MCAT Biology : Systems Biology and Tissue Types

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Other Respiratory Physiology

The carbonic anhydrase reaction is shown below.

Which of the following outcomes seems the most reasonable for someone who has an increase in blood COlevels during exercise?

Possible Answers:

Their blood pH will decrease

Their blood pH will increase

The increase in CO2 will not affect the individual in any of these ways

The increase in blood COwill cause an increase in blood H2O

Correct answer:

Their blood pH will decrease

Explanation:

The individual's blood pH level will decrease (become more acidic). The increase in COwill cause the carbonic anhydrase reaction to shift to the right, increasing the concentration of protons (H+) in the blood. The individual can raise their pH level back to normal by breathing out all of the excess CO2. This accounts, in part, for increased respiration rates during exercise (along with the increased demand for oxygen).

Example Question #3 : Other Respiratory Physiology

Which of the following is a physiological consequence of breathing air with a slightly increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide?

Possible Answers:

Increased breathing rate

Increased blood pressure

No change in breathing rate

Decreased breathing rate

Decreased blood pressure

Correct answer:

Increased breathing rate

Explanation:

Slightly increased levels, or partial pressures, of carbon dioxide (CO2) would signal for an increase in breathing rate. As CO2 levels in the blood rise due to the breathing of such air as described in the passage, a breathing mechanism in the brain is triggered to increase ventilation (hyperventilation) to remove as much CO2 through the lungs as possible. A decrease in breathing rate would build up CO2 to even higher levels, causing respiratory acidosis. There would be no changes to blood pressure because slight increases of CO2 has no significant effect on this property.

Example Question #811 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

Where in the brain is respiration rate regulated?

Possible Answers:

Cerebellum

Occipital lobe

Frontal cortex

Medulla oblongata

Correct answer:

Medulla oblongata

Explanation:

It is important to know that the medulla oblongata in the brainstem is the site of breathing rate control. pH receptors at the medulla sense the hydrogen concentration in the blood, and increase or decrease the rate of breathing to alter bicarbonate levels in the blood, maintaining healthy pH levels.

The cerebellum is involved in balance and coordination, while the frontal cortex and occipital lobe are both regions of the cerebrum, involved in higher thinking, processing, and voluntary actions.

Example Question #844 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Give the equation for total lung capacity.

Possible Answers:

Total lung capacity = tidal volume + residual volume

Total lung capacity = inspiratory reserve volume + vital capacity

Total lung capacity = expiratory reserve volume + inspiratory reserve volume

Total lung capacity = vital capacity + residual volume

Total lung capacity = tidal volume + expiratory reserve volume

Correct answer:

Total lung capacity = vital capacity + residual volume

Explanation:

The total lung capacity is the maximum amount of air that can fill the lungs.

The vital capacity is the amount of air that can be exhaled after fully inhaling.

The tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled during normal, relaxed breathing.

The expiratory reserve volume is the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation.

The inspiratory reserve volume is the amount of air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal inhalation.

The residual volume is the amount of air still remaining in the lungs after the expiratory reserve volume is exhaled.

By adding the residual volume and vital capacity, you can obtain a value for the total lung capacity.

Example Question #6 : Other Respiratory Physiology

Both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems are essential for homeostasis and for survival. For example, when we are trying to run away from a threat, the sympathetic nervous system is in full effect to allow us to escape from danger. However, when there is no obvious threat, the parasympathetic nervous system tends to be more in control. 

There are similarities and differences between the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. In preganglionic nerve fibers, both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system utilize the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Closer to the target organ, the parasympathetic nervous system remains dependent on acetylcholine whereas norepinephrine and epinephrine are the predominant neurotransmitters utilized by the sympathetic nervous system. 

When norepinephrine and epinephrine bind to their receptors, different effects are carried out based on the type of receptor, affinity, and location of the receptor. For example, epinephrine has a higher affinity for the beta-2 receptor. When epinephrine binds to the beta-2 receptor, common effects include vasodilation and bronchodilation. Norepinephrine has a stronger affinity for the alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta-1 receptors. When norepinephrine binds to its receptor, common effects on the body include vasoconstriction (alpha-1), increased heart rate (beta-1) and uterine contraction (alpha-1).

When a patient has a severe allergic reaction, a common prescribed drug is epinephrine. Which of the follow best explains the effects of epinephrine on a patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction? 

Possible Answers:

Epinephrine binds to the alpha-1 receptor. Activating the alpha-1 receptor causes vasodilation and bronchodilation. Bronchodilation allows the patient to breath by relaxing the smooth muscle that is constricting the airway.  

Epinephrine binds to the beta-1 receptor. Activating the beta-1 receptor causes vasodilation and bronchodilation. Bronchodilation allows the patient to breath by relaxing the smooth muscle that is constricting the airway.  

Epinephrine binds to the beta-2 receptor. Activating the beta-2 receptor causes vasodilation and bronchodilation. Bronchodilation allows the patient to breath easier by relaxing the smooth muscle that is constricting the airway.

Epinephrine binds to the beta-2 receptor. Activating the beta-2 receptor causes vasodilation and bronchoconstriction. Bronchoconstriction allows the patient to breath by relaxing the smooth muscle that is constricting the airway.  

Epinephrine binds to the beta-1 receptor.  Activating the beta-1 receptor causes vasodilation and bronchoconstriction. Bronchoconstriction allows the patient to breath by relaxing the smooth muscle that is constricting the airway.  

Correct answer:

Epinephrine binds to the beta-2 receptor. Activating the beta-2 receptor causes vasodilation and bronchodilation. Bronchodilation allows the patient to breath easier by relaxing the smooth muscle that is constricting the airway.

Explanation:

Epinephrine binds to the beta-2 receptor. The binding of epinephrine to the beta-2 receptor causes bronchodilation by relaxing the smooth muscles surrounding the airway. The relaxation of the smooth muscles around the airway increases the airway diameter and therefore allows the patient to breathe easier.  

Example Question #1 : Circulatory System

Blood returning from the lungs enters into which chamber of the heart?

Possible Answers:

Left atrium

Left ventricle

Right atrium

Right ventricle

Correct answer:

Left atrium

Explanation:

Oxygenated blood returning to the heart from the lungs enters the left atrium. It then goes to the left ventricle and out the aorta.

 

Example Question #821 : Biology

Which of the following accurately shows the electrical pathway through the heart?

Possible Answers:

Purkinje fibers, bundle of His, AV node, SA node

SA node, AV node, bundle of His, purkinje fibers

AV node, SA node, bundle of His, purkinje fibers

Purkinje fibers, SA node, AV node, bundle of His

Correct answer:

SA node, AV node, bundle of His, purkinje fibers

Explanation:

The correct electrical path through the heart is the SA (sinoatrial) node, AV (atrioventricular) node, bundle of His (AV bundle), then purkinje fibers.

The sinoatrial node initiates the electrical signal and acts as the heart's natural pacemaker. Innervation from the parasympathetic nervous system is crucial in maintaining a normal heart rate from the SA node, but is not required to initiate electrical signals. The signal travels to the atrioventricular node and is briefly delayed, allowing the atria to finish contracting before initiaing ventricular systole. The signal travels down the bundle of His and is quickly distributed to the purkinje fibers, which initiate ventricular systole.

Example Question #821 : Biology

Which valve in the heart separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?

Possible Answers:

Mitral valve

Pulmonic valve

Bicuspid valve

Tricuspid valve

Correct answer:

Tricuspid valve

Explanation:

The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. The bicuspid valve (also known as the mitral valve) separates the left atrium from the left ventricle. The pulmonic valve separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery and the aortic valve separates the left ventricle from the aorta (these are known as the semilunar valves).

Example Question #4 : Circulatory System

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the cardiac output (CO) of the heart?

Possible Answers:

Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by a ventricle every minute (volume/min)

Caridac output is the same as stroke volume (volume of blood pumped from each beat)

Cardiac output is the same as heart rate (beats/min)

Cardiac output is equal to the mean arterial pressure (MAP)

Correct answer:

Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by a ventricle every minute (volume/min)

Explanation:

Cardiac output is the product of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV). Heart rate is equal to beats per minute, while stroke volume is equal to volume per beat. The "beat" units cancel, and leave the cardiac output equal to volume per minute.

cardiac output = (beats/min) * (volume/beat) = volume/min. 

Example Question #2 : Heart

Cardiac muscle cells are electrically linked to each other through which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Cholinergic receptors

Pressure receptors

Synaptic junctions

Gap junctions

Axonal extensions

Correct answer:

Gap junctions

Explanation:

Electrical coupling of cells is mediated through gap junctions—ions are able to immediately flow through adjacent cells through these transmembrane protein channels. Cardiac muscle requires such syncytial connections in order to most effectivey synchronize muscle contraction.

Neurotransmitters, synaptic junctions, and cholinergic receptors would necessitate a nervous system communication, but the heart is electrically-coupled without neural mediation. Pressure receptors are not involved in cardiac muscle activity.

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