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Curriculum
Comprehensive Examination
There are typically three possible topics for the long
comprehensive exam: an evolution question, a central dogma
question, and questions pertaining to an assigned research
article. Two of the three topics are chosen by the faculty,
and seniors are asked to answer one of them.
2008 Article:
Cleland, C.E. and S.D. Copley. 2005. The possibility of alternative microbiol life on earth. International Journal of Astrobiology 4 (3 & 4): 165-173.
Examples
of questions from years past:
Sample
Evolution Questions
1. A wide variety of evidence supports the hypothesis that evolution has occurred. Define "evolution" and describe various types of evidence that support the theory of evolution, giving examples. Be sure to explain how that evidence supports the evolutionary hypothesis. Also, be sure to include both direct (i.e., observed instances) and indirect (i.e., evolution can be inferred) evidence in your answer.
2.Since the Modern Synthesis in the 1930’s and 40’s, the allopatric model of speciation has been considered by evolutionists to be the most common mode of species evolution. Describe the model, invoking concepts of the evolution of reproductive isolation (both pre- and post-zygotic) and the evolutionary processes involved (e.g. natural selection, gene flow, drift and founder effect). There is recent evidence that reproductive isolation can be rapidly and directly selected for when formerly allopatric populations come into sympatry. Describe how this occurs using recent examples.
Sample
Central Dogma Questions
1
. Mutations can occur in any area of a gene; in fact any nucleotide
is a possible mutation site. Discuss several ways in which a point
mutation can alter the expression of a gene. Discuss one mechanism
whereby point mutations may be repaired,
2.
Compare and contrast gene structure in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
How do the differences in gene structure manifest themselves at
the levels of transcription and translation? How do these differences
impact regulation of gene expression?
Sample
Question on an Assigned Article
Lim
et al. 2004. Enhanced partner preference in a promiscuous species
by manipulating the expressiong of a single gene. Nature 429:
754-757.
This
paper makes the exciting conclusion that a change in expression
of a sginle gene can result in a change in mating behavior. Write
an essay demonstrating your thorough understanding of this paper
by discussion the following:
a.
The methods, results, and conclusiong of the key experiments presetned
in the paper.
b.
The context of the paper. Utilize your own area of biological
expertise to discuss how the paper relates to biology as a whole.
Your consideration of the paper's context might include responses
to some of the following queries.
- Nature specifies that the articles it publishes must be "of outstanding
scientific importance" and that they must "reach a
conclusion of interest to an interdisciplinary readership."
Why was this paper chosen for publication?
- This
paper contradicts the assertion that complex traits result from
the expression of many genes and hence, multiple gene products.
Do the paper's conclusions invalidate this assertion?
- What
molecular and selection events must occur to achieve the evolution
of monogamy from an original condition of asocial polygamy.
- Why
do the authors claim that multiple neural circuits underly paternal
care and pair bond formation? How does this relate to the generation
of complex behavioral traits
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