AP Biology Unit 6 Test: Gene Expression and Regulation
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the role of mRNA in gene expression? A) To carry genetic information from
DNA to the ribosome B) To form the structure of ribosomes C) To bring amino acids to
the ribosome D) To modify DNA sequences
2. Which of the following processes converts mRNA into a protein? A) Transcription
B) Translation C) Replication D) Reverse transcription
3. What is a promoter? A) A site on DNA where RNA polymerase can bind and begin
transcription B) A protein that enhances the rate of transcription C) An enzyme that cuts
DNA at specific nucleotide sequences D) A segment of RNA that initiates translation
4. Which type of RNA molecule carries amino acids to the ribosome? A) mRNA B)
rRNA C) tRNA D) snRNA
5. What does the term "gene regulation" refer to? A) Changes in the sequence of DNA
B) The process by which cells repair DNA C) The control of the amount and timing of
appearance of the functional product of a gene D) The removal of introns from RNA and
the splicing of exons
6. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the: A) Nucleus B) Cytoplasm C) Ribosome D)
Mitochondria
7. Which process involves the removal of introns and joining of exons in mRNA? A)
DNA replication B) RNA splicing C) Translation D) Transcription
8. Epigenetic changes can affect gene expression by altering: A) DNA sequence B)
mRNA stability C) Chromatin structure D) Protein synthesis directly
9. The Lac operon in E. coli is an example of: A) A repressible operon B) An inducible
operon C) Constitutive expression D) Epigenetic regulation
10. Silencers are genetic elements that: A) Increase the rate of gene transcription B)
Decrease the rate of gene transcription C) Are necessary for RNA splicing D) Act as
promoters
Short Answer Question
11. Explain how a repressible operon works and give an example.
Answer Key for Unit 6:
1. A) To carry genetic information from DNA to the ribosome
2. B) Translation
3. A) A site on DNA where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription
4. C) tRNA
5. C) The control of the amount and timing of appearance of the functional product
of a gene
6. A) Nucleus
7. B) RNA splicing
8. C) Chromatin structure
9. B) An inducible operon
10. B) Decrease the rate of gene transcription
Short Answer Key for Unit 6:
11. A repressible operon is typically active and producing mRNA unless it is turned
off, or repressed, by a specific molecule. An example is the tryptophan operon in
E. coli. When tryptophan is present, it binds to the repressor protein, which then
binds to the operator region on the operon, blocking RNA polymerase and
stopping transcription. This regulation allows the cell to adapt to the presence of
tryptophan and conserve resources.
