MCAT BIOLOGY CAP. 1. THE CELL (2025-2026) WITH CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS
1. Cell theory: 1. Living things are composed of cells
2. Basic functional unit of life
3. Cell arise only from cells
4. Cell carry genetic material in form of DNA, this genetic material is passed from cell to cell
2. Membrane-bound organelles composition: Phospolipid bilayer
3. Phospolipid bilayer description: Hydrophilic (outside): electrostatically interact with the aqueous
enviroments in and outside the cell.
Hydrophobic (inside): helps to provide a highly selective barrier betwwen the interior of the cell and the external
environment
4. Membrane-bound organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmatic reticulum (ER), gol-
gi apparatus, and peroxisome
5. Function of the nucleus: Control center of the cell, contains the genetic material (DNA)
6. Genes: DNA coding regions
7. Histones: Organizing proteins that linear DNA
8. Chromosomes: Linear strands of histones
, 10. Function of the mitochondria: Keep the cell alive by providing energy and apopto sis (killing the cell
by release of enzymes from the electron transport chain)
11. Mitochondria is: Semiautonomous -> own genes, replicate independenthly via binary fision
12. Cristae in the mitochondria: Contains molecules and enzymes of the electron transport chain
13. Function of the lysosomes: Break down via hydrolitic enzymes many subtrates lik e the one ingested
by endocytosis and cellular products
14. Function of the lysosomal membrane: Sequesters enzymes to prevent damage to the cell
15. Funtion of the endosomes: Work in conjuction with the lysosome to transport, package and sort cell
material traveling to and from membrane.
Transport to transgolgi, cell membrane, or lysosomal pathway of degradation
16. Rough endoplasmatic reticulum (RER): Studded with ribosomes, is in charg e of translation of
proteins
17. Smooth endoplasmatic reticulum (SER): Lack ribosomes, the primary funct ion is lipid synthesis
(ex. phospolipids) and others functions could be detoxification of certain drugs and poison
18. Function of the golgi apparatus: Modified by the addition of groups (ex. carboh ydrates, phosphate
and sulfate) and sort cellular products introducing signal sequences (direct delivery to specific cel lular location)
ANSWERS
1. Cell theory: 1. Living things are composed of cells
2. Basic functional unit of life
3. Cell arise only from cells
4. Cell carry genetic material in form of DNA, this genetic material is passed from cell to cell
2. Membrane-bound organelles composition: Phospolipid bilayer
3. Phospolipid bilayer description: Hydrophilic (outside): electrostatically interact with the aqueous
enviroments in and outside the cell.
Hydrophobic (inside): helps to provide a highly selective barrier betwwen the interior of the cell and the external
environment
4. Membrane-bound organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmatic reticulum (ER), gol-
gi apparatus, and peroxisome
5. Function of the nucleus: Control center of the cell, contains the genetic material (DNA)
6. Genes: DNA coding regions
7. Histones: Organizing proteins that linear DNA
8. Chromosomes: Linear strands of histones
, 10. Function of the mitochondria: Keep the cell alive by providing energy and apopto sis (killing the cell
by release of enzymes from the electron transport chain)
11. Mitochondria is: Semiautonomous -> own genes, replicate independenthly via binary fision
12. Cristae in the mitochondria: Contains molecules and enzymes of the electron transport chain
13. Function of the lysosomes: Break down via hydrolitic enzymes many subtrates lik e the one ingested
by endocytosis and cellular products
14. Function of the lysosomal membrane: Sequesters enzymes to prevent damage to the cell
15. Funtion of the endosomes: Work in conjuction with the lysosome to transport, package and sort cell
material traveling to and from membrane.
Transport to transgolgi, cell membrane, or lysosomal pathway of degradation
16. Rough endoplasmatic reticulum (RER): Studded with ribosomes, is in charg e of translation of
proteins
17. Smooth endoplasmatic reticulum (SER): Lack ribosomes, the primary funct ion is lipid synthesis
(ex. phospolipids) and others functions could be detoxification of certain drugs and poison
18. Function of the golgi apparatus: Modified by the addition of groups (ex. carboh ydrates, phosphate
and sulfate) and sort cellular products introducing signal sequences (direct delivery to specific cel lular location)
