All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Help With Mitosis
During mitosis, what proteins are involved in the formation of the contractile ring?
Polar microtubules and dyenin
Actin and myosin-2
Kinetochore microtubules and kinesin
Actin and dyenin
Actin and myosin-2
The contractile ring is made up of actin and myosin-2 and is used to initiate cytokinesis. Polar and kinetochore microtubules have important functions during earlier stages of mitosis. Polar microtubules interact within the cytoplasm during metaphase and anaphase, while kinectochore microtubules directly attach to chromosome centromeres to facilitate separation. Dyenin is a motor protein that interacts with microtubules to aid in protein transport.
Example Question #1 : Cellular Division
Which phase of mitosis is characterized by the alignment of sister chromatids at the center of the cell?
Prophase
Telophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Metaphase
During mitosis, sister chromatids will line up in the center of the cell so that they may be pulled to opposite ends by the spindle fibers. This lining up takes place in the second phase of mitosis: metaphase.
Example Question #2 : Help With Mitosis
Blocking which of the following processes is likely to directly interfere with cyclins' role to regulate the cell cycle?
Microtubule formation
Endocytosis
Ubiquitination
Replication
Ubiquitination
Cyclin proteins fluctuate in level during the different stages of the cell cycle (except for Cyclin D). For example, Cyclin E regulates the entry into S phase. The expression of the cyclin E gene increases, which leads to higher Cyclin E protein levels in the cell. After the cell passes S phase, Cyclin E protein is actively destroyed by ubiquitination.
When Cyclins are bound to Cdks, they can regulate the activity of proteins that regulate processes like replication and microtubule formation; however, of the cellular processes listed, blocking ubiquitination would be the only process that would directly interfere with cyclins' role to regulate the cell cycle as cyclin proteins need to be destroyed at the correct time to allow the cell cycle to progress.
Example Question #3 : Help With Mitosis
What proteins do cyclins regulate and how do these proteins carry out their catalytic activities during cell cycle progression?
Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs phosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.
Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs). CKIs dephosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.
Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs dephosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.
Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs). CKIs phosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.
Cyclins do not play a role in cell cycle progression
Cyclins regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs phosphorylate their substrates to effect activity.
Kinases are proteins that phosphorylate their substrates, often activating these substrates. In the context of cell cycle progression, cyclins interact with cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and activate the CDK kinase domain to phosphorylate substrates and promote cell cycle progression. CDK inhibitors interact with CDKs to inhibit the CDK kinase domain from phosphorylating substrates.
Example Question #4 : Help With Mitosis
During what stage of cellular mitosis do the microtubules attach to the centromeres to eventually align the chromosomes?
Telophase
Anaphase
Interphase
Prometaphase
Prophase
Prometaphase
The correct answer is prometaphase, in which the nuclear membrane dissolves and the microtubules attach to the centromeres. Interphase occurs before mitosis begins, and includes S phase, where the chromosomes are duplicated. In anaphase, the chromosome duplicates are separated by the microtubules. In telophase, cell division begins with the newly separated chromosome copies.
Example Question #5 : Help With Mitosis
The contractile ring constricts the cell membrane to form a cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. What is the contractile ring composed of?
Myosin and actin filaments
Lamin
Myosin and tubulin
Microtubules
Adenosine triphosphate
Myosin and actin filaments
The correct answer is myosin and actin filaments. Myosin hydrolyzes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and moves along the actin filaments previously assembled at the cell cortex, constricting the actin and the plasma membrane. Lamin is found in the nucleus and gives structural support to the nuclear membrane. Tubulin and microtubules are components of the cell cytoskeleton.
Example Question #6 : Help With Mitosis
A certain line of cells has a mutated, non-functioning copy of the enzyme DNA ligase. What portion of the DNA would be affected by this mutated enzyme?
The leading strand
Minor groove
Major groove
DNA polymerase
The lagging strand
The lagging strand
DNA ligase is an enzyme used to link DNA via the formation of a phosphodiester bond. During lagging strand synthesis, DNA ligase connects the okazaki fragments. Without this enzyme functioning properly, the lagging strand would not be completed.
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All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources
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