Molecular Basis of Disease Quizzes | Master Molecular Medicine

Question 1

Which type of mutation involves the insertion of an extra nucleotide into the DNA sequence?

Accepted Answer

Insertion

Answer

Substitution

Answer

Deletion

Answer

Inversion

Question 2

Which molecular technique is primarily employed to amplify specific segments of DNA?

Accepted Answer

PCR

Answer

Electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Microarray

Question 3

Which type of genetic disorder arises from a mutation within a single gene?

Accepted Answer

Mendelian disorder

Answer

Chromosomal disorder

Answer

Multifactorial disorder

Answer

Mitochondrial disorder

Question 4

Which technique allows visualization of DNA fragments separated by their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

PCR

Answer

Microarray

Question 5

Which type of infectious agent lacks nucleic acid as part of its structure?

Accepted Answer

Prion

Answer

Virus

Answer

Bacteria

Answer

Fungus

Question 6

Evaluate the potential advantages and drawbacks of targeting specific molecular pathways in disease treatment.

Accepted Answer

Enhanced treatment effectiveness and reduced adverse effects

Accepted Answer

High treatment expenses and potential limitations in application

Answer

Increased risk of antimicrobial resistance

Answer

Exclusively applicable to cancer therapies

Question 7

A genetic condition resulting from the presence of an additional copy of a chromosome is known as:

Accepted Answer

Trisomy

Answer

Monosomy

Answer

Aneuploidy

Answer

Deletion

Question 8

The molecular biology technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences is:

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 9

Which type of mutation introduces a premature stop codon in a protein-coding gene?

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Answer

Frameshift mutation

Answer

Missense mutation

Answer

Splice site mutation

Question 10

The process by which unspecialized cells acquire specialized functions and characteristics is known as:

Accepted Answer

Differentiation

Answer

Transdifferentiation

Answer

Metaplasia

Answer

Dedifferentiation

Question 11

Which technique is specifically employed to identify and visualize specific DNA fragments within a complex DNA mixture?

Accepted Answer

Southern blotting

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Question 12

Which type of mutation involves the replacement of one nucleotide base with another, potentially altering the encoded amino acid?

Accepted Answer

Missense mutation

Answer

Silent mutation

Answer

Nonsense mutation

Answer

Frameshift mutation

Question 13

A genetic condition resulting from a defect in a single gene is referred to as a:

Accepted Answer

Monogenic disorder

Answer

Polygenic disorder

Answer

Chromosomal disorder

Answer

Multifactorial disorder

Question 14

Which type of gene regulation involves the interaction of a transcription factor with a specific DNA sequence in the promoter region, influencing the rate of gene transcription?

Accepted Answer

Transcriptional regulation

Answer

Epigenetic regulation

Answer

Translational regulation

Answer

Post-translational regulation

Question 15

The development of new drugs that specifically target the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases is known as:

Accepted Answer

Target-based therapy

Answer

Supportive care therapy

Answer

Preventive therapy

Answer

Symptom-based therapy

Question 16

Describe the molecular mechanisms through which a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can alter protein function and contribute to disease.

Accepted Answer

By altering the amino acid sequence of the protein

Accepted Answer

By changing the splicing pattern of the RNA

Accepted Answer

By disrupting the binding of regulatory elements

Accepted Answer

By introducing a premature stop codon

Question 17

Define loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and explain its significance in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in cancer development.

Accepted Answer

LOH occurs when a cell loses one normal copy of a gene, leaving only the mutated copy, leading to the loss of tumor suppressor gene function.

Answer

LOH is only associated with the loss of function of oncogenes, which are genes that promote cancer growth.

Answer

LOH is always caused by chromosomal deletions.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a molecular mechanism directly contributing to cancer development?

Accepted Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Activation of oncogenes

Answer

Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes

Answer

Defects in DNA repair mechanisms

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a key molecular mechanism contributing to cancer development?

Accepted Answer

Increased angiogenesis

Answer

Activation of oncogenes

Answer

Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes

Answer

Dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints

Question 20

Identify the primary molecular mechanism driving cancer development:

Accepted Answer

Activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes

Answer

Dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints

Answer

Impairment of DNA repair pathways

Question 21

Which molecular characteristic contributes to the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

Oncogene activation

Answer

Increased tumor suppressor gene expression

Answer

Enhanced DNA repair mechanisms

Answer

Reduced cell-cell adhesion

Question 22

Which of the following characteristics is a hallmark of cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled cell proliferation

Answer

Apoptosis resistance

Answer

Normal differentiation

Answer

Reduced angiogenesis

Question 23

In the X-linked genetic disorder hemophilia A, the disease-causing mutation occurs in which gene?

Accepted Answer

F8

Answer

HTT

Answer

BRCA1

Answer

F9

Question 24

The molecular defect underlying sickle cell disease is a mutation in which gene?

Accepted Answer

HBB

Answer

HBA

Answer

ABO

Answer

RH

Question 25

Which of the following techniques allows for the amplification and detection of specific DNA sequences?

Accepted Answer

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 26

Which of the following therapeutic approaches holds promise for treating genetic disorders by introducing functional genes into patients' cells?

Accepted Answer

Gene therapy

Answer

Pharmacotherapy

Answer

Surgery

Answer

Radiation therapy

Question 27

Which defining characteristic distinguishes infectious diseases from other types of diseases?

Accepted Answer

Transmission from one organism to another

Answer

Chronic progression

Answer

Non-communicable

Question 28

Which molecular mechanism is commonly associated with the initiation and progression of cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

Activation of oncogenes

Answer

Increased expression of tumor suppressor genes

Answer

Inhibition of cell cycle checkpoints

Answer

Downregulation of DNA repair enzymes

Question 29

A genetic disorder caused by a specific mutation in the CFTR gene is characterized by which condition?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Answer

Tay-Sachs disease

Question 30

Which infectious disease is caused by a retrovirus?

Accepted Answer

HIV/AIDS

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Influenza

Answer

Malaria

Question 31

The process through which a normal, healthy cell transforms into a cancerous cell is known as:

Accepted Answer

Carcinogenesis

Answer

Differentiation

Answer

Metastasis

Answer

Apoptosis

Question 32

The significant reduction in the mortality rate associated with bacterial infections is primarily attributed to the advancement of:

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Antifungal medications

Answer

Antiviral medications

Answer

Parasitic medications

Question 33

Which type of mutation results in the production of a non-functional protein?

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Answer

Splice site mutation

Answer

Silent mutation

Answer

Missense mutation

Question 34

The process by which cancer cells disseminate to distant sites within the body is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Metastasis

Answer

Apoptosis

Answer

Carcinogenesis

Answer

Angiogenesis

Question 35

Which of the following is a well-established risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

Answer

Tuberculosis infection

Answer

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Answer

Malaria infection

Question 36

Which of the following diagnostic imaging techniques involves the use of radioactive isotopes to trace metabolic processes?

Accepted Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a key molecular mechanism implicated in the development of cancer?

Accepted Answer

Up-regulation of tumor suppressor genes

Answer

Activation of oncogenes

Answer

Enhanced angiogenesis

Answer

Dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints

Question 38

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder primarily characterized by a defect in the function of which cellular organelle?

Accepted Answer

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

Answer

Lysosomes

Answer

Mitochondria

Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 39

Which of these microorganisms is the causative agent of Lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Borrelia burgdorferi

Answer

Plasmodium falciparum

Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 40

The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has transformed genetic research by empowering scientists to:

Accepted Answer

Make precise modifications to DNA sequences

Answer

Prevent the occurrence of genetic mutations

Answer

Diagnose genetic diseases with greater accuracy

Answer

Create entirely new genetic material

Question 41

What is the main function of chaperone proteins in cells?

Accepted Answer

Assisting in the proper folding and stabilization of newly synthesized proteins

Answer

Regulating the expression of genes

Answer

Breaking down damaged or misfolded proteins

Answer

Transporting proteins across cellular membranes

Question 42

Which of these is a hallmark feature of neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

Progressive loss of neurons and synapses

Answer

Increased cell proliferation

Answer

Inflammation and immune system dysregulation

Answer

Enhanced synaptic plasticity

Question 43

The molecular defect in sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding which protein?

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin

Answer

Collagen

Answer

Actin

Answer

Myoglobin

Question 44

Which of the following mutations is MOST likely to lead to a gain-of-function mutation in a proto-oncogene, promoting uncontrolled cell growth?

Accepted Answer

Missense mutation leading to a constitutively active protein

Answer

Silent mutation with no change in amino acid sequence

Answer

Nonsense mutation leading to a truncated protein

Question 45

A patient presents with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. Which type of mutation is MOST likely responsible for this disease?

Accepted Answer

Deletion mutation causing a frameshift

Answer

Insertion mutation in a non-coding region

Answer

Missense mutation leading to a slightly altered protein

Answer

Point mutation leading to a silent change

Question 46

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a prion disease?

Accepted Answer

Misfolded protein causing aggregation and cell damage

Answer

Bacterial infection causing inflammation

Answer

Viral infection leading to cell lysis

Question 47

A patient with a history of recurrent infections is suspected to have a deficiency in the immune system. Which of the following molecular mechanisms could be responsible for this condition?

Accepted Answer

Mutation in a gene encoding a component of the complement system

Answer

Increased production of antibodies

Answer

Overexpression of MHC molecules

Question 48

A novel virus is discovered with a high mutation rate. What is the MOST significant implication of this characteristic for the development of antiviral therapies?

Accepted Answer

Increased difficulty in developing effective antiviral drugs due to rapid resistance development

Answer

Decreased risk of viral transmission

Answer

Enhanced efficacy of existing antiviral drugs

Question 49

Which of the following is a key mechanism by which viruses evade the host immune system?

Accepted Answer

Antigenic variation, altering surface proteins to avoid recognition by antibodies

Answer

Increased expression of MHC molecules

Answer

Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Question 50

A patient with diabetes mellitus type 1 experiences chronic hyperglycemia. Which of the following molecular mechanisms contributes to this condition?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, leading to insulin deficiency

Answer

Increased insulin sensitivity in target tissues

Answer

Overproduction of insulin by the pancreas

Question 51

Which of the following is a potential therapeutic target for treating Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of amyloid-beta aggregation

Answer

Enhancement of blood-brain barrier permeability

Answer

Stimulation of neurotransmitter release

Answer

Suppression of the immune response

Question 52

A patient presents with a rare genetic disorder affecting the metabolism of a specific amino acid. Which of the following approaches could be used to diagnose this condition?

Accepted Answer

Genetic testing to identify mutations in the relevant gene

Answer

Brain imaging to assess neurological damage

Answer

Blood culture for bacterial growth

Question 53

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a malignant tumor?

Accepted Answer

Invasiveness and ability to metastasize to distant sites

Answer

Slow growth and well-defined borders

Answer

Limited ability to spread to other tissues