-
Question 1
Correct
-
Which of the following is an incorrect statement regarding the structure of DNA?
Your Answer: The two strands of DNA are held together by cysteine bonds.
Explanation:The two strands of DNA are held together by hydrogen bonds formed between the nucleotide bases.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 2
Correct
-
Near the transcription site of a gene, the site at which RNA polymerase and its cofactors bind is known as the:
Your Answer: Promotor
Explanation:Transcription will begin when the RNA polymerase II binds to the promotor. The promotor is a sequence of 25 nucleotides found upstream from the start site of transcription. This promotor sequence is known as the TATA box. Transcription factors also bond along with RNA polymerase to this site to form a complex. However some may bind to regulatory elements proximal to the promotor site.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 3
Incorrect
-
Which of the following is not true regarding mitochondrial chromosome disorders?
Your Answer: Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (lhon), the commonest cause of blindness in young men, is an example of a mitochondrial chromosome defect.
Correct Answer: Because mitochondrial chromosomes have no introns in their genes, any point mutation has a low likelihood of having an effect.
Explanation:Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) does indeed lack introns, meaning that its genes are closely packed with coding sequences. This actually means that any point mutation in the mtDNA is more likely to have an effect, not less. The lack of introns means there are fewer non-coding regions where mutations can occur without affecting gene function. Thus, mutations in mtDNA often have significant consequences because they are more likely to alter essential coding sequences.
The other statements are true:
- Most mitochondrial diseases are myopathies and neuropathies with a maternal pattern of inheritance: This is correct because mtDNA is inherited maternally, and many mitochondrial disorders affect muscle and nerve function.
- Retinal degeneration, diabetes mellitus, and some forms of hearing loss are some of the other diseases attributed to mitochondrial chromosome defects: These are indeed conditions associated with mitochondrial defects.
- Mitochondrial chromosome defects are inherited from one’s mother: This is correct, as mtDNA is passed from mother to offspring.
- Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), the commonest cause of blindness in young men, is an example of a mitochondrial chromosome defect: This is true; LHON is a well-known mitochondrial disorder.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 4
Correct
-
Regarding restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and Gene Knockout Mouse Models. All are true except:
Your Answer: In knockout mouse models a gene is turned on through targeted mutation
Explanation:In RFLP, polymorphism occurs in 98% of the non coding genome, resulting in no phenotypical change in the organism. A gene is not turned on by a mutation, rather the mutation at the restriction site will alter the DNA and the DNA will now form fragments of different lengths. PCR is a better technique than RFLP.
A knockout, as related to genomics, refers to the use of genetic engineering to inactivate or remove one or more specific genes from an organism. Scientists create knockout organisms to study the impact of removing a gene from an organism, which often allows them to then learn something about that gene’s function.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 5
Incorrect
-
Which of the following is true for P53:
Your Answer: It binds e2f and stops the cell cycle at the g 1 phase
Correct Answer: It is induced by ‘broken’ DNA
Explanation:P53 gene is activated as a result of damaged DNA and if that cannot be repaired then it activates apoptosis.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 6
Correct
-
In most somatic cells telomeres progressively shorten as:
Your Answer: The cell divides
Explanation:Telomere length shortens with age. Progressive shortening of telomeres leads to senescence, apoptosis, or oncogenic transformation of somatic cells, affecting the health and lifespan of an individual. Telomeres prevent the chromosomes from shortening and prevent the coding portion of the DNA from being lost, thus allowing the cell to replicate indefinitely. During replication telomeres may be lost resulting in cell death.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 7
Correct
-
Restriction Enzymes...
Your Answer: Cut DNA sequences at specific sites
Explanation:Restriction endonucleases are enzymes that recognise short sequences of double stranded DNA and cut them at specific nucleotide points or sequences. These sequences differ for different restriction endonucleases.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 8
Correct
-
Immortality can result from over expression of which enzyme?
Your Answer: Telomerase
Explanation:Telomerase activity is seen in germ cells and is absent in somatic cells. Telomeres prevent the chromosomes from shortening and prevent the coding portion of the DNA from being lost, thus allowing the cell to replicate indefinitely.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 9
Correct
-
The enzyme responsible for telomeres maintaining their length after cell division is called:
Your Answer: Telomerase
Explanation:Telomerase is the enzyme responsible for maintenance of the length of telomeres by addition of guanine-rich repetitive sequences. Telomerase activity is exhibited in gametes and stem and tumor cells.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 10
Correct
-
Which of the following with regard to autosomal dominant disorders are true:
Your Answer: The offspring of a heterozygous individual has a 50% chance of inheriting the chromosome carrying the disease allele
Explanation:50% of the children will be effected from parents who are heterozygous for an autosomal dominant disorder. An allele can be dominant or recessive. Individuals, meanwhile, can be homozygous or heterozygous: individuals who are homozygous for a certain gene carry two copies of the same allele. individuals who are heterozygous for a certain gene carry two different alleles.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 11
Correct
-
Which statement is correct?
Your Answer: MtDNA principally encodes for proteins that are involved in oxidative phosphorylation for the production of ATP in the cell.
Explanation:Mitochondria have no nucleus instead they contain their own free floating circular genome (MtDNA), which encodes 13 different subunits of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. The remainder of the mitochondrial proteins are nuclear encoded, synthesized in the cytoplasm, and transported into the mitochondria.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 12
Correct
-
Telomerase is active in all of the following cells, except:
Your Answer: Certain liver cells
Explanation:Telomerase is an enzyme that adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to the ends of chromosomes (telomeres), preventing their shortening during cell division. Telomerase activity is crucial for cells that divide frequently and need to maintain their telomere length for continued proliferation. These include:
- Stem cells: They have high telomerase activity to maintain their long-term proliferative capacity.
- Germ cells: These cells also have active telomerase to ensure the stability of genetic material across generations.
- Certain white blood cells: Some immune cells, particularly those that need to proliferate in response to infection, show telomerase activity.
- Certain cancer cells: Many cancer cells reactivate telomerase, which contributes to their uncontrolled growth and immortality.
However, most somatic cells, including certain liver cells, do not exhibit significant telomerase activity. While some liver cells might show low levels of telomerase activity during regeneration, it is not generally active in normal, differentiated liver cells.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 13
Correct
-
With regards to P53, which statement is NOT true?
Your Answer: P53 is a RNA binding protein
Explanation:P53 is a tumour suppressor gene. It is not an RNA binding protein. It has been implicated in almost all tumours. It regulates the progression from G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle and is activated in response to damaged DNA.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 14
Correct
-
Which of the following statements is not true about mitochondrial chromosomes?
Your Answer: Mitochondrial chromosomes play no role in the transmission of disease from generation to generation.
Explanation:All the above mentioned statements are true except that mitochondrial DNA is passed from the mother to the child. If the child inherits the defective mitochondrial gene it will manifest some form of the disease. Commonly inherited diseases related to mitochondrial abnormality are Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF).
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 15
Correct
-
Regarding Gene Knockout Mouse Models, all are true except:
Your Answer: In knockout mouse models a gene is turned on through targeted mutation
Explanation:In knockout mouse models, a gene is not turned on but rather turned off or “knocked out” through targeted mutation. This involves disrupting or deleting the gene to study the effects of its loss of function. Knockout models are crucial for understanding the roles of specific genes, particularly those with unknown functions.
The other statements are true:
- Knockout models are important in studying the roles of sequenced genes with unknown function.
- RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms) can be subcategorized as SLP (single locus probe) and MLP (multi locus probe).
- RFLP analysis is slow and cumbersome and is now largely obsolete, having been replaced by more efficient techniques.
- Sequence changes involved in RFLP can be analyzed more quickly by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 16
Correct
-
In DNA cloning and sequencing, the bases in nucleotides chains are bound together by:
Your Answer: Hydrogen bonding.
Explanation:Nucleotides will always bind together via hydrogen bonds. There are two hydrogen bonds present between thymine and adenine and three hydrogen bonds present between guanine and cytosine.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 17
Correct
-
Three adjacent nucleotides code for a particular amino acid. These are called codons. How many common amino acids are there and how many potential codon combinations make up the genetic code?
Your Answer: 20 amino acids, 64 codon combinations
Explanation:There are around 20 amino acids and 61 out of the 64 combinations of codon code for these 20 common amino acids.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 18
Correct
-
Which of the following with regard to DNA mutations does not fit:
Your Answer: All gene mutations cause clinical disease entities
Explanation:All gene mutations do not cause a clinical manifestation of the disease, some gene mutations are silent mutations. They are present but do not cause any disease.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 19
Correct
-
Which statement is incorrect?
Your Answer: Translation begins when the triplet (UGA) encoding for methionine is encountered.
Explanation:Translation being when the codon for methionine is encountered which is AUG not UGA. This process is known as initiation. All the other options are correct.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 20
Correct
-
Telomeres are best described as:
Your Answer: A repetitive DNA sequence at the end of a DNA molecule.
Explanation:Telomeres are non-coding DNA consisting of repetitive nucleotide sequences plus proteins that are found at the end of the linear chromosomes. They maintain the integrity of the chromosomes and prevent their shortening.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 21
Correct
-
Which of the following conditions is NOT X-linked recessive?
Your Answer: Cystic fibrosis
Explanation:Cystic fibrosis is a autosomal recessive disease with an incidence of about 1 in 2500 live births. The most common mutation occurs in the long arm of chromosome 7 which codes for the chloride channel (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene.
To have CF, a child must inherit two abnormal genes—one from each parent. The recessive CF gene can occur in both boys and girls because it is located on non-sex-linked chromosomes called autosomal chromosomes.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 22
Correct
-
Question 23
Correct
-
During which stage does the mitotic apparatus dissolute?
Your Answer: Telophase
Explanation:In telophase the nuclear envelope along with the nucleolus will reappear. The daughter nuclei will enlarge as the chromosome will decondense again. Along with this, cytokinesis will occur. At the end of cytokinesis the daughter centrioles will move from the poles to the intercellular bridge where they will be disassembled and complete the separation of the daughter cells
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 24
Incorrect
-
The telomerase is capable of adding several more repeats of telomeres at which end of the guanosine rich region.
Your Answer: 5th end
Correct Answer: 3rd end
Explanation:Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that uses the RNA template to synthesize DNA in the 5th-3rd direction resulting in extension of the 3rd end and then translocates it to the newly synthesized end. The GT rich strand is thus elongated.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 25
Incorrect
-
Telomerase is active in the following cells except:
Your Answer: Certain liver cells
Correct Answer: Certain osteoblasts
Explanation:Some cells have the ability to reverse telomere shortening by expressing telomerase, an enzyme that extends the telomeres of chromosomes. Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, meaning an enzyme that can make DNA using RNA as a template.
Telomerase is not usually active in most somatic cells (cells of the body), but it’s active in germ cells (the cells that make sperm and eggs) and some adult stem cells. These are cell types that need to undergo many divisions, or, in the case of germ cells, give rise to a new organism with its telomeric “clock” reset.Interestingly, many cancer cells have shortened telomeres, and telomerase is active in these cells. If telomerase could be inhibited by drugs as part of cancer therapy, their excess division (and thus, the growth of the cancerous tumor) could potentially be stopped.A subset of liver cells with high levels of telomerase renews the organ during normal cell turnover and after injury. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 26
Incorrect
-
The mitochondrial chromosome is a circular DNA molecule. They encode for proteins needed for ATP production. These proteins are also essential for:
Your Answer: Oxidative phosphorylation
Correct Answer: Apoptotic cell death
Explanation:The intrinsic pathway or the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis is activated due to the loss of BCL-2 and other antiapoptotic proteins. This loss results in the increased membrane permeability and release of cytochrome C which activates caspases downstream resulting in apoptosis.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 27
Correct
-
When 2 nucleotide chains of DNA bind together, thymine is bound to:
Your Answer: Adenine
Explanation:As a general rule in the structure of DNA, thymine always binds to adenine with two hydrogen bonds, cytosine always binds to guanine with three hydrogen bonds and vice versa. However In the structure of RNA the only difference is that adenine binds to uracil instead of thymine. But thymine will always bind to adenine.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 28
Correct
-
Question 29
Correct
-
In most somatic cells telomeres progressively shorten as:
Your Answer: The cell divides
Explanation:Telomerase activity is seen in germ cells and is absent in somatic cells. A somatic cell is any biological cell forming the body of an organism, other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte or undifferentiated stem cell. i.e. liver cells. Telomeres prevent the chromosomes from shortening and prevent the coding portion of the DNA from being lost, thus allowing the cell to replicate indefinitely. During replication telomeres may be lost resulting in cell death.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
-
Question 30
Incorrect
-
The enzyme responsible for Telomeres to maintain their length after cell division is called:
Your Answer: Telomere reconstructing enzyme
Correct Answer: Telomerase reverse transcriptase
Explanation:Telomeres are non-coding DNA consisting of repetitive nucleotide sequences plus proteins that are found at the end of the linear chromosomes. They maintain the integrity of the chromosomes and prevent their shortening.
-
This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
-
SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
