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Example Questions
Example Question #82 : Cellular Structures And Organelles
Which organelles contain genetic material?
Mitochondria
Nucleus and mitochondria
Nucleus
Endoplasmic reticulum
Nucleolus
Nucleus and mitochondria
The nucleus contains the genetic code of each individual, and the mitochondria is a semiautonomous organelle that contains mitochondrial DNA (passed through the maternal line). mDNA codes specifically for the proteins involved in the electron transport chain, allowing for their implantation in the inner mitochondrial membrane without having to be synthesized elsewhere in the cell.
Example Question #1 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
What is the direct role of the nucleolus in the cell?
rRNA production
ATP production
Protein synthesis
DNA synthesis
Membrane synthesis
rRNA production
The nucleolus, which is located in the nucleus, is directly involved in the production of rRNA. The rRNA composes the ribosome structure, and is directly involved in synthesis of protein.
Example Question #1 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
Where is ribosomal RNA synthesized in eukaryotic cells?
Nucleolus
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosome
Nucleolus
The nucleolus is a structure within the nucleus, and is the site of rRNA synthesis. The individual subunits of the ribosome assemble in the nucleus, are exported through the nuclear pores, and are finally brought together into function units in the cytosol.
The nucleus contains DNA, the lysosome has enzymes that break down molecules, and the mitochondria are the site of ATP production. The rough endoplasmic reticulum has a surface that is studded with ribosomes, and works in coordination with these ribosomes to modify proteins after synthesis.
Example Question #1 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
The __________ is a structure where ribosomes are formed and the site where __________ is transcribed.
nuclear pore . . . mRNA
nucleolus . . . rRNA
nuclear pore . . . tRNA
nucleolus . . . miRNA
nucleolus . . . rRNA
The nucleolus is a special structure within the nucleus that is responsible for the transcription of rRNA genes and the formation of ribosomal subunits. Transcription of mRNA, tRNA, and miRNA occurs in other regions of the nucleus. Nuclear pores are highly regulated structures that allow for import and export of materials in the nucleus.
Example Question #1 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
The construction of ribosomal subunits is accomplished by which cellular structure?
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Nucleolus
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Nucleolus
The nucleolus is located inside of the eukaryotic nucleus. It is responsible for the creation of the ribosomal subunits, as well as the rRNA that will be incorporated into the ribosomes. Ribosomal subunits are synthesized in the nucleolus and exported to the cytoplasm, where they can be assembled into functional translation complexes.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum contains ribosomes embedded in its membrane and is responsible for synthesizing certain proteins. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for metabolizing toxins and synthesizing lipids. The Golgi apparatus plays a key role in protein sorting, packaging, and transport within vesicles.
Example Question #2 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
Which of the following choices can be passed through a nuclear pore complex?
I. pre-mRNA
II. Ribosomal subunits
III. Transcription factors
IV. Mitochondria
I, II, III, and IV
I and III
I, II, and III
I, III, and IV
I, II, and III
The only option that cannot pass the nuclear envelope from the nucleus is mitochondria. Mitochondria range from 0.5-1.0 micrometers, while nuclear pore complexes are about 120 nanometers in diameter. That being said, mitochondria are too large to fit through a nuclear pore complex.
Ribosomes, pre-mRNA, and proteins (such as transcription factors) are all perfectly capable of moving through the nuclear pore complexes, given the appropriate environment.
Example Question #91 : Cellular Structures And Organelles
Which of the following is not true of eukaryotic nuclei?
Assembly of ribosomal subunits occurs in the nucleus
The nucleus is surrounded by two membranes
Chromosomes are randomly distributed around the nucleus
Nuclei are typically supported by a network of intermediate filaments
Chromosomes are randomly distributed around the nucleus
Ribosomal subunits are synthesized in the nucleolus, which is located inside the nucleus. The nucleus is surrounded by two membranes, known as the nuclear envelope, studded with large nuclear pore complexes. Import and export of substances through the pore complexes is highly regulated. Nuclei are supported by what is known as a nuclear lamina. This nuclear lamina is composed of intermediate filaments that provide support and structure for the nucleus.
It has recently been shown that chromosomes are not randomly distributed through the nucleus. Chromosomes occupy specific regions of the nucleus, which are currently referred to as "nuclear territories".
Example Question #1 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
A pharmaceutical company develops a drug that attacks lamins inside the nucleus. What can you conclude about this drug?
It increases the integrity of the chromosomes
It halts cholesterol synthesis
The prophase of mitosis cannot progress
There is an increased trafficking of molecules between cytoplasm and nucleus
The prophase of mitosis cannot progress
Lamins are intermediate filaments found inside the nucleus. Lamins attach to nuclear proteins and form a layer underneath the nuclear envelope (nuclear membrane) called the nuclear lamina. The nuclear lamina functions to position nuclear pores to let molecules pass between the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm. It also functions to break and resynthesize the nuclear envelope during mitosis. Recall that the nuclear envelope is broken down during the prophase of mitosis; therefore, lack of lamins will directly affect this phase of mitosis.
In addition to the aforementioned functions, lamins are also involved in maintaining the integrity of chromosomes. Lack of lamins will decrease the stability of chromosomes. Cholesterol and most other lipids are synthesized in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum; therefore, lamins are irrelevant to cholesterol synthesis. Since they are involved in positioning nuclear pores, lamins are important for exchanging molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Lack of lamins will decrease this trafficking.
Example Question #2 : Nucleus And Nucleolus
Which of the following processes occurs only in the nucleus?
I. Transcription
II. DNA replication
III. Translation
II and III
II only
I and II
III only
I and II
The central dogma of molecular biology states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. The first step is the replication of the genetic material, DNA, during the S phase of the cell cycle. The second step is the conversion of DNA to RNA. This process is called transcription and involves several enzymes that convert the DNA to mRNA. The final step is called translation, which involves the conversion of mRNA to protein.
DNA replication and transcription occur inside the nucleus because the enzymes required to carry out these processes are found in the nucleoplasm. Translation, on the other hand, occurs on ribosomes in the cytoplasm or on ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Example Question #1321 : Mcat Biological Sciences
After performing a genetic study, a physician finds that a patient has a defect in the genetic material that codes for ribosomes. Where in the cell is this genetic material found?
Periplasm
Histones
Nucleolus
Nuclear envelope
Nucleolus
Genetic information that codes for ribosomes is found on the nucleolus. Recall that the nucleolus is a specialized structure found inside the nucleus that functions to assemble ribosomes from proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The DNA that encodes for rRNA is on the nucleolus or in the vicinity of the nucleolus.
The periplasm is the space between the inner and outer cell membrane in gram-negative bacteria; it is irrelevant to this question. The nuclear envelope is the phospholipid bilayer that covers the nucleus. It does not contain any genetic information. Histones are proteins that organize and structure DNA strands; they don’t have any genetic information.
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