Blueprint MCAT Blog: MCAT Biology

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Types of Inhibition: Focus on the Basics
Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics, and especially keeping track of the various kinds of reversible enzyme inhibition, is one of the most challenging areas of biochemistry for many MCAT students. It’s extremely easy to get lost in the details of memorizing terminology, types of graphs, x-intercepts, y-intercepts, and so forth – but superficially memorized information is very READ MORE
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MCAT Genetics: A Quick Guide to Recognizing Modes of Inheritance
After a long day of studying for the MCAT, you decide to finish up with some quick biology practice. You turn to the first passage in your prep book and see this: “Disease X is a blood disorder caused by a mutation in a clotting factor gene. Jane’s father, sister, and brothers have Disease X, READ MORE
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Advisor Office Hours – Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Dr. Anthony LaFond, one of our course instructors and a senior content developer, delves into the Biological and Biochemical Foundations section of the MCAT exam. He will give a brief overview of the section before discussing what subjects are tested. He will also highlight the pre-med classes your students will need to take to help READ MORE
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MCAT Biology Question — Carbon Reactions
In the Felkin model, a carbon which is originally achiral can undergo a reaction to generate a single enantiomer with 98% yield (with the remaining 2% generating the opposite enantiomer). This type of reaction is best described as: A) Chiral chromatography B) Racemization C) Asymmetric induction D) Unimolecular elimination   READ MORE
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MCAT Biology – Germ Layers
The lining of the digestive tract and the respiratory tract develops from which germ layer? I. Endoderm II. Mesoderm III. Ectoderm a) I only b) II only c) III only d) I and II   READ MORE
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MCAT Biology – Substrate Concentrations
Noncompetitive inhibition differs from uncompetitive inhibition in that a noncompetitive inhibitor binds to an allosteric site on the enzyme and prevents it from catalyzing a reaction, whereas uncompetitive inhibitors bind to the enzyme-substrate complex and prevent catalysis. Increasing the substrate concentration would have which of the following effects? A) Increasing impact of uncompetitive inhibitor and READ MORE
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MCAT Biology – Genetics
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease that causes severe breathing difficulties and a number of other symptoms. If a male and female, both of whom are carriers for the disease, have one child, what is the probability that the child will also be a carrier? A) 0% B) 25% C) 50% D) 100%   READ MORE
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MCAT Biology Questions — DNA Mutation and Deletion
A segment of DNA from a lab mouse is determined to be 5’ – GGATCCTCATG – 3’. Which of the following DNA segments would be the result of this original DNA sequence experiencing both a point mutation and a deletion? A) 5’ – GCATCCTCATG – 3’ B) 5’ – TGATCCCAG – 3’ C) 5’ – READ MORE