1|Page
MCAT EXAM 2025/2026 – COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED
PASS
5 main steps of replication - ANSWER=1) helicase unzips double helix
2) RNA polymerase (primase) builds a primer
3) DNA polymerase assembles the leading and lagging strands
4) RNAse H removes the primers
5) DNA ligase joins okazaki fragments together
telomeres - ANSWER=repeated 6 nucleotide units
-protect ends of chromosomes
-can become shortened
telomerase - ANSWER=catalyzes the lengthening of telomeres
Mendelian ratio - ANSWER=3:1
dihybrid cross (WwGg x WwGg) - ANSWER=9:3:3:1
glucose ---- >
storage - ANSWER=glycogen
,2|Page
glucose --- >
use - ANSWER=Acetyl-CoA
fatty acid --- >
storage - ANSWER=glycerides
fatty acid --- >
use - ANSWER=Acetyl-CoA
glycogenesis - ANSWER=storage of glucose
glycogenolysis - ANSWER=breakdown of glycogen
You can recognize the steps that
have large ~G values because they
usually involve either ATP or NADH.
If the MCA~ asks you to predict
which reaction has the largest
~G. or which would need a distinct
enzyme to run in the reverse
direction, you should pick the step
that involves ATP or NADH. - ANSWER=
glucose-6-phosphate - ANSWER=intersection of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, and
glycogenolysis
,3|Page
What is a limitation in many observational (non-experimental) studies? - ANSWER=confound
variables could explain the relationship between the variables of interest
discrimination vs. stereotyping - ANSWER=Discrimination: *actions (behavior!)* against people
due to their race (different treatment of people based on race or color)
Stereotyping: a cognitive *belief* of associating preconceived notions or beliefs with people
based on group membership.
negative reinforcement - ANSWER=Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative
stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a
response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)
What best describes the relationship between attribution theory and fundamental attribution
error? - ANSWER=Attribution theory relates to an attempt by an individual to interpret actions
by assigning causes to them, while fundamental attribution error is when an individual
interprets another's actions incorrectly by overemphasizing internal characteristics instead of
external events.
A private school sets up a system by which students may advance to the next grade solely on
the basis of their individual performance on an exam. Given the wide variety of talents each
student has, some students are able to advance to the next grade months or even years before
other students. This system is: - ANSWER=a meritocracy
Alleles - ANSWER=different versions of a gene
homologous chromosomes - ANSWER=Chromosomes that have the same sequence of genes,
that have the same structure, and that pair during meiosis.
How many alleles does each gene have? - ANSWER=2 one from mom one from dad
, 4|Page
dominant allele - ANSWER=An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the
allele is present. (i.e. BB or Bb)
beta-oxidation - ANSWER=fatty acids broken down into acetyl-CoA
ketogenesis - ANSWER=fatty acid coverted into a ketone body in the liver
-ketone body can be shared with other organs
resolution - ANSWER=differentiate close objects
magnification - ANSWER=increase size
eyepiece magnification - ANSWER=10x
objective magnification - ANSWER=4x,10x,20x, 100x
Cell Theory - ANSWER=-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 - ANSWER=eyepiece x objective
diaphragm (microscope) - ANSWER=controls light
MCAT EXAM 2025/2026 – COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED
PASS
5 main steps of replication - ANSWER=1) helicase unzips double helix
2) RNA polymerase (primase) builds a primer
3) DNA polymerase assembles the leading and lagging strands
4) RNAse H removes the primers
5) DNA ligase joins okazaki fragments together
telomeres - ANSWER=repeated 6 nucleotide units
-protect ends of chromosomes
-can become shortened
telomerase - ANSWER=catalyzes the lengthening of telomeres
Mendelian ratio - ANSWER=3:1
dihybrid cross (WwGg x WwGg) - ANSWER=9:3:3:1
glucose ---- >
storage - ANSWER=glycogen
,2|Page
glucose --- >
use - ANSWER=Acetyl-CoA
fatty acid --- >
storage - ANSWER=glycerides
fatty acid --- >
use - ANSWER=Acetyl-CoA
glycogenesis - ANSWER=storage of glucose
glycogenolysis - ANSWER=breakdown of glycogen
You can recognize the steps that
have large ~G values because they
usually involve either ATP or NADH.
If the MCA~ asks you to predict
which reaction has the largest
~G. or which would need a distinct
enzyme to run in the reverse
direction, you should pick the step
that involves ATP or NADH. - ANSWER=
glucose-6-phosphate - ANSWER=intersection of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, and
glycogenolysis
,3|Page
What is a limitation in many observational (non-experimental) studies? - ANSWER=confound
variables could explain the relationship between the variables of interest
discrimination vs. stereotyping - ANSWER=Discrimination: *actions (behavior!)* against people
due to their race (different treatment of people based on race or color)
Stereotyping: a cognitive *belief* of associating preconceived notions or beliefs with people
based on group membership.
negative reinforcement - ANSWER=Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative
stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a
response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)
What best describes the relationship between attribution theory and fundamental attribution
error? - ANSWER=Attribution theory relates to an attempt by an individual to interpret actions
by assigning causes to them, while fundamental attribution error is when an individual
interprets another's actions incorrectly by overemphasizing internal characteristics instead of
external events.
A private school sets up a system by which students may advance to the next grade solely on
the basis of their individual performance on an exam. Given the wide variety of talents each
student has, some students are able to advance to the next grade months or even years before
other students. This system is: - ANSWER=a meritocracy
Alleles - ANSWER=different versions of a gene
homologous chromosomes - ANSWER=Chromosomes that have the same sequence of genes,
that have the same structure, and that pair during meiosis.
How many alleles does each gene have? - ANSWER=2 one from mom one from dad
, 4|Page
dominant allele - ANSWER=An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the
allele is present. (i.e. BB or Bb)
beta-oxidation - ANSWER=fatty acids broken down into acetyl-CoA
ketogenesis - ANSWER=fatty acid coverted into a ketone body in the liver
-ketone body can be shared with other organs
resolution - ANSWER=differentiate close objects
magnification - ANSWER=increase size
eyepiece magnification - ANSWER=10x
objective magnification - ANSWER=4x,10x,20x, 100x
Cell Theory - ANSWER=-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 - ANSWER=eyepiece x objective
diaphragm (microscope) - ANSWER=controls light
