Practice MDCAT Biology Biological Molecules MCQs with explanations — PMC, ETEA, NUMS entry test preparation.
Q1. A researcher analyzing the chemical composition of a prokaryotic cell finds that a specific inorganic compound dominates the mass. What is its percentage?
Answer: 70%
Explanation: Bacterial cells consist of 70% water by weight. 90% is the water content found specifically in mammalian brain cells.
Q2. During a laboratory experiment, a student measures the energy required to convert 1kg of liquid water into gas. Which PTB value matches this?
Answer: 574 kcal/kg
Explanation: PTB specifies water's heat of vaporization as 574 kcal/kg. 540 kcal/kg is a general value not used in the PTB textbook.
Q3. A nutritionist explains that the digestion of starch initially yields a disaccharide. What specific bond holds the two monomers of this disaccharide together?
Answer: Alpha 1-4 glycosidic linkage
Explanation: Maltose consists of two glucose units joined by an alpha 1-4 glycosidic linkage. Beta 1-4 linkages are found in cellulose.
Q4. In the metabolic pathway of glycolysis, an intermediate is identified as a ketonic sugar containing only three carbon atoms. Name this molecule.
Answer: Dihydroxyacetone
Explanation: Dihydroxyacetone is a keto-triose, while glyceraldehyde is an aldo-triose. Ribulose is a pentose, and glucose is a hexose.
Q5. A patient with a sweet tooth consumes large amounts of cane sugar. Upon enzymatic hydrolysis in the digestive tract, which products are released?
Answer: Glucose and Fructose
Explanation: Sucrose (cane sugar) hydrolyzes into glucose and fructose. Glucose and galactose are the components of lactose, which is milk sugar.
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