Question 1

Which of the following statements explains how errors during meiosis that result in an extra copy of a chromosome can facilitate evolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  A polyploid individual that results could mate with an individual that is deficient for other chromosomes. 
B)  Over time, mutations can accumulate in the extra sets of genes and allow evolution of novel functions. 
C)  The genome is redundant and adding additional copies reinforces the redundancy. 
D)  Evolution requires fit individuals and an increase in the number of genes in a genome correlates with increased fitness. 
A)  A polyploid individual that results could mate with an individual that is deficient for other chromosomes. 
B)  Over time, mutations can accumulate in the extra sets of genes and allow evolution of novel functions. 
C)  The genome is redundant and adding additional copies reinforces the redundancy. 
D)  Evolution requires fit individuals and an increase in the number of genes in a genome correlates with increased fitness.

Question 2

Which of the following processes is most likely responsible for the variable number of repeated units found at a specific STR locus?

Accepted Answer

A)  failure of homologous chromosomes to separate during meiosis 
B)  mutations causing increased activity in rRNA 
C)  slippage during DNA replication 
D)  alternative splicing of transcripts 
A)  failure of homologous chromosomes to separate during meiosis 
B)  mutations causing increased activity in rRNA 
C)  slippage during DNA replication 
D)  alternative splicing of transcripts

Question 3

Which of the following characteristics is unique to multigene families?

Accepted Answer

A)  Multiple genes whose products must be coordinately expressed. 
B)  Genes whose sequences are very similar and that probably arose by duplication. 
C)  Genes whose exons can be spliced in a number of different ways. 
D)  A highly conserved gene found in a number of different species. 
A)  Multiple genes whose products must be coordinately expressed. 
B)  Genes whose sequences are very similar and that probably arose by duplication. 
C)  Genes whose exons can be spliced in a number of different ways. 
D)  A highly conserved gene found in a number of different species.

Question 4

Which of the following describes an error in a cellular process that results in DNA duplications?

Accepted Answer

A)  exon shuffling 
B)  alternative splicing 
C)  incorrect 5 methylation 
D)  template slippage 
A)  exon shuffling 
B)  alternative splicing 
C)  incorrect 5 methylation 
D)  template slippage

Question 5

Which of the following statements distinguishes between the way transposons and retrotransposons move around in a genome?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only transposons use a transposase to move. 
B)  Only transposons use a DNA intermediate. 
C)  Only transposons use an RNA intermediate. 
D)  Only transposons use the original copy as a template. 
A)  Only transposons use a transposase to move. 
B)  Only transposons use a DNA intermediate. 
C)  Only transposons use an RNA intermediate. 
D)  Only transposons use the original copy as a template.

Question 6

Comparisons of DNA sequences within the human species have revealed many variations. Which of the following variations involves duplication of relatively long stretches of DNA?

Accepted Answer

A)  CNVs 
B)  SNPs 
C)  STRs 
D)  Transposable elements 
A)  CNVs 
B)  SNPs 
C)  STRs 
D)  Transposable elements

Question 7

A long region of genomic DNA is compared with a cDNA. The cDNA sequence is identical to segments, but not all, of the genomic DNA sequence. According to these data which of the following statements best describes the genomic DNA?

Accepted Answer

A)  The sequence contains a protein-coding region. 
B)  The sequence codes for an rRNA. 
C)  The sequence is an intron. 
D)  The sequence is a regulatory region. 
A)  The sequence contains a protein-coding region. 
B)  The sequence codes for an rRNA. 
C)  The sequence is an intron. 
D)  The sequence is a regulatory region.

Question 8

In a eukaryote, which of the following describes the most likely outcome when gene duplication occurs in one member of a gene pair?

Accepted Answer

A)  creation of a pseudogene or a gene with a new function 
B)  creation of an operon that uses common regulatory elements 
C)  addition of an intron in the original gene 
D)  nondisjunction of that chromosome during the next round of cell division. 
A)  creation of a pseudogene or a gene with a new function 
B)  creation of an operon that uses common regulatory elements 
C)  addition of an intron in the original gene 
D)  nondisjunction of that chromosome during the next round of cell division.

Question 9

Which of the following statements explains how hemoglobin in a human embryo has a higher affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin in the adult?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nonidentical genes produce different versions of globins at different stages of development. 
B)  Globin pseudogenes interfere with gene expression in adults. 
C)  Imprinting of globin genes changes the type of hemoglobin produced after birth. 
D)  Throughout development, mutations accumulate during DNA replication altering the adult form. 
A)  Nonidentical genes produce different versions of globins at different stages of development. 
B)  Globin pseudogenes interfere with gene expression in adults. 
C)  Imprinting of globin genes changes the type of hemoglobin produced after birth. 
D)  Throughout development, mutations accumulate during DNA replication altering the adult form.

Question 10

Which of the following techniques would be most appropriate to test the hypothesis that humans and chimps differ in the expression of a large set of shared genes?

Accepted Answer

A)  RNA-seq 
B)  polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 
C)  DNA sequencing 
D)  protein-protein interaction assays 
A)  RNA-seq 
B)  polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 
C)  DNA sequencing 
D)  protein-protein interaction assays

Question 11

Using modern techniques of sequencing by synthesis and the shotgun approach, the sequences of entire chromosomes are determined by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  systematically sequencing DNA sequences as they occur along the length of the chromosome 
B)  cloning chromosome sections into large plasmid, sequencing, and then reassembling the chromosome 
C)  fragmenting chromosomal DNA, sequencing and using computer analysis to determine regions where sequences overlap 
D)  identifying gaps in previously generated genetic maps, cloning those regions into plasmids and determining their DNA sequences 
A)  systematically sequencing DNA sequences as they occur along the length of the chromosome 
B)  cloning chromosome sections into large plasmid, sequencing, and then reassembling the chromosome 
C)  fragmenting chromosomal DNA, sequencing and using computer analysis to determine regions where sequences overlap 
D)  identifying gaps in previously generated genetic maps, cloning those regions into plasmids and determining their DNA sequences

Question 12

Which of the following statements best defines proteomics?

Accepted Answer

A)  The field working to link each gene to a particular protein. 
B)  The study of the properties of sets of proteins. 
C)  The characterization of the functional possibilities of a single protein. 
D)  The study of how amino acids are ordered in a protein. 
A)  The field working to link each gene to a particular protein. 
B)  The study of the properties of sets of proteins. 
C)  The characterization of the functional possibilities of a single protein. 
D)  The study of how amino acids are ordered in a protein.

Question 13

Human genomes contain several globin genes that are expressed at distinct times in development. Which of the mechanisms listed best explains this developmental pattern?

Accepted Answer

A)  exon shuffling 
B)  pseudogene activation 
C)  differential translation of mRNAs 
D)  differential gene regulation over time 
A)  exon shuffling 
B)  pseudogene activation 
C)  differential translation of mRNAs 
D)  differential gene regulation over time

Question 14

Two eukaryotic proteins have one domain in common but are otherwise very different. Which of the following processes is most likely to have contributed to this similarity?

Accepted Answer

A)  gene duplication 
B)  alternative splicing 
C)  exon shuffling 
D)  random point mutations 
A)  gene duplication 
B)  alternative splicing 
C)  exon shuffling 
D)  random point mutations

Question 15

Exon shuffling occurs during which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

A)  splicing of DNA 
B)  DNA replication 
C)  meiotic recombination 
D)  transposon "jumping" 
A)  splicing of DNA 
B)  DNA replication 
C)  meiotic recombination 
D)  transposon "jumping"

Question 16

A microarray is a tool used in genetic research to determine the relative level of expression of mRNAs in a particular tissue. One use of the technology is in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Which of the following pieces of evidence would support diagnosis of a cancer due to a mutation in a tumor-suppressor gene?

Accepted Answer

A)  The tissue sample shows a high level of gene expression relative to a control (noncancerous) sample. 
B)  The tissue sample responds to treatment with a mitosis-promoting compound. 
C)  The mRNAs for the targeted tumor suppressor sequence are not being produced. 
D)  The mRNAs for cyclins and kinases show unusually high levels of expression. 
A)  The tissue sample shows a high level of gene expression relative to a control (noncancerous) sample. 
B)  The tissue sample responds to treatment with a mitosis-promoting compound. 
C)  The mRNAs for the targeted tumor suppressor sequence are not being produced. 
D)  The mRNAs for cyclins and kinases show unusually high levels of expression.

Question 17

Use the following information to answer the question.   The figure shows a diagram of blocks of genes on human chromosome 16 and the locations of blocks of similar genes as they are found on four different mouse chromosomes.
Which of the following statements best explains the different arrangements of these blocks in the genomes of these two species?

Accepted Answer

A)  During evolutionary time, these sequences separated and have returned to their original positions in the mouse. 
B)  DNA sequences within these blocks have become increasingly divergent. 
C)  Sequences represented have duplicated at least three times resulting in this arrangement. 
D)  Chromosomal translocations have moved blocks of sequences to other chromosomes. 
A)  During evolutionary time, these sequences separated and have returned to their original positions in the mouse. 
B)  DNA sequences within these blocks have become increasingly divergent. 
C)  Sequences represented have duplicated at least three times resulting in this arrangement. 
D)  Chromosomal translocations have moved blocks of sequences to other chromosomes.

Question 18

Which of the following statements best describes multi gene families?

Accepted Answer

A)  a set of linked genes that are transcribed as a single unit 
B)  repeated sequences of genetic material that are inherited 
C)  a collection of two or more identical or very similar genes 
D)  related individuals that share more than one phenotypic trait 
A)  a set of linked genes that are transcribed as a single unit 
B)  repeated sequences of genetic material that are inherited 
C)  a collection of two or more identical or very similar genes 
D)  related individuals that share more than one phenotypic trait

Question 19

Which of the following describes an advantage of establishing and using a human reference genome in a bioinformatics investigation?

Accepted Answer

A)  It represents the entire genome of one individual who acts as a standard for comparison. 
B)  It is continuously revised as new data are collected and represents current consensus. 
C)  Filling in remaining gaps would be more work than it is worth, so the reference has been set. 
D)  "Next generation" sequencing efforts can use it to see if their output is correct. 
A)  It represents the entire genome of one individual who acts as a standard for comparison. 
B)  It is continuously revised as new data are collected and represents current consensus. 
C)  Filling in remaining gaps would be more work than it is worth, so the reference has been set. 
D)  "Next generation" sequencing efforts can use it to see if their output is correct.

Question 20

Fragments of DNA extracted from the remnants of an extinct vertebrate, the woolly mammoth, have been amplified and sequenced. Currently, the most efficient and ethical use of these products is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  to introduce certain mammoth traits into relatives, such as elephants 
B)  to clone live woolly mammoths so that their characteristics can be compared with living relatives 
C)  to examine size and gene density to understand the reasons why mammoths went extinct 
D)  to better understand the evolutionary relationships among members of related taxa 
A)  to introduce certain mammoth traits into relatives, such as elephants 
B)  to clone live woolly mammoths so that their characteristics can be compared with living relatives 
C)  to examine size and gene density to understand the reasons why mammoths went extinct 
D)  to better understand the evolutionary relationships among members of related taxa

Exam 20: The Evolution of Genomes

Which of the following statements explains how errors during meiosis that result in an extra copy of a chromosome can facilitate evolution?

Which of the following processes is most likely responsible for the variable number of repeated units found at a specific STR locus?

Which of the following characteristics is unique to multigene families?

Which of the following describes an error in a cellular process that results in DNA duplications?

Which of the following statements distinguishes between the way transposons and retrotransposons move around in a genome?

Comparisons of DNA sequences within the human species have revealed many variations. Which of the following variations involves duplication of relatively long stretches of DNA?

A long region of genomic DNA is compared with a cDNA. The cDNA sequence is identical to segments, but not all, of the genomic DNA sequence. According to these data which of the following statements best describes the genomic DNA?

In a eukaryote, which of the following describes the most likely outcome when gene duplication occurs in one member of a gene pair?

Which of the following statements explains how hemoglobin in a human embryo has a higher affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin in the adult?

Which of the following techniques would be most appropriate to test the hypothesis that humans and chimps differ in the expression of a large set of shared genes?

Using modern techniques of sequencing by synthesis and the shotgun approach, the sequences of entire chromosomes are determined by ________.

Which of the following statements best defines proteomics?

Human genomes contain several globin genes that are expressed at distinct times in development. Which of the mechanisms listed best explains this developmental pattern?

Two eukaryotic proteins have one domain in common but are otherwise very different. Which of the following processes is most likely to have contributed to this similarity?

Exon shuffling occurs during which of the following processes?

Which of the following statements best describes multi gene families?

Which of the following describes an advantage of establishing and using a human reference genome in a bioinformatics investigation?

Fragments of DNA extracted from the remnants of an extinct vertebrate, the woolly mammoth, have been amplified and sequenced. Currently, the most efficient and ethical use of these products is ________.

Biology and Its Themes

Atoms and Molecules

The Chemistry of Water

Carbon: the Basis of Molecular Diversity

Biological Macromolecules and Lipids

Energy and Life

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Membranes

Cellular Signaling

Cell Respiration

Photosynthetic Processes

Mitosis

Sexual Life Cycles and Meiosis

Mendelian Genetics

Linkage and Chromosomes

Nucleic Acids and Inheritance

Expression of Genes

Control of Gene Expression

Dna Technology

How Evolution Works

Phylogenetic Reconstruction

Microevolution

Species and Speciation

Macroevolution

Introduction to Viruses

Prokaryotes

The Origin and Evolution of Eukaryotes

Nonvascular and Seedless Vascular Plants

Seed Plants

Introduction to Fungi

An Introduction to Animal Diversity

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Plant Structure and Growth

Transport in Vascular Plants

Plant Nutrition

Reproduction of Flowering Plants

Plant Signals and Behavior

The Animal Body

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Digestive Systems

Animal Transport Systems

Animal Excretory Systems

Animal Reproductive Systems

Development in Animals

Animal Defenses Against Infection

Electrical Signals in Animals

Neural Regulation in Animals

Sensation and Movement in Animals

An Overview of Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Populations and Life History Traits

Biodiversity and Communities

Energy Flow and Chemical Cycling in Ecosystems

Conservation and Global Ecology

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