Table of Contents
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Chapter 1 MCAT Basics 1
Chapter 2 Biology Strategy for the MCAT 15
2.1 Science Sections Overview 16
2.2 Science Passage Types 17
2.3 Science Question Types 21
2.4 Biology on the MCAT 23
2.5 Tackling a Biology Passage 23
2.6 Tackling the Questions 32
2.7 Summary of the Approach to Biology 36
Chapter 3 Biologically Important Molecules 39
3.1 Protein Building Blacks 41
3.2 Protein Structure 42
3.3 Carbohydrates 46
3.4 Lipids 48
3.5 Phosphorus-Containing Compounds 54
Chapter 3 Summary 56
Chapter 3 Freestanding Practice Questions 57
Chapter 3 Practice Passage 58
Chapter 3 Solutions 60
Chapter 4 Molecular Biology 63
4.1 DNA Structure 65
4.2 Genome Structure and Genomic Variations 71
4.3 The Role of DNA 72
4.4 DNA Replication 75
4.5 Genetic Mutation 83
4.6 DNA Repair 91
4.7 Gene Expression: Transcription 94
4.8 Gene Expression: Translation 102
4.9 Controlling Gene Expression 111
4.10 Return to Gene Structure: A Summary 121
Chapter 4 Summary 123
Chapter 4 Freestanding Practice Questions 125
Chapter 4 Practice Passage 126
Chapter 4 Solutions 128
Chapter 5 Microbiology 131
5.1 Viruses 133
5.2 Subviral Particles 143
5.3 Prakaryotes [Domain Bacteria] 145
Chapter 5 Summary 159
Chapter 5 Freestanding Practice Questions 161
Chapter 5 Practice Passage 162
Chapter 5 Solutions 164
Chapter 6 Eukaryotic Cells 167
6.1 Introduction 169
6.2 The Organelles 170
6.3 The Plasma Membrane 180
6.4 Transmembrane Transport 184
6.5 Other Structural Elements of the Cell 197
6.6 The Cell Cycle and Mitosis 203
6.7 Cancer, Oncogenes, and Tumor Suppressors 206
Chapter 6 Summary 210
Chapter 6 Freestanding Practice Questions 212
Chapter 6 Practice Passage 213
Chapter 6 Solutions 215
Journal Article 1 219
Journal Article Exercise 1 227
Solutions to Journal Article Exercise 1 229
Chapter 7 Genetics and Evolution 231
7.1 Introduction to Genetics 233
7.2 Melosis 238
7.3 Mendelian Genetics 243
7.4 Extending Mendelian Genetics 248
7.5 Linkage 251
7.6 Inheritance Patterns 256
7.7 Population Genetics 259
7.8 Evolution by Natural Selection 262
7.9 The Species Concept and Speciation 265
7.10 Taxonomy 267
7.11 The Origin of Life 268
Chapter 7 Summary 270
Chapter 7 Freestanding Practice Questions 271
Chapter 7 Practice Passage 272
Chapter 7 Solutions 274
Chapter 8 The Nervous and Endocrine Systems 277
8.1 Neuronal Structure and Function 279
8.2 Synaptic Transmission 287
8.3 Functional Organization of the Human Nervous System 290
8.4 Anatomical Organization of the Nervous System 293
8.5 Sensation and Perception 301
8.6 The Endocrine System 313
Chapter 8 Summary 320
Chapter 8 Freestanding Practice Questions 321
Chapter 8 Practice Passage 323
Chapter 8 Solutions 325
Chapter 9 The Circulatory Lymphatic, and Immune Systems 329
9.1 Overview of the Circulatory System 330
9.2 The Heart 332
9.3 Hemodynamics 341
9.4 Components of Blood 344
9.5 Transport of Gases 348
9.6 The Lymphatic System 352
9.7 The Immune System 352
9.8 Autoimmunity 357
Chapter 9 Summary 358
Chapter 9 Freestanding Practice Questions 360
Chapter 9 Practice Passage 362
Chapter 9 Solutions 364
Chapter 10 The Excretory and Digestive Systems 367
10.1 Overview of the Excretory System 368
10.2 Anatomy and Function of the Urinary System 369
10.3 Renal Regulation of Blood Pressure and pH 376
10.4 Endocrine Role of the Kidney 378
10.5 Overview of the Digestive System 379
10.6 The Gastrointestinal Tract 383
10.7 The Gl Accessory Organs 389
10.8 A Day in the Life of Food 392
10.9 Vitamins 395
Chapter 10 Summary 396
Chapter 10 Freestanding Practice Questions 397
Chapter 10 Practice Passage 398
Chapter 10 Solutions 400
Journal Article 2 403
Journal Article Exercise 2 409
Solutions to Journal Article Exercise 2 413
Chapter 11 The Muscular and Skeletal Systems 415
11.1 Overview of Muscle Tissue 416
11.2 Skeletal Muscle 416
11.3 Cardiac Muscle Compared to Skeletal Muscle 424
11.4 Smooth Muscle Compared to Skeletal Muscle 426
11.5 Overview of the Skeletal System 429
11.6 Connective Tissue 430
11.7 Bone Structure 431
11.8 Tissues Found at Joints 433
11.9 Bone Growth and Remodeling; the Cells of Bone 434
Chapter 11 Summary 435
Chapter 11 Freestanding Practice Questions 437
Chapter 11 Practice Passage 438
Chapter 11 Solutions 440
Chapter 12 The Respiratory System and the Skin 443
12.1 Functions of the Respiratory System 444
12.2 Anatomy of the Respiratory System 445
12.3 Pulmonary Ventilation 448
12.4 Gas Exchange 451
12.5 Regulation of Ventilation Rate 455
12.6 Structure and Layers of the Skin 456
12.7 Temperature Regulation by the Skin 457
Chapter 12 Summary 458
Chapter 12 Freestanding Practice Questions 459
Chapter 12 Practice Passage 460
Chapter 12 Solutions 462
Chapter 13 The Reproductive Systems 465
13.1 The Male Reproductive System 466
13.2 Spermatogenesis 468
13.3 Development of the Male Reproductive System 471
13.4 Androgens and Estrogens 473
13.5 The Female Reproductive System 474
13.6 Oogenesis and Ovulation 476
13.7 The Menstrual Cycle 477
13.8 Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy 481
13.9 Fertilization and Cleavage 482
13.10 Implantation and the Placenta 485
13.11 Post-Implantation Development 486
13.12 Differentiation 488
13.13 Pregnancy 490
13.14 Birth and Lactation 491
Chapter 13 Summary 492
Chapter 13 Freestanding Practice Questions 493
Chapter 13 Practice Passage 494
Chapter 13 Solutions 496
Journal Article 3 499
Journal Article Exercise 509
Journal Article Exercise 3 Passage 513
Solutions to Journal Article Exercise 3 515
Solutions to Journal Article Exercise 3 Passage 517
Appendix I Some Molecular Biology Techniques 519
A.1 Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay [ELISA] 521
A.2 Radioimmunoassay [RIA] 521
A.3 Electrophoresis 521
A.4 Blotting 522
A.5 Recombinant DNA 522
A.6 Polymerase Chain Reaction 525
A.7 DNA Sequencing and Genomics 525
A.8 DNA Fingerprinting 526
A.9 Additional Methods to Study the Genome 527
A.10 Analyzing Gene Expression 528
A.11 Determining Gene Function 529
A.12 Protein Quantification 532
A.13 Stem Cells 533
A.14 Practical Applications of DNA Technology 535
A.15 Safety and Ethics of DNA Technology 537
Appendix II Pedigree Analysis 539
Biology Glossary 545
