Gene Expression and Regulation: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 13 Biology

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT directly involved in controlling gene expression?

Accepted Answer

mRNA

Answer

Transcription factors

Answer

Enhancers

Answer

Silencers

Question 2

Which of the following histone modifications is typically associated with promoting gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Acetylation

Answer

Methylation

Answer

Phosphorylation

Answer

Ubiquitination

Question 3

Which of the following is not a type of RNA polymerase involved in eukaryotic gene transcription?

Accepted Answer

Topoisomerase

Answer

RNA polymerase I

Answer

RNA polymerase II

Answer

RNA polymerase III

Question 4

Identify the main function of ribosomes during gene expression.

Accepted Answer

Translating mRNA into protein

Answer

Transcribing DNA into RNA

Answer

Modifying RNA transcripts

Answer

Replicating DNA

Question 5

Distinguish between constitutive and inducible gene expression patterns.

Accepted Answer

Constitutive genes are continuously expressed, while inducible genes are activated only in response to specific stimuli

Answer

Inducible genes are constitutively expressed, while constitutive genes are only activated in response to specific stimuli

Answer

Constitutive genes are only found in eukaryotes, while inducible genes are only found in prokaryotes

Answer

Inducible genes are expressed exclusively in somatic cells, while constitutive genes are expressed exclusively in gametes

Question 6

Identify an example of a post-translational modification that can affect protein function.

Accepted Answer

Glycosylation

Answer

DNA methylation

Answer

Histone acetylation

Answer

RNA splicing

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a regulatory element that controls gene expression in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Operator

Answer

Promoter

Answer

Enhancer

Answer

Silincer

Question 8

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes have operons, while eukaryotes use enhancers and silencers.

Answer

Eukaryotes have introns, while prokaryotes do not.

Answer

Prokaryotes have a nucleus, while eukaryotes do not.

Answer

Eukaryotes use RNA polymerase II, while prokaryotes use RNA polymerase I.

Question 9

What is the primary role of RNA polymerase in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

To synthesize mRNA from DNA.

Answer

To bind to enhancers and silencers.

Answer

To assemble ribosomes.

Answer

To cleave introns from pre-mRNA.

Question 10

What is the function of a silencer in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

To bind to repressors and block transcription.

Answer

To bind to activators and enhance transcription.

Answer

To recruit RNA polymerase to the promoter.

Answer

To cleave introns from pre-mRNA.

Question 11

What is the difference between constitutive and inducible gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Constitutive genes are always expressed, while inducible genes are only expressed in response to an external signal.

Answer

Inducible genes are always expressed, while constitutive genes are only expressed in response to an external signal.

Answer

Constitutive and inducible genes are both always expressed.

Answer

Constitutive and inducible genes are both only expressed in response to an external signal.

Question 12

Transcription factors primarily function by:

Accepted Answer

Binding to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression

Answer

Initiating transcription by synthesizing RNA

Answer

Elongating the RNA chain during transcription

Answer

Terminating transcription by releasing the RNA polymerase

Question 13

Which step in the process of gene expression is NOT directly involved in translation?

Accepted Answer

Replication, where DNA is copied to produce new DNA molecules

Answer

Initiation, where the ribosome binds to mRNA

Answer

Elongation, where amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain

Answer

Termination, where the polypeptide chain is released

Question 14

A ribosome is a complex structure composed primarily of:

Accepted Answer

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins

Answer

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and proteins

Answer

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and lipids

Answer

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and carbohydrates

Question 15

Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a crucial role in translation by:

Accepted Answer

Carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome

Answer

Binding to specific sequences within mRNA molecules

Answer

Catalyzing the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids

Answer

Terminating the translation process

Question 16

The process employed by cells to repair damaged portions of DNA is known as:

Accepted Answer

DNA repair, which restores the integrity of DNA

Answer

Transcription, which synthesizes RNA molecules

Answer

Translation, which synthesizes proteins

Answer

Replication, which creates copies of DNA

Question 17

Which of the following is the primary function of transcription factors?

Accepted Answer

To bind to specific DNA sequences and regulate transcription initiation

Answer

To splice introns out of pre-mRNA

Answer

To translate mRNA into protein

Answer

To degrade mRNA

Question 18

Enhancers are DNA sequences that:

Accepted Answer

Are located near genes and can increase their expression

Answer

Are located far from genes and can decrease their expression

Answer

Bind RNA polymerase and promote transcription initiation

Answer

Block RNA polymerase and prevent transcription initiation

Question 19

The lac operon is an example of:

Accepted Answer

An inducible operon

Answer

A repressible operon

Answer

A constitutive operon

Answer

A non-regulated operon

Question 20

Which of the following is a non-coding RNA that plays a role in gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

microRNA

Answer

Transfer RNA

Answer

Ribosomal RNA

Answer

Messenger RNA

Question 21

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing technology that utilizes:

Accepted Answer

A guide RNA and a Cas enzyme

Answer

An enzyme that cuts DNA, but no guide RNA

Answer

A ligase that joins DNA fragments, but no guide RNA

Answer

A polymerase that synthesizes DNA, but no guide RNA

Question 22

Transcription factors bind to specific DNA sequences known as:

Accepted Answer

Promoters

Answer

Enhancers

Answer

Silencers

Answer

Terminators

Question 23

Which process initiates transcription in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

RNA polymerase binding to the promoter

Answer

Splicing of introns from pre-mRNA

Answer

Translation of mRNA into protein

Answer

Modification of histones

Question 24

A gene that encodes a protein that activates the transcription of another gene is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Trans-acting factor

Answer

Cis-acting factor

Answer

Enhancer

Answer

Silencer

Question 25

Modifying histones to alter gene expression is termed:

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Answer

Gene silencing

Question 26

Which type of RNA polymerase is not found in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

RNA polymerase IV

Answer

RNA polymerase I

Answer

RNA polymerase II

Answer

RNA polymerase III

Question 27

What is the primary role of transcription factors in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

To bind to specific DNA sequences and regulate the assembly of the RNA polymerase complex

Answer

To inhibit the binding of RNA polymerase to DNA

Answer

To translate mRNA into protein

Answer

To degrade mRNA molecules

Question 28

What is the main function of ribosomes in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

To assemble amino acids into polypeptides

Answer

To synthesize mRNA molecules

Answer

To modify tRNA molecules

Answer

To degrade DNA molecules

Question 29

What is the significance of alternative splicing in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

It allows for the production of multiple protein isoforms from a single gene

Answer

It ensures that all genes are transcribed into functional proteins

Answer

It prevents the accumulation of harmful mutations in the genome

Answer

It reduces the overall cost of protein production

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a type of RNA interference?

Accepted Answer

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)

Answer

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)

Answer

MicroRNA (miRNA)

Answer

Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA)

Question 31

What is the primary function of microRNAs in gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

To bind to mRNA molecules and inhibit their translation

Answer

To promote the degradation of mRNA molecules

Answer

To modify the structure of chromatin

Answer

To activate transcription factors

Question 32

The Shine-Dalgarno sequence is found in the:

Accepted Answer

5' untranslated region of prokaryotic mRNA

Answer

5' untranslated region of eukaryotic mRNA

Answer

3' untranslated region of prokaryotic mRNA

Answer

3' untranslated region of eukaryotic mRNA

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a function of non-coding RNAs?

Accepted Answer

Protein translation

Answer

Gene regulation

Answer

Cell signaling

Answer

Chromatin remodeling

Question 34

The process by which a gene is stably turned off is called:

Accepted Answer

Gene silencing

Answer

Gene knockout

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Deletion

Question 35

The process by which DNA is transcribed into RNA is termed:

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Mutation

Question 36

Which of the following regions of DNA binds RNA polymerase and initiates transcription?

Accepted Answer

Promoter

Answer

Exon

Answer

Intron

Answer

Terminator

Question 37

The process by which mRNA is translated into a protein occurs in the:

Accepted Answer

Ribosome

Answer

Nucleus

Answer

Cytoplasm

Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 38

Which of the following techniques is commonly used to study gene expression levels?

Accepted Answer

Microarrays

Answer

PCR

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 39

What is the primary function of silencers in gene expression regulation?

Accepted Answer

Block access of RNA polymerase to promoters

Answer

Promote binding of RNA polymerase to promoters

Answer

Enhance binding of activators to promoters

Answer

Regulate mRNA half-life

Question 40

Which cellular machinery is responsible for the alternative splicing of pre-mRNA to generate different mRNA variants?

Accepted Answer

Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs)

Answer

Ribosomes

Answer

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs)

Answer

Enzymes

Question 41

What is the key difference between constitutive and inducible promoters in gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

Inducible promoters require specific signals to become active

Answer

Constitutive promoters are active only under specific conditions

Answer

Inducible promoters are continuously active

Answer

Constitutive promoters are regulated by enhancers

Question 42

Which of the following processes occurs in the nucleus as a crucial step in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Answer

DNA Replication

Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 43

What is the role of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Binds to the ribosome to initiate translation

Answer

Promotes RNA Polymerase binding to promoters

Answer

Enhances mRNA stability

Answer

Regulates transcription initiation

Question 44

What is the primary function of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Regulate gene expression

Answer

Encode proteins

Answer

Form the structural framework of ribosomes

Answer

Facilitate DNA replication

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT a function of transcription factors?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the translation rate of mRNA

Answer

Binding to specific DNA sequences

Answer

Promoting the assembly of RNA polymerase at the transcription start site

Answer

Activating or repressing gene expression

Question 46

Which of the following is a type of enhancer?

Accepted Answer

Upstream activating sequence (UAS)

Answer

Downstream repressing sequence (DRS)

Answer

TATA box

Answer

Terminator

Question 47

What is the role of silencers in gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

To bind to specific DNA sequences and prevent the binding of RNA polymerase

Answer

To promote the assembly of RNA polymerase at the transcription start site

Answer

To increase the transcription rate of genes

Answer

To activate gene expression

Question 48

What is the role of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in prokaryotic gene expression?

Accepted Answer

To bind to the ribosome and initiate translation

Answer

To promote the assembly of RNA polymerase at the transcription start site

Answer

To increase the rate of RNA polymerase elongation

Answer

To activate gene expression

Question 49

What is the process by which non-coding RNA (ncRNA) can regulate gene expression?

Accepted Answer

By binding to complementary mRNA molecules and preventing their translation

Answer

By promoting the assembly of RNA polymerase at the transcription start site

Answer

By increasing the rate of RNA polymerase elongation

Answer

By activating gene expression

Question 50

What is the difference between constitutive and inducible gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Constitutive genes are expressed at a constant level, while inducible genes are expressed only when needed.

Answer

Inducible genes are expressed at a constant level, while constitutive genes are expressed only when needed.

Answer

Constitutive and inducible genes are both expressed at a constant level.

Answer

Constitutive and inducible genes are both expressed only when needed.

Question 51

Which of the following transcription factors is primarily responsible for activating the transcription of genes involved in cell division?

Accepted Answer

E2F

Answer

Myc

Answer

p53

Answer

STAT3

Question 52

What is the primary function of silencers in gene regulation?

Accepted Answer

To repress gene expression

Answer

To enhance gene expression

Answer

To initiate transcription

Answer

To terminate transcription

Question 53

What is the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

To bind to mRNA and inhibit translation

Answer

To bind to mRNA and promote translation

Answer

To activate transcription factors

Answer

To silence gene expression by DNA methylation

Question 54

What is the fundamental difference between constitutive and inducible gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Constitutive genes are expressed at a constant level, while inducible genes are expressed only in response to specific stimuli.

Answer

Inducible genes are expressed at a constant level, while constitutive genes are expressed only in response to specific stimuli.

Answer

Both constitutive and inducible genes are expressed at varying levels.

Answer

Both constitutive and inducible genes are expressed at a constant level.

Question 55

Which of the following is not a factor that can influence the rate of transcription?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Answer

Availability of transcription factors

Answer

DNA methylation status

Answer

Histone modifications

Question 56

In prokaryotes, what is the primary function of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence?

Accepted Answer

Binding site for the ribosome

Answer

Site of transcription initiation

Answer

Site of translation termination

Answer

Binding site for RNA polymerase

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

RNA interference

Answer

Binding of transcription factors to promoters

Answer

Methylation of DNA

Answer

Acetylation of histones

Question 58

Enhancers primarily function to:

Accepted Answer

Activate gene expression

Answer

Suppress gene expression

Answer

Bind transcription factors

Answer

Facilitate DNA replication

Question 59

The process by which mRNA is converted into a protein is known as:

Accepted Answer

Translation

Answer

Replication

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translocation

Question 60

Which enzyme is responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of mRNA during transcription?

Accepted Answer

RNA polymerase

Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Helicase

Answer

Ligase

Question 61

The modified nucleotide in mRNA that initiates protein synthesis is:

Accepted Answer

Methyladenine

Answer

Adenine

Answer

Guanine

Answer

Cytosine