled. 

Uptake of organelles through autophagy. 

Detoxification of ethanol through oxidation reactions. 

Correct answer:

Detoxification of ethanol through oxidation reactions. 

Explanation:

The lysosome can be considered the "garbage man" of the cell. Old cellular parts that are no longer very useful to the cell are taken up by lysosomes and broken down into more fundamental molecules. Each of the functions listed above has been associated with the lysosome, except for the detoxification of ethanol, which is a specific function of the peroxisome.

Example Question #61 : Cell Biology

Which of the following is true regarding muscle cell specialization?

I. Contraction is controlled by the presence or absence of calcium ions

II. Actin filaments are known as the "thick" filaments

III. Contraction is an ATP-independent process

IV. The basic functional unit of muscle contraction is called the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Possible Answers:

I only

II and III

II, III, and IV

I, III, and IV

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

The only statement that is true of those presented is that muscle contraction is controlled by the release of calcium ions. Calcium ions expose the myosin binding sites on actin filaments by causing the protein troponin to move out of the way. Static interaction between troponin, tropomyosin, and the actin binding sites prevents involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle, only allowing contraction during stimulation and subsequent calcium release.

Actin is known as the "thin" filament and myosin is known as the "thick" filament. The contraction process is highly dependent on ATP, and without it contraction will not occur. The basic unit of contraction is the sarcomere; the sarcoplasmic reticulum houses the calcium ions that will be released when stimulated by the appropriate neural pathways. 

Example Question #2 : Help With Muscle Specialization

Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle is not true?

Possible Answers:

Cardiac muscle has sarcomeres which contribute to its striated appearance.

There are significantly more T-tubules in cardiac muscle as compared to skeletal muscle

Cardiac muscle contraction requires extracellular calcium ions

The primary structural components of cardiac muscle are actin and myosin

Cardiac contractions are involuntary

Correct answer:

There are significantly more T-tubules in cardiac muscle as compared to skeletal muscle

Explanation:

Skeletal muscle has more t-tubules than cardiac muscle. Cardiac muscle does have larger T-tubules than skeletal, but not as many. All the other statements regarding cardiac muscle are true.

Example Question #62 : Cellular Structures And Functions

Neurons transmit signals via transmission of an electrical signal called an action potential. Which integral membrane protein is crucial for the rising phase of an action potential?

Possible Answers:

Ligand gated sodium channels

Voltage-gated sodium channels

Voltage-gated potassium channels

Ligand gated calcium channels

Metabotropic glutamate receptors

Correct answer:

Voltage-gated sodium channels

Explanation:

Voltage gated sodium channels allow the influx of sodium to quickly depolarize the neuron and generate the action potential. They are voltage gated, meaning they open in response to changes in membrane potential, thus providing the positive feedback required to get such a dramatic change in membrane potential once threshold has been reached. The other channels listed are not involved with the rising phase of the action potential. 

Example Question #63 : Cellular Structures And Functions

In synaptic transmission, the __________ of the pre-synaptic cell can make either a chemical or electrical synapse with a __________ of the post-synaptic cell.

Possible Answers:

axon . . . nucleus

spine . . . dendrite

dendrite . . . axon

axon . . . dendrite

soma . . . dendrite

Correct answer:

axon . . . dendrite

Explanation:

Of all the choices, axon and dendrite are the best answers to fill in the blanks because the axon is typically the pre-synaptic structure and the dendrite is the post-synaptic structure. In each of the other selections at least one of the choices does not make sense as a post/pre synaptic structure, or has nothing to do with synaptic transmission. 

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

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