MCAT PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS.
Why are triacylglycerols used in the human body for energy storage?
A) They are highly hydrated, and therefore can store lots of energy.
B) They always have short fatty acid chains, for easy access by metabolic enzymes.
C) The carbon atoms of the fatty acid chains are highly reduced, and therefore yield
more energy upon oxidation.
D) Polysaccharides, which would actually be a better energy storage form, would
dissolve in the body. - Answers-C
Triacylglycerols are highly hydrophobic and therefore not highly hydrated (which would
add extra weight from the water of hydration, taking away from the energy density of
these molecules), eliminating choice (A). The fatty acid chains produce twice as much
energy as polysaccharides during oxidation because they are highly reduced. The fatty
acid chains vary in length and saturation.
Action potentials travel down neural axons that resist the flow of current. In considering
a theoretical circuit, one normally assumes that the wire has no resistivity. In the real
world, however, wire resistivity is an important consideration. Which of the following is a
way to increase resistance?
A) Lengthen the wire
B) Widen the wire
C) Lower the temperature
D) Change from tungsten to copper wire - Answers-A
This question tests your knowledge of resistance in wires. An electrical wire's resistance
is directly proportional to its length and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area.
Think of it as gravel in a pipe—the wider the pipe and the shorter the pipe, the easier it
is for water to go through it.
B is incorrect because when a wire's cross-sectional area is increased, its resistivity is
decreased.
C is incorrect because lowering temperature decreases resistivity. Think
superconductors.
D is incorrect because tungsten has higher resistivity than copper. Tungsten is used for
lightbulb filaments because of its higher resistivity.
Sexually reproducing species have a selective advantage over asexually reproducing
species, because sexual reproduction:
ANSWERS.
Why are triacylglycerols used in the human body for energy storage?
A) They are highly hydrated, and therefore can store lots of energy.
B) They always have short fatty acid chains, for easy access by metabolic enzymes.
C) The carbon atoms of the fatty acid chains are highly reduced, and therefore yield
more energy upon oxidation.
D) Polysaccharides, which would actually be a better energy storage form, would
dissolve in the body. - Answers-C
Triacylglycerols are highly hydrophobic and therefore not highly hydrated (which would
add extra weight from the water of hydration, taking away from the energy density of
these molecules), eliminating choice (A). The fatty acid chains produce twice as much
energy as polysaccharides during oxidation because they are highly reduced. The fatty
acid chains vary in length and saturation.
Action potentials travel down neural axons that resist the flow of current. In considering
a theoretical circuit, one normally assumes that the wire has no resistivity. In the real
world, however, wire resistivity is an important consideration. Which of the following is a
way to increase resistance?
A) Lengthen the wire
B) Widen the wire
C) Lower the temperature
D) Change from tungsten to copper wire - Answers-A
This question tests your knowledge of resistance in wires. An electrical wire's resistance
is directly proportional to its length and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area.
Think of it as gravel in a pipe—the wider the pipe and the shorter the pipe, the easier it
is for water to go through it.
B is incorrect because when a wire's cross-sectional area is increased, its resistivity is
decreased.
C is incorrect because lowering temperature decreases resistivity. Think
superconductors.
D is incorrect because tungsten has higher resistivity than copper. Tungsten is used for
lightbulb filaments because of its higher resistivity.
Sexually reproducing species have a selective advantage over asexually reproducing
species, because sexual reproduction:
