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MCAT QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS
resolution Ans: differentiate close objects
magnification Ans: increase size
eyepiece magnification Ans: 10x
objective magnification Ans: 4x,10x,20x, 100x
Cell Theory Ans: -all living things composed of cells
-cell=basic functional unit of life
-cells from other cells only
-cells have DNA (parent-->daughter cells)
total magnification Ans: eyepiece x objective
diaphragm (microscope) Ans: controls light
image contrast
hematoxylin Ans: -commonly used dye
-shows nucleic acids (DNA,RNA)
how does the dye hematoxylin show nucleic acids? Ans: binds to the
negative sugar-phosphate backbone
phase contrast microscope Ans: -living organisms
-differences in refractive indices among different subcellular structures
electron microscope Ans: -atomic level
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-samples must be sliced thinly and impregnated with heavy metals for
contrast
prokaryotes Ans: before nuclei (no nuclei)
eukaryotes Ans: after nuclei
types of prokaryotes Ans: bacteria and blue-green algae
prokaryote characteristics Ans: -unicellular
-no nucleus or membrane bound organelles
-cell wall in all
-ability to carry other pieces of DNA
What type of genetic material is present within prokaryotes? Ans: -
single circle molecule of DNA
-within nucleoid region
plasmids Ans: -circular DNA
-small
-few genes
-replicate independently
cocci Ans: spherical bacteria
bacilli Ans: rod-shaped bacteria
how do antibacterials work? Ans: tend to attack bacterial specific
structures
Eukaryote characteristics Ans: -protists, fungi, plants, and animals
-cell walls in fungi and plants
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-nucleus
-unicellular or multicellular
cytoskeleton proteins Ans: -actin filaments
-intermediate filaments
-microtubules
Smallest cytoskeleton proteins Ans: actin filaments
largest cytoskeleton proteins Ans: microtubules
phospholipid bilayer Ans: -hydrophobic nonpolar tail
-hydrophilic polar head
-cholesterol molecules
purpose of cholesterol in phospholipid bilayer Ans: regulate fluidity
transport proteins Ans: -control entry/exit
-polar molecules and ions allowed through
cell adhesion molecule purpose Ans: -CAMs
-allow cells to recognize each other
-proper cell differentiation and development
nucleus membrane Ans: -double membrane
-nuclear membrane/envelope
purpose of nucleolus Ans: ribosomal RNA synthesized (rRNA)
Ribosomes Ans: -protein production
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-free and bound types
Endoplasmic Reticulum Ans: -production and sorting of materials from
cell
smooth ER purpose Ans: lipid synthesis and detox drugs/poisons
rough ER purpose Ans: protein production
Golgi structure Ans: membrane bound sacs
golgi purpose Ans: -receives from smooth ER
-repackages to cell surface via secretory vescicles
lysosomes Ans: -'garbage dumps'
-receives from endosomes
-uses hydrolytic enzymes at lowered pH
-break down materials
-remove old cell components and replace
-can cause autolysis
autolysis Ans: cell suicide
mitochondria Ans: powerhouse
-2 layers
-semi-autonomous
-inherited only from the mother
2 layers of mitochondria Ans: outer-walls
inner-electron transport chain
MCAT QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS
resolution Ans: differentiate close objects
magnification Ans: increase size
eyepiece magnification Ans: 10x
objective magnification Ans: 4x,10x,20x, 100x
Cell Theory Ans: -all living things composed of cells
-cell=basic functional unit of life
-cells from other cells only
-cells have DNA (parent-->daughter cells)
total magnification Ans: eyepiece x objective
diaphragm (microscope) Ans: controls light
image contrast
hematoxylin Ans: -commonly used dye
-shows nucleic acids (DNA,RNA)
how does the dye hematoxylin show nucleic acids? Ans: binds to the
negative sugar-phosphate backbone
phase contrast microscope Ans: -living organisms
-differences in refractive indices among different subcellular structures
electron microscope Ans: -atomic level
, Page | 2
-samples must be sliced thinly and impregnated with heavy metals for
contrast
prokaryotes Ans: before nuclei (no nuclei)
eukaryotes Ans: after nuclei
types of prokaryotes Ans: bacteria and blue-green algae
prokaryote characteristics Ans: -unicellular
-no nucleus or membrane bound organelles
-cell wall in all
-ability to carry other pieces of DNA
What type of genetic material is present within prokaryotes? Ans: -
single circle molecule of DNA
-within nucleoid region
plasmids Ans: -circular DNA
-small
-few genes
-replicate independently
cocci Ans: spherical bacteria
bacilli Ans: rod-shaped bacteria
how do antibacterials work? Ans: tend to attack bacterial specific
structures
Eukaryote characteristics Ans: -protists, fungi, plants, and animals
-cell walls in fungi and plants
, Page | 3
-nucleus
-unicellular or multicellular
cytoskeleton proteins Ans: -actin filaments
-intermediate filaments
-microtubules
Smallest cytoskeleton proteins Ans: actin filaments
largest cytoskeleton proteins Ans: microtubules
phospholipid bilayer Ans: -hydrophobic nonpolar tail
-hydrophilic polar head
-cholesterol molecules
purpose of cholesterol in phospholipid bilayer Ans: regulate fluidity
transport proteins Ans: -control entry/exit
-polar molecules and ions allowed through
cell adhesion molecule purpose Ans: -CAMs
-allow cells to recognize each other
-proper cell differentiation and development
nucleus membrane Ans: -double membrane
-nuclear membrane/envelope
purpose of nucleolus Ans: ribosomal RNA synthesized (rRNA)
Ribosomes Ans: -protein production
, Page | 4
-free and bound types
Endoplasmic Reticulum Ans: -production and sorting of materials from
cell
smooth ER purpose Ans: lipid synthesis and detox drugs/poisons
rough ER purpose Ans: protein production
Golgi structure Ans: membrane bound sacs
golgi purpose Ans: -receives from smooth ER
-repackages to cell surface via secretory vescicles
lysosomes Ans: -'garbage dumps'
-receives from endosomes
-uses hydrolytic enzymes at lowered pH
-break down materials
-remove old cell components and replace
-can cause autolysis
autolysis Ans: cell suicide
mitochondria Ans: powerhouse
-2 layers
-semi-autonomous
-inherited only from the mother
2 layers of mitochondria Ans: outer-walls
inner-electron transport chain
