All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Endoplasmic Reticulum And Golgi Apparatus
Which of the following organelles has the function of storing intracellular calcium?
Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosome
Nucleolus
Golgi complex
Autophagosome
Endoplasmic reticulum
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?
Protein sorting
All of these are primary functions of the Golgi apparatus
Maintaining the secretory pathway
Post-translational modifications of proteins
All of these are primary functions of the Golgi apparatus
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?
SAR1A
ATPases
Soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE)
ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs)
Glycosidases
ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs)
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 __________.
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
Contains resident proteins required for the electron transport chain (ETC)
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?
Tubulin
Collagen
Myosin
Actin
Collagen
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)?
Laminin
Integrins
Fibronectin
Collagen
Integrins
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?
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
They anchor the cell to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and relay signals from the ECM to the cell
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?
Entactin
Microfilaments
Laminins
Type IV collagen
Integrins
Type IV collagen
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?
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
Microtubules and actin are polarized, while intermediate filaments are not
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?
Microfilaments
Collagen
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
Microtubules
Eukaryotic flagella are composed of nine pairs of microtubules. In contrast, prokaryotic flagella are composed of the protein flagellin.