Student Number |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

Surname ______________________
Given Name ______________________
Lab Section (ex. L10) ______________________

Biology 1A03 Makeup Test 2

VERSION 1
Instructors: Dr. DaSilva, Dr. Kajiura, and Dr. Rehal

Test Date: November 20, 2024

Duration of Test: 90 minutes
Materials Permitted: McMaster standard calculator (Casio-FX991)

SCANTRON (OMR) INSTRUCTIONS

• YOU MUST FILL in all areas as shown the sample scantron below:
1. Student Number
2. Surname (Last Name) & Given Name (First Name)
3. Date
4. Course Name
5. Lab Section
6. Version Number
• Please erase mistakes completely or they will be detected!

This test paper includes 10 pages and 35 questions. All questions 1 to 30 must be answered on the Scan Sheet.
Questions 31 – 35 are to be answered on the test paper.
You are responsible for ensuring that your copy of the test paper is complete. Please bring any discrepancy to the
attention of your invigilator.
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

PART A: Multiple-Choice Questions (30 marks)

There are 30 multiple-choice questions in Part A of the test. Each question is worth 1 mark. Select the
option that best answers the question and record your answer on the OMR scan sheet using an HB pencil.
Please also circle your answer on this exam paper. There is no penalty for guessing. Students will not be
given additional test time to complete the OMR scan sheet. Students should ensure that all responses have
been recorded on the OMR scan sheet before the end of the 90 minutes. Please make sure that you have
also recorded your exam version number on the OMR scan sheet.

Dr. da Silva's Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Which of the following statements is true with regards to gene expression in bacterial cells?
a. DNA is transcribed from the mitochondria.
b. Circular DNA is transcribed into RNA.
c. Mitochondria genes are expressed and contribute to respiration.
d. Bacterial cells express their genes from linear chromosomes that are folded into many loops.

2. The production of ____________________________ is most likely to be affected during transcriptional

control of gene expression.
a. DNA
b. ribosomal RNA
c. proteins
d. activated proteins

3. Which of the following is an example of translational control of gene expression?

a. The ability to produce new mRNA in a cell.
b. The ability of RNA polymerase to bind to a promoter region.
c. Proteins folding into a tertiary structure.
d. The stability of an RNA molecule.

4. Which of the following statements is true regarding the metabolism of lactose in the human body?
a. Lactose is transported across the membranes of the absorptive microvilli of the small intestine.
b. Glucose is transported across the microvilli membrane of the small intestine in the absence of
lactase gene expression.
c. Lactose metabolism decreases in the intestines of most people as they age.
d. Mutations in the enzyme gene keep the lactase gene permanently on in individuals whose
ancestors domesticated dairy animals.

5. Individuals with type II galactosemia

a. are unable to breakdown lactose into glucose and galactose.
b. are unable to convert galactose into galactose-1-phosphate.
c. are unable to convert galactose-1-phosphate into glucose-1-phosphate.
d. have mutation in the gal-1-phosphate uridyltransferase gene.
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

6. What will likely occur if there is a mutation in the bacterial β-galactosidase gene in the lac operon of
bacterial cells that are growing in an environment that contains only glucose and lactose as energy
sources?
a. Bacteria will not be able to bring lactose into the cell.
b. It will not be possible to remove the repressor protein from the operator.
c. Bacterial growth and cell division will not occur once glucose runs out.
d. Bacteria will produce more glucose.

7. What role is played by lactose during the regulation of lac operon gene expression?
a. Low lactose levels activate the CRP protein complex.
b. Lactose binds directly to the operator and helps to recruit RNA polymerase.
c. Lactose is involved in the positive regulation of the lac operon by cAMP.
d. Lactose inhibits the negative regulation of the lac operon.

8. Using the image below of the lac operon, what is the role of the promoter?

a. It is the area where RNA polymerase will begin transcription.

b. It promotes the expression of the lac operon when glucose levels are low.
c. It is involved in the negative regulation of the lac operon.
d. It binds the lac I repressor protein.

9. In the lac operon, the repressor protein is involved in:

a. negative regulation by increasing transcription.
b. positive regulation by preventing transcription.
c. negative regulation by preventing transcription.
d. positive regulation by increasing transcription.

10. Bacteria are able to perceive and respond to signals in the environment. High glucose levels around a
bacterial cell will result in:
a. inhibition of the enzyme adenylyl cyclase.
b. high levels of cAMP inside the bacterial cell.
c. the activation of a large number of CRP-cAMP complexes.
d. the inhibition of the lac I repressor protein.
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

11. The main difference when comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression lies in the fact that
a. prokaryotic DNA is transcribed in the nucleus and translated in the cytoplasm.
b. prokaryotes group functionally related genes under the control of one promoter.
c. eukaryotic DNA is expressed while it is tightly wound as heterochromatin.
d. eukaryotic genes are organized in operons.

12. The binding of transcription factors to DNA is an example of _______________ interacting with DNA to
regulate gene expression.
a. lipids
b. polysaccharides
c. proteins
d. nucleic acids

13. Which of the following is true with regards to fetal hemoglobin?

a. Fetal hemoglobin has lower oxygen affinity than adult hemoglobin.
b. α-globin gene expression is off.
c. β-globin gene expression is off.
d. γ-globin gene expression is off.

14. Which of the following statements is true with regards to regulation of eukaryotic gene expression?
a. Methylated CpG islands allows for transcription to occur.
b. RNA polymerase is only able to bind to undermethylated promoters.
c. Epigenetic mechanisms change nucleotide sequences in a gene.
d. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) bind to undermethylated promoters.

15. In situ hybridization can be used:

a. to detect where mRNA is transcribed in developing tissue.
b. in humans to measure gene expression throughout the whole body.
c. to directly determine where DNA is located in tissues.
d. during microarray analysis.

16. Researchers are trying to localize this target mRNA sequence using in situ hybridization: 5’ ACUUACCC 3’.
Which of the following fluorescent DNA probes should researchers use to detect this mRNA sequence?
a. 3’ GGGUAAGU 5’
b. 5’ GGGUAAGU 3’
c. 5’ GGGTAAGT 3’
d. 3’ GGGTAAGT 5’
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

17. When considering regulation of gene expression,

a. transcriptional regulation is faster than translational regulation.
b. translational regulation is the slowest mechanism of regulation.
c. transcriptional regulation is more efficient than translational regulation.
d. post-translational regulation is slower than transcriptional regulation.

18. miRNAs are able to regulate gene expression by:

a. tagging proteins that are meant for destruction with ubiquitin.
b. degrading target mRNA.
c. escorting mRNA to the proteasome for destruction.
d. inhibiting translation of a target mRNA sequence.

19. Proteins that are destined for degradation are targeted by the_______________ ubiquitin.
a. carbohydrate
b. lipid
c. protein
d. nucleic acid

20. When considering Agouti gene expression in mice, we expect there will be:
a. high Agouti gene methylation with low amounts of maternal methyl sources.
b. low Agouti gene expression with high amounts of maternal methyl sources.
c. low Agouti gene methylation with high amounts of maternal methyl sources.
d. high Agouti gene expression with high amounts of maternal methyl sources.

Dr. Kajiura's Multiple-Choice Questions

21. Recall during Biology 1A03 Theme 2 Modules 3 & 4 lectures that we discussed the important
experiments which related to the metabolic pathway of the synthesis of arginine. According to the
results of these experiments, an arg3 mutant would grow in the presence of medium which has been
supplemented with which of the following?
a. Ornithine only
b. Citrulline only
c. Arginine only
d. All of the above
e. Both B & C only

22. Which of the following occurs during the transition from proinsulin to the formation of insulin?
a. The removal of the A chain and the formation of 2 disulphide bonds.
b. The formation of 3 disulphide bridges and the removal of the signal sequence.
c. The removal of preproinsulin and the formation of 6 disulphide bonds.
d. The removal of the C chain.
e. Both A and C
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

23. In eukaryotes, which of the following events may take place during the process of translation?
a. Pairing occurs between codons in messenger RNA and anticodons in transfer RNA
b. Ribosomes that are located in the cytoplasm may interact with messenger RNA
c. The poly-uracil tail and 5’ cytosine cap are added to the transfer RNA
d. Both A & B
e. Both B & C

24. Why is the translated resinous protein, named byssus, of great significance to humans for further
applications?
a. Surgeons may be able to use byssus as a strong adhesive to perform surgeries on babies.
b. Construction workers may be able to use byssus as a waterproof adhesive for repairing leaks in
cargo shipping vessels.
c. Scientists have already proven that they can easily fix all types of broken organelles with this
byssus adhesive.
d. Both A & B
e. Both A & C

25. What is minimal medium?

a. It is combined with molecule which are needed for the growth of wild type individuals.
b. It is a support medium.
c. It is a type of high energy supplement that is supplied to the aquatic habitat of Mytilus mussels.
d. It is a medium on which all arg2 mutants can live alone without any supplements.
e. Both A & B

26. When an individual, such as actress Eden Atwood, possesses the condition known as androgen
insensitivity syndrome (AIS), which of the following correctly describes the AIS condition from a cellular
and molecular biology perspective?
a. Eden has a mutation which changes the nucleotide sequence of a gene, which results an increased
amount of estrogen being produced in the body.
b. Eden has no functional androgen receptor proteins, so her cells are not able to respond to
testosterone.
c. Eden has two extra Y chromosomes and only one X chromosome.
d. Both A & B
e. Both A & C
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

27. As discussed during Biology 1A03 Applied lectures, Dr. Ritland’s research helped to reveal which of the
following important discoveries regarding Kermode bears?
a. Kermode bears inhabit the white beaches in Argentina and are subspecies of the South American
Brown bears.
b. Kermode bears possess a single nucleotide mutation in the mc1r gene and inhabit the forests in
British Columbia.
c. Kermode bears have a single nucleotide mutation in the PIM2 biomarker.
d. Kermode bears are sterile and are endanger of overpopulating forests regions in Ontario.
e. Kermode bears possess bright pink-coloured eyes and dark brown fur.

28. As mentioned during the Bio 1A03 Theme 2 Applied lecture, what specifically can genetic engineers do
with regards to bysuss production?
a. The genetic engineers can insert segments of mussel DNA into yeast cells, which can then serve as
“factories” for translating mussel genes into the byssus adhesive.
b. The genetic engineers can change the mussel DNA and insert it into the genome of mammals, so
that they can walk on vertical surfaces like spiders.
c. The genetic engineers can insert receptors for preproinsulin into the mussels.
d. Both B & C
e. Both A & B

29. Imagine that a high level of glucose stimulus is detected by sensor cells of the pancreas. What happens
next?
a. Insulin acts as an effector signal that targets cells of the body to absorb glucose from the
bloodstream.
b. Androgens functions as an effector signal which targets cells in the muscles to release glucose.
c. Insulin acts as a transducer that targets cells of the body to destroy glucose in all adipose (fat)
tissues.
d. Both A and C
e. Both B and C

30. List the steps of RNA splicing in the correct order from earliest to latest.

i) acceptor splice site is cut.

ii) exon ends are covalently joined together.
iii) donor splice site is cut, and the end of the intron is joined covalently to the branch site.
iv) components of the spliceosome bind conserved regions in the intron to bring them together in close
proximity.

a. iv, iii, i, ii
b. ii, iv, iii, i
c. i, iii, iv, ii
d. iii, ii, i, iv
e. ii, i, iv, iii
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

PART B: Written Answer Questions (10 marks)

There are 6 written answer questions in Part B of the test (questions 31-36). The number of marks
associated with each question is provided. Please write your answer in the space provided using a blue or
black ink pen. Answers written in pencil will not be regraded. Please print neatly and do not use correction
tape. Please write your name, student number, and lab section at the top of each page of Part B.

Dr. da Silva's Written Answer Questions

31. The microarray below shows the relative expression of the galactokinase gene and lactase gene between
2 individuals. (3 marks total)

a) Based on this information, do any of these individuals have galactosemia? If yes, identify who. How
do you know? (0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 1.5 marks)

No (0.5 mark) because both individuals (0.5 mark) are expressing the galactokinase gene (0.5
mark).

b) Based on this information, do any of these individuals have congenital lactose intolerance? If yes,
identify who. How do you know? (0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 1.5 marks)

yes (0.5 mark) individual 1 does (0.5 mark). We know this because the lactase gene is only
expressed by individual 2 and not by individual 1 (0.5 mark).
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

32.
a) What are the main factors that contribute to and cause the symptoms of (1) gas/bloating and (2)
diarrhea, in lactose intolerant individuals? How do these factors lead to these symptoms? Be sure to
explain your answer as it pertains to how these individuals are born without the ability to digest lactose.
(0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 2 marks)

The gas/bloating occurs because intestinal bacteria act on the lactose (0.5 mark) and engage in
fermentation of undigested lactose. This produces a buildup of gas in the intestines (0.5 mark).

The diarrhea occurs because the excessive lactose in the intestine (0.5 mark) attracts water
molecules (through osmosis), which prevents water from being properly absorbed into the
bloodstream and results in diarrhea (0.5 mark)

b) What would be the outcomes on the ability of bacteria to use lactose as a source of fuel, if there is a
mutation that leads to the inhibition of the lac I gene, which is closely associated with the lac operon?
What would cause these changes given your knowledge of the regulation of the lac operon? (0.5 + 0.5 +
0.5 + 0.5 = 2 marks)

Bacteria will have an increase in the ability to use lactose as a source of fuel (0.5 mark).

This is because the lac I gene normally expresses the lac repressor protein (0.5 mark).

With a mutation, there is less lac repressor protein, (0.5 mark) and as a result, the lac operon will be
able to produce more β-galactosidase and lactose permease which will increase ability to use lactose
as a source of fuel (0.5 mark)
Name: ________________________________ Student #: ____________________ Lab Section #: _________

Dr. Kajiura's Written Answer Questions

33. Name the specific site on the ribosome structure that accepts charged tRNA molecules during the
elongation phase of the process of translation. (0.5 mark)

The A site (also acceptable aminoacyl sit or acceptor site) (0.5 mark).

34. Why is the process of alternative splicing of great significance? (0.5 + 0.5 = 1 mark)

Alternative splicing is significant because it allows for diverse proteins (0.5 mark) to be made from a
single gene (0.5 mark)

35. What specific change to the genetic sequence of the Kermode bear causes its fur to appear white in
colour? Be sure to specify the gene and protein that are affected. Why does the fur appear white as a
result of this change? (0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 1.5 marks)

A single nucleotide substitution of a cysteine residue for a tyrosine at codon 298 (0.5 mark) results in
a modified protein product from the mc1r gene (0.5 mark).

The mc1r gene encodes for a protein responsible for regulating skin and hair colour in the Kermode
bear (0.5 mark).

THE END
If your test is complete, please raise your hand and an invigilator will come over to collect your test paper
and scan sheet. Please do not discuss the test with anyone for at least 72 hours as there are students
writing at alternate times. Disclosing any information about the test is an academic dishonesty offence
and students who do so will be charged.

Copyright © 2022 Winter, Biology 1A03, Dr. L. Kajiura and Dr. R. da Silva, Department of Biology, McMaster University