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1.

Which of the following is untrue about the PRSS program?(a) It stands for Probability of Random Shuffles(b) It is a web-based program that can be used to evaluate the statistical significance of DNA or protein sequence alignment(c) It first aligns two sequences using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm and calculates the score(d) It holds one sequence in its original form and randomizes the order of residues in the other sequence.I have been asked this question at a job interview.The doubt is from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right option is (c) It FIRST aligns two sequences using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm and calculates the score

To EXPLAIN: It first aligns two sequences using the Smith–Waterman algorithm and calculates the score. The shuffled sequence is realigned with the unshuffled sequence. The resulting alignment score is recorded. This PROCESS is iterated many (normally 1,000) times to help generate data for fitting the Gumble DISTRIBUTION.

2.

What is used to generate parameters for the extreme distribution?(a) The pool of alignment scores from the shuffled sequences(b) A single score of a shuffled sequence(c) The pool of alignment scores from the unshuffled sequences(d) The basic optimal score computed at the beginning of the testThis question was posed to me in a job interview.My enquiry is from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment topic in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct CHOICE is (a) The pool of alignment scores from the shuffled sequences

To explain I would say: Maximum scores are OBTAINED through repeated shuffling. Then the pool of alignment scores from the shuffled sequences is USED to generate parameters for the EXTREME distribution. The original alignment score is then compared against the distribution of random alignments to determine WHETHER the score is beyond random chance.

3.

In the statistical test, randomization process in which one of the two given sequences is randomly shuffled.(a) True(b) FalseI have been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.Query is from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Correct option is (a) True

To explain: After the MENTIONED STEP, COMPUTATION for the alignment score for the shuffled sequence pair is done. Further, More such SCORES are SIMILARLY obtained through repeated shuffling.

4.

It is not known whether the Gumble distribution applies equally well to gapped alignments.(a) True(b) FalseI have been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.My doubt stems from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right answer is (a) True

For explanation I WOULD say: The statistics in the test were derived from ungapped LOCAL sequence alignments. Hence, it is not known whether the Gumble distribution applies equally well to gapped alignments. However, for all practical purposes, it is reasonable to assume that scores for gapped alignments essentially fit the same distribution. A FREQUENTLY used SOFTWARE program for assessing statistical significance of a PAIRWISE alignment is the PRSS program.

5.

If the score is located in the extreme margin of the distribution, that means that the alignment between the two sequences is ______ due to random chance and is thus considered ______(a) unlikely, significant(b) unlikely, insignificant(c) unlikely, insignificant(d) very likely, significantI have been asked this question at a job interview.My question comes from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Correct option is (a) unlikely, significant

Best explanation: The extreme margin of the distribution DENOTES the likeliness and thus significance. A P-value is given to indicate the PROBABILITY that the original ALIGNMENT is DUE to random chance.

6.

The major disadvantage of the PRSS program is that it doesn’t allow partial shuffling.(a) True(b) FalseThis question was addressed to me in examination.This key question is from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct answer is (b) False

Best EXPLANATION: The MAJOR feature of the program is that it allows partial shuffling. For example, shuffling can be restricted to residues within a local WINDOW of 25–40, whereas the residues outside the window REMAIN UNCHANGED.

7.

Which of the following is a part of the statistical test of sequences?(a) An optimal alignment between two chosen sequences is obtained at the end(b) Unrelated sequences of the same length are then generated through a randomization process(c) Unrelated sequences of the different length are then generated through a randomization process(d) Related sequences of the same length are then generated through a randomization processI have been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.Question is taken from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Correct option is (b) UNRELATED sequences of the same LENGTH are then generated through a RANDOMIZATION PROCESS

To explain I would say: Unrelated sequences of the same length are then generated through a randomization process in which one of the two sequences is randomly shuffled. And the NEXT step is that a new alignment score is computed for the shuffled sequence pair.

8.

Many studies have demonstrated that the distribution of similarity scores assumes a peculiar shape that resembles a highly skewed normal distribution with a long tail on one side. The distribution matches the _______(a) Gumble elective value distribution(b) Gumble extreme void distribution(c) Gumble end value distribution(d) Gumble extreme value distributionI got this question in an interview for internship.The doubt is from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment topic in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right answer is (d) Gumble extreme value distribution

To explain I WOULD say: The mentioned Distribution PATTERN matches the Gumble extreme value distribution for which a mathematical expression is AVAILABLE. This means that, given a sequence SIMILARITY value, by using the mathematical formula for the extreme distribution, the statistical SIGNIFICANCE can be accurately estimated.

9.

By calculating alignment scores of a large number of ______ sequence pairs, a distribution model of the ______ sequence scores can be derived.(a) related, randomized(b) unrelated, randomized(c) unrelated, unrandomized(d) related, unrandomizedI got this question in an interview for internship.I'm obligated to ask this question of Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right option is (b) UNRELATED, randomized

For EXPLANATION: Solving the statistical significance PROBLEM requires a statistical test of the alignment scores of two unrelated sequences of the same length. From the DISTRIBUTION, a statistical test can be performed BASED on the number of standard deviations from the average score.

10.

A sequence can be aligned with itself to identify internal repeat elements.(a) True(b) FalseI have been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.The question is from Methods topic in chapter Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Correct answer is (a) True

The explanation: In the self comparison, there is a main DIAGONAL for perfect MATCHING of each RESIDUE. If REPEATS are present, short parallel lines are OBSERVED above and below the main diagonal.

11.

If the selected window size is too long, sensitivity of the alignment is lost.(a) True(b) FalseI got this question in an online quiz.I want to ask this question from Methods in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct ANSWER is (a) True

Easy explanation: Dots are only placed when a stretch of RESIDUES equal to the window SIZE from one sequence matches completely with a stretch of another sequence. This method has been shown to be EFFECTIVE in reducing the noise level. The window is also called a tuple, the size of which can be manipulated so that a clear PATTERN of sequence match can be plotted. However, if the selected window size is too long, sensitivity of the alignment is lost.

12.

Shorter sequences require higher cutoffs for inferring homologous relationships than longer sequences.(a) True(b) FalseThis question was addressed to me in an international level competition.Query is from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The CORRECT option is (a) True

For explanation: For determining a homology RELATIONSHIP of two protein sequences, for example, if both sequences are aligned at full length, which is 100 residues long, an identity of 30% or higher can be SAFELY regarded as having close homology. If their identity level falls between 20% and 30%, determination of homologous relationships in this range becomes less certain.

13.

Which of the following is untrue about dot plot method and its applications?(a) This method gives a direct visual statement of the relationship between two sequences(b) One of its advantages is the identification of sequence repeat regions based on the presence of parallel diagonals of the same size vertically or horizontally in the matrix(c) It is not useful in identifying chromosomal repeats(d) The method can be used in identifying nucleic acid secondary structures through detecting self-complementarity of a sequenceI have been asked this question in exam.This interesting question is from Methods in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct option is (c) It is not useful in identifying chromosomal repeats

The BEST EXPLANATION: It is useful in identifying chromosomal repeats and in comparing gene order conservation between two closely related genomes. The dot matrix method gives a direct visual statement of the relationship between two sequences and helps easy IDENTIFICATION of the regions of GREATEST similarities. The method thus has some APPLICATIONS in genomics.

14.

Sometimes, it is also possible that two sequences have derived from a common ancestor, but may have diverged to such an extent that the common ancestral relationships are not recognizable at the sequence level.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was posed to me in an international level competition.This is a very interesting question from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity topic in chapter Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct answer is (a) True

Easiest explanation: There are EXAMPLES of such paralogous genes that have distinct functions but SIMILAR origin. In that case, the DISTANT evolutionary relationships have to be detected USING other methods.

15.

If the two sequences share significant similarity, it is extremely ______ that the extensive similarity between the two sequences has been acquired randomly, meaning that the two sequences must have derived from a common evolutionary origin.(a) unlikely(b) possible(c) likely(d) relevantI got this question during a job interview.I need to ask this question from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right answer is (a) unlikely

To explain I would say: Sequence ALIGNMENT provides inference for the relatedness of two sequences under study. Regions that are aligned but not IDENTICAL represent residue substitutions; regions which RESIDUES from ONE sequence correspond to nothing in the other represent INSERTIONS or deletions that have taken place on one of the sequences during evolution.

16.

The truly statistically significant sequence alignment will be able to provide evidence of homology between the sequences involved.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was posed to me in an online interview.This is a very interesting question from Statistical Significance of Sequence Alignment in chapter Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»
17.

Which of the following is incorrect regarding pair wise sequence alignment?(a) The most fundamental process in this type of comparison is sequence alignment(b) It is an important first step toward structural and functional analysis of newly determined sequences(c) This is the process by which sequences are compared by searching for common character patterns and establishing residue-residue correspondence among related sequences(d) It is the process of aligning multiple sequencesThe question was posed to me in an interview.This interesting question is from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct answer is (d) It is the PROCESS of aligning multiple sequences

Explanation: Pair wise sequence alignment is the process of aligning two sequences and is the basis of database SIMILARITY searching and multiple sequence alignment. As NEW BIOLOGICAL sequences are being GENERATED at exponential rates, sequence comparison is becoming increasingly important to draw functional and evolutionary inference of a new protein with proteins already existing in the database.

18.

Which of the following is incorrect about evolution?(a) The macromolecules can be considered molecular fossils that encode the history of millions of years of evolution(b) The building blocks of these biological macromolecules, nucleotide bases, and amino acids form linear sequences that determine the primary structure of the molecules(c) DNA and proteins are products of evolution(d) The molecular sequences barely undergo changesThis question was posed to me in an online quiz.My doubt is from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct choice is (d) The molecular sequences barely UNDERGO CHANGES

Easiest explanation: During this TIME period, the molecular sequences undergo random changes, some of which are selected during the process of evolution. As the selected sequences gradually accumulate mutations and DIVERGE over time, traces of evolution may still remain in certain portions of the sequences to allow identification of the COMMON ancestry.

19.

The degree of sequence variation in the alignment reveals evolutionary relatedness of different sequences, whereas the conservation between sequences reflects the changes that have occurred during evolution in the form of substitutions, insertions, and deletions.(a) True(b) FalseI had been asked this question in an interview for internship.Question is from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct answer is (b) False

The best explanation: The degree of sequence conservation in the alignment reveals evolutionary relatedness of different SEQUENCES, WHEREAS the variation between sequences reflects the changes that have OCCURRED during EVOLUTION in the form of substitutions, insertions, and deletions. Identifying the evolutionary relationships between sequences helps to characterize the function of UNKNOWN sequences. When a sequence alignment reveals significant similarity among a group of sequences, they can be considered as belonging to the same family.

20.

Sequence similarity can be quantified using ________ homology is a ______ statement.(a) percentages, quantitative(b) percentages, qualitative(c) ratios, qualitative(d) ratios, quantitativeI have been asked this question in an online quiz.Question is from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct answer is (B) PERCENTAGES, qualitative

To elaborate: SIMILARITY is a direct RESULT of observation from the sequence Alignment. For example, one MAY say that two sequences share 40% similarity. It is incorrect to say that the two sequences share 40% homology. They are either homologous or nonhomologous.

21.

When the two sequences have substantial regions of similarity, many dots line up to form contiguous _______ lines.(a) crossings on(b) horizontal(c) diagonal(d) verticalI have been asked this question during an interview.My question is from Methods topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right choice is (c) diagonal

For explanation: The dots LINE up to FORM contiguous diagonal lines, which REVEAL the sequence alignment. If there are interruptions in the middle of a diagonal line, they indicate insertions or deletions. Parallel diagonal lines within the matrix represent REPETITIVE regions of the sequences.

22.

In a dot matrix, two sequences to be compared are written in the _____________ of the matrix.(a) horizontal and vertical axes(b) 2 parallel horizontal axes(c) 2 parallel vertical axes(d) horizontal axis (one preceding another)I have been asked this question in an online interview.This intriguing question comes from Methods topic in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct OPTION is (a) horizontal and vertical axes

To elaborate: The comparison is done by scanning each residue of ONE SEQUENCE for similarity with all residues in the other sequence. If a residue match is FOUND, a dot is placed within the graph. Otherwise, the matrix positions are left BLANK.

23.

In local alignment, the two sequences to be aligned cannot be of unequal lengths.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was asked in unit test.Origin of the question is Methods topic in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Correct option is (b) False

The best explanation: The two sequences to be aligned can be of DIFFERENT LENGTHS. This approach is more appropriate for ALIGNING divergent biological sequences CONTAINING only modules that are similar, which are referred to as domains or motifs. This approach can be used for aligning more divergent sequences with the goal of searching for conserved patterns in DNA or protein sequences.

24.

The overall goal of pair wise sequence alignment is to find the best pairing of two sequences, such that there is maximum correspondence among residues.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was asked by my college professor while I was bunking the class.The above asked question is from Methods topic in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

The correct choice is (a) True

Easy explanation: The goal of pair wise sequence ALIGNMENT is to find the best pairing and to achieve this goal; one sequence needs to be shifted RELATIVE to the other to find the position where maximum matches are found. There are two DIFFERENT alignment strategies that are often used: global alignment and LOCAL alignment.

25.

Sequence similarity and sequence identity are synonymous for nucleotide sequences and protein sequences as well.(a) True(b) FalseI have been asked this question in an online quiz.My query is from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity topic in division Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer» CORRECT answer is (b) False

Easiest explanation: Sequence similarity and sequence identity are synonymous for nucleotide SEQUENCES. For protein sequences, however, the two concepts are very DIFFERENT. In a protein sequence alignment, sequence identity refers to the percentage of matches of the same amino acid residues between two aligned sequences. Similarity refers to the percentage of aligned residues that have similar physicochemical characteristics and can be more readily SUBSTITUTED for each other.
26.

The presence of evolutionary traces is because some of the residues that perform key functional and structural roles tend to be preserved by natural selection; other residues that may be less crucial for structure and function tend to mutate more frequently.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was asked by my college professor while I was bunking the class.This intriguing question comes from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right choice is (a) True

Explanation: The RESIDUES that perform key functional and structural ROLES tend to be preserved by NATURAL selection. For example, active site residues of an enzyme family tend to be conserved because they are RESPONSIBLE for catalytic functions. Therefore, by comparing sequences through alignment, PATTERNS of conservation and variation can be identified.

27.

Which of the following is incorrect regarding sequence homology?(a) Two sequences can homologous relationship even if have do not have common origin(b) It is an important concept in sequence analysis(c) When two sequences are descended from a common evolutionary origin, they are said to have a homologous relationship(d) When two sequences are descended from a common evolutionary origin, they are said to share homologyI have been asked this question in exam.My question comes from Sequence Homology Versus Sequence Similarity and Identity topic in section Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right choice is (a) Two sequences can homologous relationship even if have do not have common origin

For EXPLANATION I WOULD say: Homologous RELATIONSHIPS are more certain when the sequences have common evolutionary origin. A RELATED but different term is sequence similarity, which is the percentage of aligned residues that are similar in physiochemical properties such as SIZE, charge, and hydrophobicity.

28.

Self complementarity of DNA sequences cannot be identified using a dot plot.(a) True(b) FalseThis question was posed to me in an international level competition.My query is from Methods in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Correct option is (b) False

Easy explanation: Self COMPLEMENTARITY of DNA sequences, also CALLED inverted repeats can be identified using a DOT plot. For example, those that forms the STEMS of a hairpin STRUCTURE. In this case, a DNA sequence is compared with its reverse-complemented sequence. Parallel diagonals represent the inverted repeats.

29.

A problem exists when comparing _____ sequences using the dot matrix method, namely, the _______(a) small, amplification(b) large, amplification(c) small, high noise level(d) large, high noise levelThe question was posed to me in unit test.This interesting question is from Methods in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer» CORRECT choice is (d) large, high noise level

To explain I WOULD SAY: In most dot plots, dots are plotted all over the graph obscuring identification of the true alignment. For DNA sequences, the problem is particularly acute because there are only four possible characters in DNA and each residue THEREFORE has a one-in-four chance of matching a residue in another sequence.
30.

Alignment algorithms, both global and local, are fundamentally similar and only differ in the optimization strategy used in aligning similar residues.(a) True(b) FalseThis question was posed to me in final exam.I would like to ask this question from Methods in portion Pairwise Sequence Alignment of Bioinformatics

Answer»

Right option is (a) True

The explanation: Both types of ALGORITHMS can be based on one of the three methods: the dot matrix method, the DYNAMIC programming method, and the word method. The word method is used in FAST DATABASE similarity searching.