COMPLETE MIDTERM EXAM. LATEST 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (REVISED UPDATE).
INSTRUCTIONS: This exam contains 256 multiple-choice questions. Select
the best answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 point.
SECTION 1: GENETICS & EPIGENETICS
Question 1:
Mutations in the encoding of histones modifying proteins have been shown to
influence the development of what congenital condition?
A) Heart disease
B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Down syndrome
Answer: A) heart disease
Question 2:
Signals to change or modify epigenetic tags originate from where?
A) Only from inside the cell
B) Only from neighboring cells
C) Only from the environment
D) From inside the cell, neighboring cells, or the environment
Answer: D) From inside the cell, neighboring cells, or the environment
Question 3:
,During which stage of human development does the role of epigenetics have
the greatest impact on the development of epigenetic abnormalities?
A) Early childhood
B) Adolescence
C) In utero
D) Adulthood
Answer: C) In utero
Question 4:
The difference between DNA sequence mutations and epigenetic
modifications is:
A) Mutations are always harmful, epigenetic modifications are always
beneficial
B) Epigenetic modifications are reversible, DNA mutations are not
C) DNA mutations occur only in germ cells
D) Epigenetic modifications cannot be inherited
Answer: B) Epigenetic modifications are reversible, DNA mutations are not
Question 5:
Which statement correctly describes the characteristics of totipotent stem
cells and their sources?
A) Totipotent cells can mature into any type of body cell but not placental
cells
B) Totipotent cells are only found in adult tissues
C) Totipotent cells can mature into any type of body cell including placental
cells; they are only present in the first few cell divisions of an embryo
,D) Totipotent cells can only differentiate into blood cells
Answer: C) Totipotent cells can mature into any type of body cell including
placental cells; they are only present in the first few cell divisions of an
embryo
Question 6:
Which are examples of totipotent cells? (Select all that apply)
A) A zygote
B) Cells in the early embryo up to 5 days
C) Bone marrow stem cells
D) Skin cells
Answer: A) A zygote
B) Cells in the early embryo up to 5 days
Question 7:
What is a totipotent cell?
A) A cell that can differentiate into multiple cell types but not extra-embryonic
tissue
B) A cell that can differentiate into any type of body cell and extra-embryonic
tissue
C) A cell that can only differentiate into blood cells
D) A cell that has lost its ability to divide
Answer: B) A cell that can differentiate into any type of body cell and extra-
embryonic tissue
Question 8:
, Which features are associated with Prader-Willi syndrome? (Select all that
apply)
A) Chronic feeling of hunger (severe, life-threatening obesity)
B) Low muscle tone
C) Tall stature
D) Poor cognitive development
E) Normal sexual development
Answer: A) Chronic feeling of hunger (severe, life-threatening obesity)
B) Low muscle tone
D) Poor cognitive development
Question 9:
Angelman syndrome is sometimes called "happy puppet syndrome." Which
signs are characteristic of this disorder? (Select all that apply)
A) Severe mental retardation
B) No speech
C) Abnormal gait
D) Wide stance
E) Arms held out in an unusual manner
Answer: A) Severe mental retardation
B) No speech
C) Abnormal gait
D) Wide stance
E) Arms held out in an unusual manner
Question 10: