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MCAT Biology 2

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. The first phase of the ovarian cycle - during which a follicle (an oocyte and its surroudning cells) enlarges and matures. This phase is under the control of FSH from the anterior pituitary - and typically lasts from day 1 to day 14 of the menstrual






2. First step in releasing the energy of glucose - in which a molecule of glucose is broken into two molecules of pyruvic acid






3. Carries both electrons and protons (2 at a time)






4. Cells located in the seminiferous tubules to nourish spermatids






5. A regulatory protein that is a component of the thin filament. When calcium ions (Ca2+) bind to troponin - it undergoes a change in shape; this conformational change moves tropomyosin away from myosin - binding sites on actin molecules - and muscle c






6. Any enzyme that breaks a phosphodiester bond. degrade the phosphodiester bond in the second messenger molecules cAMP and cGMP. They regulate the localization - duration - and amplitude of cyclic nucleotide signaling within subcellular domains.






7. The third phase of the ovarian cycle - during which a corpus luteum is formed from the remnants of the follicle that has ovulated its oocyte. The corpus luteum secretes progestrone and estrogen during this time period - which typically lasts from day






8. Weak acids or bases that can react with strong acids or bases to prevent sharp sudden changes in pH






9. The outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus






10. A temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate molecules






11. Stage of interphase in which cell duplicates its cytosol and organelles - the third and shortest phase of interphase - the second gap phase where many of the organelles and molecules required for cell division are produced






12. An organic molecule that is a necessary participant in some enzymatic reactions; helps catalysis by donating or accepting electrons or functional groups; e.g. - a vitamin - ATP - NAD+.






13. The brain's sensory switchboard - located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla






14. An enzyme complex in the inner membrane of a mitochondrion and the thylakoid membrane of a chloroplast that catalyzes the formation of ATP.






15. Located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. closes when the right ventricle contracts - allowing blood flow into the lungs and prevent backflow into the right atrium






16. The adrenal cortex secretes small quantities of androgens (male sex hormones) like androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone in both men and women; because in men - most of the androgens are produced by the testes - the physiologic effect of the adr






17. The two types of white blood cells that are part of the body's immune system: B lymphocytes form in the bone marrow and release antibodies that fight bacterial infections; T lymphocytes form in the thymus and other lymphatic tissue and attack cancer






18. Fluid within the amniotic sac that surrounds and protects the fetus






19. Short - chain RNA molecules present in the cell (in at least 20 varieties - each variety capable of combining with a specific amino acid) that attach the correct amino acid to the protein chain that is being synthesized at the ribosome of the cell (a






20. New combination of genetic information in a gamete as a result of crossing over during prophase I of meiosis






21. The movement of specific molecules into a cell by the inward budding of membranous vesicles containing proteins with receptor sites specific to the molecules being taken in; enables a cell to acquire bulk quantities of specific substances.






22. An essential structural component of living cells and source of energy for animals






23. The largest artery in the body; it conducts freshly oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues.






24. Gland that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum - where it mixes with bile to digest food






25. A chart showing the relative amounts of oxygen bound to hemoglobin when the pigment is exposed to solutions varying in their partial pressure of dissolved oxygen - pH - or other characteristics.






26. A vein in the umbilical cord; returns nutrient blood from the placenta to the fetus.






27. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin - a hormone secreted by the trophoblast cells of a blasocyst (i.e. developing embryo) that prolongs the life of the corpus luteum - and thus increases the duration and amount of secreted progesterone. This helps to mainta






28. A chemical process in which a compound is broken down and changed into other compounds by taking up the elements of water. Breaks apart most macromolecules of living cells.






29. A coenzyme present in most living cells and derived from the B vitamin nicotinic acid






30. Smooth muscle and cardiac muscle has the property of flexing without nervous stimulation called...






31. A body tissue that carries electrical messages back and forth between the brain and every other part of the body. Composed of specialized tissues called neurons.






32. The osmotic pressure in the blood vessels due only to plasma proteins (primarily albumin) --> causes water to rush back into capillaries at end.






33. During this time - calcium ions bind to troponin - myosin - binding sites on actin are exposed - and crossbridges form






34. The most widespread connective tissue in the vertebrate body. It binds epithelia to underlying tissues and functions as packing material - holding organs in place.






35. A spiral shape constituting one form of the secondary structure of proteins - arising from a specific hydrogen - bonding structure.






36. The region of the sarcomere made up only of thin filaments. The I band is bisected by a Z line. I bands alternate with A bands to give skeletal and cardiac muscle a striated appearance. I bands get shorter (and may disappear completely) during muscle






37. Small cavities in the bone or cartilage that hold individual bones or cartilage cells.






38. The more superficial layer of the dermis in which dermal papillae project into the epidermis; areolar connective tissue






39. For proteins - a process in which a protein unravels and loses its native conformation - thereby becoming biologically inactive. For DNA - the separation of the two strands of the double helix. Denaturation occurs under extreme conditions of pH - sal






40. Enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin during coagulation






41. The structure that attaches most epithelia to underlying tissue; consists of carbohydrates and proteins secreted by the epithelia and the underlying connective tissue.






42. Two or more polypeptide chains due to interactions of side chains involved in hydrophobic interactions - ionic bonds - hydrogen bonds - and disulfide bridges.can include non amino acid unit. Ex- Fe






43. In the umbilical cord - carries blood and nutrients from mom to baby.






44. Form gametes which combine to form zygotes that develope into more sporozoites






45. Corticotropin releasing factor; secreted by hypothalamus and stimulates the pituitary gland and activated adrenal gland and then get the release of corisol as part of the 'stress response'






46. 'salt - retaining hormone' which promotes the retention of Na+ by the kidneys. na+ retention promotes water retention - which promotes a higher blood volume and pressure






47. Stage of interphase in which cell grows and performs its normal functions - The first growth phase of the cell cycle - consisting of the portion of interphase before DNA synthesis begins.






48. The part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands






49. Protein filaments inside a myofibril are organized into repeating functional units - (10 -000/myofibrils) smallest function unit of muscle fibers 1- thick filaments - myosin 2- thin fillament - actin 3- proteins that stablize 4- proteins that will re






50. The inner germ layer that develops into the lining of the digestive and respiratory systems