Test your basic knowledge |

MCAT Biology 3

Subjects : mcat, science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Archaebacteria that live in very salty environments - such as the Dead Sea






2. A type of intermediate filament found in epithelial cells






3. The DNA found in cells which transmits hereditary information from one generation to the next; in prokaryotes it is a single naked circle of DNA; in eukaryotes it is a single strand of DNA complexed with protein






4. Glycoprotein that attaches the ECM to the plasma membrane






5. A network of integrins that connects the actin filaments of one cell with those of neighboring cells or with the extra cellular matrix






6. A hydrocarbon chain that terminates with a carboxyl group.






7. A common feature of porin proteins; beta sheets that forma characteristic motif where the sheets form a barrel - like structure






8. Manner in which macromolecules are broken down -- water is separated into H and OH






9. In eukaryotes - found extracellularly and involved with tissue recognition - eg ABO blood group markers






10. Transmembrane proteins that play an important role in cell - cell adhesion; their function is dependent upon calcium; vertebrate migration of neurons is affected by which type of this protein is expressed on the cell's plasma membrane






11. Simple sugars are turned into disaccharides so they can be transported without being metabolized (typically in plants). The enzymes that can break the bond and utilize the sugar are typically present only where the glucose is to be used.






12. The sugar in RNA contains an extra hydroxyl group and RNA uses uracil instead of thymine






13. Adenine --- Thymine (DNA) - Adenine --- Uracil (RNA) - Guanine --- Cytosine






14. Mechanically attach the cytoskeleton of a cell to the cytoskeletons of other cells or to the extracellular matrix. Common in tissues experiencing mechanical stress - eg muscle and skin epithelium






15. Glycoproteins that forms a complex web that forms a protective layer of the surface of animal cells






16. Simple sugars; may be as few as three carbon atoms; those used in energy storage are 6 carbon chains that form rings in solution






17. Eukaryotic cell's internal protein scaffold which provides structural support and is extremely important for organizing the cell's activites; a dynamic system that is constantly forming and disassembling






18. Small single - ringed structures: cytosine found in both DNA and RNA - uracil found in RNA - and thymine found in DNA






19. A combination of secondary structure bonding that forms characteristic patterns within protein strucure - such as the alpha - helix and the beta - pleated sheet






20. Anchor epithelial cells to a basement membrane






21. A group of about 20 lipids that are modified fatty acids - 5- carbon ring w/ 2 nonpolar tails.






22. 5- carbon sugar - adenine - and a tri - phosphate group






23. Most abundant protein found in vertebrate body; forms matrix of skin - ligaments - tendons - and bones; found in the ECM






24. Catalysis (enzymes) - Defense/recognition (immune and hormonal systems) - Transport (eg hemoglobin) - Support (eg collagen) - Motion (actin and myosin) - Regulation (hormones) - Storage (eg bound calcium and iron)






25. Proteins - lipids - carbohydrates - nucleic acids






26. They connect the plasma membranes of adjacent cells in a sheet - preventing molecules from leaking between the cells.






27. Alanine - Valine - Leucine - Isoleucine






28. A cellular structure that aids in the assembly of microtubules; lacking in cells of plants and fungi






29. A semi - fluid matrix that fills the interior of the cell






30. Insoluble polysaccharides made by plants that are formed stricly from glucose (alpha form).






31. Gram positive bacteria have a think - single - layered cell wall that retains the dye used in Gram - staining. Penicillin only works on gram - positive bacteria.






32. Long - threadlike structures protruding from the surface of a cell that are used for locomotion






33. Term for the beta - alpha - beta motif that is found at the core of nuceotide binding sites






34. The region surrounding a pair of centrioles






35. Two simple sugars joined together






36. In prokaryotes - most of the genetic material lies in a single circular molecule of DNA that typically resides near the cetner of the cell. In eukaryotes - DNA is contained in the nucleus - which is surrounded by the nuclear envelope.






37. Phenyalanine - Tryptophan - Tyrosine






38. Energy rich molecules that consist only of carbon and hydrogen






39. Responsible for moving organelles within a cell - also facilitate cell movement






40. Organelles found in plants and algae that perform photosynthesis and act as storage units; they all arise from the division of themselves






41. The manner in which all macromolecules are assembled -- water is a product of the reaction






42. A structure that some fully expanded plant cells produce; provides very strong structural support






43. Components of cytoskeleton






44. Proteins that help another protein fold properly; elevated levels of this protein are found when the cell is exposed to elevated temperatures






45. The unfolding of a protein caused by a shift in pH - ion concentration - or temperature.






46. Cholesterol receptors lack tails and cannot be taken up by cells; stays in the bloodstream and coats arteries






47. A modified form of cellulose with a nitrogen group added to the glucose units; structural building material found in arthropods and cell walls of many fungi.






48. Cytosine - Uracile - Thymine






49. Two scientists attempted to reproduce the condition of the (assumed) earth's primitive ocean's under a reducing atmosphere. They produced some of the key molecules to life (amino acids and nucleotides).






50. 1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells 2. Cells are the smallest living things - the basic units of organization of all organmisms 3. Cells arise only by division of a previously existing cell