2024/2025 MCAT Biology 1: The Cell. Exam Questions with Complete Solutions

1. Robert Hooke - AnsCreated the first microscope to visualize cells A. Also, Hooke's Law (F=-kx) 2. Cell Theory - Ans1. All living things are composed of cells 2. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things 3. New cells are produced from existing cells More Recent Addition: 4. Cells carry genetic information in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This genetic material is passed on from parent to daughter cell. 3. serial endosymbiosis theory - Ans Attempts to explain the formation of some of the membrane-bound organelles posits that these organelles formed by engulfing of one prokaryote by another and the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between the two in addition to mitochondria, chloroplasts in plant cells and organelles of motility (flagella) are believed to have evolved through this process 4. Cilia - AnsHairlike projections that extend from the plasma membrane and are used for locomotion eukaryotic have a 9+2 Structure 5. Flagella - Ansstructures involved in the movement of the cell eukaryotic have a 9+2 Structure 6. 9+2 structure of cilia and flagella - AnsEukaryotic cilia and flagella have 9 pairs of microtubules creating an outer ring which surrounds two microtubules in the center 7. Centrioles - AnsStructures located in the centrosome organizing centers for microtubules nine triplets of microtubules surrounding a hollow core 8. Nucleus - AnsStores genetic information Site of transcription 9. Mitochondria - AnsInvolved in ATP production and apoptosis 10. Lysosomes - Ansbreak down cellular waste products and endocytosed molecules also involved in apoptosis 11. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum - Anslipid synthesis detoxification 12. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) - Anssynthesizes proteins 13. Golgi apparatus - AnsPackages, modifies, and distributes cellular products 14. Peroxisomes - Ansbreak down fatty acids synthesize lipids contribute to the pentose phosphate pathway produce hydrogen peroxide 15. A child is diagnosed with an enzyme deficiency that prevents the production of hydrogen peroxide. What would the likely outcome be of such a deficiency? - AnsPeroxisome would not be able to digest long chain fatty acids undigestible long chain fatty acids would build up in the peroxisome displacing cellular contents and resulting in cell death 16. What are the predominant proteins of microfilaments? - Ansactin 17. What are the predominant proteins of microtubules? - Anstubulin 18. What are the predominant proteins of intermediate filaments? - Anskeratin desmin vimentin lamins etc 19. How do the structures of centrioles differ from that of flagella? - AnsCentrioles: 9 triplets of microtubules with hollow cente