MCAT Biology : Systems Biology and Tissue Types

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Female Reproductive Physiology

 

The presence of which of the following hormones can determine if a woman is two weeks pregnant?

Possible Answers:

Progesterone

Estrogen

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Oxytocin 

Testosterone

Correct answer:

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Explanation:

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by a fertilized egg and can be detected about six days after conception; it is only found in pregnant women, and can be used to help detect pregnancy.

The other answers are hormones that are present in both pregnant and nonpregnant women, so they cannot be used to determine pregnancy. 

Example Question #1 : Female Reproductive Physiology

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 Lorempis marengis female reproductive anatomy is identical to that of humans, in which of the following organs are eggs most likely to be stored in Lorempis marengis females?

Possible Answers:

Fallopian Tube

Bartholin's Glands

Ovaries

Oviducts

Uterus

Correct answer:

Ovaries

Explanation:

The most likely site of egg (also know as ovum) storage in Lorempis marengis females is the ovaries. This is the correct answer because we are told to assume that Lorempis marengis female reproductive anatomy is identical to that of humans, and in human females, the site of egg storage is the ovaries. 

Females are born with all of the eggs that they will have throughout their lifespan, and they are stored in the ovaries. When females begin menarche, ovulation begins, in which a single egg is released from one of the ovaries every 28-35 days (until menopause) in preparation for fertilization by sperm. The egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube, also known as the oviduct, at which time it may be fertilized by sperm. If fertilization successfully occurs, then the fertilized egg, also known as the zygote, travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it may implant and continue to develop, eventually into a fetus. Thus, each of the above answer choices, other than ovaries, is incorrect, as they represent structures within the female reproductive tract that do not store eggs, but rather are sites than an egg may pass through after it is stored and released from the ovary. 

Bartholin's Glands is an incorrect choice, as they are not sites of egg storage, but rather they serve to secrete lubricating mucus to the vagina.

Example Question #1 : Reproductive System

What cell type is responsible for testosterone production in human males?

Possible Answers:

Zona pellucida

Sertoli cells

Cells of Leydig

Spermatogonia

Correct answer:

Cells of Leydig

Explanation:

This question requires knowledge of the different cell types in the human male’s reproductive anatomy. The cells of Leydig (also known as the interstitial cells) secrete testosterone and other androgens (male sex hormones), while the Sertoli cells are responsible for nourishing developing sperm. Spermatogonia are sperm cell precursors, and the zona pellucida refers to one of the layers surrounding an ovum.

Example Question #3 : Reproductive System

The scrotum is responsible for which of the following in the male repoductive system?

Possible Answers:

Androgen synthesis

Lubrication

Synthesis of sperm

Nourishment of sperm

Temperature regulation

Correct answer:

Temperature regulation

Explanation:

The scrotum is a bag of skin containing the testes. The importance of the scrotum is to regulate temperature because sperm synthesis in the testes must occur at a few degrees below body temperature. The testes are the location of sperm synthesis, androgen synthesis occurs in the interstitial cells, nourishment of the sperm takes place in the seminal vesicles, and lubrication occurs in the bulbourethral glands.

Example Question #4 : Reproductive System

Which of the following answer choices correctly describes the path of a mature sperm, during normal male ejaculation?

Possible Answers:

Seminiferous tubule → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct

Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct → Urinary bladder

Vas deferens → Epididymis → Urethra → Penis

Seminal vesicle → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct

Correct answer:

Seminiferous tubule → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct

Explanation:

This question requires knowledge of the ejaculatory path in human males. The quick mnemonic for memorizing the pathway is SEVEn UP (Seminiferous tubule, Epididymus, Vas deferens, Ejaculatory duct, nothing, Urethra, Penis). Additionally, this alerts us to an important characteristic of the MCAT. Oftentimes, answer choices for pathway questions will neither start at the beginning of the pathway nor end at the absolute end of the pathway. Because of this, be sure to know all steps of a pathway, not just the beginning or end.

Example Question #1 : Male Reproductive Physiology

In the male reproductive tract, sperm cells follow a specific path. Which of the following do sperm cells enter after traveling through the epididymis? 

Possible Answers:

Penis 

Seminiferous tubules 

Urethra

Ejaculatory duct

Vas deferens 

Correct answer:

Vas deferens 

Explanation:

Sperm cells in the male reproductive tract are first created in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. From there they travel through the epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra, and penis. 

Example Question #81 : Animal Biology

What is a key difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?

Possible Answers:

Spermatogenesis results in 2 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Spermatogenesis results in 8 sperm; oogenesis results in only 4 eggs.

Spermatogenesis results in only 1 sperm; oogenesis results in 4 eggs.

Spermatogenesis results in 4 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Spermatogenesis results in only 1 sperm; oogenesis results in 2 eggs.

Correct answer:

Spermatogenesis results in 4 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Explanation:

During spermatogenesis, one spermatogonia will become 4 separate functioning spermatozoa. In oogenesis, a primary oocyte will become 1 functioning ovum (or egg) while 3 polar bodies are also produced, which are nonfunctioning and never become eggs.

Example Question #1 : Oogenesis And Spermatogenesis

When a female ovulates, in what phase of division is the oocyte?

Possible Answers:

Prophase II

Prophase I

Metaphase I

Metaphase II

Anaphase I

Correct answer:

Metaphase II

Explanation:

When a female ovulates, the oocyte is in metaphase II, until it becomes fertilized by a sperm. It then completes the second phase of meiosis to make a mature ovum. Remember that, unlike spermatogenesis, oogenesis begins during development. All oocytes undergo meiosis I during fetal development, and are kept suspended in prophase II until ovulation, when they shift to metaphase II. Meiosis only continues beyond metapahse II if fertilization occurs.

Example Question #1 : Oogenesis And Spermatogenesis

How long does spermatogenesis take in adult humans?

Possible Answers:

7 months

2 weeks

25 weeks

64 days

72 hours

Correct answer:

64 days

Explanation:

Spermatogenesis takes approximately 64 days in adult humans. Males begin producing sperm at puberty, and continue until death.

Example Question #13 : Reproductive System And Development

What is the "Dictyate state?"

Possible Answers:

Pre-vitellegenic stage in fetal development

A meiosis stabilizing factor 

The state between fertilization and the start of gonadotropin production

An oogenetic ‘stasis’ between embryo and puberty

The primordial follicle

Correct answer:

An oogenetic ‘stasis’ between embryo and puberty

Explanation:

Oogenisis halts in the female embryo while the oocytes are trapped in meiosis II. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle a number of oocytes in primordial follicles are stimulated by pituitary gonadotropins to continue maturation.

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