AP Biology Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

Unit 6 covers gene expression: transcription, translation, regulation and biotechnology. At 240 questions it is one of the largest units in the bank, and mutation questions are the ones that separate scores.

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240 questions8 CED topics63% with a figure
How this unit behaves

What 240 questions on it look like

It spans 8 CED topics, which is wide enough that "I've studied this unit" is not a meaningful statement. Track your accuracy by topic, not by unit.

63% of the questions come with a figure — a graph, diagram or data display. Reading the figure correctly is most of the work before any content knowledge applies.

Regulation of Gene Expression73
Transcription and RNA Processing57
Translation41
Biotechnology21
Gene Expression and Cell Specialization17
Mutations14
Replication13
DNA and RNA Structure4

Questions per CED topic.

From the bank

Three real gene expression and regulation questions

Drawn from the practice pool, not from the mock papers.

DNA and RNA Structure · Concept Explanation

Which sequence best represents the usual flow of genetic information during gene expression?

  1. ADNA to RNA to proteincorrect
  2. BATP to codon to phospholipid
  3. CLipid to DNA to carbohydrate
  4. DProtein to RNA to DNA
Why A is correct

In typical gene expression, DNA is transcribed into RNA, and RNA is translated into protein.

The stem asks students to explain a specific mechanism, not just recall a unit term: "Which sequence best represents the usual flow of genetic information during gene expression". The correct choice is supported by In typical gene expression, DNA is transcribed into RNA, and RNA is translated into protein. The tempting alternatives such as ATP to codon to phospholipid or Lipid to DNA to carbohydrate fail because they do not produce the same outcome described in the stem.

Common mistakes. Do not stop at a nearby term such as ATP to codon to phospholipid or Lipid to DNA to carbohydrate. The explanation has to make "DNA to RNA to protein" fit this stem clue: "Which sequence best represents the usual flow of genetic information during gene expression".

Replication · Concept Explanation · with figure

A DNA replication model shows each daughter DNA molecule containing one original strand and one newly synthesized strand. Which term describes this pattern?

  1. AHydrolysis
  2. BTranslation
  3. CConservative replication
  4. DSemiconservative replicationcorrect
Why D is correct

Semiconservative replication produces DNA molecules with one parental strand and one newly synthesized strand.

The evidence in the prompt matters before the topic label: "A DNA replication model shows each daughter DNA molecule containing one original strand and one newly synthesized...". The supported answer is "Semiconservative replication" because Semiconservative replication produces DNA molecules with one parental strand and one newly synthesized strand. Distractors such as Hydrolysis or Translation either ignore the stated pattern or name a related concept without matching the evidence.

Common mistakes. Do not stop at a nearby term such as Hydrolysis or Translation. The explanation has to make "Semiconservative replication" fit this stem clue: "A DNA replication model shows each daughter DNA molecule containing one original strand...".

Transcription and RNA Processing · Concept Explanation

Which statement correctly describes transcription in a eukaryotic cell?

  1. ARibosomes copy proteins into DNA.
  2. BRNA polymerase makes RNA from a DNA templatecorrect
  3. CATP synthase converts mRNA into lipids.
  4. DAmino acids are joined directly on a DNA template.
Why B is correct

Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template by RNA polymerase.

The stem asks students to explain a specific mechanism, not just recall a unit term: "Which statement correctly describes transcription in a eukaryotic cell". The correct choice is supported by Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template by RNA polymerase. The tempting alternatives such as Ribosomes copy proteins into DNA or ATP synthase converts mRNA into lipids fail because they do not produce the same outcome described in the stem.

Common mistakes. Do not stop at a nearby term such as Ribosomes copy proteins into DNA or ATP synthase converts mRNA into lipids. The explanation has to make "RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA using a DNA template" fit this stem clue: "Which statement correctly describes transcription in a eukaryotic cell".

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FAQ

Gene Expression and Regulation questions

How are mutations tested?

By consequence. Given a change in a sequence, you predict its effect on the protein — which depends on where it falls and whether the reading frame shifts.

What biotechnology do I need to know?

PCR, gel electrophoresis and transformation at the level of what each does and what its results show.
Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Unit and topic names follow the College Board course framework. Question counts describe the PrepScore practice bank, not the exam.
Topic by topic

Worked questions by topic

4 of this unit’s topics have enough practice questions for a page of their own.

Transcription and RNA Processing51 questionsTranslation48 questionsRegulation of Gene Expression73 questionsBiotechnology21 questions
Same course
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life160 questionsUnit 2: Cells162 questionsUnit 3: Cellular Energetics240 questionsUnit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle162 questionsUnit 5: Heredity157 questionsUnit 7: Natural Selection244 questionsUnit 8: Ecology154 questions

Practise gene expression and regulation until the reasoning is automatic.

Real AP questions with a full explanation on every answer, and a mistake bank that only clears when you get it right.

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