This set of Marine Biotechnology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Fish Models in Biomedical Research”.
1. Decreased bone mineralization in Antarctic icefish is due to _____________
a) increased buoyancy
b) decreased buoyancy
c) increased microbial resistance
d) decreased microbial resistance
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Explanation: The decrease in bone mineralization of several species of Antarctic icefish is an evolutionary change accounted for increase in buoyancy. Reduction in bone mineral density is associated with the human disease osteopenia which frequently progresses to osteoporosis.
2. Other than osteopenia, Antarctic icefish can be used to study ______________
a) developmental biology
b) neurobiology
c) degenerative disorders
d) lipidoses
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Explanation: In addition to reduced bone mineralization, additional buoyancy in Antarctic icefish has been achieved by increased lipid deposits in various tissues and organs. Lipidoses is a group of inherited metabolic disorders in humans that have the same underlying mechanisms.
3. The cichlid fish have differences in craniofacial formations, based on habitats in which they thrive.
a) True
b) False
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Explanation: As a consequence of positive selection down the evolutionary line, the various species in the family of cichlid fish have difference in craniofacial formations depending upon what they feed on.
4. The OCA2 gene in Atlantic cavefish is expressed as a _____________
a) endoplasmic reticulum transporter
b) golgi body protein
c) translation inhibitor
d) transcription inhibitor
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Explanation: The OCA2 gene in pigment-less, dark-dwelling blind cavefish is expressed as an endoplasmic reticulum localized transport that is mutated. This gene causes albinism type-II in humans.
5. Which of the following has been proven effective to rescue the decreased-sleep phenotype of blind cavefish?
a) Propanolol
b) Benzene
c) Vinyl chloride
d) Hydrogen peroxide
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Explanation: The blockade of β-adrenergic receptors with propranolol (a β-blocker) has been shown to rescue the decreased-sleep phenotypes of blind cavefish. The absence of environmental cues from light in the cave habitats have led to development of sleep loss symptoms in Astyanax cavefish.
6. The common name of Nothobranchius furzeri is ______________
a) pufferfish
b) red killifish
c) yellow killifish
d) turquoise killifish
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Explanation: Turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri is a short-lived elongated fish found in brackish, saline and fresh water habitats. Owing to its short life span the fish is used as a model to study age related disorders.
7. The toadfish, used as models for hepatic encephalopathy are bottom-dwellers.
a) True
b) False
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Explanation: The toadfish Porichthys notatus is a bottom-dweller that grazes on sediments in search of worms, molluscs, crustaceans and other fish. To save themselves from other predators, the toadfish excrete high amounts of urea.
8. Hepatic encephalopathy in humans is caused due to ____________
a) liver failure
b) heart failure
c) bone deformities
d) craniofacial deformities
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Explanation: The hepatic encephalopathy is attributed to liver failure which is caused due to excessive nitrogen load following renal failure or inborn errors of the urea cycle. The bottom-dweller toadfish is used as a model to study this human disease.
9. In addition to hepatic encephalopathy, the toadfish is also used as a model for _______________
a) cance
b) intoxication
c) thalassemia
d) sickle cell anemia
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Explanation: In conditions of hypoxia the toadfish hemoglobin behaves in much the same way as mutant Hbs (that causes sickle cell anemia in humans) that aggregates and distorts the erythrocytes of the fish in a sickled shape.
10. ______________ provided evidence that cancer has a genetic component.
a) Xiphophorus
b) Astyanax
c) Porichthys
d) Nothobranchius
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Explanation: Xiphophorus are one of the oldest animal models used in cancer research; they were the first to substantiate the genetic component associated with cancer. Certain hybrids of platyfish and swordtails develop melanoma, used as models of the disease.
11. Xiphophorus is used as a model for _______________
a) osteoporosis
b) sexual disorders
c) carcinoma
d) tuberculosis
View Answer
Explanation: In addition to being a model organism for cancer research, the Xiphophorus is used for studying the underlying mechanisms of diseases connected to impaired regulation of food uptake, energy balance and onset of sexual maturity.
12. Which hormone is involved in bone demineralization of eels?
a) Ghrelin
b) Leptin
c) Thyroid
d) Serotonin
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Explanation: In situations of physiological stress and starving, the eels undergo bone resorption. The bone demineralization involves thyroid hormone in eels; the overproduction of thyroid in humans can induce bone loss and osteoporosis.
13. Which ailment occurs to eels in the wild?
a) Hyperempathy
b) Muscular dystrophy
c) Muscular atrophy
d) Wilm’s tumor
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Explanation: The Wilm’s tumor is a malignant kidney tumor that occurs in 1 of every 10,000 children worldwide. This ailment occurs spontaneously and is prevalent in eels in the wild hence providing one-of its kind model for the disease.
14. Which of the following is not a trait of Amazon molly?
a) Viviparous
b) Clonal model
c) No paternal genetic contribution
d) Eggs undergo parthenogenesis
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Explanation: Amazon molly is used as a model organism for skin cancer, thyroid cancer and infectious diseases. It has the unique feature of genetic clonality where eggs undergo parthenogenesis and there is no contribution of paternal genetic component.
15. Damselfish neurofibromatosis (DNF) is similar to human _____________
a) viral-mediated cancers
b) cystic fibrosis
c) parasitic diseases
d) fungal diseases
View Answer
Explanation: Damselfish neurofibromatosis is a naturally occurring tumor that affects neuro-ectodermal cells of bicolor damselfish Stegastes partitus. It is similar to virus-mediated cancers in humans such as papillomas, leukemias, sarcomas and lymphomas.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Marine Biotechnology.
To practice all areas of Marine Biotechnology, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
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