Chapter 6: Epigenetics and Disease

Chapter 6: Epigenetics and Disease

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. What genetic process is likely responsible for the occurrence of asthma in only one of a pair of identical twins?

a.	Epigenetic modifications	c.	Transgenerational inheritance
b.	Genomic imprinting	d.	Methylation

 

 

ANS:  A

Epigenetic modifications can cause individuals with the same deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences (such as identical twins) to have different disease profiles. The correct option is the only one that accurately identifies the genetic process likely responsible for the occurrence of asthma in only one of a pair of twins.

 

PTS:   1                    REF:   Page 183 | Page 185

 

2. Prader-Willi syndrome causes a chromosomal defect that is:

a.	Initiated by postnatal exposure to a virus
b.	Inherited from the father
c.	Related to maternal alcohol abuse
d.	Transferred from mother to child

 

 

ANS:  B

Prader-Willi syndrome can be caused by a 4 Mb deletion of chromosome 15q when inherited from the father. The other options do not accurately identify the reason for the chromosomal damage that causes Prader-Willi syndrome.

 

PTS:   1                    REF:   Pages 187-188

 

3. A malfunction in DNA methylation can lead to:

a.	Hypothyroidism	c.	Cancer
b.	Blindness	d.	Diabetes mellitus

 

 

ANS:  C

Aberrant methylation can lead to silencing of tumor-suppressor genes in the development of cancer. No research supports a connection between hypothyroidism, blindness, or diabetes mellitus to a malfunctioning of DNA methylation.

 

PTS:   1                    REF:   Page 183 | Page 186

 

4. Which statement is true regarding the embryonic development of stem cells?

a.	They are already differentiated.
b.	They are referred to as housekeeping genes.
c.	They already demonstrate DNA sequencing.
d.	They are said to be pluripotent.

 

 

ANS:  D

Early in embryonic development, all cells of the embryo have the potential to become any type of cell in the fetus or adult. These embryonic stem cells are said to be pluripotent. The remaining options are not true statements regarding embryonic stem cell development.

 

PTS:   1                    REF:   Page 184

 

5. When microRNA (miRNA) are methylated their messenger RNA (mRNA) targets are over-expressed, the resulting effect on existing cancer would be:

a.	Cell death	c.	Remission
b.	Metastasis	d.	Relapse

 

 

ANS:  B

When miRNA genes are methylated, their mRNA targets are over-expressed, and this over-expression has been associated with metastasis. of the described effect on mRNA targets on existing cancer does not result in any of the other options.

 

PTS:   1                    REF:   Page 186