MCAT Biology : MCAT Biological Sciences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Gastrulation And Embryonic Germ Layers

Which of the following structures does not arise from the mesoderm?

Possible Answers:

Circulatory system

Genitourinary system

Musculoskeletal system

Respiratory system

Correct answer:

Respiratory system

Explanation:

The mesoderm gives rise to muscles, bones, the circulatory system, the gonads, and the kidneys. Think of the mesoderm as the means by which your body gets around on a daily basis: muscles and bones, heart to pump blood, and kidneys to excrete waste.

The respiratory system arises from the endoderm.

Example Question #12 : Gastrulation And Embryonic Germ Layers

From which of the following germinal layers does the retina of the eye originate?

Possible Answers:

Ectoderm

Endoderm

Somites, which are not associated with a germ layer

Mesoderm

Correct answer:

Ectoderm

Explanation:

The retina of the eye originates as an outpouching of the diencephalon. The diencephalon is one of the five secondary vesicles in the early development of the neural tube, which is derived from the ectodermal germ layer.

The ectoderm gives rise to the epidermis, central nervous system, inner ear, and the lens of the eye.

Somites are small regions of specialized mesoderm, which give rise to the skeletal muscles and bones of the body.

Example Question #13 : Gastrulation And Embryonic Germ Layers

From which of the following germ layers does the circulatory system arise?

Possible Answers:

Neural crest

Ectoderm

Mesoderm

Endoderm

Correct answer:

Mesoderm

Explanation:

The circulatory system arises from the mesoderm. Other mesoderm structures include the muscles, bones, gonads, and kidneys.

The ectoderm gives rise to the epidermis, nervous system, and lens of the eye. The neural crest originates from ectoderm cells.

The endoderm gives rise to several internal organs, including the liver and pancreas, as well as the linings of the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Example Question #14 : Gastrulation And Embryonic Germ Layers

Which embryonic structure is a precursor to the spinal cord?

Possible Answers:

Spemann's organizer

Blastocoel

Neural tube

Notochord

Correct answer:

Neural tube

Explanation:

The neural tube is a structure derived from the ectoderm that is found in chordates. The neural tube is formed by the closing of the neural folds, and runs along the dorsal-ventral axis of the developing embryo. Cells within the neural tube give rise to the neural crest. Additionally, the mature neural tube continues to develop into the central nervous system.

Example Question #15 : Gastrulation And Embryonic Germ Layers

All of the following are formed from the same primary germ layer as the heart, except __________.

Possible Answers:

the lungs

muscles

bones

kidneys

Correct answer:

the lungs

Explanation:

The circulatory system is part of the mesoderm germ layer, and includes development of the heart. We know that three answer choices must also be part of the mesoderm, while one is not (the correct answer). The mesoderm is responsible for generating muscle, blood, and bone tissue, kidneys and gonads, as well as the heart.

This leaves us with lungs, the correct answer, which develop from the endoderm layer.

Example Question #91 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Which of the following organs does not develop from the mesoderm?

Possible Answers:

Bladder

Heart

Bone

Skeletal muscle

Kidney

Correct answer:

Bladder

Explanation:

The bladder develops from the endoderm. The heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, and bone develop from the mesoderm.

Example Question #1 : Regulation Of Developmental Processes

In all vertebrates, when the optic cup does not develop in the embryo the lens also does not develop either. This provides evidence for which of the following statements?

Possible Answers:

Cells may induce neighboring cells to differentiate

Cell differentiation is an all-or-nothing phenomenon

The eye develops early in vertebrate morphogenesis

The process of neurulation follows gastrulation

Correct answer:

Cells may induce neighboring cells to differentiate

Explanation:

The failure of the lens to form in the absence of the optic cup indicates that the optic cup is necessary for lens development, and may in fact induce it.

This fact says nothing in regards to the timing of neurulation, nor the timing of eye development. Finally, cell differentiation is a gradual process, not all-or-nothing, and the statement is irrelevant to the development of the optic cup and lens.

Example Question #2 : Regulation Of Developmental Processes

What is the function of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)?

Possible Answers:

Erythropoiesis in the fetus

Female-to-male sexual differentiation in the fetus

Maternal satiation hormone

Positive feedback to promote fetal growth hormones

Negative feedback to inhibit menstrual cycle

Correct answer:

Female-to-male sexual differentiation in the fetus

Explanation:

Anti-Mullerian hormone is present only in male fetuses. It is responsible for the degeneration of the Mullerian ducts, which form the oviducts, uterus, and upper vagina in females.

Example Question #61 : Reproductive System And Development

A deficiency of calcium in the diet can result in which of the following conditions?

Possible Answers:

Reduced blood-oxygen carrying capacity

Muscle spasms

Osteoporosis

Increased blood-oxygen carrying capacity

Two of these answers

Correct answer:

Two of these answers

Explanation:

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes a decrease in bone mass and density and can be induced by malnutrition or calcium deficiency. Even if the disease appears unfamiliar, the prefix "osteo-" indicates a relationship to bone, which is closely linked to calcium levels int he body.

Calcium is also an important ion involved in neural action potentials; it is responsible for triggering the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. A calcium deficiency may cause improper action potentials that result in spasms.

Example Question #1 : Neurons And Action Potential

In humans, nerve impulses are transmitted with the coordinated action of sodium and potassium ion channels. These channels open in a specific sequence, to allow for membrane potential changes to take place in a directional manner along the length of an axon. 

Figure 1 depicts a single phospholipid layer of a cell membrane, and three transmembrane channels important to action potential propagation.

 

Untitled

In the cell body associated with the axon depicted in Figure 1, integration of incoming electrical signals is necessary in order to determine whether or not an action potential is initiated by the cell. The region where this integration takes place is the __________.

Possible Answers:

Supraoptic nucleus

Nissl body

Nucleolus

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

Axon hillock

Correct answer:

Axon hillock

Explanation:

The axon hillock is located near the boundary of the cell body and the beginning of the axon. This region is where the totality of incoming nervous signals onto a single cell are summed, and only if this sum meets the threshold does the axon fire an action potential itself.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors