MCAT Biology : MCAT Biological Sciences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Which of the given embryonic events occurs first?

Possible Answers:

Cleavage

Implantation

Gastrulation

Neurulation

Correct answer:

Cleavage

Explanation:

The correct order of the early development is: cleavage, implantation, gastrulation, neurulation.

Cleavage occurs when zygote undergoes many mitotic divisions without cellular growth, becoming a morula and then a blastula. Only after becoming a blastula will the cells begin to grow in size.

Implantation occurs during the blastula stage when the embryo becomes implanted in the uterine lining.

Gastrulation occurs when the three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm) arise from the blastula. At this stage, the embryo is considered a gastrula.

Neurulation occurs when the germ layers develop a primitive nervous system, transitioning the embryo from a gastrula to a neurula.

Example Question #12 : Developmental Physiology

Which of the following is false regarding cleavage?

Possible Answers:

It results in multiple cells that are each the same size as the original cell

It is the first step of embryogenesis after fertilization

It leads to multiple tiny cells, whose volumes all add up to the original cell size

Cleavage occurs regardless of the sex of the fetus

Cleavage happens rapidly after fertilization, but does not continue indefinitely

Correct answer:

It results in multiple cells that are each the same size as the original cell

Explanation:

Cleavage occurs immediately after fertilization. It is a rapid process that increases cell number without increase cell size. Essentially, cells divide without any G1 or G2 phase of the cell cycle. The result is several very small cells that take up the same volume as the original singular zygote.

Cleavage generates the morula and, later, the blastula during development. At the blastula stage, the cells develop the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle and begin more comprehensive development. At this stage, the embryo begins to differentiate the inner cell mass and trophoblast regions.

Example Question #72 : Mcat Biological Sciences

During what stage of embryogenesis does implantation of the embryo occur?

Possible Answers:

Zygote

Blastula

Gastrula

Morula

Correct answer:

Blastula

Explanation:

Implantation of the embryo occurs during the blastula stage.

The zygote is initially formed by the process of fertilization in the fallopian tube. As the zygote travels within the tube, it begins to undergo cleavage, developing into a morula and eventually a blastula. By this point, it has entered the uterus and can become implanted in the uterine lining. The blastula then begins to differentiate, developing the three germ layers, and becoming a gastrula via the process of gastrulation.

Example Question #73 : Mcat Biological Sciences

The inner cell mass (or embryoblast) of the blastocyst gives rise to all of the following layers except __________.

Possible Answers:

the trophoblast

the mesoderm

the epiblast

the primitive endoderm

Correct answer:

the trophoblast

Explanation:

The blastula, or blastocyst, is made up of blastomere cells and a fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel. 

There are two regions of the blastocyst: the inner cell mass and the trophoblast. The inner cell mass gives rise to the primitive endoderm and the epiblast, which later gives rise to the three germ layers during gastrulation. The trophoblast is the layer of cells forming the outer ring of the blastocyst. It secretes factors to make the blastocoel and is kept separate from the inner cell mass. All fetal structures eventually develop from the inner cell mass, while the trophoblast helps maintain the fetal environment and placenta.

Example Question #52 : Biology

Which of the following is not a property of the trophoblast?

Possible Answers:

Secretes factors to make the blastocoel

Cells that form the outer layer of the blastula 

Gives rise to the embryo

Gives rise to the placenta

Correct answer:

Gives rise to the embryo

Explanation:

The blastula consists of a hollow sphere of cells (blastomeres) surrounding an inner fluid cavity called the blastocoel. There are two regions of the blastula: the inner cell mass (embryoblast) and the trophoblast. The inner cell mass gives rise to the primitive endoderm and epiblast, serving as the site of the developing embryo. The trophoblast cells form the outer ring of the blastocyst and combine with the maternal endometrium to form the placenta.

The inner cell mass, or embryoblast, gives rise to the cells that become the fetus.

Example Question #74 : Mcat Biological Sciences

What is a blastula?

Possible Answers:

Solid ball of cells within the zona pellucida

Precursor to the morula

Sphere of cells surrounding a blastocel

Structure that gives rise to embryonic cleavage

Correct answer:

Sphere of cells surrounding a blastocel

Explanation:

A blastula is a sphere of cells (blastomeres) surrounding a fluid blastocoele. The blastula stage of embryogenesis begins with the appearance of the blastocoel. The blastocoel is a fluid filled cavity that contains amino acids, proteins, growth factors, and other components neccessary for cellular differentiation. The blastocoel allows blastomeres to move during gastrulation.

A morula is a solid ball of cells within the zona pellucida and is a precursor to the blastula.

Example Question #54 : Biology

What fetal organs is blood shunted away from during gestation?

Possible Answers:

The kidneys and spleen

The lungs and intestines

The lungs and liver

The liver and spleen

The lungs and kidneys

Correct answer:

The lungs and liver

Explanation:

Oxygen diffuses from maternal blood to fetal blood through the placenta. Within the womb, the lungs are not able to work properly and so blood is rerouted through the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus. The liver is also underdeveloped, and not ready to perform the functions it will do in adulthood. The placenta takes over for the liver during gestation, and so blood is shunted away from the liver by the ductus venosus. This prevents oxygen that could be useful in other places from being wasted in the liver.

Example Question #55 : Biology

The ductus arteriosus functions as a blood shunt during fetal development. Which circulatory components does the ductus arteriosus connect?

Possible Answers:

It shunts blood from the right atrium to the left atrium

It shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta

It shunts blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery

It shunts blood from the left atrium to the right atrium

It shunts blood away from the fetal liver

Correct answer:

It shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta

Explanation:

The ductus arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta in order to bypass the lungs, since the fetal lungs are not active.

The foramen ovale shunts blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, serving as another method to bypass the lungs. The ductus venosus shunts blood away from the fetal liver. There is no shunt from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, and there is no shunt from the left atrium to the right atrium.

Example Question #3 : Fetal Circulation

What is erythroblastosis fetalis?

Possible Answers:

A fatal condition in which the zygote implants in an area other than the uterine lining

A dangerous syndrome that can result from mother/baby Rh factor incompatibility

The process by which fetal erythrocytes grow and mature

A severe estrogen deficiency, resulting in partially developed reproductive organs

A syndrome in which the mother's hormones fail to engage, resulting in loss of pregnancy

Correct answer:

A dangerous syndrome that can result from mother/baby Rh factor incompatibility

Explanation:

Erythroblastosis fetalis is a rare conditon in which the mother's anti-Rh antibodies enter the fetal bloodstream and attach to fetal erythrocytes. If not caught, it can result in "blue-baby syndrome." Erythroblastosis is only present in patients negative for the Rh factor, and carrying Rh positive fetuses. 

Example Question #4 : Fetal Circulation

During what stage of pregnancy does a fetus's heart begin to beat?

Possible Answers:

The fetus's heart does not begin to beat until after delivery.

Fourth trimester

Second trimester

First trimester

Third trimester

Correct answer:

First trimester

Explanation:

A pregnancy consists of three trimesters, each of which is approximately 12 weeks. The fetus's heart, brain, spinal cord, and other organs begin to form in approximately the fifth week of pregnancy—in the first trimester.

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