MCAT Biology : MCAT Biological Sciences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Other Properties Of Biological Compounds

 

Which of the following compounds is the most stable?

Possible Answers:

Cyclohexane

2,4-cyclobutadiene

1,3-dichlorocyclooctane

Benzene

Cyclopentane

Correct answer:

Benzene

Explanation:

Aromatic compounds are highly stable due to resonance stability. The two aromatic choices are benzene and 2,4-cyclobutadiene. Because a six-carbon ring is more stable than a four-carbon ring, benzene is the best answer. Ring strain will distort a four-carbon ring, increasing its bond energy and decreasing its stability.

Example Question #2 : Other Properties Of Biological Compounds

Which of the following statements is not true concerning resonance structures?

Possible Answers:

There is a constant number of unpaired electrons

Resonance atoms are in the same plane

Atoms do not move between structures

The number of double bonds is constant between structures

Correct answer:

The number of double bonds is constant between structures

Explanation:

There is no requirement that the number of double bonds in a molecule be kept constant. Electrons can be moved in order to convert between triple bonds, double bonds, and single bonds when transitioning between resonance structures.

Example Question #5 : Other Properties Of Biological Compounds

Nuclear transport is a very important concept of study in modern cellular biology. Transport of proteins into the nucleus of an organism requires energy in the form of GTP, which is attached to a protein called Ras-related Nuclear protein (RAN).

RAN is a monomeric G protein found in both the cytosol as well as the nucleus and its phosphorylation state plays an important role in the movement of proteins into and out of the nucleus. Specifically, RAN-GTP and RAN-GDP binds to nuclear import and export receptors and carries them into or out of the nucleus. They also play a role in dropping off cargo that import and export receptors hold onto. RAN's functions are controlled by two other proteins: RAN guanine exchange factor (RAN-GEF) and RAN GTPase activating protein (GAP). RAN-GEF binds a GTP onto RAN, while RAN-GAP hydrolyzes GTP into GDP. As a result, there is a RAN-GTP and RAN-GDP concentration gradient that forms between the cytosol and nucleus.

Suppose an experiment was done and the concentrations of RAN-GEF and RAN-GAP were determined, as shown below:

Nucleus:

Cytosol: 

Given these results, what can be said about the charge of RAN in the cytosol and nucleus?

Possible Answers:

RAN is more positively charged in the cytosol than in the nucleus

RAN has equal charge in both the nucleus and cytosol

RAN's charge state cannot be determined without further experimentation

RAN is more positively charged in the nucleus than in the cytosol

RAN's charge may fluctuate depending on the metabolic state of the cell

Correct answer:

RAN is more positively charged in the cytosol than in the nucleus

Explanation:

First, we have to understand which of the proteins exist in higher concentrations and the impact of both proteins. From the information, we can see that RAN-GEF has a higher concentration in the nucleus than in the cytosol, and that RAN-GAP has a higher concentration in the cytosol than in the nucleus. RAN-GEF will add on a GTP group onto RAN, whereas RAN-GAP will hydrolyze the RAN-GTP to RAN-GDP. 

We can therefore conclude that RAN-GTP exists at a higher concentration in the nucleus, and that RAN-GDP exists at a higher concentration in the cytosol. Since GTP has a more negative charge than GDP, RAN will have a more negative charge in the nucleus, or conversely that RAN will have a more positive charge in the cytosol. 

Example Question #1554 : Mcat Biological Sciences

The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord. In general, tracts allow for the brain to communicate up and down with the spinal cord. The commissures allow for the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other. One of the most important commissures is the corpus callosum. The association fibers allow for the anterior regions of the brain to communicate with the posterior regions. One of the evolved routes from the spinal cord to the brain is via the dorsal column pathway. This route allows for fine touch, vibration, proprioception and 2 points discrimination. This pathway is much faster than the pain route. From the lower limbs, the signal ascends to the brain via a region called the gracile fasciculus. From the upper limbs, the signal ascends via the cuneate fasciculus region in the spinal cord. 

One of the most common neurotransmitters is acetylcholine. Which of the following statements is/are true? 

I.  The neurotransmitter is water soluble 

II. The neurotransmitter is lipid soluble

III. The neurotransmitter has a charge

Possible Answers:

III only

None of these

I only

II only

I and III

Correct answer:

I and III

Explanation:

Acetylcholine is water soluble, which is in opposition to claim II. Furthermore, most water soluble molecules have some degree of charge polarity. Acetylcholine does indeed have a charged amino group, which contributes to its polarity and solubility in water.

Example Question #2 : Other Properties Of Biological Compounds

The cellular membrane is a very important structure. The lipid bilayer is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic. The hydrophilic layer faces the extracellular fluid and the cytosol of the cell. The hydrophobic portion of the lipid bilayer stays in between the hydrophobic regions like a sandwich. This bilayer separation allows for communication, protection, and homeostasis. 

One of the most utilized signaling transduction pathways is the G protein-coupled receptor pathway. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the cellular membrane allows for the peptide and other hydrophilic hormones to bind to the receptor on the cellular surface but to not enter the cell. This regulation allows for activation despite the hormone’s short half-life. On the other hand, hydrophobic hormones must have longer half-lives to allow for these ligands to cross the lipid bilayer, travel through the cell’s cytosol and eventually reach the nucleus. 

Cholesterol allows the lipid bilayer to maintain its fluidity despite the fluctuation in the body’s temperature due to events such as increasing metabolism. Cholesterol binds to the hydrophobic tails of the lipid bilayer. When the temperature is low, the cholesterol molecules prevent the hydrophobic tails from compacting and solidifying. When the temperature is high, the hydrophobic tails will be excited and will move excessively. This excess movement will bring instability to the bilayer. Cholesterol will prevent excessive movement.

Which of the following hormones utilizes cholesterol as its precursor? 

I. Cortisol

II. Testosterone 

III. Dihydroxytestosterone  

 

Possible Answers:

None of these

I only

I, II and III 

III only

II only

Correct answer:

I, II and III 

Explanation:

Cortisol and testosterone both utilizes cholesterol to the precursor. Dihydrotestosterone is a potent form of testosterone.  

Example Question #3 : Other Properties Of Biological Compounds

The cellular membrane is a very important structure. The lipid bilayer is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic. The hydrophilic layer faces the extracellular fluid and the cytosol of the cell. The hydrophobic portion of the lipid bilayer stays in between the hydrophobic regions like a sandwich. This bilayer separation allows for communication, protection, and homeostasis. 

One of the most utilized signaling transduction pathways is the G protein-coupled receptor pathway. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the cellular membrane allows for the peptide and other hydrophilic hormones to bind to the receptor on the cellular surface but to not enter the cell. This regulation allows for activation despite the hormone’s short half-life. On the other hand, hydrophobic hormones must have longer half-lives to allow for these ligands to cross the lipid bilayer, travel through the cell’s cytosol and eventually reach the nucleus. 

Cholesterol allows the lipid bilayer to maintain its fluidity despite the fluctuation in the body’s temperature due to events such as increasing metabolism. Cholesterol binds to the hydrophobic tails of the lipid bilayer. When the temperature is low, the cholesterol molecules prevent the hydrophobic tails from compacting and solidifying. When the temperature is high, the hydrophobic tails will be excited and will move excessively. This excess movement will bring instability to the bilayer. Cholesterol will prevent excessive movement.

Based on the passage, cholesterol has which of the following properties? 

I. Hydrophilic 

II. Hydrophobic

III. Can cross the lipid bilayer 

Possible Answers:

II only

II and III

I only

I, II, and III

III only

Correct answer:

II and III

Explanation:

According to the passage, cholesterol interacts with the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer. Therefore, cholesterol must by hydrophobic. As mentioned in the passage that hydrophobic molecules are able to cross the bilayer.

Example Question #61 : Molecular Properties

The cellular membrane is a very important structure. The lipid bilayer is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic. The hydrophilic layer faces the extracellular fluid and the cytosol of the cell. The hydrophobic portion of the lipid bilayer stays in between the hydrophobic regions like a sandwich. This bilayer separation allows for communication, protection, and homeostasis. 

One of the most utilized signaling transduction pathways is the G protein-coupled receptor pathway. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the cellular membrane allows for the peptide and other hydrophilic hormones to bind to the receptor on the cellular surface but to not enter the cell. This regulation allows for activation despite the hormone’s short half-life. On the other hand, hydrophobic hormones must have longer half-lives to allow for these ligands to cross the lipid bilayer, travel through the cell’s cytosol and eventually reach the nucleus. 

Cholesterol allows the lipid bilayer to maintain its fluidity despite the fluctuation in the body’s temperature due to events such as increasing metabolism. Cholesterol binds to the hydrophobic tails of the lipid bilayer. When the temperature is low, the cholesterol molecules prevent the hydrophobic tails from compacting and solidifying. When the temperature is high, the hydrophobic tails will be excited and will move excessively. This excess movement will bring instability to the bilayer. Cholesterol will prevent excessive movement.

Which of the following hormones utilizes cholesterol as a precursor? 

I. Cortisol

II. Aldosterone

III. Epinephrine  

Possible Answers:

III only

II only

I and II

I, II, and III 

I only

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

Both cortisol and aldosterone are synthesized in the adrenal cortex with cholesterol as the precursor, since they are steroid hormones. Epinephrine's precursor is tyrosine and it is soluble in water, which tells us that it is not steroid-derived.

Example Question #1 : Amino Acids

Integral proteins span the entire width of the plasma membrane. They are used to facilitate the diffusion of specific compounds across the membrane.

Which amino acid would you expect to find in the middle of an integral protein embedded in the phospholipid bilayer?

Possible Answers:

Glutamine

Serine

Leucine

Arginine

Correct answer:

Leucine

Explanation:

The middle of the phospholipid bilayer is composed of nonpolar fatty acid tails. As a result, we would expect to find a nonpolar amino acid in the middle of the bilayer as part of the integral protein. Leucine is a nonpolar amino acid, so it could be found in the middle.

All other amino acids listed are either polar or charged.

Example Question #1 : Amino Acids

Excluding the amino acid glycine, all other amino acids found within human proteins are __________.

Possible Answers:

essential

of the L configuration

neutral at physiologic pH

optically inactive

Correct answer:

of the L configuration

Explanation:

All amino acids with the exception of glycine are optically active, as they have four unique groups attached to their alpha-carbons and are situated in the L configuration (amino terminus oriented to the left and carboxyl terminus to the right of the alpha-carbon). Not all amino acids are neutral at physiologic pH, as lysine and arginine are positively charged and apartate and glutamate are negatively charged due to their respective side chains. Finally, only ten of the twenty amino acids are essential, thus, the correct answer is that the amino acids found within human proteins are of the L configuration.

Example Question #2 : Amino Acids

What is the reasoning behind the planar geometry of peptide bonds in proteins?

Possible Answers:

The carbon-nitrogen bond has partial double bond character

Steric hindrance

Proteins contain only L amino acids

The peptide bond is trans rather than cis

Hydrogen bonding

Correct answer:

The carbon-nitrogen bond has partial double bond character

Explanation:

The double bond character of the carbon-nitrogen bond results in a shorter bond compared to the normal length of a pure bond ( vs. ). The double bond resonance of peptide bonds aids to increase stability, while subsequently decreasing the rotation about that bond. The partial double bond results in the amide group being planar, thus allowing for either a cis or trans conformation of a peptide bond. Due to the preference for the trans orientation over the cis orientation, there is less steric hindrance between groups attached to the alpha-carbon atoms. Thus, the correct answer is that the carbon-nitrogen bond has partial double bond character.

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