MCAT Question of the Day

Correct Answer: C. cellular respiration

In the cell, metabolism is defined as the chemical reactions that occur within the cell to sustain life. Metabolism can further be divided into anabolism (the synthesis of new compounds) and catabolism (breaking down of substances). Answer options A, B, D, and E are all anabolic processes, that require the use of energy to make new compounds. In cellular respiration, glucose is broken down to produce ATP, therefore this is a catabolic process.

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Correct Answer: D. In the mouth and pancreas

The initial breakdown of polysaccharides to disaccharides is in the mouth via salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase via the pancreas to the small intestine. We do not block the small intestine since the pancreatic amylase is not produced there, we block the source as the question wanted to know how to block the enzyme.

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Correct Answer: D. The amount of salt reabsorbed in the kidneys will increase.

Aldosterone is a hormone released from the adrenal gland. Its presence in the blood helps the kidney’s retain more sodium chloride (NaCl) in the nephrons, thereby desalinating the urine. Glucose regulation is controlled by the pancreas’ release of insulin. Calcium ion levels are controlled by calcitonin and parathyroid hormone. The amount of water retained by the kidneys is controlled by the release of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin. Aldosterone helps to retain water too, so the amount of water excreted by the body will decrease. Therefore, the correct answer is [D].

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Correct Answer: C. Stratum corneum

If a layer of epidermis has a low rate of mitosis, this indicates that the cells in this layer are not dividing very frequently. Likewise the presence of keratin, signals that the layer of epidermis must have a waterproofing function. The stratum basale is the most mitotic layer and is the bottom layer of the epidermis. As the cells are produced in the stratum basale, older cells are pushed up to the stratum spinosum, which is also high in mitotic activity. Keratin dominates in the stratum corneum, which is the most superficial layer of the epidermis, characterized by dead skin cells that are no longer undergoing mitosis. Therefore, the correct answer is [C].

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Correct Answer: A. Blood is pumped from the ventricles to the arteries.

Systole is the state of contraction of the heart muscles. The heart contracts to pump blood out of the ventricles and into the arteries to move the blood to the body. During diastole or when the heart is resting, blood collects in the chambers of the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins carry blood back to the heart. During systole, the blood is being pumped away from the heart, thereby the use of arteries is essential. The only answer option that aligns with the correct function of the heart during systole is [A].

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Correct Answer: B. Reflex Arc

A reflex arc is a nervous system process whereby the stimulus causes a motor movement that is coordinated by the spinal cord and not the brain. Sensory neurons are able to capture the environmental stimuli and send the afferent signal to the spinal cord, which is able to send an efferent (motor) signal directly to the effector, a muscle, which then moves. Plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to repair itself following damage. Metabolism is the general term defining the cell’s use and production of energy. Redirection is not an accurate term and is not used in biology. Depolarization is the process of changing the cell membrane’s to become more positive, commonly observed when in the nervous system with the propagation of an action potential. Therefore the correct answer is [B].

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Correct Answer: B. The cell will shrivel

For cells with a selectively permeable membrane, water will move from higher water concentrations to lower water concentrations. In this problem, the salt is too large to cross the membrane, so the salt concentration will remain the same. Since red blood cells have more water than the salt-water mixture, the water in the cell would leave to try to make the two environments isotonic. If water leaves the cell, the cell will eventually shrink.

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Correct Answer: D. Autoclave

The autoclave is the laboratory proven method for killing bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. It can reach temperatures of 121 °C and 2.7 atm, and the combined pressure and temperature are enough to kill the majority of existing pathogens. However, the autoclave cannot kill some species that are able to form heavy spores or protein coats, which include some viruses and fungi.

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Correct Answer: B. Phospholipids

The cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer that has a hydrophilic head (where the polar phosphate is attached) and a hydrophobic tail (made up of hydrocarbon chains). Starch is a polysaccharide that is generally hydrophilic and can be dissolved in water. Triglycerides, steroids and cholesterol are all entirely hydrophobic not being able to be dissolved in water. The molecule mentioned in the question is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, indicative of the phospholipid, therefore only answer option [B] is correct.

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Correct Answer: B. Allelopathy

Allelopathy is type of INTERFERENCE competition, where the establishment of other individuals who would compete for a mutual resource is prevented, in this case using a toxic chemical. Intraspecific competition(E) occurs when competition occurs within the same species; in this case the plant is competing with all the other species of plants in the area.

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