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

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 #22 : Protein Regulation

What is the key functional difference between GEFs (guanine nucleotide exchange factors) and GAPs (GTPase activating proteins)?

Possible Answers:

GEFs add guanine nucleotides to small GTPases and GAPs cleave them to promote activation. 

GEFs are cytosolic and act on proteins there, while GAPs are nuclear and act on proteins within the nucleus. 

GEFs and GAPs have no functional difference, only slight differences in structure. 

GEFs 'activate' small GTPases and GAPs 'deactivate' small GTPases.

GEFs 'deactivate' small GTPases and GAPs 'activate' small GTPases. 

Correct answer:

GEFs 'activate' small GTPases and GAPs 'deactivate' small GTPases.

Explanation:

A GEF activates a small GTPase by exchanging a bound GDP (which confers an inactive state) for a GTP (which is higher energy, and activates the protein). A GAP performs the opposite; GAPs enhance the intrinsic GTPase activity of the small GTPase, which causes hydrolysis of the GTP on the active protein, thus converting it back to GDP and an inactive state.

Example Question #43 : Cellular Processes

One commonly studied outcome of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation is the activation of phospholipase C (PLC). What two important second messengers are formed when PLC cleaves phosphoinositide-4,5-bisphosphate 

Possible Answers:

Protein kinase C (PKC) and 

 and 

 and protein kinase C (PKC)

Protein kinase C (PKC) and 

 and 

Correct answer:

 and 

Explanation:

Interactions between , , , and PKC do indeed occur downstream of activation of PLC to contribute to numerous downstream cascades primarily initiated by protein kinase C (PKC). However, it is important to understand that the second messengers are  and , which are specifically formed by the cleavage of , and each of the other molecules is considered an effector of those second messengers in this context.

Example Question #22 : Protein Regulation

What provides the necessary information to specify the three dimensional shape of proteins?

Possible Answers:

The proteins interactions with chaperone proteins

Specific hydrogen bonds

The protein's interactions with other polypeptides

The amino acid sequence

The proteins peptide bonds

Correct answer:

The amino acid sequence

Explanation:

Proteins have different level of protein structure, termed primary, secondary, and tertiary (quarternary is also a type in certain proteins). The 3D shape of proteins is largely due to the tertiary structure of a protein. This level is dictated by the specific amino acid sequence of the protein.

Example Question #1 : Help With The Cell Cycle

During which phase of the cell cycle are cells considered quiescent?

Possible Answers:

G0 phase

G2 phase

Any portion of interphase

G1 phase

Correct answer:

G0 phase

Explanation:

The cell cycle is divided into several phases, with checkpoints that control transitions between phases of the cell cycle. The G1 checkpoint (restriction checkpoint) is the first of these barriers, and requires adequate quantities of the cyclin protein in order for the cell to continue maturing in preparation for division. When a cell fails to express cyclin, the cell reverts to an inactive quiescent state and stops preparations for division. This state is known as the G0 phase. The G0 phase can be overcome if cyclin is reintroduced to the cell environment.

The G1 and G2 phases are involved in protein production and organelle replication. DNA replication occurs during the S phase, between G1 and G2. The cell enters the M phase, mitosis, after passing a checkpoint that follows the G2 phase. G0, G1, S, and G2 phases are all considered part of interphase.

Example Question #1 : Help With The Cell Cycle

What is the primary purpose of the S phase of the cell cycle?

Possible Answers:

DNA replication

Cell growth

Organelle replication

Cell division

Correct answer:

DNA replication

Explanation:

Interphase is composed of three subphases: G1, S, and G2. While the two G phases are dedicated to cellular growth and organelle replication, the S phase is used to replicate the genetic material of the cell.

Example Question #2 : Help With The Cell Cycle

In the cell cycle, what is primarily responsible for cell cycle progression from G2 to M phase and is also referred to as the maturation promoting factor when in complex with cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1)?

Possible Answers:

Cyclin E

Cyclin B

Cyclin D

None of these

Cyclin A

Correct answer:

Cyclin B

Explanation:

The correct answer is cyclin B. Cyclin B concentration in the cell spikes at the transition from G2 phase to mitosis/meiosis. Cyclin E controls pre-replication complex assembly which makes chromatin replicable during G1 to S phase. Cyclin A then replaces cyclin E in the nucleus, promoting DNA replication. Cyclin D is also important in driving G1/S phase transition and is sustained in proliferating cells the longest of the cyclins. 

Example Question #3 : Help With The Cell Cycle

Which cyclin remains consistently expressed starting in G1 phase through mitosis to regulate cell cycle progression? 

Possible Answers:

Cyclin F

Cyclin A 

Cyclin B 

Cyclin D

Cyclin E

Correct answer:

Cyclin D

Explanation:

The correct answer is Cyclin D. This cyclin is expressed throughout the cell cycle, however, it directly regulates the transition from G1 to S phase. Cyclin A is also involved in the G1 to S phase transition and is expressed into the G2 phase. Cyclin E is expressed during the transition from G1 to S phase. Cyclin B is expressed during the transition from G2 to mitosis and regulates this progression. There is no Cyclin F in the cell cycle.

Example Question #1 : Cellular Division

The expression of which of the following protein classes is normally associated with G1 phase of the cell cycle?

I. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)

II. Caspases

III. Nucleic acid polymerases

Possible Answers:

I only

III only

II only

II and III

I and II

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

The two main protein types that are crucial to cell cycle regulation are cyclins and CDKs (cyclin-dependent kinases). CDKs are expressed at relatively stable levels at all phases of the cell cycle. Their regulatory partners are cyclins which, as the name suggests, are expressed only when they are needed to help activate a specific CDK and progress the cell to a new phase of the cell cycle. All of the choices are CDKs, and should be expressed during G1 of the cell cycle. Caspases are proteins that are involved in apoptosis. Nucleic acid polymerases would be expected to have elevated activity during S phase of interphase during which DNA is duplicated. 

Example Question #1 : Help With Mitosis

During mitosis, what proteins are involved in the formation of the contractile ring?

Possible Answers:

Polar microtubules and dyenin

Kinetochore microtubules and kinesin

Actin and dyenin

Actin and myosin-2

Correct answer:

Actin and myosin-2

Explanation:

The contractile ring is made up of actin and myosin-2 and is used to initiate cytokinesis. Polar and kinetochore microtubules have important functions during earlier stages of mitosis. Polar microtubules interact within the cytoplasm during metaphase and anaphase, while kinectochore microtubules directly attach to chromosome centromeres to facilitate separation. Dyenin is a motor protein that interacts with microtubules to aid in protein transport.

Example Question #7 : Cellular Division

Which phase of mitosis is characterized by the alignment of sister chromatids at the center of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Telophase

Metaphase

Prophase

Anaphase

Correct answer:

Metaphase

Explanation:

During mitosis, sister chromatids will line up in the center of the cell so that they may be pulled to opposite ends by the spindle fibers. This lining up takes place in the second phase of mitosis: metaphase.

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

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