GRE Subject Test: Biology : GRE Subject Test: Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Understanding Dna Repair

Upon double-stranded DNA break, the cell can search the genome for a homologous sequence to serve as a template for repairing the damaged sequence. What is this process known as?

Possible Answers:

Base excision repair

Directed reversal

Crossing over 

Homology directed repair

Non-homologous end joining

Correct answer:

Homology directed repair

Explanation:

The correct answer is homology directed repair. Using flanking homologous regions upstream and downstream of the double stranded break, the cell is able to determine the precise sequence that is in the damaged region and repair that sequence. 

Example Question #3 : Dna Replication And Repair

Which of the following enzymes is responsible for catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds in single- and double-stranded DNA breaks?

Possible Answers:

Endonuclease

Exonuclease 

DNA ligase

DNA polymerase III

DNA polymerase I

Correct answer:

DNA ligase

Explanation:

DNA ligase catalyzes the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the elements of the DNA backbone. DNA polymerases function in replication of DNA, whereas exonucleases and endonucleases break apart DNA strands by disrupting phosphodiester bonds. 

Example Question #1 : Animal Biology

Which type of cell is responsible for making antibodies?

Possible Answers:

B-lymphocytes

Macrophages

Basophils

T-lymphocytes

Correct answer:

B-lymphocytes

Explanation:

Antibodies are produced by the adaptive immune system and to antigens presented by a pathogen. The antibody-antigen complex is then detected by cytotoxic T-cells, which destroy the infected cell. The antibodies are created by B-lymphocytes, which can differentiate when exposed to a specific pathogen. Differentiated B-lymphocytes known as plasma cells are responsible for the mass production of certain antibodies.

Macrophages are derived from monocytes and serve as phagocytes in the innate immune response. Basophils are also part of the innate immune response and, along with mast cells, produce histamine to initiate the inflammatory response.

Example Question #1 : Animal Biology

Which immune cell is part of acquired immunity?

Possible Answers:

Neutrophil

Plasma cell

Eosinophil

Macrophage

Correct answer:

Plasma cell

Explanation:

Acquired immunity is developed in the body following a previously encountered infection. The innate immunity is, by definition, always present in the body and is used to attack all general forms of infection.

The granulocyte cells are considered part of innate immunity and help mediate the immune response against foreign pathogens. These cells include basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, and macrophages (which are differentiated from monocytes).

The adaptive immune response involves the production of antibodies against specific target antigens. Plasma cells are an integral part of the adaptive response and secrete large volumes of antibodies in response to a secondary infection by a previously encountered pathogen. T-cells and B-cells are also part of the adaptive response.

Example Question #3 : Animal Biology

Which leukocyte releases histamine during the inflammatory process?

Possible Answers:

Monocytes

Basophil

Neutrophil

B-lymphocyte

Correct answer:

Basophil

Explanation:

There are many types of white blood cells with distinct functions in the body. Neutrophils and monocytes are phagocytes that engulf bacteria. B-lymphocytes produce one type of antibody. Basophils are the least common of the leukocytes, and release histamine during inflammation.

Example Question #2 : Animal Biology

Which cell is necessary in order to allow B-ymphoytes to differentiate into plasma cells and memory B-cells?

Possible Answers:

Eosinophils

Helper T-cells

Cytotoxic T-cells

Macrophages

Correct answer:

Helper T-cells

Explanation:

Before a B-lymphocyte can proliferate and differentiate, it must present its antigen to a helper T-cell. If the helper T-cell recognizes the antigen as foreign, it will activate the B-lymphocytes, and cause them to differentiate into plasma cells and memory B-cells.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Immunological Cells

Which types of leukocytes are granular?

Possible Answers:

Neutrophils, basophils, lymphocytes

Basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes

Lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils

Basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils

Monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils

Correct answer:

Basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils

Explanation:

The five types of leukocytes are: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Three of these (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) contain granules, tiny sacs containing enzymes which can lyse microorganisms. The other two leukocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) do not contain these granules.

Example Question #3 : Animal Biology

What do T and B cell lymphocytes have in common?

Possible Answers:

They both undergo negative selection.

They are both part of the innate immune response.

They both mature in the thymus.

They both respond to a variety of pathogens.

Correct answer:

They both undergo negative selection.

Explanation:

T and B cells are both part of the adaptive immune response. This means that they are typically made to handle very specific pathogens that may be encountered in the body. Before they are released into circulation, both must undergo negative selection, which makes sure that they do not respond to natural peptides that they encounter in the body. Failure of this step to take place can result in autoimmune diseases.

Example Question #4 : Animal Biology

Which immune cell is necessary for causing antibody "class switching" on B cells?

Possible Answers:

Plasma cells

Helper T cells

Natural killer cells

Cytotoxic T cells

Correct answer:

Helper T cells

Explanation:

Many of the modulations of the immune response are controlled by helper T cells. In order to change the type of antibody secreted by a B cell, helper T cells need to interact with them via a number of cytokines. The types of cytokines secreted by helper T cells will tell the B cells which antibodies to start secreting.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Antibodies And Antigens

Which of the following statements is true concerning antibodies?

Possible Answers:

Antibodies destroy pathogens once attached

An antibody can attach to multiple pathogens

Antibodies are created by helper T-cells

Antibodies mark pathogens to be destroyed by phagocytic cells

Correct answer:

Antibodies mark pathogens to be destroyed by phagocytic cells

Explanation:

An antibody is very specific and will only attach to one antigen. Once it does, the antibody can signal the pathogen or infected cell to be destroyed by macrophages and other phagocytic cells in the body, such as cytotoxic T-cells. The antibodies themselves cannot destroy the pathogen.

T-cells serve important functions in the communication and stimulation of antibody production, but do not actually produce antibodies.

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