GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 201 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Help With Junction Types

Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE about gap junctions?

Possible Answers:

Gap junctions have some functionality of permitting cells to adhere to one another. 

Gap junctions contribute to electrical coupling of adjacent cells. 

Gap junctions prevent molecules and ions from traveling between cells in the extracellular space. 

Gap junctions form channels that are comprised of connexin proteins. 

Gap junctions permit the travel of small molecules back and forth between adjacent cells. 

Correct answer:

Gap junctions prevent molecules and ions from traveling between cells in the extracellular space. 

Explanation:

"Gap junctions prevent molecules and ions from traveling between cells in the extracellular space" is incorrect because this describes the function of tight junctions. Gap junctions electrically couple two cells by permitting the formation of small channels that connect two cells. 

Example Question #1 : Cellular Processes

Which of the following proteins forms channels that permit electrical communication between cells across gap junctions? 

Possible Answers:

Catenin

Cadherin

Connexin

Tubulin

Ephrin

Correct answer:

Connexin

Explanation:

Most of the other proteins listed are structural, but do not form any kind of pore or channel through which an electrical message can cross. Connexins are required for this function of gap junctions. 

Example Question #1 : Signals, Communication, And Junctions

What are the two major proteins that comprise tight junctionscellular junctions that prevent fluids from traveling between cells and generally contribute to morphology by holding cells together?

Possible Answers:

Occludins and connexins

Connexins and integrins

Claudins and occludins

Claudins and protocadherins

Claudins and adherins 

Correct answer:

Claudins and occludins

Explanation:

While each of the proteins listed contribute to cell structure and function, the tight junction requires claudins and occludins to anchor the cytoskeleton of two adjacent cells to one another. These are the primary structural components of tight junctions. 

Example Question #1 : Cellular Junctions

What is the main purpose of gap junctions?

Possible Answers:

Allows large molecules to move between cells

Prevents cells from separating from one another

Prevents water from moving between cells

Allows molecules and ions to travel between cells

Correct answer:

Allows molecules and ions to travel between cells

Explanation:

Gap junctions can be thought of as small tunnels between cells. They allow for the immediate transport of ions and molecules between the cells. Gap junctions are prominent in cardiac myocytes, and help spread action potentials via electrical synapses to coordinate the contraction of the heart.

Example Question #1 : Cellular Junctions

Which cellular junction will be most useful in preventing the movement of material between cell membranes?

Possible Answers:

Gap junctions

Tight junctions

Desmosomes

Hemidesmosomes

Correct answer:

Tight junctions

Explanation:

The movement of substances between cells is most commonly controlled by tight junctions. These junctions can be regulated, which can alter how strongly they resist the movement of material between cells, like those in the digestive tract during absorption.

Example Question #1 : Help With Second Messengers

Which of the following is a common second messenger used in signal transduction pathways?

Possible Answers:

Epinephrine

cAMP

Receptor tyrosine kinases

G subunits of G proteins

Correct answer:

cAMP

Explanation:

Second messengers are the molecules in a signal transduction pathway that will activate an intracellular response. Epinephrine is a hormone that will bind a receptor on the exoplasmic face of the cell, making is a first messenger. G subunits interact with adaptor proteins that will then stimulate the production of second messengers. Receptor tyrosine kinases are examples of receptor proteins that will bind first messengers. cAMP, however, is a widely used second messenger that is involved in the activation of many pathways and signal amplification in the cytosol.

Example Question #72 : Cell Biology

Which of the following signaling molecules does not elicit a second messenger response inside cells?

Possible Answers:

Glucagon

Steroid hormones

Peptide hormones

Large peptides

Correct answer:

Steroid hormones

Explanation:

A second messenger response is created in cells that use signal transduction, meaning that the signaling molecules attach to a receptor on the outside of the cell. Steroid hormones are largely nonpolar, and can enter the cell in order to affect cellular processes at the level of transcription. As a result, they do not need to rely on second messenger pathways in order to elicit a response.

Example Question #1 : Signals, Communication, And Junctions

Which of the following choices corresponds to what is happening in a cell when an action potential reaches its peak?

Possible Answers:

Voltage-gated sodium channels open

The sodium-potassium pump stops

Sodium channels are inactivated

Potassium channels close

Correct answer:

Sodium channels are inactivated

Explanation:

The peak of an action potential signals the inactivation of sodium channels. This effectively prevents more sodium from entering the cell and halts the depolarization that was previously occurring, resulting in a maximum depolarization value. Potassium channels remain open, and are the cause for the membrane potential to start dropping (positive charge is leaving the cell). The sodium-potassium pump does not stop during this process. In fact, its continued function is essential for eventually restoring the resting membrane potential.

Example Question #1 : Help With Action Potentials And Synapses

An action potential occurs in an axon that synapses at a muscle; this specific type of synapse is called a neuromuscular junction. During the action potential, the membrane potential of the axon sharply depolarizes as the signal moves towards the terminal. Upon reaching the synaptic terminal, neurotransmitters are released and interact with receptors on the muscle. Which of the following best summarizes the changes that occur in the post-synaptic muscle after a neurotransmission event?

Possible Answers:

Activation of receptors causes opening of ion channels on the muscle, and the muscle hyperpolarizes. 

Activation of receptors opens ion channels, but the membrane potential is unchanged. 

Activation of receptors causes opening of ion channels on the muscle, and the muscle depolarizes. 

Activation of receptors causes closing of ion channels on the muscle, and the muscle hyperpolarizes. 

Activation of receptors depletes the muscle of intracellular calcium stores and the muscle depolarizes. 

Correct answer:

Activation of receptors causes opening of ion channels on the muscle, and the muscle depolarizes. 

Explanation:

Neurotransmitters will bind their respective receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, which is a muscle in this case. This binding causes changes to other proteins on that membrane, which results in an opening of ion channels. The muscle then depolarizes due to the influx of positively charged ions, and this can be measured as a positive change in the muscle membrane potential. 

Example Question #271 : Gre Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, And Molecular Biology

What protein is responsible for maintaining the resting potential across a neuronal plasma membrane? 

Possible Answers:

Sodium-chlorine pump

Sodium-potassium pump

Potassium-ATP transporter

Proton pump

Ligand-gated sodium channels

Correct answer:

Sodium-potassium pump

Explanation:

The sodium-potassium pump maintains the resting membrane potential by utilizing 1 ATP to transport 2 potassium ions into the cell, and pumping 3 sodium ions out, which makes the inside of the cell negative relative to the outside of the cell. 

All GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 201 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors