All GRE Subject Test: Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Fungi
Which of the following compounds is incorporated into the fungal cell wall?
Phospholipids
Chitin
Peptidoglycan
Cellulose
Chitin
Fungi, bacteria, and plants all use cell walls to protect cells and maintain cell structure. The composition of the cell wall varies between kingdoms. Fungi use chitin as the primary component of cell wall structure. Plants use cellulose and bacteria use peptidoglycan.
All cells use phospholipids to construct the cell membrane, which is located interior to the cell wall.
Example Question #1 : Fungi
What characteristic do both all plants and fungi have in common?
Both use photosynthesis for energy production
Both use spores to propagate
They have nothing in common
Both use chitin primarily in their cell walls
Both consist of eukaryotic cells
Both consist of eukaryotic cells
Both plants and fungi consist of eukaryotic cells. Their cells contain membrane-enclosed nuclei and organelles which is a defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells.
Fungi do not photosynthesize. While seedless plants and fungi use spores, this trait is not common to all plants. Plant cell walls are composed of collagen, while fungi use chitin.
Example Question #2 : Fungi
An antifungal cream advertises to chemically attack the fungal cells without harming the skin. The antifungal chemical most likely acts on which of the following?
Chitin
There is not enough information provided
Eukaryotic membranes
The nucleus
Mitochondria
Chitin
The antifungal compound is likely specific to chitin, as it is a common material of many fungi cell wall structures. Chitin is resistant to breakdown, and is actually found in insect exoskeletons. The incorrect answers are found in skin cells as well as fungal cells, and would harm the skin if the chemical attacked these structures.
Example Question #1 : Fungi
Fungal hyphae form a mesh of tissue that infiltrates food sources and absorbs nutrients. This tissue structure is called __________.
Mycelium
Fungal roots
None of these
Gametangia
Zygospores
Mycelium
Congregation of hyphae form mycelium, the tissue that allows fungi to absorb nutrients from surrounding food sources. Often, the majority of mycelium mass is not visible to the observer. "Fungal roots" is a misleading answer, even though mycelium looks similar to root structures of plants. Gametangia is where gametes are produced in the fungus.
Example Question #3 : Fungi
Fungi can reproduce in all of the following manners except __________.
by sexual spores
by binary fission
by axsexual spores
vegetatively
by binary fission
Binary fission occurs in prokaryotes and is a form of asexual reproduction. Fungi are considered haploid eukaryotes and undergo reproduction through processes like asexual spore release, vegetative reproduction, and sexual spore release. Asexual spores do not have DNA mixing, while sexual spores do have DNA mixing. Vegetative reproduction is when part of the fungus breaks off and forms a new fungus.
Example Question #4 : Fungi
The life cycle of most fungi is best described by which of the following statements?
None of these
Fungi only reproduce asexually
Fungi only reproduce sexually
Fungi have both sexual and asexual portions of their life cycle
Fungi are unique and have different mechanisms of reproduction
Fungi have both sexual and asexual portions of their life cycle
Most fungi have a life cycle that consists of both sexual and asexual periods. Spores can be produced sexually or asexually, depending on the availability of male or female gametes. This has provided an advantage to fungi to be able to spread and propagate in a variety of environments.
Example Question #1 : Fungi
A scientist is interested in genetically engineering a fungus that has a limited reproductive process so that it does not accidentally cross breed with other fungi in the laboratory. Which process should be disrupted to hinder fungal reproduction?
Mycelium formation
Septa formation
Nutrient absorption
None of these
Spore formation
Spore formation
Most fungi reproduce by creating microscopic spores, which are reproductive cells than can be dispersed by wind, water, or animals. Spores can be generated sexually or asexually. If the scientist disrupts spore formation, the fungus will not be able to spread spores to other areas of the laboratory.
Inhibition of spore formation would limit the fungus's ability to reproduce over distance, however fungi have multiple methods of reproduction and would still be able to generate progeny even if spore production is disabled.
Example Question #2 : Fungi
Which statement is true concerning spores?
Fungi cannot produce spores
Neither fungal spores nor bacterial endospores are reproductive structures
Both fungal spores and bacterial endospores are reproductive structures
Fungal spores are reproductive structures, while bacterial endospores are not
Bacterial endospores are reproductive structures, while fungal spores are not
Fungal spores are reproductive structures, while bacterial endospores are not
Fungal spores are reproductive structures produced by fruiting bodies. They are usually asexual, and are often produced in huge numbers, however, fungal spores can also be sexual. In contrast, bacterial endospores are non-reproductive survival structures that certain bacteria can adopt in order to survive through difficult times.
Example Question #1 : Plant Evolution
What is a distinct feature of a C4 plant?
Closed stomata during the day
Carbon fixation
Light independent reactions
Bundle-sheath cells
Bundle-sheath cells
Carbon fixation converts inorganic carbon dioxide into organic carbon compounds, such as glucose and cellulose. This is a characteristic function of both C3 and C4, and is a primary purpose of light independent reactions.
Closed stomata during the day is a characteristic of CAM plants, which allows for the conservation of water that is usually lost during photorespiration.
Bundle-sheath cells are a characteristic of C4 plants. The presence of bundle-sheath cells isolates rubisco, preventing rubisco from binding to oxygen during photorespiration.
Example Question #3 : Understand Inputs And Outputs, Purpose
Some organisms, such as green plants, are capable of obtaining energy directly from photosynthesis. These organisms are termed __________.
autotrophs
homotrophs
herbivores
primary consumers
heterotrophs
autotrophs
Autotrophs are organisms that produce complex organic compounds from substances present in the surroundings. These organisms may do this through the use of energy from light or from inorganic chemical reactions.
In contrast, heterotrophs require organic input in order to generate biological compounds and are unable to use light or inorganic materials for energy.
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