MCAT PREP COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADED A+ |
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,G2 stage (post-synthetic gap) •Cell checks if DNA replication proceeded correctly to avoid passing on an error
to daughter cells
•Checks if there are enough organelles and cytoplasm
M stage (Mitosis) •Mitosis (2 identical cells created from a single cell) + cytokinesis (splitting of
cytoplasm and organelles into 2 daughter cells)
•Occurs in somatic cells (cells not involved in sexual reproduction)
•Mitosis consists of 4 phases
Prophase (mitosis) chromatin condenses into chromosomes
centriole pairs separate, move toward opposite sides of the cell, and form spindle
fibers made of microtubules
the fibers radiate outward from the centrioles
nuclear membrane dissolves which allows spindle fibers to contact chromosomes
Metaphase centriole pairs at opp. ends of cell
kinetochore fibers align chromosomes at the metaphase plate (equatorial plate)
which is equidistant b/w 2 poles of the cell
Anaphase centromeres split
each sister chromatic has its own distinct centromere
they are pulled toward opp. poles of cell
sister chromatids separate
Telophase and Cytokinesis spindle apparatus disappears
nuclear membrane reforms around each set if chromosomes
nucleoli reappears
chromosomes uncoil
cytoplasm and organelles separate so that each daughter cell has supplies to
survive on its own (cytokinesis)
results in 2 identical daughter cells
G1/S checkpoint cell determines if DNA is in good condition for synthesis controlled by protein
p53
G2/S checkpoint cell checks if it has achieved adequate size and if organelles have been properly
replicated
controlled by p53
Cancer damaged cells are allowed to undergo mitosis
Reductional Division in meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated generating haploid
daughter cells
gametes non-identical sex cells
Meiosis •Occurs in gametocytes (germ cells)
results in up to 4 non-identical sex cells (gametes)
Equatorial Division separation of sister chromatids (in meiosis II)
,Synapsis (Prophase I of Meiosis I) homologous chromosomes come together and intertwine
Mendel's 2nd Law of Independent Assortment inheritance of one allele has no effect on the likelihood of inheriting certain
alleles for other genes
Chiasma point of contact of chromatids of homologous chromosomes
Crossing Over Chromatids of homologous chromosomes break at the chiasma and exchange
pieces of DNA
occurs b/w homologous chromosomes not sister chromatids
allows each daughter cell to have a unique pool of alleles
Alleles genes coding for alternative forms of a trait
synaptonemal complex proteins that hold together homologous chromosomes
Disjunction (anaphase I) separation of homologous pairs, pulled to opp. poles of cell
hemizygous only one copy of gene present
SRY (sex determining region Y) gene on Y chromosome that codes for transcription factor that initiates testis
differentiation & formation of male gonads
Sertoli cells nourish seminiferous tubules of testes
seminiferous tubules (testes) highly coiled
produce sperm
interstitial cells of Leydig secrete testosterone and other male sex hormones
androgens male sex hormones
scrotum external pouch that hangs below penis
maintains proper temp. in testes for sperm development
Pathway of Sperm (Mnemonic --> SEVEN UP) Seminiferous tubules, Epididymis, Vas Deferens, Ejaculatory Duct, Nothing,
Urethra, Penis
Semen Sperm and seminal fluid
Seminal Vesicles contribute fructose to nourish sperm
Seminal Vesicles + Prostate gland give the fluid mildly alkaline properties to survive acidity of female rep. tract
bulbourethral glands produce clear viscous fluid that cleans out remnants of urine and lubricates
urethra during sexual arousal
, Acrosome cap that covers sperm head
needed to penetrate the ovum
Parts of Mature Sperm head contains genetic material
midpiece generates ATP from fructose (has mitochondria)
flagellum for motility
cervix lower end of uterus, connects to vaginal canal where sperm is deposited during
intercourse
vulva external female anatomy
fallopian tube (oviduct) lined w/ cilia which propels egg forward
follicles multilayered sacs that contain, nourish,protect immature ova (eggs)
ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone
located in pelvic cavity
consist of follicles
Zona pellucida surrounds oocyte itself
acellular mixture of glycoproteins
protects oocyte
contains compounds needed for sperm cell binding
Corona Radiata layer of cells that adhered to the oocyte during ovulation
outside the zona pellucida
Menarche 1st menstrual cycle
oogenesis Production of female gametes
Endometrium lining of uterus
Estrogen secreted in response to FSH
thickening of lining of uterus (endometrium)
Progesterone secreted by corpus luteum in response to LH
involved in development & maintenance of endometrium
Corpus Luteum remnant follicle after ovulation
Pregnancy if fertilization occurs, zygote develops into a blastocyst that implants in the
uterine lining and secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) maintains the corpus luteum, which secretes estrogen & progesterone needed to
keep uterine lining in place (critical during 1st trimester)
WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADED A+ |
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,G2 stage (post-synthetic gap) •Cell checks if DNA replication proceeded correctly to avoid passing on an error
to daughter cells
•Checks if there are enough organelles and cytoplasm
M stage (Mitosis) •Mitosis (2 identical cells created from a single cell) + cytokinesis (splitting of
cytoplasm and organelles into 2 daughter cells)
•Occurs in somatic cells (cells not involved in sexual reproduction)
•Mitosis consists of 4 phases
Prophase (mitosis) chromatin condenses into chromosomes
centriole pairs separate, move toward opposite sides of the cell, and form spindle
fibers made of microtubules
the fibers radiate outward from the centrioles
nuclear membrane dissolves which allows spindle fibers to contact chromosomes
Metaphase centriole pairs at opp. ends of cell
kinetochore fibers align chromosomes at the metaphase plate (equatorial plate)
which is equidistant b/w 2 poles of the cell
Anaphase centromeres split
each sister chromatic has its own distinct centromere
they are pulled toward opp. poles of cell
sister chromatids separate
Telophase and Cytokinesis spindle apparatus disappears
nuclear membrane reforms around each set if chromosomes
nucleoli reappears
chromosomes uncoil
cytoplasm and organelles separate so that each daughter cell has supplies to
survive on its own (cytokinesis)
results in 2 identical daughter cells
G1/S checkpoint cell determines if DNA is in good condition for synthesis controlled by protein
p53
G2/S checkpoint cell checks if it has achieved adequate size and if organelles have been properly
replicated
controlled by p53
Cancer damaged cells are allowed to undergo mitosis
Reductional Division in meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated generating haploid
daughter cells
gametes non-identical sex cells
Meiosis •Occurs in gametocytes (germ cells)
results in up to 4 non-identical sex cells (gametes)
Equatorial Division separation of sister chromatids (in meiosis II)
,Synapsis (Prophase I of Meiosis I) homologous chromosomes come together and intertwine
Mendel's 2nd Law of Independent Assortment inheritance of one allele has no effect on the likelihood of inheriting certain
alleles for other genes
Chiasma point of contact of chromatids of homologous chromosomes
Crossing Over Chromatids of homologous chromosomes break at the chiasma and exchange
pieces of DNA
occurs b/w homologous chromosomes not sister chromatids
allows each daughter cell to have a unique pool of alleles
Alleles genes coding for alternative forms of a trait
synaptonemal complex proteins that hold together homologous chromosomes
Disjunction (anaphase I) separation of homologous pairs, pulled to opp. poles of cell
hemizygous only one copy of gene present
SRY (sex determining region Y) gene on Y chromosome that codes for transcription factor that initiates testis
differentiation & formation of male gonads
Sertoli cells nourish seminiferous tubules of testes
seminiferous tubules (testes) highly coiled
produce sperm
interstitial cells of Leydig secrete testosterone and other male sex hormones
androgens male sex hormones
scrotum external pouch that hangs below penis
maintains proper temp. in testes for sperm development
Pathway of Sperm (Mnemonic --> SEVEN UP) Seminiferous tubules, Epididymis, Vas Deferens, Ejaculatory Duct, Nothing,
Urethra, Penis
Semen Sperm and seminal fluid
Seminal Vesicles contribute fructose to nourish sperm
Seminal Vesicles + Prostate gland give the fluid mildly alkaline properties to survive acidity of female rep. tract
bulbourethral glands produce clear viscous fluid that cleans out remnants of urine and lubricates
urethra during sexual arousal
, Acrosome cap that covers sperm head
needed to penetrate the ovum
Parts of Mature Sperm head contains genetic material
midpiece generates ATP from fructose (has mitochondria)
flagellum for motility
cervix lower end of uterus, connects to vaginal canal where sperm is deposited during
intercourse
vulva external female anatomy
fallopian tube (oviduct) lined w/ cilia which propels egg forward
follicles multilayered sacs that contain, nourish,protect immature ova (eggs)
ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone
located in pelvic cavity
consist of follicles
Zona pellucida surrounds oocyte itself
acellular mixture of glycoproteins
protects oocyte
contains compounds needed for sperm cell binding
Corona Radiata layer of cells that adhered to the oocyte during ovulation
outside the zona pellucida
Menarche 1st menstrual cycle
oogenesis Production of female gametes
Endometrium lining of uterus
Estrogen secreted in response to FSH
thickening of lining of uterus (endometrium)
Progesterone secreted by corpus luteum in response to LH
involved in development & maintenance of endometrium
Corpus Luteum remnant follicle after ovulation
Pregnancy if fertilization occurs, zygote develops into a blastocyst that implants in the
uterine lining and secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) maintains the corpus luteum, which secretes estrogen & progesterone needed to
keep uterine lining in place (critical during 1st trimester)
