Question 1

Which of the following best describes the theory of 'Epigenesis' in developmental biology?

Accepted Answer

All tissues and organs are formed de novo during development

Question 2

A teratogen is most accurately defined as:

Accepted Answer

An exogenous agent that disrupts development

Question 3

Which statement about 'genomic equivalence' is correct?

Accepted Answer

All somatic cells of an individual contain the same genes

Question 4

Nucleosomes are important for gene regulation because:

Accepted Answer

They consist of DNA looped around a core of proteins

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin?

Accepted Answer

Euchromatin is loosely bound and allows transcription, heterochromatin is tightly bound and inhibits transcription

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a function of histone modification?

Accepted Answer

Histone modification is only found in mammals

Question 7

Which of the following statements about promoters is correct?

Accepted Answer

Promoters are needed for binding of the RNA polymerase

Question 8

Methylation of specific sequences (CpG islands) in or close to the promoter leads to:

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of transcription

Question 9

Alternative splicing can result in:

Accepted Answer

The production of different proteins from a single gene

Question 10

Transcription factors are:

Accepted Answer

Proteins that control gene expression

Question 11

The poly-A tail of mRNA:

Accepted Answer

Can influence the longevity of the mRNA

Question 12

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) can:

Accepted Answer

Bind to complementary RNA sequences to inhibit translation

Question 13

Cadherins are important in cell biology because they:

Accepted Answer

Are calcium-dependent proteins that connect cells

Question 14

When a signal molecule is fixed to the secreting cell (e.g., by an anchoring protein) to limit its local diffusion, this signalling mode is called:

Accepted Answer

Juxtacrine

Question 15

Which of the following statements about meiosis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis only occurs during the development of gametes

Question 16

In humans, which statement about egg cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Egg cells are only generated before birth

Question 17

Why is the ovum (egg cell) one of the biggest cells of an individual in most species?

Accepted Answer

It accumulates a large amount of cytoplasm including nutritive proteins

Question 18

Which statement about polyploidy is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is permanently prevented by a depolarisation of the cell membrane of the egg

Question 19

Which statement about cleavages is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Cleavage is always equal in all species

Question 20

Which of the following is a function of the placenta?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Developmental Biology: Key Concepts and Mechanisms

Study Guide - Practice Questions