1|Page
MCAT – Biological And Biochemical Foundations Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Questions With Detailed Answers
Latest Update| Graded A+ | Guaranteed Pass
Are prion symptoms rapid or do they require a long incubation period? - ANSWER =prion
symptoms require a long incubation period. It can take years or even decades for prion
symptoms to become noticeable
transduction - ANSWER =The transfer of genomic DNA from one bacterium to another by a
lysogenic phage
the ONLY means by which bacteria can increase their genetic diversity
lysogenic phages incorporate their genome into their host's genome.
When the viral genome is excised, sometimes a portion of the host's genome is take as well
the portion of the host genome becomes apart of the viral genome and is transferred to each
new host upon infection
if the portion of the host genome contains a useful gene, such as a gene for antibiotic
resistance, the new host acquires that ability
How do viruses respond to antibiotics? - ANSWER =They are NOT affected by antibiotics.
,2|Page
How can viroids cause disease? - ANSWER =Viroids can serve as siRNAs that silence expression
of genes that are necessary for cell function
Hemolysis - ANSWER =The breakdown of red blood cells (RBC), releasing their contents into the
bloodstream.
Hemolysis occurs due to: - ANSWER =- trauma
- infection
- autoimmune response / disorders
- inherited disorders (ie. sickle cell)
What is the key function of the spleen? - ANSWER =Filter blood and remove old/deformed RBC
from circulation.
The capillaries of the spleen are much (smaller or larger) in diameter than the diameter of RBC.
This induced ( ) of old or fragile cells. - ANSWER =smaller; lysis
Lysis - ANSWER =The breakdown of a cell caused by damage to its plasma (outer) membrane. It
can be caused by chemical or physical means (ie. strong detergents or high-energy sound
waves) or by infection with a strain virus that can lyse cells.
Hypoxia - ANSWER =A condition in which there is an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body's
tissues
Hypoxemia - ANSWER =A condition in which there is an inadequate supply of oxygen to the
blood
,3|Page
Gray matter of the brain is primarily composed of : - ANSWER =neurons and somas
White matter of the brain is primarily composed of: - ANSWER =Myelinated axons
The 3 parts of the brain include: - ANSWER =1. Cerebrum
2. Cerebellum
3. Brainstem
Cerebrum - ANSWER =- The largest part of the brain
- Initiates and coordinates movement and regulates temperature
- Other areas enale speech, judgement, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions and
learning
- Vision, hearing, touch and other senses processed here
Cerebral cortex (definition) - ANSWER =The outer gray matter covering the cerebrum.
The cerebral cortex has a large surface area due to large number of ( ). - ANSWER =folds
The cerebral cortex comprises about ( )% of the brain's weight - ANSWER =50%
The cerebral cortex is divided into 2 halves: - ANSWER =The right and left hemisphere
The cerebral cortex is covered with ridges known as ( ) and folds or crevices known as ( ). -
ANSWER =Gyri; sulci
, 4|Page
The 2 hemispheres of the brain connect and communicate with one another through a large
Cshaped structure composed of white matter and nerve pathways called: - ANSWER =the
corpus callosum
Brainstem (definition) - ANSWER =connects the cerebrum and the spinal cord
The brainstem is composed of three regions, these include the: - ANSWER =1. Midbrain
2. Pons
3. Medulla
(descend in this order)
Cerebellum (definition) - ANSWER =A fist-sized portion of the brain located at the back of the
head, below the temporal and occipital lobes and above the brainstem; coordinates voluntary
muscle movements and maintains posture, balance, and equilibrium
Meninges - ANSWER =three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
What are the 3 protective layers that together form the meninges (in descending order) -
ANSWER =1. Dura mater
2. Arachnoid
3. Pia matter
Dura mater - ANSWER =- The outermost layer of the meninges
- Thick
- Tough
- Composed of 2 layers
MCAT – Biological And Biochemical Foundations Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Questions With Detailed Answers
Latest Update| Graded A+ | Guaranteed Pass
Are prion symptoms rapid or do they require a long incubation period? - ANSWER =prion
symptoms require a long incubation period. It can take years or even decades for prion
symptoms to become noticeable
transduction - ANSWER =The transfer of genomic DNA from one bacterium to another by a
lysogenic phage
the ONLY means by which bacteria can increase their genetic diversity
lysogenic phages incorporate their genome into their host's genome.
When the viral genome is excised, sometimes a portion of the host's genome is take as well
the portion of the host genome becomes apart of the viral genome and is transferred to each
new host upon infection
if the portion of the host genome contains a useful gene, such as a gene for antibiotic
resistance, the new host acquires that ability
How do viruses respond to antibiotics? - ANSWER =They are NOT affected by antibiotics.
,2|Page
How can viroids cause disease? - ANSWER =Viroids can serve as siRNAs that silence expression
of genes that are necessary for cell function
Hemolysis - ANSWER =The breakdown of red blood cells (RBC), releasing their contents into the
bloodstream.
Hemolysis occurs due to: - ANSWER =- trauma
- infection
- autoimmune response / disorders
- inherited disorders (ie. sickle cell)
What is the key function of the spleen? - ANSWER =Filter blood and remove old/deformed RBC
from circulation.
The capillaries of the spleen are much (smaller or larger) in diameter than the diameter of RBC.
This induced ( ) of old or fragile cells. - ANSWER =smaller; lysis
Lysis - ANSWER =The breakdown of a cell caused by damage to its plasma (outer) membrane. It
can be caused by chemical or physical means (ie. strong detergents or high-energy sound
waves) or by infection with a strain virus that can lyse cells.
Hypoxia - ANSWER =A condition in which there is an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body's
tissues
Hypoxemia - ANSWER =A condition in which there is an inadequate supply of oxygen to the
blood
,3|Page
Gray matter of the brain is primarily composed of : - ANSWER =neurons and somas
White matter of the brain is primarily composed of: - ANSWER =Myelinated axons
The 3 parts of the brain include: - ANSWER =1. Cerebrum
2. Cerebellum
3. Brainstem
Cerebrum - ANSWER =- The largest part of the brain
- Initiates and coordinates movement and regulates temperature
- Other areas enale speech, judgement, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions and
learning
- Vision, hearing, touch and other senses processed here
Cerebral cortex (definition) - ANSWER =The outer gray matter covering the cerebrum.
The cerebral cortex has a large surface area due to large number of ( ). - ANSWER =folds
The cerebral cortex comprises about ( )% of the brain's weight - ANSWER =50%
The cerebral cortex is divided into 2 halves: - ANSWER =The right and left hemisphere
The cerebral cortex is covered with ridges known as ( ) and folds or crevices known as ( ). -
ANSWER =Gyri; sulci
, 4|Page
The 2 hemispheres of the brain connect and communicate with one another through a large
Cshaped structure composed of white matter and nerve pathways called: - ANSWER =the
corpus callosum
Brainstem (definition) - ANSWER =connects the cerebrum and the spinal cord
The brainstem is composed of three regions, these include the: - ANSWER =1. Midbrain
2. Pons
3. Medulla
(descend in this order)
Cerebellum (definition) - ANSWER =A fist-sized portion of the brain located at the back of the
head, below the temporal and occipital lobes and above the brainstem; coordinates voluntary
muscle movements and maintains posture, balance, and equilibrium
Meninges - ANSWER =three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
What are the 3 protective layers that together form the meninges (in descending order) -
ANSWER =1. Dura mater
2. Arachnoid
3. Pia matter
Dura mater - ANSWER =- The outermost layer of the meninges
- Thick
- Tough
- Composed of 2 layers
