The MCAT Biology Book

410 Pages·2006·2.54 MB·English

by  Nancy Morvillo

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Copyright © 2006, 2000, 1998 by Nova Press
All rights reserved.
Duplication, distribution, or data base storage of any part of this work is prohibited without prior written
approval from the publisher.
ISBN 1–889057–42–8
MCAT is a registered service mark of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
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Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Michael J. Maddalena for his help with illustrations. We also wish to
thank our students for their insight and critical reading of this manuscript, and for being
the ultimate teachers. And to Mike Morvillo and Donna Parent, for all their love, support,
and, especially, patience.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
A. Philosophy of this book 1
B. Biology 1
C. The Scientific Method 2
D. Characteristics of Life 3
E. Structure and function 4
F. Using this book 4
Chapter 1 Problems 5
SECTION 1: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 7
CHAPTER 2: BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES 9
A. Introduction 9
B. Carbohydrates 9
C. Lipids 1 1
D. Proteins 1 2
E. Nucleic Acids 1 5
Chapter 2 Problems 1 7
CHAPTER 3: ENZYMES AND ENERGY 2 1
A. Introduction 2 1
B. Structure and Function of Enzymes 2 1
C. Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity 2 4
D. Control of Enzyme Activity 2 4
E. ATP as the Energy Currency of the Cell 2 5
Chapter 3 Problems 2 7
CHAPTER 4: CELLULAR METABOLISM 3 1
A. Introduction 3 1
B. Types of Metabolism 3 1
C. Understanding Glycolysis 3 2
D. The Anaerobic Option: Fermentation 3 2
E. The Aerobic Option: Cellular Respiration 3 5
F. The Krebs Cycle 3 5
G. The Electron transport Chain: ATP Harvesting 3 7
H. Overall Energy Harvest 3 8
I. Summary of Aerobic Respiration 3 9
Chapter 4 Problems 4 0
CHAPTER 5: DNA STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 4 5
A. Introduction 4 5
B. The Function of DNA 4 5
C. The Chemical Structure of DNA 4 6
D. Chromosome Structure 4 8
E. RNA Structure 4 9
F. Replication 4 9
G. The Replication Machinery 4 9
H. Leading and Lagging Strand Synthesis 5 0
I. Proofreading and Repair 5 1
Chapter 5 Problems 5 2
CHAPTER 6: TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION 5 7
A. Introduction 5 7
B. Transcription 5 8
C. The Classes of RNA 5 8
D. The Synthesis of RNA 5 8
E. Processing the RNA Transcript 5 9
F. Translation 6 0
G. The Genetic Code 6 1
H. Translating the Message 6 2
I. Mutations 6 3
Chapter 6 Problems 6 5
SECTION 2: MICROBIOLOGY 69
CHAPTER 7: VIRUSES 7 3
A. Introduction 7 3
B. Life Cycle 7 3
C. Bacteriophages 7 4
D. Animal Viruses 7 5
E. The Effect of HIV on Humans 7 6
Chapter 7 Problems 7 7
CHAPTER 8: BACTERIA 8 1
A. Introduction 8 1
B. Energy and Nutrition 8 1
C. Shapes 8 2
D. Structure 8 3
E. Reproduction 8 3
F. Antibiotics 8 4
Chapter 8 Problems 8 6
CHAPTER 9: FUNGI 8 9
A. Introduction 8 9
B. Nutrition 8 9
C. Structure 8 9
D. Reproduction 9 0
E. Classification 9 2
F. Fungal Diseases 9 3
Chapter 9 Problems 9 4
SECTION 3: EUKARYOTIC CELL BIOLOGY 97
CHAPTER 10: CELLULAR ORGANELLES 9 9
A. Introduction 9 9
B. The Nucleus 9 9
C. The Endoplasmic Reticulum 1 00
D. Peroxisomes 1 00
E. The Golgi 1 02
F. Lysosomes 1 02
G. Mitochondria 1 02
H. The Cytoskeleton 1 03
Chapter 10 Problems 1 04
CHAPTER 11: PLASMA MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT 1 07
A. Introduction 1 07
B. Structure 1 07
C. The Fluid Mosaic Model 1 08
D. Diffusion 1 09
E. Osmosis 1 10
F. Selective Transport 1 10
G. Bulk Transport 1 12
Chapter 11 Problems 1 14
CHAPTER 12: MITOSIS 1 17
A. Introduction 1 17
B. The Cell Cycle 1 17
C. The Stages of Mitosis 1 19
D. Prophase 1 19
E. Metaphase 1 19
F. Anaphase 1 21
G. Telophase 1 21
Chapter 12 Problems 1 22
SECTION 4: VERTEBRATE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 125
CHAPTER 13: SPECIALIZED EUKARYOTIC CELLS AND TISSUES 1 27
A. Introduction 1 27
B. Epithelial Tissues and Cells 1 27
C. Connective Tissues and Cells 1 28
D. Muscle Tissues and Cells 1 30
E. Nervous Tissues and Cells 1 31
Chapter 13 Problems 1 33
CHAPTER 14: THE NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS 1 37
A. Introduction 1 37
B. Physiology of the Nerve Impulse 1 37
C. Synaptic Transmission 1 38
D. General Organization of the Vertebrate Nervous System 1 40
E. Structure and Function of the Central Nervous System 1 41
F. Sensory Perception 1 43
G. The Endocrine System 1 47
H. Major Endocrine Glands and Hormones 1 48
Chapter 14 Problems 1 52
CHAPTER 15: THE CARDIOVASCULAR AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS AND THE
IMMUNE RESPONSE 1 55
A. Introduction 1 55
B. General Organization of the Cardiovascular System 1 55
C. The Blood 1 56
D. Blood Types and Transfusion Compatibilities 1 57
E. The Blood Vessels 1 57
F. The Structure and Function of the heart, and the Path of Circulation 1 58
G. The Cardiac Cycle and Blood Pressure 1 61
H. General Structure and Function of the Lymphatic System 1 63
I. Protection from Infection: Non-specific Defenses 1 64
J. The Immune Response 1 65
K. Antibody-Mediated Immunity 1 65
L. Cell-mediated Immunity 1 67
Chapter 15 Problems 1 69
CHAPTER 16: THE DIGESTIVE, RESPIRATORY, AND URINARY SYSTEMS:
ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION 1 73
A. Introduction 1 73
B. Structure and Function of the Digestive System 1 73
C. Nutrition 1 78
D. General Structure and Function of the Respiratory System 1 79
E. Mechanics and Regulation of Respiration 1 81
F. Transport of Gases in the Blood 1 82
G. Gas Exchange in Fishes 1 82
H. General Structure and Function of the Urinary System 1 83
I. The nephron and Urine Formation 1 84
J. Regulation of Water Balance 1 85
K. Other Excretory Processes 1 87
Chapter 16 Problems 1 88
CHAPTER 17: THE INTEGUMENTARY, SKELETAL AND MUSCULAR SYSTEMS:
PROTECTION, SUPPORT, AND MOVEMENT 1 91
A. Introduction 1 91
B. Organization of the Integumentary System 1 91
C. The Cutaneous Membrane: the “Skin” 1 92
D. Themoregulation 1 95
E. Functions and Organization of the Skeletal System 1 97
F. Classification and Structure of Bones 1 97
G. Growth and Development of Bones 1 99
H. Bone Articulations (Joints) 1 99
I. Functions and Organization of the Muscular System 2 00
J. Structure and Actions of the Skeletal Muscles 2 00
K. The Mechanism and Regulation of Muscle Contraction 2 02
L. Skeletal Muscles and Energy Supply 2 03
M. Smooth and Cardiac Muscles 2 04
Chapter 17 Problems 2 06
CHAPTER 18: REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS, GAMETOGENESIS, AND EARLY
DEVELOPMENT 2 09
A. Introduction 2 09
B. Structure and Function of the Male Reproductive System 2 09
C. Structure and Function of the Female Reproductive System 2 12
D. Hormone Production and Regulation in Males and Females 2 14
E. Sexual Response and Stimulation 2 14
F. Meiosis and Gametogenesis 2 15
G. Early Development 2 17
Chapter 18 Problems 2 21
SECTION 5: GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 225
CHAPTER 19: GENETICS 2 27
A. Introduction 2 27
B. Dominate and Recessive Traits 2 27
C. The Principle of Segregation 2 28
D. Phenotypes and Genotypes 2 29
E. Monohybrid Crosses 2 29
F. Test Crosses 2 31
G. Sex Linked Traits 2 32
H. Dihybrid Crosses 2 32
I. Principle of Independent Assortment and Linkage 2 33
J. Exceptions to Mendelian Inheritance 2 34
K. Environmental Effects on Gene Expression 2 35
Chapter 19 Problems 2 36
CHAPTER 20: EVOLUTION 2 39
A. Introduction 2 39
B. Charles Darwin 2 40
C. Causes of Evolution: Natural Selection, Mutation, and Gene Flow 2 41
D. Adaptation 2 43
E. Population Genetics 2 43
F. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium 2 45
G. Selection 2 47
H. Evidence for Evolution 2 48
I. Speciation 2 50
J. Types of Evolution 2 51
Chapter 20 Problems 2 5 3
SOLUTIONS TO BIOLOGY PROBLEMS 255
SECTION 6: READING COMPREHENSION 293
CHAPTER 21: INTRODUCTION 295
CHAPTER 22: READING METHODS 297
CHAPTER 23: THE SIX QUESTIONS 299
A. Introduction 300
B. Main Idea Questions 300
C. Description Questions 302
D. Writing Technique Questions 306
E. Extension Questions 309
F. Application Questions 311
G. Tone Questions 313
Chapter 23 Exercise 323
CHAPTER 24: PIVOTAL WORDS 329
Chapter 24 Exercise 336
CHAPTER 25: THE THREE STEP METHOD 341
Chapter 25 Exercise 352
CHAPTER 26: EXTRA READING 356
SECTION 7: CRITICAL REASONING 375
CHAPTER 27: ARGUMENT ANALYSIS 377
A. Introduction 377
B. Conclusions 377
C. Conclusion Indicators 378
D. Quantifiers 380
E. Premises 382
F. Premise Indicators 382
G. Suppressed Premises 382
CHAPTER 28: INDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS 389
A. Introduction 389
B. Generalization 389
C. Analogy 390
D. Causal Reasoning 391
E. Contradiction 392
F. Equivocation 393
G. Circular Reasoning 394
H. Shifting the Burden of Proof 395
I. Unwarranted Assumptions 397
J. True But Irrelevant 399
K. Appeal to Authority 399
L. Personal Attack 400