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MCAT Biology Question — Small Intestine

by Allison Chae
Jul 15, 2017
MCAT Question of the Day

The epithelial lining of the small intestine forms from which germ layer?

I. Endoderm

II. Mesoderm

III. Ectoderm

A. I only

B. II only

C. III only

D. I and II

Click for Explanation

As a guideline for the MCAT, the ectoderm forms outer coverings of body, e.g. skin/hair/nails, and the nervous system. The endoderm forms the lining of the digestive tract and most of the liver and pancreas. Mesoderm forms everything in-between, e.g. muscle, bone, circulatory system, heart, spleen, gonads.

I. Endoderm

II. Mesoderm

III. Ectoderm

A. I only, correct.

B. II only, incorrect: The mesoderm forms the tissues between the body’s outer coverings and the lining of the digestive tract.

C. III only, incorrect: The ectoderm forms the body’s outer coverings and nervous system.

D. I and II, incorrect: On the MCAT, organs and tissues will derive from one layer only.

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