Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism by which class I transposable elements (retrotransposons) move within the human genome?

Accepted Answer

By a copy-and-paste mechanism involving an RNA intermediate

Question 2

Which type of transposable element is currently considered the most abundant and active in the human genome?

Accepted Answer

Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs)

Question 3

A researcher finds a gene with an alternative promoter derived from a transposable element. Which of the following is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The gene may exhibit tissue-specific expression or novel regulation

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the role of TEs in the evolution of gene regulatory networks is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

TEs can provide new transcription factor binding sites, leading to regulatory network evolution

Question 5

Which experimental technique is most commonly used to identify open chromatin regions that may contain regulatory elements, including those derived from TEs?

Accepted Answer

DNase-seq

Question 6

A mutation in an Alu element creates a new binding site for a transcription factor. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Exaptation

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why SINEs are more frequently found in gene regulatory regions than LINEs?

Accepted Answer

SINEs are smaller and less likely to disrupt gene function upon insertion

Question 8

A population-specific insertion of an SVA element is found near a gene and is associated with altered gene expression in that population. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A polymorphic TE acting as a cis-eQTL

Question 9

Which of the following is a well-documented example of a gene with essential function that originated from a retrotransposon?

Accepted Answer

PEG-10, involved in placental formation

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the relationship between TEs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the human genome?

Accepted Answer

A significant proportion of lncRNAs contain TE-derived sequences

Question 11

Which of the following is a plausible mechanism by which TEs can repress gene expression?

Accepted Answer

By spreading local heterochromatin and recruiting corepressor proteins

Question 12

A researcher finds that a particular miRNA is derived from a MER53 element and is only found in placental mammals. What does this suggest about the evolutionary history of this miRNA?

Accepted Answer

It originated after the divergence of placental mammals from marsupials

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why TE-derived regulatory elements often show tissue-specific activity?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic status and chromatin accessibility of TEs vary across tissues

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a way that TEs can alter gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Expanding the number of chromosomes

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the process of exaptation in the context of TEs?

Accepted Answer

A TE sequence is co-opted for a new regulatory function in the host genome

Question 16

Which of the following is a likely outcome when a TE inserts into the intron of a gene?

Accepted Answer

It may introduce alternative splicing or disrupt normal splicing

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why ancient TE families (such as MIRs and L2s) are often found in conserved regulatory regions?

Accepted Answer

They have been retained due to functional constraints and evolutionary conservation

Role of Transposable Elements in Gene Regulation in the Human Genome

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