BIOL 133 CHAPTERS 16–20 | COMPREHENSIVE BIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE,
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
(16) The portions of the mature mRNA where RNA-binding proteins can attach in order to change RNA
stability are known as - ✔✔Untranslated regions.
(16) A gene is made up of three exons (numbered consecutively) with two introns (intron 1 between
exons 1 and 2 and intron 2 between exons 2 and 3). What would happen if there were a mutation at the
3' splice site of intron 1? - ✔✔mRNA with all three exons along with intron 1.
(16) If every cell in the body gets the same DNA, how do the cells of an embryo make different structures
and take on different roles? (Select all that apply.) - ✔✔A. Different transcription factors are active in
different cells.
C. Genes are spliced differently in different cells.
D. Translation is regulated so that different cells may make more of certain proteins.
(16) In eukaryotes, where would a protective modification be found on mRNA? - ✔✔On both the 5' end
and the 3' end.
(16) _________ is the first protein to bind to mRNA to being initiation of translation. - ✔✔eIF-2
(16) Epigenetics refers to a special kind of hereditary mechanism. Epigenetic changes do not change the
DNA nucleotide sequence, yet their effect on gene expression can last for several generations.
In one surprising study, it was found that the grandsons of men who suffered a famine were less likely to
die of cardiovascular disease. The experience of famine made some cardio-protective change in the
sperm of those grandfathers that was passed on.
What type of change was likely responsible? - ✔✔Histone acetylation or DNA methylation.
(16) Enhancers located hundreds of bases upstream of a gene can be brought to the promoter by
_________. - ✔✔DNA bending proteins.
(16) Overexpression of miRNAs can lead to a decrease of protein expression associated with some forms
of cancer. What could a drug do to counter this effect? - ✔✔Decrease expression of miRNA.
(16) What would happen if there were a mutation in the operator of the trp operon? - ✔✔The trp
operon would continuously express the genes.
(16) What part of the ribosome is important in catalyzing peptide bonds? - ✔✔The rRNA.
(17) Three fish species are models for understanding different aspects of genes. Read the descriptions
and decide what sort of genetics each is used for.
- Developmental genetics
- Evolutionary genetics of skeletal structures
- Genome Analysis - ✔✔1. Takifugu rubripes - A poisonous marine pufferfish; has an unusually small
genome compared to other vertebrates but still carries all essential genes.
- Genome Analysis
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
(16) The portions of the mature mRNA where RNA-binding proteins can attach in order to change RNA
stability are known as - ✔✔Untranslated regions.
(16) A gene is made up of three exons (numbered consecutively) with two introns (intron 1 between
exons 1 and 2 and intron 2 between exons 2 and 3). What would happen if there were a mutation at the
3' splice site of intron 1? - ✔✔mRNA with all three exons along with intron 1.
(16) If every cell in the body gets the same DNA, how do the cells of an embryo make different structures
and take on different roles? (Select all that apply.) - ✔✔A. Different transcription factors are active in
different cells.
C. Genes are spliced differently in different cells.
D. Translation is regulated so that different cells may make more of certain proteins.
(16) In eukaryotes, where would a protective modification be found on mRNA? - ✔✔On both the 5' end
and the 3' end.
(16) _________ is the first protein to bind to mRNA to being initiation of translation. - ✔✔eIF-2
(16) Epigenetics refers to a special kind of hereditary mechanism. Epigenetic changes do not change the
DNA nucleotide sequence, yet their effect on gene expression can last for several generations.
In one surprising study, it was found that the grandsons of men who suffered a famine were less likely to
die of cardiovascular disease. The experience of famine made some cardio-protective change in the
sperm of those grandfathers that was passed on.
What type of change was likely responsible? - ✔✔Histone acetylation or DNA methylation.
(16) Enhancers located hundreds of bases upstream of a gene can be brought to the promoter by
_________. - ✔✔DNA bending proteins.
(16) Overexpression of miRNAs can lead to a decrease of protein expression associated with some forms
of cancer. What could a drug do to counter this effect? - ✔✔Decrease expression of miRNA.
(16) What would happen if there were a mutation in the operator of the trp operon? - ✔✔The trp
operon would continuously express the genes.
(16) What part of the ribosome is important in catalyzing peptide bonds? - ✔✔The rRNA.
(17) Three fish species are models for understanding different aspects of genes. Read the descriptions
and decide what sort of genetics each is used for.
- Developmental genetics
- Evolutionary genetics of skeletal structures
- Genome Analysis - ✔✔1. Takifugu rubripes - A poisonous marine pufferfish; has an unusually small
genome compared to other vertebrates but still carries all essential genes.
- Genome Analysis
