VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

SEMESTER TWO 2019

Campus: City

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Life! Origins and Mechanisms

(Time Allowed: TWO hours)

NOTE:

Multiple Choice Questions:

• Use the Teleform Sheet.
• Use pencils only. Shade the rectangle completely.
• Do not cross out mistakes. ERASE them completely.
• Complete family name, first name, initial and ID Number. Do not
complete your stream. Fill spaces from left to right.
• Your code is 1021723.
Check this is correct on your teleform.
• Failure to enter to details correctly will mean your MCQ may not be
marked.
• Do not shade the box for option E/5 as this exam does not have
an option E or 5 for any questions. (If this is shaded the system
will not mark your response for this question.)

Exam Format: (Total marks = 70)

ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ATTEMPTED.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Section A: Genetics 25 marks

Short Answer Questions:

Section B Cellular & Molecular Biology 15 marks
Section C Bioenergetics 15 marks
Section D Genetics 15 marks
70 Total marks

Turn in the Teleform answer sheet.

Retain your Multiple Choice question pages (Section A).

Page 1 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON THIS PAGE.

Page 2 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

SECTION A: GENETICS
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

25 marks
Recommended time: 45 minutes

Choose the ONE correct answer from the alternatives provided.

1. What is a locus?

1. a structure that appears during prophase I and consists of two paired genes
2. the precise location of a gene on a chromosome
3. a cell with two chromosome sets
4. the precise DNA sequence of a gene

2. Asexual reproduction:

1. is limited to single-cell organisms.

2. produces offspring genetically identical to the parent.
3. requires both meiosis and mitosis.
4. leads to a loss of genetic material.

3. How are sister chromatids and homologous chromosomes different from each other?

1. Homologous chromosomes are identical copies of each other. One sister

chromatid comes from the father, and one comes from the mother.
2. Homologous chromosomes contain the same gene loci but may have different
alleles of a particular gene. Sister chromatids are identical copies of each other
produced during DNA replication.
3. They are not different. Homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids are
both identical copies of each other.
4. Sister chromatids are only formed during mitosis. Homologous chromosomes
are formed during meiosis.

4. Which of the following contributes to genetic variation in sexually reproducing

species?

1. random fertilisation, independent assortment, crossing over

2. random fertilisation, DNA synthesis, independent assortment
3. independent assortment, spindle formation, random fertilisation
4. internal fertilisation, spindle formation, crossing over

Page 3 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

5. The chromosome theory of inheritance states that:

1. chromosomes consist of DNA.

2. genes are located on chromosomes.
3. chromosomes replicate before cell division.
4. alleles of a gene segregate during cell division.

6. Which mode of inheritance results in both alleles being detected equally in the
heterozygous phenotype?

1. incomplete dominance
2. codominance
3. epistasis
4. complete dominance

7. The genetic disease cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective allele that:

1. encodes an enzyme that breaks down muscle fibres.

2. causes hemoglobin molecules to malfunction.
3. encodes a dysfunctional enzyme that fails to break down brain lipids.
4. encodes a defective chloride-channel membrane transport protein.

8. A linkage map:

1. orders genes on a chromosome based on recombination frequencies.

2. orders genes on a chromosome based on their location with respect to a stained
band.
3. shows the ordering and exact spacing of genes on a chromosome.
4. predicts the probability that you will have a male or female child.

9. Why are males more often affected by sex-linked traits than females?

1. Males are hemizygous for the X chromosome.

2. Male hormones such as testosterone often alter the effects of mutations on the
X chromosome.
3. X chromosomes in males generally have more mutations than X chromosomes
in females.
4. Female hormones such as oestrogen often compensate for the effects of
mutations on the X chromosome.

Page 4 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

10. Phenotypically, a female (XX) mouse embryo that was transformed with a small
piece of a Y chromosome bearing the SRY gene would develop as:

1. a male initially, then revert to female after birth.

2. a female.
3. a male.
4. an intersex individual.

11. Cells that have an abnormal number of a particular chromosome are said to be:

1. diploid.
2. aneuploidy.
3. trisomy.
4. polyploidy.

12. Which of the following CORRECTLY describes a Philadelphia chromosome?

1. A chromosome found only in mitochondria.

2. An animal chromosome found primarily in the mid-Atlantic area of the United
States.
3. A human chromosome 22 that has had a specific translocation.
4. A human chromosome 9 that is found only in one type of cancer.

13. Which of the following inheritance patterns describes the ability of a single allele to
have multiple phenotypic effects?

1. epistasis
2. incomplete dominance
3. pleiotropy
4. multiple alleles

14. Which of the following scenarios describes an example of epistasis?

1. In cacti, there are several genes for the type of spines.

2. Recessive genotypes for each of two genes (aabb) results in an albino snake.
3. In rabbits and many other mammals, one genotype (ee) prevents any fur colour
from developing.
4. In Drosophila (fruit flies), white eyes can be due to an X-linked gene or to a
combination of other genes.

Page 5 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

15. Normal and sickle-cell hemoglobin molecules differ:

1. in the number of oxygen molecules that can be carried by each molecule.

2. by a single DNA point mutation that leads to the substitution of one amino acid
for another.
3. in the number and orientation of the amino acid chains attached to the heme
portion of each molecule.
4. in the number of amino acids in each molecule.

16. Whenever diploid populations are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at a particular

locus, ______________.

1. individuals within the population are evolving

2. gene flow and genetic drift are acting equally to change an allele's frequency
3. two alleles are present in equal proportions
4. the allele's frequency should not change from one generation to the next

17. In a Hardy-Weinberg population with two alleles, A and a, that are in equilibrium,
the frequency of the allele a is 0.3. What is the frequency of individuals that are
homozygous for this allele?

1. 0.09
2. 0.49
3. 9.0
4. 0.9

18. Which of the following statements is a CORRECT representation of gene density?

1. Humans have ~20,000 protein-encoding genes in a ~3,000 Mb genome.

2. Humans have 1,000 Mb per genome.
3. C. elegans has ~20,000 genes.
4. Saccharomyces has a genome 40 times the size of a human genome.

19. Which of the following statements CORRECTLY describes a multigene family?

1. A multigene family includes a gene whose exons can be spliced in a number of

different ways.
2. A multigene family includes genes whose sequences are very similar and that
probably arose by duplication.
3. A multigene family includes multiple genes whose products must be
simultaneously expressed.
4. A multigene family includes a highly conserved gene found in a number of
different species.

Page 6 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

20. A current view of how the human and chimpanzee can share most of their
nucleotide sequences yet exhibit significant phenotypic differences is that many of
the most important sequence differences alter:

1. regulatory sequences.
2. environmental factors.
3. the number of repeated sequences.
4. structural genes.

21. Which of the following is the BEST definition of a pseudogene?

1. A former gene disabled by mutation.

2. A gene that has been co-opted to a new function.
3. A gene with an unknown function.
4. A gene with a deceptive function.

22. What is the MOST logical sequence of steps for splicing foreign DNA into a plasmid
and inserting the plasmid into a bacterium?

I. Transform bacteria with a recombinant DNA molecule.

II. Cut the plasmid DNA using restriction enzymes.
III. Extract plasmid DNA from bacterial cells.
IV. Hydrogen-bond the plasmid DNA to non-plasmid DNA fragments.
V. Use ligase to seal plasmid DNA to non-plasmid DNA.

1. III, IV, V, I, II
2. III, II, IV, V, I
3. II, III, V, IV, I
4. IV, V, I, II, III

23. In gel electrophoresis, which of the following DNA fragments would travel the
farthest distance from the sample well?

1. AT
2. ATCCCG
3. ATCCCGATTGCACGTT
4. ATCC

Page 7 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

24. What enzyme is used in CRISPR gene editing?

1. Cas3
2. Cpr 9
3. Cas 9
4. Rna5

25. Which of the following information or processes does gene therapy require?

1. the ability to express the introduced gene at any time in the tissue site within
the patient
2. the ability to introduce the normal allele into the patient
3. the knowledge and availability of the defective gene but not the normal allele
4. the ability to introduce a defective allele into a patient

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOLLOW

Page 8 of 27
 VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Short Answer Questions Section

NOTE: • Print your name and ID at the top of EVERY ANSWER PAGE.
• Record your answers in the spaces provided.
• Answer ALL questions. 45 marks

Surname: First Name:

University of Auckland ID Number: Username:

Cellular &
Molecular Bioenergetics Genetics
Biology
FOR OFFICIAL USE

Page 9 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON THIS PAGE.

Page 10 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

SECTION B:
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

15 marks
Recommended time: 25 minutes

26 (3 marks total)

(a) Some proteins embedded in the cell membrane have both hydrophobic and
hydrophilic regions; proteins with both of these properties are called:

____________________________. (1 mark)

Figure 1. This figure shows part of the endomembrane system in a eukaryotic cell

Use Figure 1 to answer the following question.

(b) In Figure 1 ‘Protein A’ is a membrane protein that has just been made and
embedded in the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane. This protein will
move through the Golgi where it will be modified, it will then move to the outer
plasma membrane where it will function as a receptor protein.
On Figure 1 draw ‘Protein A’ embedded in the membrane of one of the Golgi
compartments and the outer plasma membrane, ensuring that it is correctly
orientated. (1 mark)

Page 11 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

26. cont.

(c) The steroid cholesterol functions as a fluidity buffer in animal cell membranes.
Explain how cholesterol helps retain membrane fluidity at low temperatures.
_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

27. (6 marks total)

Figure 2. This figure shows synthesis of the leading strand during DNA replication

Use Figure 2 to answer the following three questions.

(a) Label the 3’ and 5’ ends of the template strand of DNA and the new strand
being made, in the boxes in Figure 2. (1 mark)

(b) Using the sequence of nitrogenous bases shown in the template strand of DNA
determine the correct sequence of nitrogenous bases in the ‘RNA primer’ and
‘section of new strand of DNA’ in figure 2.

(i) RNA primer: 5’ -______________- 3’ (1 mark)

(ii) Section of new strand of DNA: 5’ -______________- 3’ (1 mark)

(c) During DNA replication ‘Enzyme A’ in figure 2 breaks the bonds between the
nitrogenous bases and untwists the DNA double helix at the replication fork.

What is the name of the bond that ‘Enzyme A’ breaks?

______________________________________________ (1 mark)

Page 12 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

27. cont.

(d) Why does DNA replication start with the generation of an RNA primer and not
DNA?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

(e) The image below shows a replication bubble that is formed during DNA
replication in eukaryotic cells; on this figure draw and label the new leading
and lagging strands of DNA that would be made for both of the DNA template
strands in this bubble.

(1 mark)

Page 13 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

28. (6 marks total)

Table 1. The codon table for mRNA

Use Table 1 to answer question 28 parts b), c) and e).

Page 14 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

28. cont.

Figure 3. The 5′ end of a hypothetical pre-mRNA molecule

Use Figure 3 to answer the following three questions.

(a) What was the sequence of nitrogenous bases in the DNA template strand that
was transcribed into Exon 1 in figure 3?

3’-____________-5’ (1 mark)

(b) Use your knowledge of splicing and translation, and the codon table to
determine the sequence of the first three amino acids in the polypeptide that
will be translated from the RNA molecule in figure 3.

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

(c) A point mutation has occurred in the gene that was transcribed into the pre-
mRNA in figure 3. This mutation resulted in a deletion of a cytosine nucleotide
at ‘Position A’.

What would be the outcome of this mutation? Use the codon table to answer
this question.

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

(d) Once a final mRNA molecule reaches the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells, state
one way in which its expression can still be regulated.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

Page 15 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

28. cont.

Figure 4. This figure shows a tRNA molecule that is bound to the amino acid tryptophan
(Trp) at its 3’ end.

Use Figure 4 to answer the following question.

(e) Use the codon table to determine what the nitrogenous bases are for the
anticodon in the tRNA molecule shown in figure 4.

5’-____________-3’
(1 mark)

(f) In prokaryotic cells the translation of mRNA can start as soon as the transcribed
mRNA peels away from the DNA template strand.

State one of the reasons why this cannot happen in eukaryotic cells.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)

Page 16 of 27
 VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

SECTION C:
BIOENERGETICS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

15 marks
Recommended time: 25 minutes

29. (a) Tony is a newly evolved proto-cell (Lucae tonyjacuziphilis) squirming with zest
around a hydrothermal vent. Tony the proto-cell needs to make lipid cell wall
membranes to guard its precious metabolites. To join the acetate to growing
acyl chains, Tony must use what process?

Circle the CORRECT process.

Hydration Dehydration (½ mark)

(b) To make an impermeable barrier Tony the proto-cell then needs to make two
acyl chains, then give it a glycerol backbone attached to a head group, which
has a specific property. This property of the head group is that it is:

Circle the CORRECT property.

Hydrophobic Hydrophilic (½ mark)

30. Polyphosphates (chains of multiple phosphates) contain high energy bonds. These
result from electrical charges on phosphate groups that ionise at physiological pH.

On the simplified image below DRAW where these charges likely are and how the
adenosine enhances the energy release from ATP. (Note that Mg2+ is missing to
simplify the diagram.)

(1 mark)

Page 17 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

31. (a) Why is phosphofructokinase (PFK) the rate limiting step in glycolysis?

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

(b) Name a compound that could slow the catalytic rate of PFK.

________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

32. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) binds pyruvate and releases acetyl-Coenzyme A.

PDH also releases two other molecules, what are they?

Molecule 1 ________________________________________________ (½ mark)

Molecule 2 ________________________________________________ (½ mark)

33. While the Citric Acid Cycle (CAC) contributes to ATP synthesis, the CAC also helps
synthesise other compounds for the cell. Name TWO of these compounds.

Compound 1: _____________________________________________ (½ mark)

Compound 2: _____________________________________________ (½ mark)

34. Rasputin, a mystic, strannik (wanderer) and rumoured romancer of the Russian
aristocratic ladies, was fed sweet cakes poisoned with cyanide.

What complex of the electron transport system (ETS) did this poison inhibit?

The ETS complex __________________________________________ (1 mark)

Page 18 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

35. There are different estimates for the amount of ATP produced from one glucose
molecule as it is oxidised by aerobic respiration. Give TWO reasons why these
estimates may vary.
Reason 1:
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
(½ mark)
Reason 2:
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

36. (a) Why is photorespiration an issue for farmers?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

(b) What could be a possible advantage of photorespiration for plants?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

(c) How do C4 plants decrease this issue?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

37. McArdle’s disease (Glycogen Storage Disease V) results from impaired

glycogenolysis. With light exercise skeletal muscle ADP concentrations rise rapidly
in patients with McArdle’s disease. This indicates impaired glycogen degradation.

(a) These people are deficient in what enzyme?

____________________________________________________ (½ mark)

(b) With extended exercise ADP concentrations in these patients recover to some
extent. Give an explanation for this partial recover or “second wind” effect?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

Page 19 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

38. Tony has famous international visitors around for a soiree. For his guests, the Don
and Mel, he prepares his famous “Crème de la Jelly Snake et Thon (tuna en francais)
Parfait” (a.k.a vomirez partout), which is a meal enriched with glucose. Mel
cautiously has just a tiny toothful of this legendary culinary delight, yet likely health
disaster. The Don however just “pogs in” and eats it all.

On the blank charts draw what occurs to Mel’s blood glucose, insulin and glucagon
concentrations after her culinary challenge using a solid line, (). Note she
remains sensibly healthy due to her high intensity exercise regime. On the chart the
arrow represents the time of ingestion.

Unfortunately the Don, who is much much older than Mel, and loves cheeseburgers,
immediately becomes severely diabetic, so sad. An absolute covfefe! Again, on the
same glucose chart draw the Don’s response to his glucose challenge using a dashed
line (- - - - -), on the glucose chart.

(2 marks)

Page 20 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

39. Give TWO reasons why phosphorylysis is more efficient than hydrolysis in the
breakdown of glucose.

Reason 1:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

Reason 2:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

40. (a) Sufferers of von Giekre disease (Glycogen Storage Disease 1) results in
hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and is due to a mutation in a specific enzyme
that acts to release glucose to the blood. What is this enzyme?

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

(b) Some support for sufferers can be given by increasing the dietary content of
their food with a sugar commonly found in fruits. What is this sugar?

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

Page 21 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

41. In 1921, Banting and Best removed the pancreas from a dog.

(a) What was the immediate effect on the dog’s blood glucose concentration?

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

(b) They then made pancreatic extracts and injected this back into the same dog.
What happened to the dog’s blood glucose?

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

(c) In 1923, they then successfully treated a young girl (Elizabeth Hughes) for
what type of diabetes?

______________________________________________________________
(½ mark)

Page 22 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

SECTION D:
GENETICS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

15 marks
Recommended time: 25 minutes

42. Genes and chromosomes. Complete the diagram below by labelling the
following:

gene locus, recessive alleles, centromere and sister chromatids.

(2 marks)

Page 23 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

43. Linked genes. The table below summarises the results of a testcross between two
individuals with the genotypes Aa Bb and aa bb in two genetic configurations.

Complete the table by entering the missing genotypes or the expected proportion of
each genotype.

Genetic Progeny Percentage of

configuration genotype each genotype

Complete 50%
linkage
50%

Linkage with aa Bb
some crossing
over Aa bb

aa bb

Aa Bb
(2 marks)

44. Genetic distances. A homozygous tomato plant with red fruit and yellow flowers
was crossed with a homozygous tomato plant with golden fruit and white flowers.
The F1 all had red fruit and yellow flowers. The F1 were testcrossed by crossing them
to homozygous recessive individuals, and the following offspring were obtained:

Phenotype Number of
offspring

Red fruit; yellow flowers 41

Golden fruit; white flowers 44

Red fruit; white flowers 7

Golden fruit; yellow flowers 8

Calculate the genetic distance between these two genes? In your answer provide the
formula, show your calculations and give the answer with the appropriate units.

(2 marks)

Page 24 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

45. X chromosome inactivation. The figure below is a diagrammatic representation

of X-chromosome inactivation in tortoiseshell cats.

Label the active and inactive chromosomes.

Label the resulting phenotypes.

(2 marks)

46. Complex traits. In the space provided, define the terms below.

(a) Norm of reaction

(b) Developmental noise

(2 marks)

Page 25 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

47. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There are five conditions necessary for a

population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Complete the table below by
entering the missing conditions. (The first condition has been completed for you.)

Conditions

i No mutation

ii

iii

iv

v
(2 marks)

48. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The diagram below illustrates the steps
that Craig Venter and colleagues used to sequence the human genome. Complete
the diagram by labelling the four steps in the space provided.

(2 marks)

Page 26 of 27
VERSION 1021723 BIOSCI 101

QUESTION/ANSWER BOOKLET

ID: __________________________

SURNAME: _______________________FIRST NAME: ______________________

49. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The graph below represents the
temperature cycle that occurs in a typical PCR. In the boxes provided label the two
missing steps in the PCR cycle.

(1 mark)

Page 27 of 27