GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : Help with Gene Families

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Genomics

Which of the following is true of gene families?

I. They likely arose from gene duplications

II. They are only seen in eukaryotic genomes

III. Members of the same family have identical DNA and amino acid sequences

Possible Answers:

II and III

I only

I, II, and III

I and II

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

Gene families consist of several copies of genes that encode very similar proteins. These likely arose due to gene duplications, and were altered by mutation over time to generate separate similar proteins. It is not a requirement that members of gene families have identical DNA or amino acid sequences. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have gene families.

A common example is the homeobox, or Hox, gene family, which codes for several proteins that are essential for developmental timing and orientation.

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

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