Deck 16: Genomics

Question 1

Your research team is challenged with the quantification of all translated mRNAs present in cells following exposure to exercise. The primary focus of your inquiry would be

A) proteomes.
B) spliceosomes.
C) nucleosomes.
D) genomes.
E) transcriptomes.

Answer 1

proteomes.

Question 2

The production of the two subunit rubisco protein in plants for photosynthesis supports the endosymbiosis theory and best describes that the genes for this protein

A) come from the bacterial mitochondrial genome only.
B) originally came from the organelle and is now partially integrated in the nuclear genome.
C) is a repetitive DNA sequence shared by both organelle and nuclear DNA.
D) has the ability to use restriction enzymes to produce proteins in either organelle or nucleus.

Answer 2

originally came from the organelle and is now partially integrated in the nuclear genome.

Question 3

When looking at microarray data verses phenotypic behaviors in a model organism, you notice that certain genes seem to have lost their function. Therefore you decide to classify them as

A) nonfunctioning introns.
B) inactivated exons.
C) templates.
D) transposons.
E) pseudogenes.

Answer 3

pseudogenes.

Question 4

Nearly half of the human genome is composed of a noncoding DNA that can move from one chromosomal location to another. This type of noncoding DNA is/are called

A) introns.
B) microRNA genes.
C) tandem clusters.
D) transposons.
E) pseudogenes.

Question 5

A private company has been hired by the Parliament of Iceland to create a database from pooled medical, genetic, and genealogical information. The primary issues the company might face are

A) ownership and privacy violations.
B) financial gain violations.
C) shareholder and privatization violations.
D) international treaty violations.
E) moral and ethical violations.

Question 6

Sequence-tagged sites (STS) are used to assemble DNA maps from a given species. STSs are useful in this regard because

A) each STS is found many times within the genome.
B) they provide a way to order DNA fragments.
C) they generate DNA fragments of a reasonable size for mapping.
D) they are only found in genes, not in noncoding DNA.

Question 7

Rice and its grain relatives, maize, barley, and wheat, diverged from a common ancestor about 50 million years ago. What main advantage does this afford research in crop genomics?

A) It identifies linkage disequilibrium between multiple crop types.
B) Single nucleotide polymorphisms are clearly defined in many plants used as crops.
C) STS can be isolated in more than one plant leading to better crop production.
D) It allows for useful genes in crops to be identified in multiple species of plants.

Question 8

As a scientist working for an anti-bioterrorism task force, you are asked to evaluate some biological samples for the presence of Yersinia pestis, the organism that causes The Plague. After confirming that the samples do contain Y. pestis, you instruct your team to begin sequencing the strain. Given that the genome sequence of Y. pestis is already known, why did you instruct your team to sequence this strain?

A) To confirm the original genome sequence and verify that this strain matches.
B) To establish the course of infection, and determine whether the strain is altered by causing infection.
C) To gather possible information on its origin, and determine whether the strain has been genetically engineered.
D) To establish the SNPs necessary to confirm infection from this strain.

Question 9

Using the genome sequencing data from each of the kingdoms, it is currently possible to

A) to genetic differences between species very directly, examining DNA changes and identifying unknown genes.
B) to build, from scratch, complex organisms with trans-kingdom genomes using newly-sequenced genes.
C) to sequence genes and build, from scratch, simple organisms with trans-kingdom genomes.
D) to design humans with a variety of inter-kingdom abilities built into their DNA.

Question 10

How can the analysis of mammalian genomes be used to detect and treat human disease? Check all that apply.

A) The genomes of the mammalian relatives of humans are the best targets for discovering new treatments for human diseases.
B) Comparing the genomes of bacteria and host is likely to reveal good drug targets to eliminate the bacteria without harming the host.
C) A comparison of mouse and human genomes would help reveal functions for previously unidentified human genes.
D) A comparison of human and mouse genomes would help observe DNA sequences that evolved prior to the evolution of mammals.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is/are accurate about the role of genome analysis in crop improvement? Check all that apply.

A) Conservation of synteny will hinder our ability to find agriculturally important genes in plants.
B) Arabidopsis is being genetically modified as a crop plant.
C) Sequencing of the rice genome was important because it is related to many other cereal crop plants.
D) The genes in one crop plant type can help to identify useful genes in another crop.

Question 12

Crop sunflowers are attacked by many fungal pathogens, such as downy mildew and Sclerotinia, resulting in economic losses of millions of dollars per year. What genes would be best to target for the development of new fungus-killing crop treatments (fungicides)?

A) Genes encoding chitin proteins that are shared by downy mildew and Sclerotinia, but absent in sunflower and humans.
B) Genes encoding growth proteins that are shared by downy mildew, Sclerotinia, and sunflower, but absent in humans.
C) Genes encoding metabolite proteins that are shared by downy mildew, Sclerotinia, and humans, but absent in sunflower.
D) Genes encoding basic development proteins that are shared by downy mildew, Sclerotinia, sunflower, and humans.

Question 13

A science student asks you why there are a lower number of unique genes compared to mRNAs. The most accurate explanation is

A) introns can be spliced together in multiple ways making variable mRNA sequences.
B) splicing both introns and exons creates variable forms of mRNA.
C) alternative splicing add introns to exons in multiple ways forming more types of mRNA.
D) exons are alternatively spliced creating many more mRNAs than genes.

Question 14

You have been given a large DNA fragment. How would you go about cloning this piece of DNA?

A) Using STS sites to sequence the fragments by adding them into yeast.
B) Insert the fragment into a yeast artificial chromosome and put the recombinant vector into yeast cells.
C) Add yeast DNA to the fragment and then insert it into E. coli.
D) By using yeast origin of replication to insert fragment into yeast.

Question 15

The higher similarity of the chimpanzee genome to humans compared to baboons or dogs is accounted for by what main concept.

A) Some species share identical genomes where others are highly variable.
B) Over time divergence has occurred forming genetic differences, some bigger than others.
C) Species have become less diverse over time creating more mutations between species.
D) Reduction in divergence means a closer relationship between some species.

Question 16

The movement of genes between organelle and nuclear genomes is mainly supported by which of the following observations?

A) Rubisco, a multisubunit protein, consists of a polypeptide encoded by nuclear genes and a polypeptide encoded by a chloroplast gene.
B) Identical single nucleotide polymorphisms are found in both organelle and nuclear genomes.
C) Some mitochondrial proteins are encoded by genes found in the nuclear genome and some mitochondrial proteins are encoded by genes found in the mitochondrial genome.
D) RNA subunits come from both organelle and nuclear genomes that make the accompanying subunit proteins.

Question 17

A research project you are doing looks at different protein-encoding genes in the human genome. What are some of the main classes of genes that you will find?

A) Clusters of two or more distinct genes known as multigene families.
B) Transposons that move within or between chromosomes.
C) Single-copy genes that exist once on the genome.
D) Simple sequence repeats.
E) Tandem clusters used to increase levels of specific mRNAs.