Selected MCQ

Current Question
A single gene mutation causes both phenylketonuria (affecting skin pigment) and neurological impairment. This phenomenon is called:
  • A. Epistasis
  • B. Pleiotropy
  • C. Codominance
  • D. Penetrance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
One gene affecting multiple, seemingly unrelated traits (e.g., PKU’s effects on pigment and brain) is pleiotropy.
Related Question 1
A one-nucleotide insertion in the coding sequence of a gene will most likely result in which type of mutation?
  • A. Missense mutation
  • B. Nonsense mutation
  • C. Frameshift mutation
  • D. Silent mutation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Inserting one nucleotide shifts the reading frame of the codons (frameshift), altering all downstream amino acids and usually disrupting function.
Related Question 2
Which mechanism allows a single eukaryotic gene to encode multiple protein isoforms?
  • A. Alternative splicing
  • B. Alternative sigma factors
  • C. Gene duplication
  • D. Horizontal gene transfer
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA can include or exclude exons, yielding different mRNAs and thus different protein isoforms from one gene.
Related Question 3
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. If two carriers have a child, what is the probability the child will be unaffected (no mutant alleles)?
  • A. 100%
  • B. 75%
  • C. 50%
  • D. 25%
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
For two carriers (Aa × Aa), the offspring genotype ratio is 1 AA: 2 Aa: 1 aa. 75% (AA + Aa) are unaffected (though 50% are carriers).
Related Question 4
Alternative splicing occurs during gene expression at the level of:
  • A. DNA replication
  • B. Transcription initiation
  • C. Pre-mRNA processing (RNA splicing)
  • D. Protein folding
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA allows different exons to be joined or skipped, producing multiple mRNA variants from one gene during RNA processing.
Related Question 5
In gene therapy using a viral vector, what is a major concern related to using retroviruses?
  • A. They cannot infect human cells
  • B. They only integrate into mitochondrial DNA
  • C. Insertional mutagenesis by random integration into the host genome
  • D. They cannot carry large genes
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Retroviral vectors integrate randomly into the host genome, risking insertional mutagenesis (disrupting host genes), which can cause cancer or other issues.