MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Question Papers (2008, Aug/Sep, Supple)

SET: 1

1. Represent a melting curve of a double helix DNA and explain it in detail?

2. Write a note on the famous Messelson and Stahl experiment on proving semi conservative mode of DNA replication?

3. what is the mechanism and importance of 'proof reading' function of DNA polymerase in DNA replication

4. With respect to tRNA structure, explain:

• Stems and loops
• Anticodon arm.

5. Which are the different types of rRNA associated with eukaryotic ribosome? How are these synthesized?

6. How are Wooble hypothesis ans the genetic code correlated with each other?

7. How is the process of eukaryotic process of translation different from prokaryotic process?

8. With context to mutations, what is meant by:

• Base substitutions
• Insertions and deletions

SET: 2

1. Which from of DNA exists as the natural form present in living cells? Explain in detail.

2. What is meant by 'rolling circle' form of DNA replication? Give an example.

3. What is meant by 'end replication problem' in DNA synthesis? Discuss the role of telomase in it.

4. How are eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA Polymerases different from each other?

5. What is the relationship of intron and exon sequences with respect to the final mRNA formation in eukaryotic post translational processing?

6. Explain how the genetic information present in the mRNA is decoded into amino acid sequence during the process of translation?

7. What are post translational modifications? Give some examples.

8. Briefly explalin the different DNA repair mechanisms existing in a cell.

SET: 3

1. What is the primary structure of DNA? Explain in detail.

2. Write a note on the famous Messelson and Stahl experiment on proving semi conservative mode of DNA replication?

3. Discuss the various enzymes involved in carrying out the process of the DNA replication.

4. Discuss about the different types of RNA and the RNA Polymerases, which are involved in synthesising them.

5. Write a note on how tRNA is produced by processing larger pre-tRNA transcript.

6. How are Wooble hypothesis ans the genetic code correlated with each other?

7. Explain how conjugation is a process through which genetic recombination is possible in bacteria?

8. With reference to acting as mutagens, explain:

• UV irradiation
• Ionizing radiation

SET: 4

1. What are the main functions of DNA in a living cell?

2. How does DNA replication occur in Mitochondria DNA?

3. what are telomers in DNA? How do they replicate?

4. Write notes on:

• Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase
• Eukaryotic RNA Polymerase

5. Explain the sequence by which introns are removed from a eukaryotic pre-mRNA.

6. Elaborate the statement "Genetic code is a triplet, redundant, non-overlapping and comma free code".

7. Write short notes on :

• tRNA as an adaptor molecule
• Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes

8. With reference to acting as mutagens, explain:

• UV irradiation
• Ionizing radiation

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Question Papers (Regular, 2008)

SET :1

1. What is DNA made up of? Explain in detail about the components. [16]
2. Explain briefly how the filamentous shaped single stranded DNA bacteriophage M13 replicates its genome? [16]
3. With respect to DNA polymerase I explain the roles of the following in DNA replication.
[2 × 8 = 16]
(a) 3’-5’ exonuclease & 5’- 3’ exonuclease
(b) 5’ - 3’ polymerization.
4. How are eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA polymerases different from each other? [16]
5. What is meant by self-splicing introns? Explain citing suitable examples. [16]
6. With context to genetic code, explain what is meant by: [2 × 8 = 16]
(a) Non-overlapping & comma less triplet codon
(b) Redundancy of genetic code.
7. Write a note on plasmids. Write about the different types of plasmids occurring in nature. [16]
8. What is meant by “site directed mutagenesis” Explain along with a neat diagram. [16]


SET :2

1. What forms the backbone that holds the two strands of DNA together in a double helix? Explain the helix structure. [16]
2. How does the icosahedral symmetry single stranded DNA bacteriophage φ×174 replicate its DNA? [16]
3. How does DNA polymerase maintain the high rate of accuracy with respect to error making during DNA replication? [16]
4. Give a step-by-step description of the process of Transcription. [16]
5. How are eukaryotic ribosomal components 28s, 5.8s and 18s rRNA synthesized? Add a note on 5s rRNA synthesis. [16]
6. Using suitable examples explain the redundancy of the genetic code. [16]
7. Give suitable examples of antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis. Describe their mode of action. [16]
8. What is the difference between Spontaneous and Induced mutations? [16]

SET :3

1. How are the different forms of DNA differentiated on the basis of their structures? [16]
2. What is meant by “bi-directional” DNA replication? Explain taking E. Coli chromosome as an example. [16]
3. Explain the role of telomerase in preventing shortening of chromosomes during DNA replication. [16]
4. Describe the different types of rRNA (s) found in the ribosome. [16]
5. Explain the processing of pre-rRNA transcript in detail. [16]
6. What is the process, which correlates the base sequence present in an mRNA and the amino acid sequence in the final protein molecule? Describe it. [16]
7. Write short notes on: [2 × 8 = 16]
(a) tRNA as an adaptor molecule
(b) Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes.
8. Describe site directed mutagenesis as one of the most established techniques in in-vitro mutagenesis. [16]


SET :4
1. What are the main functions of DNA in a living cell? [16]
2. Taking mitochondria DNA as an example explain D-loop method of DNA replication. [16]
3. Give an overview of the DNA polymerases of Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes. [16]
4. Justify the statement “there are different types of rRNA found in ribosome” [16]
5. Explain the processing of pre-rRNA transcript in detail. [16]
6. What is the code in which the genetic message imprinted in the form of m-RNA read as? Discuss the properties of the code. [16]
7. Describe what is meant by “generalized” and “specialized” type of transduction mechanisms. [16]
8. With reference to acting as mutagens, explain: [2 × 8 = 16]
(a) Uv irradiation
(b) Ionizing radiation.

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Question Papers (Supple,2008)

SET : 1

1. Describe the roles of different proteins in DNA replication.

2. DNA replication is bi-directional. What would the replication bubble look like

(using the same labeling regimen as discussed in class) if replication was unidirectional?

3. How does the structure of a eukaryotic CoreRNAPol compare with the E. coli CoreRNApol?

4. Why would isoleucine be less likely to occur in a beta turn than in a beta strand?

5. What is meant by Reverse Genetics? How is useful?

6. Write a note on split genes.

7. Describe the conjugation process in F+ and F− bacteria.

8. What are Retroposons?

SET : 2

1. List and describe the function of the 10 subunits constituting DNA polymerase-III. Distinguish between the holoenzyme and the core enzyme.

2. What is the start site for DNA replication?

3. What are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic mRNA(s)?

4. Describe the following terms: Transcription, translation, promoter.

5. Differentiate between point mutations that are transitions versus tranversions. Using the DNA bases (A, T, G and C) list the four types of transition and the eight types of transversions.

6. Write a note on split genes.

7. Distinguish among the three modes of recombination in bacteria.

8. What are the similarities between a Iysogenic bacterial cell and an animal tumor cell which has been transformed by an oncogenic (tumor-producing) virus?

SET : 3

1. In what component parts do DNA and RNA differs?

2. What is the start site for DNA replication?

3. In yeast tRNA splicing, what is the importance of secondary structure?

4. When a globular protein folds into its native conformation, there is an increase in order of the protein (i.e., a decrease in its entropy). Explain the types of energetic factors that overcome this unfavorable entropic effect to make protein folding possible.

5. Briefly describe physical, chemical and biological methods of developing new mutations.

6. Write a note on split genes.

7. Describe the conjugation process in F+ and F− bacteria.

8. How do transpons cause mutations?

SET : 4

1. What is the relationship between nucleosomes, 30 nm fibers and the scaffold structure with respect to the organization of DNA in the nucleus?

2. DNA replication is bi-directional. What would the replication bubble look like(using the same labeling regimen as discussed in class) if replication was unidirectional?

3. How does the structure of a eukaryotic CoreRNAPol compare with the E. coli CoreRNApol?

4. Which feature of the Genetic code is responsible for redundancy of Geretic Code.

5. What are mutagens? Classify the radiation, chemical mutagens that are affecting the organisms.

6. Write a note of Benzer’s fine structure analysis of the rII locus of T4 bacteriophage.

7. With respect to F+ and F− bacterial mating, answer the followings:

a) How was it established that physical contact was necessary?

b) How was it established that chromosome transfer was unidirectional?

8. Describe the Shapiro model of transposition. What are the roles of transposase, DNA polymeraseI, Ligase and resolvase?

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Question Papers (Supple, 2006)

SET: 1

1. What is the relationship between nucleosomes, 30nm fibers and the scaffold structure with respect to the organisation of DNA in the nucleus?

2. Why is the 3’OH group on the ribose ring so important for DNA & RNA synthesis?

3. Eukaryotic mRNA is usually monocistronic. What does this mean? Why is thes the case for eukaryotes, where as polycistronic mRNA is often found in prokaryotes?

4. Describe the following terms ribosome binding site, RNA polymerase, tRNA synthetases.

5. Write short notes on

(a) Thymine dimers

(b) Error prone repair

6. Describe the Ames assay for screening potential environmental mutagens. Why is it though that a compound that tests positively in the Ames assay may also be carcinogenic?

7. Describe the basis for chromosome mapping in Hfr × f – crosses.

8. What are the differences among an IS element, a transposon, an intron and a plasmid.

SET: 2

1. What are the roles of RNAprimers and Okazaki fragments during DNA replication.

2. Describe Messelson-Stahl experiment.

3. Write the following

(a) RNA pol “basal” factors

(b) RNA pol “Transcription factors”

4. Write briefly on the different types of protein that exists.

5. What is significantly different about the type of DNA “damage” repaired by mismatch repair compared to other types of DNA damage?

6. Write a note on microbial testing that are widely used in industrial reasearch.

7. What is the role of Rec protien in bacterial recombination?

8. Describe lysis and lysogeny.

SET: 3

1. What are the features of the DNA molecule described by Watson & Crick? Are these features the same for all DNA molecules?

2. DNA relplication is bidirectional. What would the replication bubble look like (using the same labelling regimen as discussed in class) if replication was unidirectional?

3. Write short notes on

(a) rho dependent termination

(b) rho independent termination

4. What will determine whether regions of alpha-helical structure lie at the surface or in the interior of a water-soluble globular protien?

5. What is meant by reverse genetics? How is it useful?

6. Describe the the Ames assay for screening potential environmental mutagens. Why is it though that a compound that tests positively in the Ames assay may also be carcinogenic?

7. With respect to F+ and F- bacterial mating, answer the following:

(a) How was it established that physical contact was necessary?

(b) How was it established that chromosome transfer was unidirectional?

8. What are the differences among an IS element, a transposon, an intron and a plasmid.

SET: 4

1. Summarise and compare the properties of DNA polymerase – І, ІІ, ІІІ.

2. In Meselson-stahl experiment, which of the three modes of replication could be ruled out after one round of replication? After two rounds?

3. What processing events occur with prokaryotic Mrna?

4. Which feature of the Genetic code is responsible for redundancy of Genetic Code.

5. What is significantly different about the type of DNA “damage” repaired by mismatch repair compared to other types of DNA damage?

6. Write a short note on split genes.

7. What is the role of Rec protien in bacterial recombination?

8. Describe what are the three different physical forms of phage λ chromosome?

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Question Papers (Regular, 2005)

SET: 4

1. What are the roles of RNA primers and Okazaki fragments during DNA replication?

2. DNA relplication is bidirectional. What would the replication bubble look like (using the same labelling regimen as discussed in class) if replication was unidirectional?

3. Write short notes on

(a) rho dependent termination

(b) rho independent termination

4. What will determine whether regions of alpha-helical structure lie at the surface or in the interior of a water-soluble globular protien?

5. Describe different types of mutations and explain the importance of mutations for genetic reasearch.

6. Which are the functional portions of a functional gene?

7. Describe the mechanism of transformation process.

8. What are Retroposons?

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY syllabus, JNTU (2007-2008)

UNIT I: STRUCTURE OF DNA

Detailed structure of DNA, variation from Watson & Crick model, Z - DNA, A & B DNA, Denaturation & melting curves.

UNIT-II: DNA REPLICATION - I

Models of DNA replication: semi conservative Mechanism of DNA replication in E.coli (bi- directional). Mitochondrial (D-loop), Viral DNA (Rolling circle), Single stranded- DNA phages (M13, Ø174),

UNIT – III : DNA REPLICATION- II

Eukaryotic telomeres and its replication Inhibitors of DNA Replication. Enzymes involved in replication, step by step process.

UNIT IV: RNA STRUCTURE AND BIOSYNTHESIS

m-RNA, r-RNA, t-RNA structures, Transcription apparatus, RNA polymerases and proteins involved in transcription (initiation, elongation and termination steps)

UNIT V : POST TRANSCRIPTIONAL PROCESSING

Post transcriptional processing of RNA ‘s t-RNA, r-RNA, m- RNA splicing. Inhibitors of transcription.

UNIT VI: PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS

The genetic code and Wobble Hypothesis, Codon usage, Protein synthesis In Prokaryotes.

UNIT VII : PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN EUKARYOTES

Eukaryotic Protein synthesis, differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis, Post translational modifications. Inhibitors of protein synthesis .

UNIT VIII : MUTAGENESIS

Mutations, spontaneous, induced, lethal, mutagens their types and actions, classification of mutations and their applications. Site - directed mutagenesis and reverse genetics. DNA damage and repair mechanisms. Mutagenicity testing using microbial systems, Ames TEST.

TEXT BOOKS

1. Molecular Biology, David Friefelder, Jones and Bartllett Publishing Home,1987.

2ShortProtocolsinMolecularBiology,2^ndeditionT..M.Ausubel,Brent,R.E.Kingston,D.D.Moire,J.G.Seidman,J.A.Smith, K.Struhl Green Publication Associates and John Wiley and sons 1991

REFERENCES:

1. Lodish, H., Berk A., Zipursky, S.L. Matsudaria, P. Baltimore, D. and Darnell, J.2003. Molecular Cell f Biology, Media connected, W.H. Freeman and Company.

2. Bio Chemistry and Molecular biology by William H. Ellioff. Oxford Publications

3. Cell and Molecular biology by Philip Sheeler Donald E.Bianchi Wiley Publishers.

4. Cell and Molecular Biology 1996. De Robertis E.D.Pi and De Robertis E.M.F.

B I Waverly Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.