MCAT Biology : Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Connective Tissue Types And Properties

What are the three types of cartilage?

Possible Answers:

Maxillary cartilage, formative cartilage, and elastic cartilage

Hyaline cartilage, juvenile cartilage, and maxillary cartilage

Elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage, and fibrocartilage

Fibrocartilage, rigid cartilage, and maxillary cartilage

Hyaline cartilage, rigid cartilage, and juvenile cartilage

Correct answer:

Elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage, and fibrocartilage

Explanation:

Hyaline cartilage is rigid, glassy in appearance, and provides cushioning for smooth joints. Fibrocartilage is fibrous and provides support in high-stress areas, such as the pubic symphysis. Elastic cartilage is flexible and makes up fleshy appendages, such as the nose and ears. 

Example Question #791 : Biology

What is the means by which organisms maintain a constant internal environment in spite of fluctuations in the external environment?    

Possible Answers:

Homeostasis

Homeopathy

Reflexology

Physiology

Geriatrics

Correct answer:

Homeostasis

Explanation:

Homeostasis, or "steady-state" physiology, is the system of feedback loops that enables an organism to create a stable, adaptive environment. For example, the pancreas and the brain together work to regulate the blood sugar levels via the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Example Question #2 : Connective Tissue Types And Properties

What are the four types of tissue?   

Possible Answers:

Muscular, dermal, gastric, epithelial

Muscular, cardiac, nervous, sensory

Sensory, connective, nervous, dermal

Cardiac, connective, sensory, epithelial

Muscular, connective, nervous, epithelial

Correct answer:

Muscular, connective, nervous, epithelial

Explanation:

The four types of tissue are muscular, connective, nervous, and epithelial.

Muscular tissue encompasses skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Nervous tissue creates the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS, PNS) and consists of all neurons and glial cells. Epithelial tissue makes up "borders" and lines most organs. Connective tissue generally fills spaces and provides the suspensory matrices for the body, such as bone, fat, blood, and cartilage.

Example Question #792 : Biology

Which of the following is an example of an immovable joint?

Possible Answers:

Phalanges

Sacrailium

Tarsal joints

Pubic symphysis

Skull sutures

Correct answer:

Skull sutures

Explanation:

Immovable joints are fused shortly after birth, so that they are no longer functional for articulation. The bones of the skull remain open, joined with strips of cartilage, until an infant has passed through the birth canal. They stay open for a short period, giving the baby's brain room to grow. After the brain has finished its major growth stages, the bones of the skull knit together, forming a protective barrier.

Example Question #792 : Biology

Tendons connect which two structures?

Possible Answers:

Joint and bone

Muscle and muscle

Bone and bone

Muscle and bone

Fat and fascia

Correct answer:

Muscle and bone

Explanation:

Tendons connect muscles to bones, allowing for the muscle contraction to affect the bone and result in articulation. Tendons are essential to provide articulation and leverage points to for motion and locomotion.

Example Question #793 : Biology

Cartilage repair is slower than that of other connective tissues because __________.

Possible Answers:

chondrocytes are supplied by diffusion

chondrocytes produce a large amount of collagen

chondrocytes have a larger surface area than cells of other connective tissues

cartilage contains a higher denisty of blood vessels than other connective tissue

Correct answer:

chondrocytes are supplied by diffusion

Explanation:

Cartilage does not contain blood vessels. Chondrocytes, the specialized cells of cartilage, are supplied by diffusion, which slows growth and repair. While they do produce collagen, this is not the direct reason for the relatively slow growth of cartilage.

Example Question #813 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Passage:

In a fictional universe, a new life form is discovered that appears to have a number of similarities to humans. Since its discovery by humans, it has been studied with x-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography imaging (CT), as well as with blood chemistries and laboratory studies. Based upon such analyses, scientists have found that both structurally and functionally, this fictional species, called Lorempis marengis, is highly similar to humans. It has structures that appear similar to lungs that are active during respiration. It has a structure that is highly active at all times, especially so in different parts during different activities (similar to the human brain). It also appears to have a digestive tract with a mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus that is assumed to carry out the same functions at the cellular level as the parts of the human digestive tract. Scientists are now hoping to continue studying the organism at the cellular level to confirm their assumption that the cellular functions are indeed similar to those of human tissues.

If we assume that the muscle types and cells present in Lorempis marengis are the same, structurally and functionally, as those found in humans, which of the following muscle types best describes the type of muscle cell that lines the walls of most blood vessels?

Possible Answers:

Skeletal muscle

Cardiac muscle

Biceps muscle

Striated muscle

Smooth muscle

Correct answer:

Smooth muscle

Explanation:

The type of muscle that lines the walls of most blood vessels in the human body is smooth muscle. We are told to make the assumption that the muscle types and cells present in Lorempis marengis are the same, structurally and functionally, as those found in humans. Therefore, the type of muscle that lines the walls of most blood vessels in Lorempis marengis is also smooth muscle.  Blood vessels contain a specific subtype of smooth muscle, called vascular smooth muscle, that helps to regulate the distribution of blood volume throughout the entire body by either appropriately contracting or relaxing to restrict or increase blood flow to various parts of the body to best meet bodily needs (typically oxygen delivery).

Skeletal muscle cells, also known as striated muscles, are the type of muscle cells that make up the larger, weight-bearing muscles of the body. These are not the type of muscle cells that are found within the walls of blood vessels. The biceps muscles are the muscles responsible for flexion of the forearm at the elbow. They are not a type of muscle cell, per se, and they are made up of skeletal muscle cells. 

Cardiac muscle cells are the type of muscle cells that make up the myocardium, or muscle cells of the heart. These are not the type of muscle cells that are found within the walls of blood vessels.

Example Question #1 : Circulatory And Respiratory Systems

Gas exchange in the lungs is located in the __________.

Possible Answers:

alveoli

pleural membrane

epiglottis

bronchioles

larynx

Correct answer:

alveoli

Explanation:

Bronchioles end is clusters of small air sacs, the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. Gases diffuse through the walls of the alveoli into the capillaries.

Example Question #1 : Gas Exchange

Among the most important pH buffer systems in humans is the bicarbonate buffer, which keeps the blood at a remarkably precise 7.42 pH.  The bicarbonate buffer system uses a series of important compounds and enzymes to make the system function.  Figure 1 depicts the key reactions that take place.

Untitled

The activity of this buffer system is mainly controlled by the renal and respiratory systems.  The renal system excretes bicarbonate in the urine, while the respiratory system “blows off” carbon dioxide as needed.   By balancing these two systems as needed, blood pH is maintained in such a narrow range.

When carbon dioxide is removed by the lungs, which of the following describes an accurate change in the system?

Possible Answers:

Bicarbonate builds up in the blood

The equilibrium shifts toward carbonic acid

The equilibrium shifts away from carbonic acid

The pH of the blood goes down

The pKa of carbonate goes down

Correct answer:

The equilibrium shifts away from carbonic acid

Explanation:

As CO2 is blown off by the lungs, the equilibrium is shifted away from carbonic acid via Le Chatelier's principle. The system is attempting to recapture the lost carbon dioxide by producing more, thus depleting the volume of free carbonic anhydrase. Ultimately, the same principle will shift the equilibrium away from bicarbonate.

Example Question #1 : Gas Exchange

Among the most important pH buffer systems in humans is the bicarbonate buffer, which keeps the blood at a remarkably precise 7.42 pH.  The bicarbonate buffer system uses a series of important compounds and enzymes to make the system function.  Figure 1 depicts the key reactions that take place.

Untitled

The activity of this buffer system is mainly controlled by the renal and respiratory systems.  The renal system excretes bicarbonate in the urine, while the respiratory system “blows off” carbon dioxide as needed.   By balancing these two systems as needed, blood pH is maintained in such a narrow range.

A patient undergoes a procedure in a hospital, and begins to reabsorb large quantities of bicarbonate from the kidneys. In the above reaction __________.

Possible Answers:

carbonic anhydrase prevents a shift in equilibrium

the equilibrium is shifted toward bicarbonate

the equilibrium is shifted toward CO2

CO2 quickly builds up

CO2 production will decrease, while carbonic acid concentration builds up

Correct answer:

the equilibrium is shifted toward CO2

Explanation:

Via Le Chatelier's principle, the equilibrium is quickly shifted toward CO2, however, as the passage details, CO2 does not build up. Instead, it is blown off via the respiratory system.

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