BMS2036 Mol Bio and Genetics
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide
2025/2026
100% Certified by Expert.
Start codon - ansAUG
Stop codons - ansUAA, UAG, UGA
Eukaryotic genes have x which stutters the RNA polymerase - ansPoly A region to make
mRNA polyAtail
Eukaryotic genes have x at 5' and 3', which prokaryotic genes do not - ansUntranslated
regions
Main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes - ansEukaryotes have introns and
exons, prokaryotes only have exons
The rate of which 4 things can be controlled to control protein levels? - ans1.Rate of
transcription
2.Rate of mRNA degradation
3.Rate of protein synthesis
4. Rate of protein degradation
In eukaryotes, which proteins control gene expression? - ansRNA polymerase II
Helicases
Transcription factors
Coactivator TFs
Repressor TFs
Where do general transcription factors, TFs, and DNA polymerase bind? - ansthe promoter
What is the promoter? What does it include? - ansA sequence of nucleotides on the DNA that
designates a start point for, and the direction of, transcription. Includes TSS, consensus
sequence, and other protein binding sequences
Promoter Consensus Sequence - ans-10 and -35 consensus sequenced
what are the factors involved in the control of eukaryotic gene transcription? - ans-
interactions between DNA and proteins
- types of promoter
- similarity to promoter consensus sequences
- chromatin modifications/ DNA packaging modifications
What is the strength of a promoter determined by? - ansHow closely the promoter sequence
matches the consensus
What is a cis-regulatory sequence? - ansA DNA sequence bound by a transcription factor
(usually 5-12 nucleotides long, ON THE SAME CHROMOSOME AS THE GENES THEY
CONTROL)
Which things govern DNA-protein interactions? - ansThe DNA recognition sequence, the
structure of the protein, the mediator complex, and how DNA is packaged.
What can affect the strength of proteins binding to DNA? - ansShape of protein, shape of
DNA, presence of other proteins already bound which can either enhance or inhibit
transcription.
What is the TATA box promoter consensus sequence? - ansTATATAAG
All promoter sequences must include a TATA box- true or false? - ansFalse- other consensus
sequences can exist
,BMS2036 Mol Bio and Genetics
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide
2025/2026
100% Certified by Expert.
What are the different protein domains enabling protein DNA-interaction? - ans-
homeodomains
- beta sheet recognition proteins
- zinc finger domains
- leucine zippers
- helix loop helix
Proteins can contain more than one domain type - true or false? - ansTrue
What domain enables protein interaction with p53 genes? - ansBeta sheet recognition domain
Nuclear receptor proteins like FXR have "x" domain enabling interaction with DNA - anszinc
finger
What are the similarities between control of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression? -
ans- transcription factors (trans activators)
- consensus sequences
- repressors
In prokaryotes, what terminates transcription? - ansDNA hairpin structure
Prokaryotic RNA polymerase requires "y" factor to initiate transcription - ansSigma factor-
allows the formation of a closed complex on DNA at the promoter
In order for prokaryotic transcription elongation to begin, what must occur> - ansRelease of
the sigma factor
What controls prokaryotic transcription initiation? - ansCis-regulatory regions and enhancer
regions control initiation
What is the most energy demanding cellular process? - ansTranslation
Repressors and activators both bind.... - ansCis-regulatory sequence in the promoter
What sequence type recruits general TFs? - ansConsensus sequences
Two examples of non-coding DNA are - ansPromoters, enhancers
Name of largest subunit on RNA polymerase II? What is special about it? - ansRBP1- post-
translationally modified to have many phosphorylation sites, causing conformational change
allowing transcription initiation
What are CpG islands? - ansregions in DNA rich in CG that are prone to modifications
RNA polymerase alone is always enough for transcription initiation- true or false - ansFalse-
a mediator complex of many proteins, RNA polymerase II, transcription factors, activators,
mediators, and chromatin modifiers must bind DNA, in a specific organization, in order for
transcription initiation.
Where in DNA is the BRE element, what transcription factor binds to it? - ans-35, in the
promoter, TFIIB
What activates RNA polymerase II? - ansPhosphorylation
Where does the mediator complex bind? - ansThe enhancer region, upstream from the
promoter
What is the function of spacer DNA between the promoter and enhancer? - ansAllows DNA
to bend so that DNA can bend to allow mediator complex on enhancer to meet and activate
General TFs on the promoter, to turn on RNA polymerase II, to initiate transcription
, BMS2036 Mol Bio and Genetics
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide
2025/2026
100% Certified by Expert.
Mediator complexes bind where? They include what? - ansEnhancer region. Histone
modifying enzymes, chromatin remodelling complexes, transcription factors,
coactivators/repressors
Describe the steps required for transcription factors to enter the nucleus - ans1. activation
(.eg. dimerisation of STATs) inducing shape change showing an NLS 2. Importin proteins
recognise the NLS, bind, and take the TF through the nuclear pore, into the nucleus
(3. TF can undergo other modifications like dimerisation .etc. and bind DNA)
Name six protein modifications which can enable display of a NLS - ans1. protein already
synthesized with active NLS
2. ligand binds protein, conformational change, NLS
3. Covalent modification like phosphorylation, NLS
4. Dimerisation, complex conformation serves as an NLS
5. Removal of chaperone protein/ unmasking of NLS
6. Part of protein in cell membrane cleaved off and released
How is the NLS of protein kinase C unveiled? - ansProtein kinase C, in cell membrane, has a
part of it cleaved off, and released into the nucleus, which activates its NLS.
Homeobox genes (Hox genes) contain... These genes are important in... -
ansHomeodomains... fetal development/ body patterning (e.g. HOX 9 and limb development)
The three ...... in homeodomains are held together by ...... interactions - ansalpha
helices.......hydrophobic
Which part of the homeodomain interacts with DNA? What aa residues does it contain? -
ansThe recognition helix, containing Serine, arginine, and asparagine residues
p53 is a......recognised by.......... - anstumour suppressor gene.... beta sheet recognition protein
p53 has .... and .... domains. The ..... domain enables it to change its DNA binding specificity
by the formation of ...... - ansbeta sheet recognition.... oligodimerisation....OD.....multimers.
Name 4 functions of p53 - ans- apoptosis
- cell cycle arrest
- translation control
- metabolism
Zinc finger domains always bind zinc. true or false? - ansFalse. Sometimes bind Zn,
sometimes other metals, sometimes nothing.
Zinc finger domain proteins transcriptionally control processes like... - ansBile acid
detoxification
What is key to the sequence specificity and effect of zinc finger domains of nuclear
receptors? - ansThe first finger determines specificity/ the contents of the dimer
Nuclear hormone receptors contain - anstwo zinc-binding domains- one binds DNA, the other
controls dimerisation
What is Fos? - ansA leucine zipper that regulates bone/ fibroblast proliferation and
differentiation
Leucine zippers always bind DNA as dimers. True or false? - ansTrue
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide
2025/2026
100% Certified by Expert.
Start codon - ansAUG
Stop codons - ansUAA, UAG, UGA
Eukaryotic genes have x which stutters the RNA polymerase - ansPoly A region to make
mRNA polyAtail
Eukaryotic genes have x at 5' and 3', which prokaryotic genes do not - ansUntranslated
regions
Main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes - ansEukaryotes have introns and
exons, prokaryotes only have exons
The rate of which 4 things can be controlled to control protein levels? - ans1.Rate of
transcription
2.Rate of mRNA degradation
3.Rate of protein synthesis
4. Rate of protein degradation
In eukaryotes, which proteins control gene expression? - ansRNA polymerase II
Helicases
Transcription factors
Coactivator TFs
Repressor TFs
Where do general transcription factors, TFs, and DNA polymerase bind? - ansthe promoter
What is the promoter? What does it include? - ansA sequence of nucleotides on the DNA that
designates a start point for, and the direction of, transcription. Includes TSS, consensus
sequence, and other protein binding sequences
Promoter Consensus Sequence - ans-10 and -35 consensus sequenced
what are the factors involved in the control of eukaryotic gene transcription? - ans-
interactions between DNA and proteins
- types of promoter
- similarity to promoter consensus sequences
- chromatin modifications/ DNA packaging modifications
What is the strength of a promoter determined by? - ansHow closely the promoter sequence
matches the consensus
What is a cis-regulatory sequence? - ansA DNA sequence bound by a transcription factor
(usually 5-12 nucleotides long, ON THE SAME CHROMOSOME AS THE GENES THEY
CONTROL)
Which things govern DNA-protein interactions? - ansThe DNA recognition sequence, the
structure of the protein, the mediator complex, and how DNA is packaged.
What can affect the strength of proteins binding to DNA? - ansShape of protein, shape of
DNA, presence of other proteins already bound which can either enhance or inhibit
transcription.
What is the TATA box promoter consensus sequence? - ansTATATAAG
All promoter sequences must include a TATA box- true or false? - ansFalse- other consensus
sequences can exist
,BMS2036 Mol Bio and Genetics
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide
2025/2026
100% Certified by Expert.
What are the different protein domains enabling protein DNA-interaction? - ans-
homeodomains
- beta sheet recognition proteins
- zinc finger domains
- leucine zippers
- helix loop helix
Proteins can contain more than one domain type - true or false? - ansTrue
What domain enables protein interaction with p53 genes? - ansBeta sheet recognition domain
Nuclear receptor proteins like FXR have "x" domain enabling interaction with DNA - anszinc
finger
What are the similarities between control of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression? -
ans- transcription factors (trans activators)
- consensus sequences
- repressors
In prokaryotes, what terminates transcription? - ansDNA hairpin structure
Prokaryotic RNA polymerase requires "y" factor to initiate transcription - ansSigma factor-
allows the formation of a closed complex on DNA at the promoter
In order for prokaryotic transcription elongation to begin, what must occur> - ansRelease of
the sigma factor
What controls prokaryotic transcription initiation? - ansCis-regulatory regions and enhancer
regions control initiation
What is the most energy demanding cellular process? - ansTranslation
Repressors and activators both bind.... - ansCis-regulatory sequence in the promoter
What sequence type recruits general TFs? - ansConsensus sequences
Two examples of non-coding DNA are - ansPromoters, enhancers
Name of largest subunit on RNA polymerase II? What is special about it? - ansRBP1- post-
translationally modified to have many phosphorylation sites, causing conformational change
allowing transcription initiation
What are CpG islands? - ansregions in DNA rich in CG that are prone to modifications
RNA polymerase alone is always enough for transcription initiation- true or false - ansFalse-
a mediator complex of many proteins, RNA polymerase II, transcription factors, activators,
mediators, and chromatin modifiers must bind DNA, in a specific organization, in order for
transcription initiation.
Where in DNA is the BRE element, what transcription factor binds to it? - ans-35, in the
promoter, TFIIB
What activates RNA polymerase II? - ansPhosphorylation
Where does the mediator complex bind? - ansThe enhancer region, upstream from the
promoter
What is the function of spacer DNA between the promoter and enhancer? - ansAllows DNA
to bend so that DNA can bend to allow mediator complex on enhancer to meet and activate
General TFs on the promoter, to turn on RNA polymerase II, to initiate transcription
, BMS2036 Mol Bio and Genetics
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide
2025/2026
100% Certified by Expert.
Mediator complexes bind where? They include what? - ansEnhancer region. Histone
modifying enzymes, chromatin remodelling complexes, transcription factors,
coactivators/repressors
Describe the steps required for transcription factors to enter the nucleus - ans1. activation
(.eg. dimerisation of STATs) inducing shape change showing an NLS 2. Importin proteins
recognise the NLS, bind, and take the TF through the nuclear pore, into the nucleus
(3. TF can undergo other modifications like dimerisation .etc. and bind DNA)
Name six protein modifications which can enable display of a NLS - ans1. protein already
synthesized with active NLS
2. ligand binds protein, conformational change, NLS
3. Covalent modification like phosphorylation, NLS
4. Dimerisation, complex conformation serves as an NLS
5. Removal of chaperone protein/ unmasking of NLS
6. Part of protein in cell membrane cleaved off and released
How is the NLS of protein kinase C unveiled? - ansProtein kinase C, in cell membrane, has a
part of it cleaved off, and released into the nucleus, which activates its NLS.
Homeobox genes (Hox genes) contain... These genes are important in... -
ansHomeodomains... fetal development/ body patterning (e.g. HOX 9 and limb development)
The three ...... in homeodomains are held together by ...... interactions - ansalpha
helices.......hydrophobic
Which part of the homeodomain interacts with DNA? What aa residues does it contain? -
ansThe recognition helix, containing Serine, arginine, and asparagine residues
p53 is a......recognised by.......... - anstumour suppressor gene.... beta sheet recognition protein
p53 has .... and .... domains. The ..... domain enables it to change its DNA binding specificity
by the formation of ...... - ansbeta sheet recognition.... oligodimerisation....OD.....multimers.
Name 4 functions of p53 - ans- apoptosis
- cell cycle arrest
- translation control
- metabolism
Zinc finger domains always bind zinc. true or false? - ansFalse. Sometimes bind Zn,
sometimes other metals, sometimes nothing.
Zinc finger domain proteins transcriptionally control processes like... - ansBile acid
detoxification
What is key to the sequence specificity and effect of zinc finger domains of nuclear
receptors? - ansThe first finger determines specificity/ the contents of the dimer
Nuclear hormone receptors contain - anstwo zinc-binding domains- one binds DNA, the other
controls dimerisation
What is Fos? - ansA leucine zipper that regulates bone/ fibroblast proliferation and
differentiation
Leucine zippers always bind DNA as dimers. True or false? - ansTrue
