MCAT Practice Questions on Triacylglycerols

Questions and Answers

Why are triacylglycerols used in the human body for energy storage?

They always have short fatty acid chains, for easy access by metabolic enzymes.

They are highly hydrated, and therefore can store lots of energy.

The carbon atoms of the fatty acid chains are highly reduced, and therefore yield more energy upon oxidation. (correct)

Polysaccharides, which would actually be a better energy storage form, would dissolve in the body.

Which of the following is a way to increase resistance in a wire?

Lower the temperature

Lengthen the wire (correct)

Widen the wire

Change from tungsten to copper wire

Sexually reproducing species have a selective advantage over asexually reproducing species, because sexual reproduction:

Creates novel genetic recombinations. (correct)

Is more energy efficient.

Decreases the likelihood of mutations.

Always decreases offspring survival rate.

Which of the following would you expect to find in a microscopic sample of pus?

Granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a steroid precursor. Signup and view all the answers

What is true regarding the probability that the sister of an affected man will have osteogenesis imperfecta, if their mother was unaffected?

The probability depends on the genotype of the father, which cannot be determined from the given information. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Triacylglycerols and Energy Storage

Triacylglycerols are not highly hydrated, enhancing energy density.
Fatty acid chains yield more energy upon oxidation due to high reduction.
They vary in length and saturation, affecting energy release.

Resistance in Electrical Wires

Resistance increases with wire length and decreases with cross-sectional area.
Longer wires increase resistance; wider wires decrease resistance.
Lowering temperature reduces resistivity, leading to better conductivity.

Sexual Reproduction Advantages

Sexual reproduction results in genetic recombination, fostering diversity.
Each fertilization combines unique genetic material from two parents.
This enhances phenotypic variability in populations.

Composition of Pus

Pus primarily contains phagocytosed bacterial remnants.
Microscopic samples of pus reveal granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages.
Neutrophils are critical in the non-specific immune response to pathogens.

Cholesterol Functionality

Cholesterol serves as a precursor for steroid hormones.
It can both increase and decrease membrane fluidity depending on temperature.
Cholesterol interacts with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components of phospholipids.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Genetic Probability

Osteogenesis imperfecta is an autosomal dominant condition.
The probability of an affected man’s sister having the disease relies on the father's genotype.
The mother's genotype does not influence the sister's risk since she is unaffected.

Description

Test your knowledge of triacylglycerols and their role in energy storage in the human body. This quiz features multiple-choice questions that challenge your understanding of lipid metabolism and energy yield. Ideal for MCAT preparation and review.