bio past questions
What best describes the role of Rosalind Franklin in the discovery of the structure of DNA? A. An historically under-appreciated scientist who is now regarded as a co-discoverer of the structure of DNA B. A junior graduate student who had not fully understood the importance of her own work. C. A full and equal partner with Watson and Crick, who declined authorship on the famous paper describing the structure of DNA. D. All of the above
A. An historically under-appreciated scientist who is now regarded as a co-discoverer of the structure of DNA
Why did the Human Genome Project use Sanger DNA sequencing? A. Sanger DNA sequencing was the best DNA sequencing method available at the time. B. Sanger DNA sequencing is the best DNA sequencing method today. C. Sanger DNA sequencing can perform extremely long reads. D. Frederick Sanger led the Human Genome Project.
A. Sanger DNA sequencing was the best DNA sequencing method available at the time.
The EPAS1 allele/mutation contributing to the adaptation of Tibetans to low-oxygen environments is descended from which of the following populations? A. Denisovans B. Australopithecus C. Neanderthals D. Tibetans acquired the mutation independently
A. Denisovans
Human genetic diversity is low in Europe, relative to the continent of Africa, because ... A. Europe has a genetic subset of African alleles following a recent human migration out of Africa B. Interbreeding between Asian and European populations generated high genetic diversity in Africa C. Humans migrated out of Europe into Africa D. Neanderthals introduced genetic variation into African populations via interbreeding
A. Europe has a genetic subset of African alleles following a recent human migration out of Africa
A bioethicist is asking for your input, as a geneticist, regarding proposed legislative action restricting human germ line engineering. Which of the following are valid scientific concerns? A. Germ line engineering could have collateral damage/effects on the genetics and evolution of humans in the future B. Germ line engineering may provide immense societal benefits, but the current technology does not let us edit genes that have been mutated. C. Germ line engineering is working well in agricultural crops and livestock, but there are barriers to editing mammalian, much less human, genomes. D. Many see germ line engineering as a violation of natural law.
A. Germ line engineering could have collateral damage/effects on the genetics and evolution of humans in the future
Which of the following is the best utilitarian argument in favor of germline gene editing? A. The goal of medicine is to cure as many people of as many ailments as possible, so we should use CRISPR/Cas9 to remove genetic causes of disease. B. Desiger babies would be super cute. C. The benefits of germline editing outweigh the potential costs because it does not affect future generations. D. Evolution causes our genomes to adapt, so we should continue evolution by manually adapting our genomes via germline editing.
A. The goal of medicine is to cure as many people of as many ailments as possible, so we should use
Which of the following statements best explains the assertion that for complex traits, counting the number of GWAS hits is like looking at the stars? A. The number of associations established between genotype and phenotype by GWAS increases linearly with the number of genomes sampled. B. The number of associations established between genotype and phenotype by GWAS decreases linearly with the number of genomes sampled. C. Once we reach a certain sample size of genomes, it becomes difficult to find additional SNPs. D. The numbers of SNPs in the human genome and stars in the universe are roughly equivalent.
A. The number of associations established between genotype and phenotype by GWAS increases linearly with the number of genomes sampled.
When considering modifying the human genome, it is important to recognize the distinction between the germ line and the soma because. A. altering the germ line could affect future human generations B. altering the germ line increases the risk of certain cancers, especially cervical cancer. C. altering the somatic line could affect future human generations D. altering the soma increases the risk of certain cancers, especially Leukemia.
A. altering the germ line could affect future human generations
When comparing Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) with twin studies, researchers often observe a lower heritability in the GWAS studies, which has been called missing heritability. This is probably best explained by A. the inability of GWAS to detect the effect of alleles that are rare or of small effect. B. the difficulty in using DNA sequencing technology. C. the confounded effects of genes and the environment in twin studies. D. the added precision of GWAS studies as compared to twin studies.
A. the inability of GWAS to detect the effect of alleles that are rare or of small effect.
GWAS studies reveal the genetics of physical features (e.g. height), complex disease (e.g. type II diabetes), even aspects of personality or social constructs. Many people are skeptical that there is a genetic basis for traits like marital fidelity, sexual orientation, educational attainment, or other aspects of your social identity. Some find these results interesting, others find them unsettling. What best describes our current interpretation of these types of GWAS results? A. There are many specific genes for specific personality traits. There is no judgment in that so it would be best to get over it. B. There are no "gay genes" or "schizophrenia genes", per se, but there is genetic variation in underlying aspects of our genome that might influence these outcomes. C. Missing heritability in GWAS shows that these traits are less genetically determined than we once thought. D. Twin studies have overestimated heritability, and as a result, real evidence for genetic variation in social outcomes is very weak.
B. There are no "gay genes" or "schizophrenia genes", per se, but there is genetic variation in underlying aspects of our genome that might influence these outcomes.
A SNP refers to ... A. a site where DNA suffers from double-stranded breaks or "snips". B. a nucleotide position where the bases differ among individuals C. the spiraling/coiling of nucleosomes into chromosomes D. a gene that produces a single protein
B. a nucleotide position where the bases differ among individuals
T-cell immunotherapy refers to: A. genetically ramping up the immune system to attack T-cells during cancer metastasis. B. genetic engineering of one's own T-cells to specifically attack tumor cells within the body C. genetically ramping up the immune system to attack T-cells cells during cancer tumor formation. D. genetic engineering of one's own T-cells to attack all rapidly growing cells in the body
B. genetic engineering of one's own T-cells to specifically attack tumor cells within the body
In a GWAS study, the research subjects are divided into two groups, "cases" and "controls". The experiment then boils down to studying... A. which of these groups recover from the disease. B. which genetic marker alleles differ in frequency between the two groups. C. which genetic markers have higher mutation rates in the cases (diseased) group D. which of these groups have a higher frequency of a disease
B. which genetic marker alleles differ in frequency between the two groups.
Which of these can be produced (synthesized) by translation? A. Ribosomes B. t-RNA C. Amino Acids D. Liver enzymes
C. Amino Acids
The significance of the hydrogen bonds in the DNA molecule is A. They are essential for binding an incoming nucleotide to the 3' carbon during DNA replication B. They are strong bonds that hold the DNA backbone together C. They are weak bonds that both hold strands of the helix together, but also allow them to come apart D. They are strong bonds that hold the two strands of the double helix together
C. They are weak bonds that both hold strands of the helix together, but also allow them to come apart
The process of copying a gene's DNA sequence into a sequence of RNA is called A. Transformation B. Replication C. Transcription D. Translation
C. Transcription
What does the "A" in DNA stand for? A. adaptive B. adenosine C. acid D. adenine
C. acid
The historic Asilomar conference A. was recently convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the ethical and social challenges presented by CRISPR. B. was the scientific conference at which the birth of the first CRISPR edited babies was announced. C. championed the integration of scientific expertise with the concerns of other stakeholders in the regulation of genetic engineering in the 1970s D. Answers A and B
C. championed the integration of scientific expertise with the concerns of other stakeholders in the regulation of genetic engineering in the 1970s
In the fruit fly, the antennapedia mutation (antp) causes flies to grow limbs out of their heads. This remarkable phenotype led to the discovery A. that mutation is the raw material for evolution B. that epigenetic changes of large effect are common C. that a family of genes communicates positional information to the growing cells in developing embryos D. that in evolutionary history, legs are descended from modified antennae E. All of the above
C. that a family of genes communicates positional information to the growing cells in developing embryos
Which of the following is a feature of dog evolution? A. Dogs have coevolved with hominids since early Neanderthals. B. Dogs have speciated rapidly, with each breed of dog forming a new species. C. Dogs have coevolved with humans for the last ~30,000 years. D. Very few human populations have domesticated dogs, so dog evolution gives unique information about those few human populations.
C. Dogs have coevolved with humans for the last ~30,000 years
Recent studies have combined an understanding of which parts of our genomes are inherited from extinct Neanderthal lineages with GWAS studies of human traits. These studies are showing that: A. There is only so much we can learn about the ancestry of our alleles because traits like disease response and depression canÕt be measured in Neanderthals. B. Neanderthal alleles do not contribute to personality and psychiatric disorders in humans. C. Neanderthal alleles contribute to relevant phenotypic variation in humans. D. Neanderthals suffered from COVID-19.
C. Neanderthal alleles contribute to relevant phenotypic variation in humans.
Which of the following statements is the most accurate? A. humans are descended from chimps B. chimps are descended from humans C. humans and chimps are descended from a common ancestor D. none of the above
C. humans and chimps are descended from a common ancestor
Eugenics laws regarding forced sterilizations in the US A. were derived from similar laws developed in Nazi Germany B. were declared unconstitutional in the US C. were used as models for writing similar laws in Nazi Germany D. were generally rejected by the US public in the 1920s E. All of the above
C. were used as models for writing similar laws in Nazi Germany
What does it mean to say that "we are all mutants"? A. All the natural genomic variation among us was originally caused by mutation, so there is no wild type. B. We all carry mutations that can be deleterious, perhaps even lethal, when present in the homozygous state. C. Even mutations that cause so-called disorders might be of tremendous positive value; our very diversity contributes to the betterment of the human condition. D. All of the above E. Responses A & B
D. All of the above
With respect to eye color, which terms might describe the genotype? A. blue, brown or green B. dominant or recessive C. Additive or non-additive D. BB, Bb or bb E. all of the above
D. BB, Bb or bb
The backbone of the DNA molecule is composed of A. Deoxyribose B. Phosphate groups C. nitrogenous bases D. All of the above E. A and B only
E. A and B only
In the well-known "trolley problem" of ethics, which of the following participants have an important point of view that may affect the final choice or the consequences of that choice (i.e. who are the stakeholders)? A. The passengers of the trolley B. The five people that are in the direct path of the trolley C. The one person on the other track that may be switched to D. Yourself E. All have relevant points of view
E. all have relevant points of view
Continuous traits that are heritable A. tend to be affected by many loci B. tend to be affected by few loci of large effect C. can be influenced by environmental variation D. are not influenced by environmental variation E. B & D F. A & C
F. A & C
Which of the following is a way that Celera attempted to generate profit? A. Celera patented the sequences of certain human genes, and intended to sell access to that genomic information. B. Celera planned to clone humans using their genetic information. C. Celera was a governmental non-profit, and thus did not seek to generate profit. D. Celera planned to steal the Human Genome Project's governmental funding for its own project.
A. Celera patented the sequences of certain human genes, and intended to sell access to that genomic information
The genomes of many humans have a measurable fraction of DNA of Neanderthal ancestry. The following best describes the patterns found in our genomes and their causes. A. Humans and Neanderthals mated after human migration out of Africa, so Europeans have a larger percentage of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes. B. Humans and Neanderthals never mated. C. Humans and Neanderthals have a long history of mating in Africa, Europe and Asia, but this was a long time ago so little Neanderthal DNA remains in our genomes. D. Humans and Neanderthals mated prior to human migration into Africa, so Africans have a smaller fraction of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes E. The two "species" diverged only recently, so certain DNA sequences persist from their common ancestors.
A. Humans and Neanderthals mated after human migration out of Africa, so Europeans have a larger percentage of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes.
Which of the following is a reason that Moore's law is significant to science and society? A. Moore's law describes the exponential increase in humanity's technological development of computational power. B. Moore's law predicts that, in the future, sequencing a human genome will be free. C. Moore's law shows how computational advances have outstripped advances in genome sequencing. D. Moore's law prevents the misuse of genetic information.
A. Moore's law describes the exponential increase in humanity's technological development of computational power.
In the mid to late 20th century, it was a paradigm in Psychology that human personalities are formed entirely by one's life experiences; in other words, we are born with a blank slate, or a so-called "tabula rasa." This was also thought to comport with the promise of a liberal democracy, that we all share the same potentialities. In a recent meta-analysis of twin studies, Polderman et al. (2015), summarized that ____, which ____. A. most human traits have high heritability ... refutes the notion of a "tabula rasa" in general. B. most human traits have high heritability ... must be countered if we are to retain the notion of inclusive social advancement. C. most human physical traits have a high heritability ... contrasts with our personalities where the "tabula rasa" concept is generally correct. D. traits that reflect social constructs have high heritability ... undermines the usefulness of twin studies overall. E. most human personality traits have high heritability ... supports the notion of a "tabula rasa".
A. most human traits have high heritability ... refutes the notion of a "tabula rasa" in general.
A recent study of coronary artery disease used DNA data to calculate genetic risk scores for a future heart attack. In fact, coronary artery disease has a substantial genetic basis, and patients can be classified as having a high, medium or low genetic risk of a future heart attack. Imagine you are a physician advising a patient about lifestyle choices, which would be the most accurate statement? A. Genetic variation is not absolute, and healthy lifestyle choices can make a difference regardless of your genotype. B. Lifestyle choices can only make a difference if you have a low genetic risk of a heart attack. C. Lifestyle choices can only make a difference if you have a high genetic risk of a heart attack. D. Genetic variation means that your health outcomes are predetermined, so lifestyle choices do not affect your medical future.
A. Genetic variation is not absolute, and healthy lifestyle choices can make a difference regardless of your genotype.
Two genes that are close together on a chromosome A. are less likely to have a recombination/crossing over event between them B. are more likely to have a recombination/crossing over event between them C. are less likely to be in linkage disequilibrium (LD) D. generally perform similar functions in the genome
A. are less likely to have a recombination/crossing over event between them
CRISPR offers long overdue promise for a permanent cure for the many thousands of people affected by sickle cell anemia. The general approach being considered for approval involves ... A. Transfusions of affected patients using healthy red blood cells. B. Genetically modifying a patientÕs own bone marrow cells to produce healthy red blood cells instead. C. Epigenetic modification of red blood cells using targeted radiation therapy D. Editing epigenetic tags in a patient's bone marrow to reduce the proliferation of abnormal red blood cells
B. Genetically modifying a patientÕs own bone marrow cells to produce healthy red blood cells instead.
A scientist seeks to understand the nature of genetic variability for plant height, and conducts two experiments where the same families of plants are grown in two different locations. First, plants are grown in a greenhouse under controlled environmental conditions. Second, plants are grown under naturally variable conditions in the field. What do you expect about the heritability estimates from these two experiments? A. Heritability will be higher in the field experiment. B. Heritability will be lower in the field experiment. C. Heritability will be zero in the greenhouse experiment. D. Heritability measures genetics, so it should be the same in two experiments
B. Heritability will be lower in the field experiment.
The 2018 announcement of the birth of two CRISPR edited babies ... A. Involved the full informed consent of the parents and research participants. B. Is regarded as reckless and premature by scientists and ethicists in many different societies. C. Reflects a cultural divide between agencies in China and the USA regarding what is moral in biomedical research. D. Involved genetic modifications for a condition that could not be treated in any other way. E. Is regarded as reckless and premature by ethicists, but in the scientific community it is seen as a welcome advance.
B. Is regarded as reckless and premature by scientists and ethicists in many different societies.
In a natural setting outside the lab, the CRISPR locus performs the following functions ... A. It allows its host to attack the genomes of novel pathogens that enter the cell ("novel" meaning those the host or its ancestors have never encountered). B. It allows its host to attack the genomes of pathogens that it, or its ancestors, have had past experience/infections with C. It allows its host to prevent foreign DNA from being injected into the cell D. none of the above E. all of A through C
B. It allows its host to attack the genomes of pathogens that it, or its ancestors, have had past experience/infections with
Why are we even talking about Moore's law in this course? A. It demonstrates that the growth of various information technologies are essentially the same process. B. It demonstrates that the DNA revolution is proceeding at a similar if not greater pace than the Information Technology (IT) revolution. C. Because Doug is obsessed with the consequences of exponential growth. D. It demonstrates that nothing can really surpass the Information Technology (IT) revolution.
B. It demonstrates that the DNA revolution is proceeding at a similar if not greater pace than the Information Technology (IT) revolution.
Transcription.. A. Occurs at the ribosomes B. Occurs in the nucleus C. Occurs outside the cell D. Occurs at the cell surface
B. Occurs in the nucleus
Why does injecting an organism with CRISPR/Cas9 post-fertilization result in "mosaic" or "chimeric" organisms? A. As CRISPR/Cas9 spreads throughout the adult body upon injection, it only enters certain cells. B. Only the cells descended from the portion of cells that are initially modified carry the modification. C. CRISPR-editing genes have highly differential expression throughout the body. D. A cell modified by CRISPR/Cas9 may not carry on its modification to daughter cells.
B. Only the cells descended from the portion of cells that are initially modified carry the modification.
What does it mean for a SNP genotype to be correlated with a trait? A. The trait causes the genotype. B. Organisms with certain genotypes are more likely to exhibit certain traits. C. The alleles in the genotype cause the trait. D. The SNP genotype causes variation in the trait.
B. Organisms with certain genotypes are more likely to exhibit certain traits.
The original Human Genome Project produced A. A 100% complete sequence of the human genome. B. Sequences of the human genome and the genomes of several model organisms (such as fruit fly, nematode, and yeast). C. A complete interpretation of all the functional elements in the human genome. D. All of the above
B. Sequences of the human genome and the genomes of several model organisms (such as fruit fly, nematode, and yeast)
Which of the following does not accurately describe how the Human Genome Project (HGP) sequenced the human genome? A. The HGP used the Sanger DNA sequencing method to sequence the human genome, improving its efficiency through multiple rounds of technical innovation. B. The HGP sequenced the human genome by reading the bases of DNA on each chromosome in a linear fashion, starting from one end of each chromosome to the other end in a sequential fashion. C. The HGP used a map-first, sequence-second strategy to study the human genome. D. The HGP used more than one person's DNA to generate the first sequence of the human genome.
B. The HGP sequenced the human genome by reading the bases of DNA on each chromosome in a linear fashion, starting from one end of each chromosome to the other end in a sequential fashion.
The population genetics of human skin color shows that ____, thus _____. A. human populations vary in skin color ... supporting the notion that human races have long separated evolutionary histories. B. non-African populations carry alleles for lighter skin color that were already present in many African populations ... contradicting the myth of a biological basis of race. C. non-African populations each carry genetically novel alleles that code for lighter skin color ... supporting the notion that human races have long separated evolutionary histories. D. human populations do not vary in the frequency of alleles that determine skin color ... contradicting the myth of a biological basis of race
B. non-African populations carry alleles for lighter skin color that were already present in many African populations ... contradicting the myth of a biological basis of race.
Belayev's experiments with foxes suggested that A. the domestication of dogs from fox ancestors was a rapid process. B. the dog/wolf genome is integrated in such a way that selection on one trait could have affected many other traits in unpredictable ways. C. dogs have several origins of domestication from several canid ancestors D. the domestication process involves many genes each under direct and simultaneous selection by human masters
B. the dog/wolf genome is integrated in such a way that selection on one trait could have affected many other traits in unpredictable ways.
Microsatellites (or SSRs) are very useful for forensics because A. they are more abundant than SNPs and indels, and so high-throughput sequencing allows us to readily distinguish individuals. B. they have a high mutation rate and being so highly variable, are diagnostic using only a few of these regions/loci. C. they are functionally important, so variation among individuals is diagnostic D. they are rapid to assay using RNAseq, making them suitable for work in the field and at crime scenes.
B. they have a high mutation rate and being so highly variable, are diagnostic using only a few of these regions/loci.
Parent offspring regression ... A. is the best measure of heritability because environmental factors are controlled for. B. uses the resemblance between parents and offspring to make inferences about the genetic basis of traits. C. cannot ethically be used in humans. D. All of the above.
B. uses the resemblance between parents and offspring to make inferences about the genetic basis of traits.
The human genome is comprised of A. ~3 million base pairs B. ~3 billion base pairs C. ~1 million genes D. ~1 million base pairs
B. ~3 billion base pairs
Which of the following pairs categorize all types of cells in sexually reproducing organisms? A. Stem cells and pluripotent cells B. Germ cells and somatic cells C. Skeletal muscle cells and smooth muscle cells D. T-cells and B-cells
B. Germ cells and somatic cells
In class we discussed articles reporting that embryonic modification of the CCR5 gene to confer resistance to HIV could influence the cognitive abilities of the resulting babies or make patients more vulnerable to West Nile Virus. This demonstrates that CRISPR technology is ______ because _____. A. potentially powerful É many traits can be manipulated simultaneously. B. potentially dangerous É changes to one gene may have many unanticipated effects. C. potentially dangerous, changes to CCR5 may alter the DNA sequence of other genes. D. potentially powerful É small changes could produce large unanticipated results.
B. potentially dangerous É changes to one gene may have many unanticipated effects.
With the widespread use of next- generation DNA sequencing, the major remaining challenge in whole- genome sequencing and assembly is A. Getting enough DNA from the organism to sequence at high- enough coverage B. The costs of sequencing reactions makes it difficult to obtain adequate coverage C. Getting long enough reads for assembly of complex/repetitive regions of the genome D. All of the above
C. Getting long enough reads for assembly of complex/repetitive regions of the genome
Which of the following statements is an example of genetic essentialism? A. Academic success is entirely determined by the quality of education received. B. Smoking causes genetic mutations that lead to cancer. C. Homosexuality is determined by a "gay gene." D. There are strong correlations between geography and genotype in human populations.
C. Homosexuality is determined by a "gay gene."
Which of the following fields did 2022 Nobel laureate Svante Paabo help to found? A. evolutionary genetics B. nucleic acid (genome) sequencing C. Paleogenetics (ancient DNA) D. human genetics
C. Paleogenetics (ancient DNA)
Why do so many genomic studies use SNPs? A. The function of an allele is entirely determined by which SNPs it contains. B. Manhattan plots for visualizing GWAS results look super cool. C. SNPs are very easy to detect using current sequencing methods.. D. SNPs are always correlated with phenotype.
C. SNPs are very easy to detect using current sequencing methods..
How is whole-genome sequencing like (or unlike) looking at raindrops on the sidewalk? A. Sequence reads are like the sidewalk and the genome is like the raindrops. B. Raindrops fall in particular places just like sequence reads are drawn from particular places. C. Sequence reads are like raindrops and the genome is like the sidewalk. D. All of the above
C. Sequence reads are like raindrops and the genome is like the sidewalk.
Which of the following was not a major element in the 'race' between the public Human Genome Project and the private company Celera Genomics? A. Celera maintained the highest standards of sequence data quality and dissemination of data to benefit the scientific community. B. Celera Genomics had access to the human genome sequence data being generated by the Human Genome Project - but not vice versa. C. The 'good' protagonist in the race (Francis Collins) was a UVA alumnus, which is not surprising since UVA students routinely go on to do great things in the world. D. Celera Genomics aimed to generate the first sequence of the human genome faster than the Human Genome Project and sell private access to their data.
C. The 'good' protagonist in the race (Francis Collins) was a UVA alumnus, which is not surprising since UVA students routinely go on to do great things in the world.
The problem with using strict Deontology to make ethical decisions is that A. It can condone clearly immoral acts if there is a benefit to the majority B. It can condone clearly immoral acts for the benefit of the minority. C. While it provides a clear moral compass, it can condone righteous acts that cause significant harm. D. All of the above
C. While it provides a clear moral compass, it can condone righteous acts that cause significant harm.
In the supreme court case of Buck v. Bell, Oliver Wendell Holmes concluded that "three generations of imbeciles is enough." This 8-1 decision generated (or perhaps just cemented) a system where A. sterilization of the unfit would effectively enhance the genetic pool of the US population B. Eugenics, though unpopular with US citizens, was a scientifically effective policy C. forced sterilizations were constitutional D. all of the above
C. forced sterilizations were constitutional
During development, the number and location of digits on limbs depends on A. structural information communicated by nucleosomes B. cell division prompted by external environmental cues C. the appropriate timing and location of Hox gene expression D. positional information communicated by the expression of histones
C. the appropriate timing and location of Hox gene expression
Which of the following scenarios best describes the causal chain of genetic variation of SNPs and phenotypic variation among people that identify themselves as different races? A. Educational attainment causes racial identity -> racial identity causes genotype -> educational attainment is correlated with genotype. B. Certain SNPs are correlated with racial identity -> racism causes racial identity to be correlated with educational attainment -> genotype determines educational attainment. C. Certain SNPs are correlated with racial identity -> racism causes racial identity to be correlated with educational attainment -> SNPs are correlated with educational attainment. D. Certain SNPs are correlated with racial identity -> racism causes racial identity to be correlated with educational attainment -> there is no correlation between genotype and educational attainment.
C. Certain SNPs are correlated with racial identity -> racism causes racial identity to be correlated with educational attainment -> SNPs are correlated with educational attainment.
During human evolution, mating among lineages such as humans and Denisovans introduced genes into humans that later became useful during the colonization of the Tibetan plateau. This kind of thing happened in dogs as well, as shown by A. The black coat coloration that resulted when foxes were domesticated. B. The tendency for all dogs to share features that are not in their ancestors (e.g. floppy ears, black and white coats, barking) C. The black coat coloration in North American wolves originated in the domestic dogs of Native Americans D. The diversity of wolf lineages across the globe resulted in a similar diversity of domestic dogs E. All of the above
C. The black coat coloration in North American wolves originated in the domestic dogs of Native Americans
Eugenics in the state of Virginia A. was opposed by UVA scientists and administrators merely to fall in line with public opinion. B. was impeded by UVA Presidents and deans who opposed any form of genetic discrimination C. blossomed, at least in part, due to the national leadership in eugenics research and policy advanced by UVA scientists and administrators. D. was intellectually distinct from slavery, white supremacy and genetic differences between blacks and whites.
C. blossomed, at least in part, due to the national leadership in eugenics research and policy advanced by UVA scientists and administrators.
Which of the following was an important factor that led to the success of the Human Genome Project? A. A detailed locked-in plan to attain the goals of the Human Genome Project did not change throughout the project's 13 years. B. The scientific community was unified in their belief the Human Genome Project was a good idea. C. The development of Illumina next-generation ('revolutionary') DNA sequencing methods really saved the day. D. Fundamental methods for studying DNA (recombinant DNA cloning, Sanger sequencing, and the polymerase chain reaction) were available at the beginning of the project.
D. Fundamental methods for studying DNA (recombinant DNA cloning, Sanger sequencing, and the polymerase chain reaction) were available at the beginning of the project.
In some prominent criminal cases, the FBI has subpoenaed personal genomics companies (e.g., ancestry.com and 23andme) to collect genomic data for law enforcement purposes. Which of the following offers a utilitarian perspective toward giving a government entity access to your genomic data? A. You have to be kidding me right? There is no way I am going to let the FBI see my genome without my permission. B. If a judge approves the subpoena, then it is legal, and our country is all about the rule of law C. It is the moral right of the government to know everything about its citizens. D. Giving the government access to these data could ease the prosecution of violent crimes and reduce repeat offenses.
D. Giving the government access to these data could ease the prosecution of violent crimes and reduce repeat offenses.
What modification did He Jiankui make in Lulu and Nana with CRISPR/Cas9? A. He modified specific nucleotides in their CCR5 genes. B. He customized them as the first Òdesigner babies.Ó C. He induced deletions in multiple genes in order to make them immune to HIV. D. He deleted their CCR5 genes.
D. He deleted their CCR5 genes
An important component of DNA sequencing using the Illumina platform is the bridge amplification process. What best describes the importance of this process toward making Illumina DNA sequencing work? A. It created a technological bridge between shotgun sequencing and map-based sequencing. B. It allows you to amplify long, contiguous stretches of the genome. C. It connects together reads obtained from different chromosomes, which aids in assembly. D. It generates physical clusters of identical fragments on a flow cell that are large enough for the products of sequencing reactions to then be visualized.
D. It generates physical clusters of identical fragments on a flow cell that are large enough for the products of sequencing reactions to then be visualized.
Why are dizygotic twins generally less similar to each other, phenotypically, than monozygotic twins? A. Dizygotic twins are genetically more closely related to each other B. Monozygotic twins share a common prenatal environment C. Dizygotic twins share a common prenatal environments D. Monozygotic twins are genetically more closely related to each other
D. Monozygotic twins are genetically more closely related to each other
Using the same figure, compare two traits, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. Which statement best describes the situation with these two traits? A. Agreeableness has a higher heritability as evidenced by the higher combined concordance/correlation. B. Neuroticism has a higher heritability owing to the strong environmental effects on this personality trait (nurture is strong relative to nature). C. Agreeableness has a higher heritability as evidenced by the higher concordance/correlation among dizygotic twins relative to monozygotic twins. D. Neuroticism has a higher heritability as evidenced by the relatively high concordance/correlation among monozygotic twins relative to di-zygotic twins.
D. Neuroticism has a higher heritability as evidenced by the relatively high concordance/correlation among monozygotic twins relative to di-zygotic twins.
Emerging technologies such as Oxford Nanopore ... A. generate long DNA sequence reads that aid in genome assembly B. can reduce the size/cost of the genome sequencing apparatus C. promise to continue reducing the costs of genome sequencing well into the future D. all of the above
D. all of the above
Frederick Sanger invented a DNA sequencing technology that A. uses DNA replication machinery to elongate DNA molecules B. terminates DNA replication using dideoxynucleotides C. separates fragments ending in A, T, G, and C on an acrylamide gel D. all of the above
D. all of the above
The hypothesis that much of our DNA is not functional is supported by A. the lack of an apparent relationship between genome size and organismal complexity B. the wide variety of repetitive sequences in our genomes C. the fact that so little of our DNA includes protein-coding regions and conserved structural motifs D. all of the above
D. all of the above
Histones are proteins A. that are the active ingredients in anti-Histidines B. that unwind the DNA helix during DNA replication C. that ensure the semi-conservative replication of DNA D. that are important for packaging DNA into chromosomes E. All of the above
D. that are important for packaging DNA into chromosomes
An allele at one SNP (-13910*T) has been found to be associated with lactase persistence in European humans. However, if you look at Northern African populations, the lactase persistence phenotype is very common, but SNP -13910*T is rare. Explain. A. Lactase persistence is only common in some African populations. B. Lactase persistence is only common in native Americans C. Lactase persistence is not genetically determined in Africa D. Lactase persistence evolved independently in Africans and Europeans
D. Lactase persistence evolved independently in Africans and Europeans
In class we discussed a New York Times article that featured a video clip of white supremacists gleefully chugging milk. The notion that their race is somehow superior by virtue of being able to digest lactose neglects the fact that ... A. lactose persistence alleles are common in many non-European populations B. there is nothing inherently superior about lactase persistence, it is only favorable with certain cultural practices C. lots of people of European descent are lactose intolerant. D. all of the above
D. all of the above