MCAT Biology : Reproductive System and Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Biology

To form a female zygote, the sperm cell must contribute which chromosome(s)?

Possible Answers:

An X-chromosome

Two X-chromosomes

Both an X- and a Y-chromosome

A Y-chromosome

Two Y-chromosomes

Correct answer:

An X-chromosome

Explanation:

The necessary genotype for a female zygote is XX.

The mother will share this XX genotype (since she is also female) and will contribute one X-chromosome. The father, however, will be male and have the genotype XY. This means he has a 50% chance of passing on an X-chromosome and a 50% chance of passing on a Y-chromosome. If the zygote inherits a Y-chromosome from the father's sperm, then the offspring will be male. If the zygote inherits an X-chromosome from the father's sperm, then the resulting genotype will be XX and the offspring will be female.

Example Question #1 : Embryogenesis

What is a totipotent cell?

Possible Answers:

A cell that has the ability to form a complete organism through embryogenesis

A cell that has the ability to differentiate into any type of tissue if exposed to the appropriate chemical signals

Stem cells from adult tissues

A cell that has the ability to differentiate into a limited number of tissue types if exposed to the appropriate chemical signals

Stem cells from the inner cell mass

Correct answer:

A cell that has the ability to form a complete organism through embryogenesis

Explanation:

Totipotent cells have the ability to propogate and differentiate into any cell types, including the trophoblast. They are different from stem cells, which could be considered multipotent (able to differentiate into multiple tissue types) or pleuripotent (able to differentiate into any major tissue type, but cannot create trophoblast). The only truly totipotent cells are the first two blastomeres.

Example Question #1 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

What is the "common dogma"?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Cells lose genetic material over time, becoming less totipotent

All cells come from other cells

Most cells in the body contain a complete genome, despite the fact that most of the genes in the genome are not necessary for each cell's specific function

All organisms are made of cells

Correct answer:

Most cells in the body contain a complete genome, despite the fact that most of the genes in the genome are not necessary for each cell's specific function

Explanation:

Most cells contain a complete genome, but not all genes are activated in each cell. Activation of particular genes produces appropriate protein function.

Example Question #1 : Reproductive System And Development

Differentiation of the endoderm in a developing human embryo will eventually give the human the ability to __________.

Possible Answers:

think

produce urine

move

circulate blood

breathe

Correct answer:

breathe

Explanation:

The endoderm develops into a number of internal organs, including the lung, which are vital for breathing.

The kidneys (urine production), muscles (movement), and blood vessels (blood circulation) develop from the mesoderm. The brain (thought) develops from the ectoderm.

Example Question #1 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth of a follicle in the ovary, a process that occurs __________.

Possible Answers:

between birth and puberty

between fertilization and birth

only before the female is born

between puberty and menopause

Correct answer:

between puberty and menopause

Explanation:

At puberty, the oocytes arrested at birth in meiosis I resume growth. This most often happens once a month, if fertilization has not occurred, and continues from puberty until menopause. The oocytes arrested at birth complete meiosis I, and are then arrested in meiosis II until fertilization occurs. During ovulation, the follicle ruptures and develops into the corpus luteum. Without fertilization, the endometrium is shed and the cycle continues. Once menopause is reached, this cycle ceases and most often women are no longer fertile.

Example Question #1 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

The hormones FSH and LH are involed in oogenesis in women. When LH surges in the ovarian cycle, what event will result?

Possible Answers:

Menstruation

Ovulation

Endometrium proliferation

None of the above

Corpus luteum degradation

Correct answer:

Ovulation

Explanation:

Follicles are stimulated to grow when FSH level rises. The follicles produce estrogen that exerts a positive feedback on LH, whose levele begin to rise. When LH levels peak on the 14th day of the cycle, the follicle ruptures, releasing the egg from the ovary and leaving the corpus luteum behind in the ovary. After ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes both estrogen and progesterone to inhibit GnRH. When GnRH is inhibited, FSH and LH will also be inhibited. 

Example Question #2 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types

An environmental toxin has been found to directly disrupt normal gamete production in women. What tissue or organ is the toxin likely localizing to?

Possible Answers:

Ovaries

None of these

Endometrium

Oviduct

Uterus

Correct answer:

Ovaries

Explanation:

The most likely localization of the toxin would be to the ovaries, since this is where gamete production begins for females. For males, gametes are produced in the testes. The incorrect answers are all parts of the female reproductive system. The oviduct is where fertilization takes place. The endometrium (the lining of the uterus) is where the embryo will eventually implant.

Example Question #1 : Female Reproductive Physiology

Which of the following describes the function of follicle-stimulating hormone in females?

Possible Answers:

Promote milk production

Stimulate estrogen secretion from ovaries

Increase basal metabolic rate

Promote growth of immature follicles in ovaries

Correct answer:

Promote growth of immature follicles in ovaries

Explanation:

Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the growth of granulosa cells surrounding the primary oocyte within the ovary, which further promotes maturity of the immature follicle. Prolactin is the hormone that promotes milk production from mammary glands during pregnancy. In females, luteinizing hormone (LH) supports theca cells in the ovaries, which subsequently give rise to precursors to estrogen production. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism by increasing basal metabolic rate. 

Example Question #2 : Female Reproductive Physiology

Progesterone is primarily secreted by which of the following structures?

Possible Answers:

Primary follicle

Secondary follicle

Spermatozoon

Ovum

Corpus luteum

Correct answer:

Corpus luteum

Explanation:

The corpus luteum is the remnant structure of the secondary follicle after the egg is released during ovulation. It secretes progesterone following this process. The other structures do not release appreciable amounts of progesterone; the primary follicle differentiates into the secondary follicle, which in turn releases the ovum, or the egg. The spermatozoon is involved with the fertilization of the egg, and does not release any progesterone. 

Example Question #1 : Reproductive System

 

The presence of which of the following hormones can determine if a woman is two weeks pregnant?

Possible Answers:

Testosterone

Progesterone

Estrogen

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Oxytocin 

Correct answer:

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Explanation:

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by a fertilized egg and can be detected about six days after conception; it is only found in pregnant women, and can be used to help detect pregnancy.

The other answers are hormones that are present in both pregnant and nonpregnant women, so they cannot be used to determine pregnancy. 

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