Molecular Biology Chapter: Gene Expression

Unit 3 Practice Questions

• Various practice questions related to DNA replication and structure
• Questions about the Hershey-Chase experiment and its conclusions
• Questions to predict results of experiments involving DNA and enzymes
• Questions about DNA structure
• Questions about the Hershey-Chase experiment
• Questions about radioactive isotopes and DNA/protein identification
• Questions about DNA replication models (conservative vs. semi-conservative)
• Questions to identify the components of DNA
• Questions about the specifics of DNA replication
• Calculating the percentage of adenine in a DNA sample
• Questions to draw the complementary side of a DNA molecule
• Questions related to DNA replication hypotheses
• Questions about the components of DNA and protein
• Questions related to DNA / RNA structure and function
• Questions on the function of DNA ligase
• Questions about different types of RNA
• Questions about DNA/RNA relation and differences

Lecture 1: DNA

• Avery, McCarty, and MacLeod's experiment to determine the genetic material

• The experimental question: Can transforming chemicals still transform bacteria after enzyme treatments?

• The principle behind the research with enzymes: Determine if DNA or RNA are involved

• Results of experiments predicted with enzymes and bacteria

• The Hershey-Chase experiments, which used radioactive isotopes to track DNA and protein in bacteriophages, were designed to address the question of whether DNA or protein was the genetic material.

• DNA contains phosphorus but not sulfur.

• Protein contains sulfur but not phosphorus.

• Radioactively labeled DNA molecule was identified by P32.

• If DNA is the genetic material, then which radioactive label is found inside the bacteria cells?

• Which radioactive label is found outside the bacteria cells or the reaction environment?

• Chargaff's ratios (A=T, C=G) and their implications for DNA

• Questions on Chargaff's ratios regarding the amount of different bases in DNA

Lecture 2: DNA Replication

• Describing the semi-conservative model (parent DNA strands separate and are copied).
• How does the semi conservative nature of DNA provide support for the central dogma?
• The results of the Meselson-Stahl experiments and their conclusions, which supported the semi-conservative model of DNA replication.
• Key details for DNA replication (e.g., the components of DNA polymers)
• Which enzyme is used to make the DNA polymer from the monomers?
• Correctly identify the enzyme that is involved in DNA replication
• Understanding the concept of complementary base pairing.
• Knowing what are the monomers in DNA.
• What is the enzyme that adds nucleotides to the growing chain in DNA replication
• What is the energy source for the process of constructing a DNA polymer from monomers?

Lecture 3: DNA & RNA

• The components of DNA and RNA
• The differences between DNA and RNA
• Explaining the function of RNA
• Summarizing the function of DNA
• The function of DNA ligase, given the process of DNA replication

Lecture 4: mRNA

• Explaining the central dogma and the role of mRNA
• Identifying the start codon and the process of transcribing.
• The role of the TATA box
• What are the consequences of mutating a promoter?
• The significance of mRNA modification
• What is the role and function of introns and exons.

Lecture 5: Translation

• Mechanisms and location of translation
• The process of translation
• How mRNA is translated into a particular amino acid sequence.
• The requirements of translation.
• The significance of alternate mRNA splicing
• The function of tRNA and its role in translation
• Where does tRNA synthesis take place?

Lecture 6: Prokaryotic Gene Regulation

• Distinguishing between inducible and repressible operons
• Explain how prokaryotic cells regulate genes through operons
• The role of the operon in regulating the genes.
• Understanding how operons are used to make multiple proteins from one mRNA molecule.

Lecture 7: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

• Mechanism how different cells with the same DNA can have different outcomes
• How do Cells differ due to gene expression?
• Explain how the chromatin state affects gene expression
• Different mechanisms that determine eukaryotic cell specialization
• Understanding the role of enhancers in eukaryotic gene expression.

Lecture 8: Cell Differentiation

• Mechanisms of differentiation by cells with the same DNA
• The role of differences in enhancer usage for gene expression.
• Specific examples of how cells turn on and off certain genes via signal transduction.
• The role and function of hormone signals in gene expression

Lecture 9: Cell Cycle Mitosis

• The meaning of the terminology for DNA (double helix, homologous pairs, sister chromatids).
• The process of mitosis
• Identifying the stages of mitosis where identical chromatids are present on the chromosomes.

Lecture 10: Cell Cycle and Signaling

• The role and process of cell signaling and how this impacts the cell cycle & DNA replication
• Details about checkpoints in the cell cycle, and how control molecules function and contribute to cancer
• Details about apoptosis, a programmed cell death process essential for normal development and removing damaged cells
• Identifying how abnormal activation of a protein leads to cancer
• Identifying how to use a nucleic acid probe to measure gene expression.

Lecture 11: Meiosis

• Distinguish between mitosis and meiosis
• Identify the homologous chromosomes during the various stages of meiosis
• Summarize the differences and similarities between the two types of cell division.
• Identifying a tumour suppressor's gene's role in controlling the cell cycle and preventing cancer.
• Understanding the significance of apoptosis
• How does a mutation in p53 contribute to cancer?

Lecture 12: Meiosis and Mendel

• Explaining the process of meiosis compared to mitosis, and how chromosome and DNA molecules will change due to the process
• Identifying when a cell with 2 homologous pairs of chromosomes undergoes one round of cell division with mitosis and meiosis.
• Identify which event in meiosis explains the principle of segregation of alleles.
• Understanding the principle of independent assortment

Lecture 13: Mendelian Inheritance

• Define and distinguish between gene and allele, genotype and phenotype, homozygous and heterozygous; dominant & recessive alleles
• Describing the principle of segregation in terms of how it relates to meiosis and the allele movement through the gametes
• Define and distinguish between the principle of independent assortment and the principle of segregation, identifying the events of meiosis I & II that lead to these concepts.

Lecture 14: Inheritance & Review

• Review the function and process of constructing DNA and RNA molecules.
• Knowing how various mutated forms of genes can contribute to a disease process like cancer or PKU.
• Review the function and role of different molecules involved in various stages of DNA and RNA replication, and associated processes.
• Reviewing terminology regarding cell division (mitosis and meiosis).
• Reviewing chromosome structure and function
• Understand the concepts of gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, and associated terms

AE 7

• Questions about the structure of DNA.
• Questions about nucleotide components of DNA
• Questions about base-pairing rules and how they relate to DNA structure.

AE 8

• Questions about DNA and RNA translation.
• Questions on the basics of genetic and protein synthesis.
• Questions on mutations and their impact on protein production.
• Questions on the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

AE 9

• Questions on how the different structures of mRNA affect how many copies of polypeptides are made from the same mRNA molecule
• Understanding how epigenetic modifications affect gene expression and the process of cell differentiation
• Questions on the function of enhancers, promoters, and other related components
• Questions on the processes of mitosis and meiosis

AE 10

• Determining what stages of the eukaryotic cell cycle DNA replication occurs
• Understanding and identifying the various components of eukaryote cell division/replication.
• Identifying how mutations in related proteins lead to cancer
• Understanding and determining the processes related to the various stages of mitosis or meiosis, given specific cell information

In Class Quiz

• Questions designed as assessments.
• Short Answer Questions on DNA and RNA mechanisms.
• Questions on cell cycle
• Additional questions on genetic and protein terminology

Test your knowledge on key concepts of gene expression and molecular biology in this quiz. Explore processes occurring in the nucleus, the impact of mutations, and the significance of promoters. Perfect for students studying molecular biology.