SAT II Biology M : SAT Subject Test in Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Biology M

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Cell Cycle

During the eukaryotic cell cycle, what is the function of the G2 checkpoint?

Possible Answers:

Prevents sister chromatids from separating before each chromatid is secured to a spindle microtubule.

Ensures that the cell has matured to a sufficient state before beginning synthesis.

Ensures that each daughter cell has received the correct number of chromatids after cell division.

Initiates the cell division process if conditions are favorable.

Prevents cells from undergoing mitosis until all chromosomes have completely replicated and any DNA damage has been repaired.

Correct answer:

Prevents cells from undergoing mitosis until all chromosomes have completely replicated and any DNA damage has been repaired.

Explanation:

The G2 checkpoint of cell division prevents the cell from entering the mitotic or dividing phase until all chromosomes have accurately been replicated. Other answers: "Prevents sister chromatids from separating before each chromatid is secured to a spindle microtubule" refers to the spindle or M checkpoint. "Initiates the cell division process if conditions are favorable" and "Ensures that the cell has matured to a sufficient state before beginning synthesis" refer to functions of the restrictive or G1 checkpoint. "Ensures that each daughter cell has received the correct number of chromatids after cell division" is incorrect since there is no checkpoint in cell division to error check the results of mitosis.

Example Question #1 : Cell Cycle

Which three phases are included in Interphase?

Possible Answers:

G0, G1, and G2 

M, G0, S

G0, S, and G1

G1, S, and G2

M, S, and G

Correct answer:

G1, S, and G2

Explanation:

During interphase, you have G1, or gap 1, in which the cell grows. Then you have S phase, in which the cell synthesizes its DNA. Finally, you have G2, or gap 2, in which the cell continues to grow again.

Example Question #1 : Other Cell Functions

Which of the following types of transport require ATP?

Possible Answers:

Sodium ions moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a voltage-gated sodium channel

Glucose moving into the cell, down its concentration gradient, through a channel

The Na+/Kpump releasing 3 sodium ions outside of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell

Water moving from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration

Water moving down its concentration gradient through an aquaporin

Correct answer:

The Na+/Kpump releasing 3 sodium ions outside of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell

Explanation:

The Na+/K+ pump is active transport and therefore requires ATP. Since the pump is moving ions against its concentration gradient, it requires ATP to change the conformation of the pump to release the ions. All of the other forms of transport are either diffusion (moving down its concentration gradient) or facilitated diffusion (moving down its concentration gradient with the help of a channel or carrier). 

Good tip: Pumps are used for active transport while carrier proteins or channels are used for facilitated diffusion which is a type of passive transport.

Example Question #2 : Other Cell Functions

All of the following are a part of the Cell Theory EXCEPT __________.

Possible Answers:

cells carry genetic information

the cell is the basic building block of life

cells arise from nonliving substances

all living things are made up of cells

the chemical reactions necessary for life take place in the cell

Correct answer:

cells arise from nonliving substances

Explanation:

Cells do not arise from nonliving substances, though scientists used to believe they did. Through several experiments by many different scientists, it became clear that indeed all cells arise from preexisting cells.

Example Question #1 : Macromolecules

Asparagine is an example of an amino acid. If you put asparagine and other amino acids together in a chain, you would get what organic compound?

Possible Answers:

A protein

A lipid 

A carbohydrate

A nucleic acid

Correct answer:

A protein

Explanation:

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, so when they are put together in a chain, you will get a protein.

Example Question #1 : Molecular Biology

Which of the following macromolecules is made up of amino acids?

Possible Answers:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

Lactase

Glucose

Trigylcerides

Sucrose

Correct answer:

Lactase

Explanation:

A macromolecule made of amino acids is a protein. Lactase, the enzyme that aids in lactose digestion, is the only protein on the list. Sucrose and glucose are carbohydrates. Deoxyribonucleic acid is DNA, a nucleic acid. Triglycerides are a type of lipid.   

Note: You can identify an enzyme (which is a protein) by the fact that its name ends in "-ase."

Example Question #1 : Molecular Biology

Carbohydrates represent important macromolecules in the biochemical pathways of many organisms. 

Which of the following is/are monosaccharide(s)?

I. Glucose
II. Fructose
III. Maltose

Possible Answers:

II and III

I and III

I and II

I only

I, II, and III

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

Glucose and fructose are monomeric saccharides, or monosaccharides. The carbon to hydrogen to oxygen  ratio exists in a 1:2:1 pattern indicative of a monomeric saccharide. The molecular formula of glucose and fructose is . Maltose is a disaccharide composed of two molecules of glucose.

Example Question #2 : Molecular Biology

Disaccharides, such as maltose, are produced when two monosaccharides undergo a dehydration synthesis reaction.

Which of the following formulas represents a disaccharide?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The disaccharide maltose is formed by the dehydration synthesis reaction of two glucose monomers. When simply adding the two glucose monomers together, it may be thought that the summation of the two  will be the chemical formula of maltose. However, this does not account for the dehydration synthesis reaction in which one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms disappear. After accounting for these molecules the chemical formula for maltose will be represented by .

Example Question #1 : Macromolecules

Polysaccharides are considered sugar moieties that include 3 or more monomeric saccharides together.

Which of the following is/are polysaccharide(s)?

I. Glycogen
II. Starch
III. Cellulose

Possible Answers:

I only

I, II, and III

I and III

I and II

II and III

Correct answer:

I, II, and III

Explanation:

Glycogen, starch, and cellulose are all polysaccharides composed of many glucose monomers linked together.

Example Question #3 : Molecular Biology

Animals and plants store glucose in saccharide polymers. 

Which of the following is the polymer form of storage in plants and animals, respectively?

Possible Answers:

Plants: sucrose

Animals: maltose

Plants: starch

Animals: glycogen

Plants: glycogen

Animals: glycogen

Plants: cellulose

Animals: glucose

Plants: chitin

Animals: glycerol

Correct answer:

Plants: starch

Animals: glycogen

Explanation:

The sugar polymer form in which plants store energy is starch, whereas with animals, it is glycogen. While the other answers may in fact be sugar molecules involved in energy metabolism, they do not represent the primary sugar polymer storage molecule. Therefore the correct form of storage for plants is starch. And the correct form of storage for animals is glycogen.

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