GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
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GRE › GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
What is the concentration of hydroxide ions in a 1M hydrochloric acid solution?
Explanation
To solve this question we need to first look at the relationship between hydroxide and hydrogen ion concentrations:
where is concentration of hydrogen ions and
is the concentration of hydroxide ions. Solve for
:
We can solve for the concentration of hydrogen ions in this solution by writing the dissociation of hydrochloric acid in solution:
The question states that it is a 1M solution. Since and
are in 1:1 ratio, the concentration of hydrogen ions will equal the concentration
; therefore,
. Note that this won’t be the case if the acid was weak. For a weak acid, the concentration of
will be less than the concentration of acid, even if it was 1:1 ratio. This occurs because a weak acid does not dissociate completely.
We can now use the to solve for
.
Therefore, concentration of hydroxide ions in this solution is
In apple trees, the allele for white blossoms is dominant over the allele for pink blossoms. Two trees heterozygous for this gene are crossed. What is the phenotype ratio of the offspring?
3 white : 1 pink blossom
1 white : 3 pink blossom
All white blossoms
All pink blossoms
1 white : 1 pink blossom
Explanation
The crossing of two heterozygous parents will yield 1 homozyougs dominant offspring, 1 homozygous recessive offspring and 2 heterozygous offspring. Since white blossoms is the dominant allele, the heterozygous offspring will be white leading to a phenotypic ratio of 3 white : 1 pink blossom.
Gram positive bacteria have cell wall(s) and Gram negative bacteria have cell wall(s).
one . . . one
one . . . two
two . . . one
two . . . two
Explanation
Gram stain is a laboratory technique used to distinguish bacteria. Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria are distinguished based on their cell walls. Gram positive bacteria have a single thick cell wall (outside its cell membrane). Upon Gram staining, these bacteria will hold the Gram stain because of their thick cell wall. The Gram negative bacteria also have only one cell wall; however, it is a lot thinner and is sandwiched between two cell membranes. The thin nature of the cell wall makes it easier for the Gram stain to leak out of the bacterial cell.
Which term refers to a picture of the chromosomes of a single cell, arranged in descending order of size?
Karyotype
Physiological imaging
Radionuclide reflux imaging
Phage type
Chromatography
Explanation
A karyotype is produced by staining and photographing the chromosomes of a dividing cell. Pictures of the individual chromosomes are cut out and arranged in descending order of size. The chromosomes occur in homologous pairs that are similar in both staining patterns and size and have similar genetic material.
Physiological imaging is the visual representation of the functions of an organ, for example its blood flow, electrical activity, metabolism, and oxygen uptake. Radionuclide reflux imaging is a nuclear medicine scan used to determine whether an infant has gastroesophageal reflux. Phage type involves distinguishing subgroups of bacteria by the type of bacteriophage associated with that specific bacterium. Chromatography is the separation of two or more chemical compounds by their removal at different rates based on differential absorption and solubility.
Which term refers to a picture of the chromosomes of a single cell, arranged in descending order of size?
Karyotype
Physiological imaging
Radionuclide reflux imaging
Phage type
Chromatography
Explanation
A karyotype is produced by staining and photographing the chromosomes of a dividing cell. Pictures of the individual chromosomes are cut out and arranged in descending order of size. The chromosomes occur in homologous pairs that are similar in both staining patterns and size and have similar genetic material.
Physiological imaging is the visual representation of the functions of an organ, for example its blood flow, electrical activity, metabolism, and oxygen uptake. Radionuclide reflux imaging is a nuclear medicine scan used to determine whether an infant has gastroesophageal reflux. Phage type involves distinguishing subgroups of bacteria by the type of bacteriophage associated with that specific bacterium. Chromatography is the separation of two or more chemical compounds by their removal at different rates based on differential absorption and solubility.
Researchers first identified parts of genes that are spliced out of mRNA and not included in the final protein product by observing that not all of the original gene hybridizes to the cognate mRNA. What are these regions called?
Introns
Exons
Internal transcribed spacers
Inter genic regions
Micro RNAs
Explanation
Introns are regions included in genes that are not actually part of the final protein generated. Scientists first observed that some areas of genes are removed before mRNA translation by visualizing that not all of a gene hybridizes with its cognate mRNA, and hence there are pieces that are spliced out and not used. Note that splicing of introns, like all other post-transational modifications, only occurs in eukaryotes. The function of intron regions is thought to be mostly regulatory.
What is the concentration of hydroxide ions in a 1M hydrochloric acid solution?
Explanation
To solve this question we need to first look at the relationship between hydroxide and hydrogen ion concentrations:
where is concentration of hydrogen ions and
is the concentration of hydroxide ions. Solve for
:
We can solve for the concentration of hydrogen ions in this solution by writing the dissociation of hydrochloric acid in solution:
The question states that it is a 1M solution. Since and
are in 1:1 ratio, the concentration of hydrogen ions will equal the concentration
; therefore,
. Note that this won’t be the case if the acid was weak. For a weak acid, the concentration of
will be less than the concentration of acid, even if it was 1:1 ratio. This occurs because a weak acid does not dissociate completely.
We can now use the to solve for
.
Therefore, concentration of hydroxide ions in this solution is
Which term refers to a picture of the chromosomes of a single cell, arranged in descending order of size?
Karyotype
Physiological imaging
Radionuclide reflux imaging
Phage type
Chromatography
Explanation
A karyotype is produced by staining and photographing the chromosomes of a dividing cell. Pictures of the individual chromosomes are cut out and arranged in descending order of size. The chromosomes occur in homologous pairs that are similar in both staining patterns and size and have similar genetic material.
Physiological imaging is the visual representation of the functions of an organ, for example its blood flow, electrical activity, metabolism, and oxygen uptake. Radionuclide reflux imaging is a nuclear medicine scan used to determine whether an infant has gastroesophageal reflux. Phage type involves distinguishing subgroups of bacteria by the type of bacteriophage associated with that specific bacterium. Chromatography is the separation of two or more chemical compounds by their removal at different rates based on differential absorption and solubility.
In the Calvin cycle, carbon is reduced to ultimately form glucose. Where does this carbon come from?
Air
Soil
Sun
Water
Mineralized rock
Explanation
The carbon fixed in the Calvin cycle comes from the air in the form of . This carbon is reduced through the usage of NADPH and ATP, produced in the light reactions of photosynthesis, in order to make glucose.
The soil provides valuable water and mineral nutrients for the plant. The sun provides the energy necessary to drive photosynthesis. And pure water contains only hydrogen and oxygen. Lithotrophs utilize inorganic carbon, usually from rocks.
Which term refers to a picture of the chromosomes of a single cell, arranged in descending order of size?
Karyotype
Physiological imaging
Radionuclide reflux imaging
Phage type
Chromatography
Explanation
A karyotype is produced by staining and photographing the chromosomes of a dividing cell. Pictures of the individual chromosomes are cut out and arranged in descending order of size. The chromosomes occur in homologous pairs that are similar in both staining patterns and size and have similar genetic material.
Physiological imaging is the visual representation of the functions of an organ, for example its blood flow, electrical activity, metabolism, and oxygen uptake. Radionuclide reflux imaging is a nuclear medicine scan used to determine whether an infant has gastroesophageal reflux. Phage type involves distinguishing subgroups of bacteria by the type of bacteriophage associated with that specific bacterium. Chromatography is the separation of two or more chemical compounds by their removal at different rates based on differential absorption and solubility.