MCAT Biology Question — Small Intestine
- by
- Jul 15, 2017
- MCAT Question of the Day
- Reviewed By: Liz Flagge
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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