MCAT Biology : Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #931 : Biology

During heavy exercise, what happens to the circulatory system vessels?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Produce more hemoglobin

Pump less blood

Vasodilate

Vasoconstrict

Correct answer:

Vasodilate

Explanation:

During heavy exercise, the body temperature increases. Heat must leave as efficiently as possible, and thus the body's blood vessels will vasodilate. Vasodilation leads to the vessels being closer to the skin, thus allowing quicker heat transfer to the environment. This effect is accomplished, in part, by stimulation from the sympathetic nervous system.

Example Question #3 : Other Circulatory Physiology

On a cold day, which of the following changes will occur in the circulatory system?

Possible Answers:

Decrease blood pressure

Vasoconstriction

Increase blood flow

Vasodilation

None of these

Correct answer:

Vasoconstriction

Explanation:

On a cold day, it is vital to keep body at a steady temperature through homeostatic processes. The body will compensate for heat loss by having the blood vessels vasoconstrict. This leads to the vessels being farther from the skin, allowing less heat loss due to blood flow. This also explains why conditions like frostbite generally start at the extremities, where surface area is greatest. These regions have the greatest amount of vasoconstriction, and thus contain the smallest amount of warm blood, leaving them prone to the cold environment due to a lack of internal heating.

Example Question #932 : Biology

The collection of fluids in the interstitium of the legs and feet is known as peripheral edema, and is closely linked to defects in the circulatory system and blood composition. Which of the following would be least likely to cause this condition?

Possible Answers:

Diabetes

Sickle cell anemia

Kidney failure

Congestive heart failure

Correct answer:

Diabetes

Explanation:

The body strives to maintain the levels of fluid within the body. Several systems, including the circulatory system, lymphatic system, and renal system, are all responsible for keeping the blood flowing throughout the body and removing unnecessary fluid.

Circulatory defects, such as congestive heart failure and sickle cell anemia, and defects of the kidneys can result in peripheral edema. Diabetes itself does not cause peripheral edema, however, complications of diabetes (such as heart disease) may result in some swelling of the limbs.

Example Question #104 : Circulatory System

Name the valve that separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.

Possible Answers:

Pulmonary valve

Ventricular valve

Bicuspid valve

Tricuspid valve

Aortic valve

Correct answer:

Tricuspid valve

Explanation:

The tricuspid and bicuspid valves constitute the atrioventricular valves, which separate the heart's atria from its ventricles. The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. The bicuspid valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.

The pulmonary and aortic valves constitute the semilunar valves, which separate the heart's ventricles from major arteries. The pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve separates the left ventricle and the aorta.

There is no such thing as a ventricular valve.

Example Question #3 : Other Circulatory Physiology

Which of the following structures is one cell layer thick and functions as the site of gas and nutrient exchange in the circulatory system?

Possible Answers:

Venules

Arteries

Veins

Capillaries

Arterioles

Correct answer:

Capillaries

Explanation:

Each capillary consists of a single layer of epithelium, known as simple squamous epithelium. Substances pass between and through these cells, allowing nutrients to pass from the capillary lumen into the interstitium and allowing wastes to pass from the interstitium to the capillary lumen. Red blood cells flow through the capillaries in single file due to the small circumference of the vessel.

Venules are small veins leading away from the capillary network. Arterioles are small terminal arteries leading into the capillary network. Veins are blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart, while arteries carry blood away from the heart.

Example Question #4 : Other Circulatory Physiology

The transporation of deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs is accomplished by which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Pulmonary veins

Axillary vein

Inferior vena cava

Thoracic aorta

Pulmonary arteries

Correct answer:

Pulmonary arteries

Explanation:

The pulmonary arteries bring deoxygenated blood from the body into the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood leaves the lungs to return to the heart through the pulmonary veins. This is the only occurrence in which arteries carry oxygen-poor blood and veins carry oxygen-rich blood.

The thoracic aorta supplies the bronchi, esophagus, pericardium, chest wall, and diaphragm with oxygenated blood. The inferior vena cava collects deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities and transports it to the heart. In the upper limbs, superficial veins merge to form the axillary vein. These empty into the superior vena cava, and then into the heart. 

Example Question #925 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

In what form is carbon dioxide usually circulated in human blood?

Possible Answers:

Carbon dioxide gas

Bicarbonate ion

Carbon monoxide gas

Carbonate ion

Carbonic acid

Correct answer:

Bicarbonate ion

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide is usually circulated in human blood in the form of , or bicarbonate. This is an important part of the blood buffering system, as the bicarbonate ion is the conjugate base of carbonic acid.

Example Question #1 : Microbiology

A mad scientist is working with a rare retrovirus under the hood, when he accidentally spills the viral sample over three live tissue cultures. Assuming the cultures were composed of stem cells, epithelial cells, and muscle cells, in which sample would the mad scientist expect to find the lowest viral titer?

Possible Answers:

Stem cells

Epithelial cells

Muscle cells

There would be no significant difference in viral titer between the three cell types

Correct answer:

Muscle cells

Explanation:

This question requires knowledge of two concepts: first, that retroviruses integrate their own genetic material into the host and are propagated during normal cell division; second, that some cell types do not continue to divide once they have reached maturity (muscle and nerve).

Example Question #1 : Divisions Of Life And Viruses

Which of the following is the best description of a bacteriophage?

Possible Answers:

An obligate intracellular parasite

A living organism

A prokaryote

A fungus

A non-living organism

Correct answer:

An obligate intracellular parasite

Explanation:

A bacteriophage is a virus that infects bacteria. They are not considered living (becuase they cannot replicate on their own) organisms, nor are they techincally considered non-living organisms. They are called obligate intracellular organisms, because they are parasites (kill the cell) that require a host in order to replicate. 

Example Question #5 : Divisions Of Life And Viruses

Which of the following is not a component of HIV?

Possible Answers:

Ribosomes

Proteases

RNA

Protein

Reverse transcriptase

Correct answer:

Ribosomes

Explanation:

HIV is a retrovirus, meaning that it contains RNA as its genetic material, and thus reverse transcriptase to code for DNA from the RNA template. It also has a protein coat, and must use proteases in order to degrade the host cell membrane to inject its RNA. It does not, however, have ribosomes. It will eventually use the host ribosomes to translate its own genetic material.

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