Question 1

Which of the following best describes mesenchymal cells during embryonic development?

Accepted Answer

They are migratory, undifferentiated, independent units.

Question 2

Which statement about nucleosomes is correct?

Accepted Answer

A nucleosome consists of 8 histone proteins and 146 bp of DNA.

Question 3

Which of the following is a function of methylation of CpG islands near the promoter region?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of transcription

Question 4

Which process allows a single gene to produce multiple different proteins?

Accepted Answer

Alternative splicing

Question 5

A scientist observes that a cell loses its connections to the epithelium and becomes migratory. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Question 6

Which of the following statements about transcription factors is correct?

Accepted Answer

They bind to DNA and control gene expression.

Question 7

During meiosis in mammals, what is the main difference between sperm and egg formation?

Accepted Answer

Eggs are only generated before birth, while sperm are produced throughout life.

Question 8

Which of the following is a function of the acrosome in mammalian sperm?

Accepted Answer

Digesting the extracellular layer surrounding the egg

Question 9

Which equation correctly represents the number of chromosomes after meiosis in humans?

Accepted Answer

$n = 23$

Question 10

Which of the following statements about polyploidy is correct?

Accepted Answer

Polyploidy is prevented by a diploidization of the cell membrane of the egg.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a function of the placenta?

Accepted Answer

Initiation of neural tube formation

Question 12

Which structure gives rise to the vertebral column during development?

Accepted Answer

Paraxial mesoderm

Question 13

Which of the following is a role of cadherins in cell biology?

Accepted Answer

They are calcium-dependent proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion.

Question 14

Which gene is involved in the determination of the anterior-posterior axis in Drosophila?

Accepted Answer

Bicoid

Question 15

Which of the following is a function of micro-RNAs (miRNAs)?

Accepted Answer

They can bind to complementary mRNA sequences to inhibit translation.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about silencer sequences is correct?

Accepted Answer

Silencers are DNA sequences that inhibit gene expression.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct sequence of embryonic stages from earliest to latest?

Accepted Answer

Morula, Blastula, Gastrula, Neurula

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of the poly-A tail of mRNA?

Accepted Answer

It increases the stability of the mRNA.

Question 19

Which of the following is a consequence of histone modification?

Accepted Answer

Histone modification leads to activation or repression of transcription.

Question 20

Which of the following is a plausible explanation for incomplete cell division during cleavage in amphibian embryos?

Accepted Answer

Incomplete cell division is due to dense yolk impeding cytokinesis after karyokinesis.

2022 Exam Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions