MCAT Biology : Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1235 : Biology

Cryptosporidium is a genus of gastrointestinal parasite that infects the intestinal epithelium of mammals. Cryptosporidium is water-borne, and is an apicomplexan parasite. This phylum also includes Plasmodium, Babesia, and Toxoplasma. 

Apicomplexans are unique due to their apicoplast, an apical organelle that helps penetrate mammalian epithelium. In the case of cryptosporidium, there is an interaction between the surface proteins of mammalian epithelial tissue and those of the apical portion of the cryptosporidium infective stage, or oocyst. A scientist is conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis that the oocyst secretes a peptide compound that neutralizes intestinal defense cells. These defense cells are resident in the intestinal epithelium, and defend the tissue by phagocytizing the oocysts. 

She sets up the following experiment:

As the neutralizing compound was believed to be secreted by the oocyst, the scientist collected oocysts onto growth media. The oocysts were grown among intestinal epithelial cells, and then the media was collected. The media was then added to another plate where Toxoplasma gondii was growing with intestinal epithelial cells. A second plate of Toxoplasma gondii was grown with the same type of intestinal epithelium, but no oocyst-sourced media was added.

Upon studying cryptosporidium under a microscope, the scientist in the passages notices that each oocyst has a thick cell wall. When the scientist puts the oocysts into pure water, the oocysts remain intact while other cells swell. Against what kind of stress is the oocyst cell wall protecting?

Possible Answers:

Tensile

Osmotic

Dilutional

Halo-tonic

Hydropic

Correct answer:

Osmotic

Explanation:

As described in the question, the shell is protecting against osmotic stress. We would expect osmotic stress to be present when we put the oocysts in pure water, which is hypotonic relative to the oocyst itself. The tendency of non-protected cells to burst in such a condition is the result of osmotic stress caused by the influx of water diffusing across the membrane.

Example Question #191 : Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, And Genetics

An erythrocyte is placed into a solution with a large concentration of sodium. The erythrocyte is in a __________ solution and it will __________.

Possible Answers:

hypotonic . . . crenate 

hypertonic . . . crenate 

hypotonic . . . burst 

hypertonic . . . burst 

Correct answer:

hypertonic . . . crenate 

Explanation:

Because there is a smaller concentration of solute inside the cell than in the solution, it is said to be in a hypertonic solution. This will cause water from inside the cell to move outside the plasma membrane to account for this difference; therefore, the cell will crenate (shrink).

Example Question #35 : Cellular Structures And Organelles

An erythrocyte is placed in a solution of 0.9% sodium ions. Erythrocytes contain a concentration of approximately 0.9% sodium chloride. This is a __________ solution, relative to the cell, and the cell will __________.

Possible Answers:

isotonic . . . swell

hypertonic . . . crenate

isotonic . . . remain the same

hypotonic . . . lyse

Correct answer:

hypotonic . . . lyse

Explanation:

The trick to understanding this question is to remember that the sodium chloride actually consists of equal parts sodium ions and chlorine ions; therefore, the internal concentration of solute inside the red blood cell is actually twice the concentration of solute outside the cell. Since the cell contains a higher solute concentration compared to the extracellular environment, the solution is considered hypotonic. Water will flow toward the more concentrated region via osmosis, entering the cell and causing it to swell. Eventually, the swelling can cause the cell to lyse.

Example Question #193 : Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, And Genetics

What is the function of cholestrol in the cell plasma membrane?

Possible Answers:

Promote membrane fluidity

Transport molecules across the membrane

Provide ATP 

Allow movement of charged particles through the membrane

Promote cell-to-cell recognition

Correct answer:

Promote membrane fluidity

Explanation:

The major purpose of cholestrol in the plasma membrane is to maintain membrane fluidity. Carbohydrates and glycoproteins function in cell-to-cell recognition, and proteins function in the transport of particles through the membrane. Charged particles can't freely pass through the membrane unless it is through a carrier protein.

Example Question #36 : Cellular Structures And Organelles

Cells can acquire substances from the extracellular environment through a process called endocytosis, of which there are multiple subtypes.

Which of the following describes the process by which extracellular fluid is taken up by small invaginations of the cell membrane?

Possible Answers:

Pinocytosis

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Phagocytosis

Correct answer:

Pinocytosis

Explanation:

Pinocytosis, or "cell drinking", refers to the process by which extracellular fluids are engulfed by invaginations of the cellular membrane to create vesicles of the fluid. Phagocytosis is a similar mechanism that acquires extracellular solids into the cell. Receptor-mediated endocytosis occurs when hormones and nutrients bind to a ligand-specific receptor on the cellular membrane and clathrin-mediated endocytosis involves entrance to the cell via clathrin-coated pits.

Example Question #195 : Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, And Genetics

What is the name for cellular intake of fluid and small solutes?

Possible Answers:

Endocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Phagocytosis

Pinocytosis

Correct answer:

Pinocytosis

Explanation:

The best answer would be pinocytosis, or "cell-drinking". Pinocytosis is a specific type of endocytosis; while pinocytosis refers to the uptake of fluids, endocytosis refers to any process involving cellular uptake via vesicles.

Phagocytosis is cellular uptake of large molecules or pathogens, and receptor-mediated endocytosis requires a particular ligand to initiate endocytosis.

Example Question #41 : Plasma Membrane And Transport

Engulfment of a foreign pathogen is an example of ___________ and engulfment of extracellular fluid is an example of ___________; both are forms of ___________.

Possible Answers:

phagocytosis . . . phagocytosis . . . exocytosis

pinocytosis . . . pinocytosis . . . endocytosis

phagocytosis . . . pinocytosis . . . endocytosis

pinocytosis . . . phagocytosis . . . exocytosis

Correct answer:

phagocytosis . . . pinocytosis . . . endocytosis

Explanation:

Recall that endocytosis is the process by which solid particles and fluid and transported from the outside to the inside of the cell by the use of vesicles.

When a cell engulfs a foreign pathogen, it creates a vesicle known as a phagosome. The phagosome carries the pathogen within the cell and fuses with a lysosome, which allows hydrolytic enzymes to digest the pathogen. The process of engulfing the pathogen in a vesicle is known as phagocytosis.

A cell can also form a vesicle around fluids in the extracellular space, via the process of pinocytosis. This vesicle can also fuse with lysosomes, allowing the breakdown of small particulates in the vesicle, which can then be used for energy.

Both phagocytosis and pinocytosis are forms of endocytosis.

Example Question #42 : Cellular Structures And Organelles

ATP synthase is an enzyme that synthesizes ATP in the mitochondrion. Based on this information, which of the following is true regarding cellular transport and ATP synthase?

Possible Answers:

ATP synthase is important for exocytosis only

ATP synthase is irrelevant for both endocytosis and exocytosis

ATP synthase is important for both endocytosis and exocytosis

ATP synthase is important for endocytosis only

Correct answer:

ATP synthase is important for both endocytosis and exocytosis

Explanation:

ATP synthase is an important enzyme that is required for oxidative phosphorylation, a process that produces majority of the ATP in a cell. Both exocytosis and endocytosis are active processes. This means that they require energy (ATP) input; therefore, ATP synthase is essential for both endocytosis and exocytosis.

Example Question #42 : Plasma Membrane And Transport

A protein synthesized inside the cell does not undergo exocytosis. Which of the following is most likely true of this protein?

Possible Answers:

The protein was synthesized by a free-floating ribosome

The protein was synthesized by the ribosomes on the nucleus

The protein was synthesized by the ribosomes on rough endoplasmic reticulum

The protein was synthesized by the ribosomes on smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Correct answer:

The protein was synthesized by a free-floating ribosome

Explanation:

All proteins are synthesized by ribosomes, but the location of the ribosome can vary depending on the function and destination of the protein.

Ribosomes can be found as either as free-floating organelles in the cytosol or as part of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The proteins synthesized on the rough endoplasmic reticulum will undergo modification and vesicular packaging, and are often destined for regions outside of the cell. These proteins can be expelled from the cell via exocytosis.

On the other hand, free-floating ribosomes in the cytosol produce proteins that are destined to remain in the cytosol. These proteins, once synthesized, are transported within the cytosol and never make contact with the cell exterior. The proteins from free-floating ribosomes do not undergo exocytosis.

Example Question #43 : Plasma Membrane And Transport

Proteins synthesized by ribosomes are processed and packaged in endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, respectively. Packaged vesicles are then transported to their target location. Which of the following processes will these proteins most likely experience?

Possible Answers:

Endocytosis, because these proteins are destined for the extracellular space

Exocytosis, because these proteins are destined for the cytosol

Exocytosis, because these proteins are destined for the extracellular space

Endocytosis, because these proteins are destined for the cytosol

Correct answer:

Exocytosis, because these proteins are destined for the extracellular space

Explanation:

Exocytosis is the process by which materials and fluid are transported from the inside of the cell to the outside of the cell by the use of vesicles. Endocytosis is the process by which materials and fluid are transported from the outside to the inside of the cell by the use of vesicles. The question suggests that the proteins are synthesized inside the cell and then packaged into vesicles.

This process is common for a few different types of proteins. Membrane proteins will be integrated into these vesicles and introduced to the cell membrane by fusion of the vesicle. Some proteins destined for the lumens of cell organelles will also be packaged into vesicles, which will fuse with organelle membranes to deposit their contents. Most commonly, however, vesicles will fuse with the cell membrane and release protein contents into the extracellular space via exocytosis.

Golgi apparatus vesicles will never be involved in endocytosis. Of the two options involving exocytosis, only one offers the correct explanation (deposition of proteins into the extracellular space).

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