MCAT FINAL EXAM Prep 2022
2 microtubule organizing centers Correct Answer: basal body of a flagellum or cilium
centrosome
Kinetochores Correct Answer: protein structures located on the centromeres that serve as attachment
points for specific fibers of the spindle apparatus (kinetochore fibers)
metastasis Correct Answer: distant spread of cancerous cells through the bloodstream or lymphatic
systems
Mitosis Correct Answer: 2 identical cells created from a single cell
Cytokinesis Correct Answer: splitting of cytoplasm and organelles into 2 daughter cells
Haploid (n) Correct Answer: cells that contain only 1 copy of each chromosome
example-germ cells
Diploid (2n) Correct Answer: contain 2 copies of each chromosome
G1 Stage (pre-synthetic gap) Correct Answer: Cells create organelles for energy and protein production.
increase their size
must pass restriction point
S stage (synthesis of DNA) Correct Answer: •Cell replicates its genetic material
•A single chromosome replicates to form 2 sister chromatids (identical) bound together at the
centromere
G2 stage (post-synthetic gap) Correct Answer: •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) Correct Answer: •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) Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: centromeres split
each sister chromatic has its own distinct centromere
they are pulled toward opp. poles of cell
sister chromatids separate
Telophase and Cytokinesis Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: cell determines if DNA is in good condition for synthesis controlled by
protein p53
G2/S checkpoint Correct Answer: cell checks if it has achieved adequate size and if organelles have been
properly replicated
controlled by p53
Cancer Correct Answer: damaged cells are allowed to undergo mitosis
Reductional Division Correct Answer: in meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated generating
haploid daughter cells
gametes Correct Answer: non-identical sex cells
Meiosis Correct Answer: •Occurs in gametocytes (germ cells)
results in up to 4 non-identical sex cells (gametes)
Equatorial Division Correct Answer: separation of sister chromatids (in meiosis II)
Synapsis (Prophase I of Meiosis I) Correct Answer: homologous chromosomes come together and
intertwine
Mendel's 2nd Law of Independent Assortment Correct Answer: inheritance of one allele has no effect
on the likelihood of inheriting certain alleles for other genes
Chiasma Correct Answer: point of contact of chromatids of homologous chromosomes
Crossing Over Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: genes coding for alternative forms of a trait
synaptonemal complex Correct Answer: proteins that hold together homologous chromosomes
Disjunction (anaphase I) Correct Answer: separation of homologous pairs, pulled to opp. poles of cell
hemizygous Correct Answer: only one copy of gene present
SRY (sex determining region Y) Correct Answer: gene on Y chromosome that codes for transcription
factor that initiates testis differentiation & formation of male gonads
Sertoli cells Correct Answer: nourish seminiferous tubules of testes
seminiferous tubules (testes) Correct Answer: highly coiled
produce sperm
interstitial cells of Leydig Correct Answer: secrete testosterone and other male sex hormones
androgens Correct Answer: male sex hormones
scrotum Correct Answer: external pouch that hangs below penis
maintains proper temp. in testes for sperm development
Pathway of Sperm (Mnemonic --> SEVEN UP) Correct Answer: Seminiferous tubules, Epididymis, Vas
Deferens, Ejaculatory Duct, Nothing, Urethra, Penis
Semen Correct Answer: Sperm and seminal fluid
Seminal Vesicles Correct Answer: contribute fructose to nourish sperm
Seminal Vesicles + Prostate gland Correct Answer: give the fluid mildly alkaline properties to survive
acidity of female rep. tract
bulbourethral glands Correct Answer: produce clear viscous fluid that cleans out remnants of urine and
lubricates urethra during sexual arousal
Acrosome Correct Answer: cap that covers sperm head
needed to penetrate the ovum
Parts of Mature Sperm Correct Answer: head contains genetic material
midpiece generates ATP from fructose (has mitochondria)
flagellum for motility
cervix Correct Answer: lower end of uterus, connects to vaginal canal where sperm is deposited during
intercourse
vulva Correct Answer: external female anatomy
, fallopian tube (oviduct) Correct Answer: lined w/ cilia which propels egg forward
follicles Correct Answer: multilayered sacs that contain, nourish,protect immature ova (eggs)
ovaries Correct Answer: produce estrogen and progesterone
located in pelvic cavity
consist of follicles
Zona pellucida Correct Answer: surrounds oocyte itself
acellular mixture of glycoproteins
protects oocyte
contains compounds needed for sperm cell binding
Corona Radiata Correct Answer: layer of cells that adhered to the oocyte during ovulation
outside the zona pellucida
Menarche Correct Answer: 1st menstrual cycle
oogenesis Correct Answer: Production of female gametes
Endometrium Correct Answer: lining of uterus
Estrogen Correct Answer: secreted in response to FSH
thickening of lining of uterus (endometrium)
Progesterone Correct Answer: secreted by corpus luteum in response to LH
involved in development & maintenance of endometrium
Corpus Luteum Correct Answer: remnant follicle after ovulation
Pregnancy Correct Answer: if fertilization occurs, zygote develops into a blastocyst that implants in the
uterine lining and secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) Correct Answer: maintains the corpus luteum, which secretes
estrogen & progesterone needed to keep uterine lining in place (critical during 1st trimester)
Menopause Correct Answer: Ovaries become less sensitive to FSH and LH
results in ovarian atrophy
As estrogen and progesterone levels drop, endometrium atrophies and menstruation stops
Ovulation Correct Answer: developing follicles secrete more & more estrogen
threshold for estrogen is reached
causes GnRH, LH, and FSH levels to rise
2 microtubule organizing centers Correct Answer: basal body of a flagellum or cilium
centrosome
Kinetochores Correct Answer: protein structures located on the centromeres that serve as attachment
points for specific fibers of the spindle apparatus (kinetochore fibers)
metastasis Correct Answer: distant spread of cancerous cells through the bloodstream or lymphatic
systems
Mitosis Correct Answer: 2 identical cells created from a single cell
Cytokinesis Correct Answer: splitting of cytoplasm and organelles into 2 daughter cells
Haploid (n) Correct Answer: cells that contain only 1 copy of each chromosome
example-germ cells
Diploid (2n) Correct Answer: contain 2 copies of each chromosome
G1 Stage (pre-synthetic gap) Correct Answer: Cells create organelles for energy and protein production.
increase their size
must pass restriction point
S stage (synthesis of DNA) Correct Answer: •Cell replicates its genetic material
•A single chromosome replicates to form 2 sister chromatids (identical) bound together at the
centromere
G2 stage (post-synthetic gap) Correct Answer: •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) Correct Answer: •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) Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: centromeres split
each sister chromatic has its own distinct centromere
they are pulled toward opp. poles of cell
sister chromatids separate
Telophase and Cytokinesis Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: cell determines if DNA is in good condition for synthesis controlled by
protein p53
G2/S checkpoint Correct Answer: cell checks if it has achieved adequate size and if organelles have been
properly replicated
controlled by p53
Cancer Correct Answer: damaged cells are allowed to undergo mitosis
Reductional Division Correct Answer: in meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are separated generating
haploid daughter cells
gametes Correct Answer: non-identical sex cells
Meiosis Correct Answer: •Occurs in gametocytes (germ cells)
results in up to 4 non-identical sex cells (gametes)
Equatorial Division Correct Answer: separation of sister chromatids (in meiosis II)
Synapsis (Prophase I of Meiosis I) Correct Answer: homologous chromosomes come together and
intertwine
Mendel's 2nd Law of Independent Assortment Correct Answer: inheritance of one allele has no effect
on the likelihood of inheriting certain alleles for other genes
Chiasma Correct Answer: point of contact of chromatids of homologous chromosomes
Crossing Over Correct Answer: 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 Correct Answer: genes coding for alternative forms of a trait
synaptonemal complex Correct Answer: proteins that hold together homologous chromosomes
Disjunction (anaphase I) Correct Answer: separation of homologous pairs, pulled to opp. poles of cell
hemizygous Correct Answer: only one copy of gene present
SRY (sex determining region Y) Correct Answer: gene on Y chromosome that codes for transcription
factor that initiates testis differentiation & formation of male gonads
Sertoli cells Correct Answer: nourish seminiferous tubules of testes
seminiferous tubules (testes) Correct Answer: highly coiled
produce sperm
interstitial cells of Leydig Correct Answer: secrete testosterone and other male sex hormones
androgens Correct Answer: male sex hormones
scrotum Correct Answer: external pouch that hangs below penis
maintains proper temp. in testes for sperm development
Pathway of Sperm (Mnemonic --> SEVEN UP) Correct Answer: Seminiferous tubules, Epididymis, Vas
Deferens, Ejaculatory Duct, Nothing, Urethra, Penis
Semen Correct Answer: Sperm and seminal fluid
Seminal Vesicles Correct Answer: contribute fructose to nourish sperm
Seminal Vesicles + Prostate gland Correct Answer: give the fluid mildly alkaline properties to survive
acidity of female rep. tract
bulbourethral glands Correct Answer: produce clear viscous fluid that cleans out remnants of urine and
lubricates urethra during sexual arousal
Acrosome Correct Answer: cap that covers sperm head
needed to penetrate the ovum
Parts of Mature Sperm Correct Answer: head contains genetic material
midpiece generates ATP from fructose (has mitochondria)
flagellum for motility
cervix Correct Answer: lower end of uterus, connects to vaginal canal where sperm is deposited during
intercourse
vulva Correct Answer: external female anatomy
, fallopian tube (oviduct) Correct Answer: lined w/ cilia which propels egg forward
follicles Correct Answer: multilayered sacs that contain, nourish,protect immature ova (eggs)
ovaries Correct Answer: produce estrogen and progesterone
located in pelvic cavity
consist of follicles
Zona pellucida Correct Answer: surrounds oocyte itself
acellular mixture of glycoproteins
protects oocyte
contains compounds needed for sperm cell binding
Corona Radiata Correct Answer: layer of cells that adhered to the oocyte during ovulation
outside the zona pellucida
Menarche Correct Answer: 1st menstrual cycle
oogenesis Correct Answer: Production of female gametes
Endometrium Correct Answer: lining of uterus
Estrogen Correct Answer: secreted in response to FSH
thickening of lining of uterus (endometrium)
Progesterone Correct Answer: secreted by corpus luteum in response to LH
involved in development & maintenance of endometrium
Corpus Luteum Correct Answer: remnant follicle after ovulation
Pregnancy Correct Answer: if fertilization occurs, zygote develops into a blastocyst that implants in the
uterine lining and secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) Correct Answer: maintains the corpus luteum, which secretes
estrogen & progesterone needed to keep uterine lining in place (critical during 1st trimester)
Menopause Correct Answer: Ovaries become less sensitive to FSH and LH
results in ovarian atrophy
As estrogen and progesterone levels drop, endometrium atrophies and menstruation stops
Ovulation Correct Answer: developing follicles secrete more & more estrogen
threshold for estrogen is reached
causes GnRH, LH, and FSH levels to rise
