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Chapter 6: Epigenetics and Disease: 1. A. C. B. D. Ans: A
Chapter 6: Epigenetics and Disease: 1. A. C. B. D. Ans: A
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What genetic process is likely responsible for the occurrence of asthma in only one of a pair
of identical twins?
a. Epigenetic modifications
b. Genomic imprinting
c. Transgenerational inheritance
d. Methylation
ANS: A
Epigenetic modifications can cause individuals with the same deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
sequences (such as identical twins) to have different disease profiles. The correct option is the
only one that accurately identifies the genetic process likely responsible for the occurrence of
asthma in only one of a pair of twins.
PTS: 1
Early in embryonic development, all cells of the embryo have the potential to become any
type of cell in the fetus or adult. These embryonic stem cells are said to be pluripotent. The
remaining options are not true statements regarding embryonic stem cell development.
PTS: 1
5. When microRNA (miRNA) are methylated their messenger RNA (mRNA) targets are over-
a. Cell death
b. Metastasis
ANS: B
When miRNA genes are methylated, their mRNA targets are over-expressed, and this overexpression has been associated with metastasis. of the described effect on mRNA targets on
existing cancer does not result in any of the other options.
PTS: 1
6. The difference between DNA sequence mutations and epigenetic modifications is:
a. DNA sequence mutations can be directly altered.
b. Leukemia is a result of only DNA sequence mutation.
c. Epigenetic modifications can be reversed.
d. No known drug therapies are available for epigenetic modifications.
ANS: C
Unlike DNA sequence mutations, which cannot be directly altered, epigenetic modifications
can be reversed. The remaining options are not true statements regarding the difference
between DNA sequence mutations and epigenetic modifications.
PTS: 1
Gene silencing, a process during which genes are predictably silenced, depending on which
parent transmits them, is known as imprinting; the transcriptionally silenced genes are then
said to be imprinted. The remaining options do not accurately identify this process.
PTS: 1
8. The shape of the face of a child diagnosed with Russell-Silver syndrome is likely to be:
a. Round
c. Triangular
b. Square
d. Elongated
ANS: C
9. Genes responsible for the maintenance of all cells are referred to as:
a. Universal
c. Housekeeping
b. Managerial
d. Executive
ANS: C
A small percentage of genes, termed housekeeping genes, are necessary for the function and
maintenance of all cells. The remaining options do not accurately refer to these cells.
PTS: 1
10. What is the belief regarding twins who adopt dramatically different lifestyles?
a. They may experience very different aging processes.
b. They will retain very similar methylation patterns.
c. They will experience identical phenotypes throughout their lifespans.
d. They may never demonstrate similar DNA sequences of their somatic cells.
ANS: A
Twins with significant lifestyle differences (e.g., smoking versus nonsmoking), accumulate
large numbers of differences in their methylation patterns. The twins, despite having identical
DNA sequences, become more and more different as a result of epigenetic changes, which in
turn affect the expression of genes. These results, along with findings generated in animal
studies, suggest that changes in epigenetic patterns may be an important part of the aging
process. They will not experience identical phenotypes throughout their lifespans.
PTS: 1
Tumor cells typically exhibit hypomethylation (decreased methylation), which can increase
the activity of oncogenes. Hypomethylation increases as tumors progress from benign
neoplasms to malignancy. Only the correct option accurately describes hypomethylation and
its resulting effects.
PTS: 1
12. When a chromosome lacking 4 Mb is inherited from the mother, the child is at risk for
c. Beckwith-Wiedemann
d. Russell-Silver
ANS: B
This anomaly illustrates the inheritance pattern of Angelman syndrome, which can be caused
by a 4 Mb deletion of chromosome 15q when inherited from the mother. The anomaly is not
the cause of any of the other options.
PTS: 1
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
ANS: A, B, C, E
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
ANS: B, D, E