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

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

1 Diagnostic Test 201 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Rna, Transcription, And Translation

What is the role of the promoter region in the regulation of gene expression?

Possible Answers:

Alter gene expression by binding transcription factors

Recruit RNA polymerase and transcription factors to DNA

Allow for alternative splicing and recombination of genetic components

Bind negative regulators to inhibit gene expression

Correct answer:

Recruit RNA polymerase and transcription factors to DNA

Explanation:

The promoter region is the site of a gene where RNA polymerase and other transcription factors bind to DNA, upstream from the gene locus. A mutation in this region commonly results in a decrease in the amount of gene transcribed.

An enhancer region is a stretch of DNA that alters gene expression by binding transcription factors, while a silencer region is a site on the gene where repressor proteins bind. Introns are intervening non-coding segments of DNA that are not expressed in the final protein. Alternative splicing patterns of introns and exons allows for multiple proteins to be generated from a single gene.

Example Question #3 : Transcription And Rna

Which of the following are methods for termination of transcription in prokaryotes?

I. Release factor binding

II. Rho-mediated termination

III. Hairpin loop (stem loop) formation

Possible Answers:

I only

I, II, and III

III only

II and III

Correct answer:

II and III

Explanation:

The binding of release factors is a common way to terminate translation, not transcription.

Rho-mediated termination and hairpin loop formation are both common ways to terminate prokaryotic transcription. The formation of the hairpin loop disrupts the transcription machinery and the DNA-RNA interactions, which allows termination of transcription. Rho is a protein that is capable of binding single-stranded RNA and terminating transcription. 

Example Question #11 : Rna, Transcription, And Translation

What event is indicative of transcription initiation?

Possible Answers:

Telomerase lengthens the telomeres of the DNA

The RNA strand begins to be synthesized

RNA polymerase is removed from the DNA

RNA polymerase binds to the promoter

Correct answer:

RNA polymerase binds to the promoter

Explanation:

During the initiation of transcription, RNA polymerase and a group of transcription factors bind to the promoter for a given gene. This DNA segment signals the RNA polymerase where to begin creating the RNA strand. 

Example Question #1 : Help With Transcription Processes

Which of the following best describes distant regulatory sequences that influence gene expression?

Possible Answers:

Transcriptional start sites

Introns

Exons

Promoters

Enhancers

Correct answer:

Enhancers

Explanation:

The correct answer is enhancer. Transcription factors and mediators bind enhancer regions of DNA and influence the transcription of distant genes by chromatin looping to the proximal promoter. Promoters are regulatory sequences, however, they are typically 2 kilobase pairs upstream of the gene for which they influence transcription. Introns and exons make up a gene and are the non-coding and coding regions of the gene, respectively. The transcriptional start site consists of the first few nucleotides that are transcribed into an mRNA sequence from a gene, usually containing the 5' untranslated region (UTR).  

Example Question #11 : Rna, Transcription, And Translation

When does alternative splicing occur? 

Possible Answers:

Following translation

Following mRNA polyadenylation 

Following pre-mRNA transcription in the nucleus

Following mRNA translocation to the cytosol 

Following mRNA loading into ribosome

Correct answer:

Following pre-mRNA transcription in the nucleus

Explanation:

The correct answer is following pre-mRNA transcription in the nucleus. Pre-mRNA contains introns and exons. Following transcription, splicing and alternative splicing occurs to remove introns and select exons, respectively, by the spliceosome. Following splicing, 3' poly adenylation and 5' capping occur to generate a mature mRNA transcript that will translocate to the cytosol and be translated by ribosomes. 

Example Question #4 : Help With Transcription Processes

What element(s) do all eukaryotic promoter regions share?

Possible Answers:

None of these

All of these

Transcription factors

A basal promoter (TATA box)

Enhancers that accept binding agents

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Eukaryotic promoters share basic, highly conserved structure. This area does not evolve quickly because it is extremely important in DNA transcription. These promoters (in most cases) include a basic basal promoter like a TATA box, and enhancers that bind to transcription factors.

Example Question #1 : Help With Transcription Processes

During transcription of a eukaryotic cell, what determines the template strand?

Possible Answers:

The location of the MET start codon

The base sequence of the operator

The base sequence of the enhancer

The location of the AUG start codon

The base sequence of the promoter

Correct answer:

The base sequence of the promoter

Explanation:

The TATA box is found in the promoter region of the template strand. This TATA box serves as a signal for the initiation of translation of DNA into mRNA. The location of the promoter region and it's unique base sequence signals the start of the translation process.

Example Question #12 : Rna, Transcription, And Translation

Which of the following processes is not a type of RNA processing carried out by eukaryotes?

Possible Answers:

Capping of the 5' end

Nucleotide excision repair

Splicing and removal of introns

Polyadenylation of the 3' end

Correct answer:

Nucleotide excision repair

Explanation:

Processing of pre-mRNA occurs in the nucleus. After transcription, three crucial modification take place. A 7-methylguanosine molecule is added to the 5' end to form a cap. Polyadenylation is added to the 3' end to create a poly-A tail. Introns are spliced out by spliceosomes, removing the non-coding regions of the RNA. The final product after modifications is considered a mature mRNA; prior to this, the transcript is known as heteronuclear RNA (htRNA).

Nucleotide excision repair is a method of proofreading after DNA replication to reduce the frequency of mutation.

Example Question #11 : Rna, Transcription, And Translation

What are exons?

Possible Answers:

Intervening non-coding segments of DNA

Site where repressor proteins bind

Genetic information coding for an amino acid sequence that will form a functional protein

Set of genes that are adjacent to one another in the genome and are coordinately controlled

Correct answer:

Genetic information coding for an amino acid sequence that will form a functional protein

Explanation:

Exons contain the actual genetic information coding for protein. In contrast, introns are intervening non-coding segments of DNA. During the splicing process of pre-mRNA modification, introns are removed from the sequence. Alternative splicing patterns allow multiple exon sequences to be created from a single gene, resulting in multiple proteins.

An operon is a set of genes that are adjacent to one another in the genome and are coordinately controlled. The silencer region is a site of a gene where repressor proteins bind to regulate gene expression.

Example Question #12 : Rna, Transcription, And Translation

What are snRNPs (small nuclear ribonucleic particles)?

Possible Answers:

RNA molecules that serve as the link between the nucleotide sequence of nucleic acids and the amino acid sequence of proteins

RNA molecules that convey genetic information from DNA to the ribosome

RNA component of the ribosome, essential for protein synthesis

RNA protein complexes that combine with pre-mRNA and other proteins to form a spliceosome

Correct answer:

RNA protein complexes that combine with pre-mRNA and other proteins to form a spliceosome

Explanation:

snRNPs are RNA protein complexes that combine with pre-mRNA and other proteins to form a spliceosome. Spliceosomes remove introns from pre-mRNA. After final modifications, the spliced pre-mRNA is considered mature mRNA and can be exported to the cytoplasm for translation.

mRNA is an RNA molecule that conveys genetic material from DNA to the ribosome. tRNA is an RNA molecule that serves as the link between the nucleotide sequence of nucleic acids and the amino acid sequence of proteins. rRNA is the RNA component of the ribosome that is essential for protein synthesis in all living organisms.

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

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