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MCAT Biochemistry Questions

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Biochemistry Subjects To Study For The MCAT are:
Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins
Biological Membranes
Carbohydrate metabolism
Carbohydrate structure
DNA and RNA
Enzymes
Lipids and lipid metabolism
Nonenzymatic proteins
Regulation of metabolism

MCAT Biochemistry Questions

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25 Questions

1. How do increases in temperature affect enzyme kinetics?

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)The Hill's coefficient is a mathematical representation of the cooperativeness of an enzyme. If the Hill's coefficient is greater than 1, then the binding of one ligand increases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and positive cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is less than 1, then the binding of one ligand decreases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and negative cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is equal to 1, then the binding of one ligand does not affect the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and no cooperation is occuring.

2. What are the main components of the ETC?

The Hill's coefficient is a mathematical representation of the cooperativeness of an enzyme. If the Hill's coefficient is greater than 1, then the binding of one ligand increases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and positive cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is less than 1, then the binding of one ligand decreases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and negative cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is equal to 1, then the binding of one ligand does not affect the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and no cooperation is occuring.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)

3. What is the purpose of the 5' Cap?

1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)The Hill's coefficient is a mathematical representation of the cooperativeness of an enzyme. If the Hill's coefficient is greater than 1, then the binding of one ligand increases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and positive cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is less than 1, then the binding of one ligand decreases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and negative cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is equal to 1, then the binding of one ligand does not affect the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and no cooperation is occuring.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.

4. What is the Hill's coefficient?

1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.The Hill's coefficient is a mathematical representation of the cooperativeness of an enzyme. If the Hill's coefficient is greater than 1, then the binding of one ligand increases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and positive cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is less than 1, then the binding of one ligand decreases the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and negative cooperative binding is occuring. If the Hill's coefficient is equal to 1, then the binding of one ligand does not affect the affinity of the enzyme for more ligands, and no cooperation is occuring.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.

5. What does it mean to say a fatty acid is activated?

6. What is the anomeric carbon?

7. What are ketone bodies?

Ketone bodies are essentially transportable forms of acetyl-CoA that the liver produces to feed other tissues during prolonged periods of starvation.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.

8. The cell membrane is often compared to a [battery or capacitor?]

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.The cell membrane is often compared to a capacitor

9. Describe SDS-PAGE

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) PAGE is useful because it separates proteins based only on their relative molar masses. This is accomplished through the addition of SDS to the proteins before running them on the gel. SDS serves two purposes. One, it disrupts noncovalent bonds in the proteins, denaturing them without breaking the primary structure. Two, it imparts on the proteins massive nonpolar groups that essentially mask the actual charge of the protein and instead leave it with a constant negative charge. Because all proteins are carrying more or less the same negative charge, the relative velocities of migration are dependent entirely on the masses of the proteins.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)

10. How do you appropriately name glycosidic bonds?

Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.First, you name the monosaccharide on the left of the glycosidic bond. Second, if an anomeric carbon is involved in the bond, state its alpha or beta configuration. If both carbons in the glycosidic bond are anomeric, state the left anomeric carbon's configuration and then also state the right anomeric carbon's configuration. Third, state what number carbon the left side molecule is linked by and then also state what number carbon the right side molecule is linked by. Finally, name the sugar on the right side of the glycosidic bond. For examples, look at the three disaccharides below. Notice how only the left sided sugar is bound by the anomeric carbon, and so only the left side sugar's alpha or beta configuration is present. Also notice the declaration of the carbon numbers and the monosaccharide names.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)

11. What is an enol?

A compound with a double bond and an alcohol groupGenerally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.

12. Describe Fatty Acid Synthase

13. What is an amino acid?

14. Describe Glycogenesis

15. How do NADH and FADH2 interact with the enzymes in the ETC to generate a proton gradient?

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.The energy and electrons in NADH and FADH2 are used to drive a series of redox reactions that push hydrogen ionds into the innermembrane space. This is why NADH has a higher ATP conversion than FADH2. NADH literally just pushes more hydrogen ions into the inner membrane space than FADH2.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)

16. What are the two classes of the nitrogenous bases that make up DNA?

17. What does it mean to be amphiphatic?

Molecules that have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.

18. What is Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex and what are its 5 components?

Pyruvate Dehyrogenase Complex is a 5 enzyme complex in the mitochondrial matrix that produces acetyl-CoA and NADH. PDH is also inhibited by acetyl-CoA and NADH. It is comprised of the following 5 enzymes. 1. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase 2. Dihydrolipoly transacetylase 3. Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase 4. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 5. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase PhosphataseA methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.

19. How do changes in pH affect enzyme kinetics?

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.Enzymes have a specific pH at which they function most effectively. Any deviations from this pH will cause the enzyme to lose functionality. For most enzymes in the human body, this is equal to the blood's pH of 7.4, but there are notable exceptions such as digestive enzymes.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)

20. What are the three possible fates for Pyruvate?

21. What does it mean when we say DNA replication is semiconservative?

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)Semiconservative means that you conserve some of the DNA when you copy it. This is evidenced by the fact that each new DNA strand will have one parent strand (conserved) and one new daughter strand.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.

22. What is noncompetitive inhibition?

1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)When an inhibitor binds to an allosteric site somewhere on the enzyme that causes it to change its shape and reduce its function. Because the noncompetitive inhibitor is not competing with the substrate, increasing the concentration of substrate will reverse the inhibition.A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.

23. What is a frameshift mutation and what are the two types?

A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.A frameshift mutation is a mutation that shifts the entire reading frame of the genetic information. 1. Frameshift Deletion - a base is deleted and the frame shifts down one base. 2. Framsehift Insertion - a base is added and the frame shifts up one base. Notice, if three bases were removed at once, the frame would actually be conserved.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)

24. What do you get when you reduce a sugar in its ring form?

25. What is secondary structure and what is its characteristic bond?

The formation of repeating patterns of pleated sheets and alpha helices. These patterns are held together by hydrogen bonds between the carboxyl and amino group backbone of the amino acids.Generally speaking, the velocity of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will double for every 10C° increase in temperature (more energy to react!) until the optimum temperature for the enzyme is reached (body temperature for most enzymes in the body). After this temperature, there is so much energy that the bonds holding the enzymes together break, which causes a sharp decrease in the velocity of the reaction.1. Complex 1 (NADH-CoQ oxioreductase) 2. Complex 2 (Succinate-CoQ Oxioreductase) 3. Complex 3 (CoQH2 -cytochrome c Oxioreductase) 4. Complex 4 (Cytocrhome c Oxidase) 5. ATP Synthase (technically its own thing, but extremely closely linked to the ETC and often referred to as the 5th complex.)A methylated GTP molecule. This molecule protects the mRNA from degredation in the cytoplasm. It is also recognized by the ribosome as a binding site.

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❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

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All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com