Biology Subject Test 3

Dear Future Dentist,

The following Subject Test and explanations contains questions not in test format and should be used to
practice and to assess your mastery of the foundation content necessary for success on the DAT. Simply
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learning the vocabulary and practicing DAT-like questions as actually speaking.
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Executive Director, Pre-Health Research and Development
Kaplan Test Prep

2003 Kaplan, Inc.

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PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS

1

H
1.0

He
4.0

10

Li
6.9

Be
9.0

B
10.8

C
12.0

N
14.0

O
16.0

F
19.0

Ne
20.2

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Na
23.0

Mg
24.3

Al
27.0

Si
28.1

P
31.0

S
32.1

Cl
35.5

Ar
39.9

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

K
39.1

Ca
40.1

Sc
45.0

Ti
47.9

V
50.9

Cr
52.0

Mn
54.9

Fe
55.8

Co
58.9

Ni
58.7

Cu
63.5

Zn
65.4

Ga
69.7

Ge
72.6

As
74.9

Se
79.0

Br
79.9

Kr
83.8

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

Rb
85.5

Sr
87.6

Y
88.9

Zr
91.2

Nb
92.9

Mo
95.9

Tc
(98)

Ru
101.1

Rh
102.9

Pd
106.4

Ag
107.9

Cd
112.4

In
114.8

Sn
118.7

Sb
121.8

Te
127.6

I
126.9

Xe
131.3

55

56

57

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

Cs
132.9

Ba
137.3

La *
138.9

Hf
178.5

Ta
180.9

W
183.9

Re
186.2

Os
190.2

Ir
192.2

Pt
195.1

Au
197.0

Hg
200.6

Tl
204.4

Pb
207.2

Bi
209.0

Po
(209)

At
(210)

Rn
(222)

87

88

89

104

105

106

107

108

109

Fr
(223)

Ra
226.0

Ac
227.0

Rf
(261)

Ha
(262)

Unh
(263)

Uns
(262)

Uno
(265)

Une
(267)

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

Ce
140.1

Pr
140.9

Nd
144.2

Pm
(145)

Sm
150.4

Eu
152.0

Gd
157.3

Tb
158.9

Dy
162.5

Ho
164.9

Er
167.3

Tm
168.9

Yb
173.0

Lu
175.0

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

Th
232.0

Pa
(231)

U
238.0

Np
(237)

Pu
(244)

Am
(243)

Cm
(247)

Bk
(247)

Cf
(251)

Es
(252)

Fm
(257)

Md
(258)

No
(259)

Lr
(260)

_________________________________________________________________________

BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

Biology Subject Test 3

1.

Which enzyme changes disaccharides to

monosaccharides?
A
B.
C.
D.
E.

2.

also known as the atrioventricular (AV) node.

also known as the sinoatrial node.
located in the wall of the right ventricle.
functionally dependent upon nervous stimulation.
located in the brain.

4.

6.

In the nervous system

A. myelination of nerves permits faster rates of
impulse conductance.
B. an excitatory neurotransmitter causes
hyperpolarization of the post-synaptic membrane.
C. the autonomic nervous system mediates
voluntary functions.
D. during an action potential, first K+ rushes in.
E. during an action potential, first K+ rushes out of
the cell and then Na+ rushes in.

In the digestive system, all of the following are true

EXCEPT
A. digestive enzymes from the pancreas are released
via a duct into the duodenum.
B. peristalsis is a wave of smooth muscle
contraction that proceeds along the digestive
tract.
C. in the small intestine, villi absorb nutrients into
both the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
D. the low pH of the stomach is essential for the
function of carbohydrate digestive enzymes.
E. the release of bile from the gall bladder is
triggered by the hormone cholecystokinin.

Which of the following statements about blood is

false?
A. Mature red blood cells are not nucleated.
B. Blood platelets are involved in the clotting
process.
C. The adult spleen is a site of red blood cell
development.
D. White blood cells are capable of phagocytosing
foreign matter.
E. New red blood cells are constantly developing in
the bone marrow.

Lactase
Kinase
Zymogen
Lipase
Phosphorylase

A heart beat is initiated by the pacemaker, which is

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

3.

5.

7.

Which of the following is a normal pathway of blood

flow?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Right ventricle to aorta

Pulmonary veins to left atrium
Inferior vena cava to left atrium
Pulmonary veins to left ventricle
Left ventricle to pulmonary artery

In the kidney
A. nephrons are located only in the cortex of the
organ.
B. ammonia is converted to urea.
C. both glucose and water are actively reabsorbed
from the glomerular filtrate.
D. antidiuretic hormone causes the reabsorption of
water from the collecting duct.
E. filtration of the blood begins at the glomerulus
and ends at the loop of Henle.

8.

Which of the following associations of brain structure

and function is false?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Hypothalamus : appetite
Cerebellum : motor coordination
Cerebral cortex : higher intellectual function
Reticular activating system : sensory processing
Medulla : basic emotional drives

KAPLAN _________________________________________________________________1

B I O L O G Y S U B J E C T T E S T 3 _________________________________________________________________________

9.

Which pairing of digestive enzyme and type of

substrate is incorrect?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Ptyalin : proteins
Chymotrypsin : proteins
Carboxypeptidase : proteins
Pancreatic amylase : carbohydrates
Pancreatic lipase : fats

10. Which of the following statements about muscles is

FALSE?
A. During isometric contraction the length of the
muscle is constant.
B. During isotonic contraction the length of the
muscle shortens.
C. In a resting muscle there is complete relaxation.
D. Tonus is the state of partial contraction that
occurs in the resting muscle.
E. Tetanus is a condition of sustained contraction
due to an overlap of twitch impulses.
11. Which statement about the respiratory system is NOT
true?
A. Ciliated nasal membranes warm, moisten, and
filter inspired air.
B. Contraction of the diaphragm enlarges the
thoracic cavity.
C. When the thoracic cavity enlarges, the pressure
of air within the lungs falls.
D. When the pressure of air within the lungs is less
than the atmospheric pressure, air will flow out
of the lungs.
E. The respiratory process consists of inspiratory
and expiratory acts following one another.
12. All of the following statements about hormones are
true EXCEPT
A. they are transported by the circulatory system.
B. they bind to receptors on target cells.
C. they must be present in large quantities to have
an effect.
D. they are secreted by endocrine glands.
E. they can affect organs of the body that are far
removed from their site of synthesis.

13. Which statement about the menstrual cycle is

FALSE?
A. FSH causes the development of the primary
follicle.
B. LH causes the graafian follicle to undergo
ovulation.
C. The corpus luteum develops from the remains of
the post-ovulatory graafian follicle.
D. As a follicle develops, it produces estrogen.
E. FSH and LH are both posterior pituitary
secretions.
14. Which statement about pancreatic endocrine function
is FALSE?
A. Glucagon and insulin are both produced by islets
of Langerhans cells.
B. Glucagon and insulin are mutually antagonistic
in their behavior.
C. Glucagon and insulin both cause glucose to be
removed from the bloodstream and stored as
glycogen.
D. Glucagon causes an elevation in the level of
serum glucose.
E. Insulin causes a decrease in the level of serum
glucose.
15. Which of the following is an incorrect pairing of an
endocrine gland and hormone secretion?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Posterior pituitary : LH
Adrenal cortex : aldosterone
Anterior pituitary : TSH
Adrenal medulla : epinephrine
Hypothalamus : FSH-releasing factor

16. Which statement about the phylum Echinodermata is

FALSE?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

The phylum includes starfish and sea urchins.

Echinoderms reproduce sexually.
The phylum includes crayfish.
Echinoderms are heterotrophs.
Echinoderms are invertebrates.

_______________________________________________________________ KAPLAN

_________________________________________________________________________

17. Which statement about human gamete production is

FALSE?
A. In the testes, sperm develop in the seminiferous
tubules.
B. In the ovaries, eggs develop in the ovarian
follicles.
C. FSH stimulates gamete production in both sexes.
D. Gametes arise via meiosis.
E. The result of meiosis in females is the production
of four egg cells.
18. Which of the following statements about evolution is
correct?
A. Lamarck's theory of use and disuse adequately
describes why giraffes have long necks.
B. Darwin's theory of natural selection relies solely
on genetic mutation.
C. Darwin's theory explains the evolution of man
from present day apes.
D. Darwin's theory of natural selection relies solely
on environmental conditions.
E. Natural selection is the process in which random
mutations are selected for survival by the
environment.
19. Which of the following organisms is a chordate but
not a vertebrate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Shark
Lamprey eel
Turtle
Amphioxus
None of the above

20. The hormone progesterone

A. stimulates follicle growth.
B. shuts off FSH production.
C. prepares the uterus for implantation of the
zygote.
D. is solely responsible for the maintenance of
secondary sex characteristics.
E. is produced by the anterior pituitary.

BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

21. To ensure survival of their species, animals that do

not care for their young must
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

have the ability to live in water and on land.

lay eggs.
produce many offspring.
have protective coloring.
have internal fertilization.

22. Cerebellum damage will most likely

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

impair memory.
impair coordination and equilibrium.
impair sense perception.
impair pituitary function.
impair breathing function.

23. Basal metabolism disorders are most likely caused

most directly by
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

impairment of the pituitary.

impairment of the gonads.
impairment of the thyroid.
impairment of the thymus.
impairment of the parathyroid.

24. In the adult man, red blood cells are

A. non-nucleated and cannot repair themselves.
B. replaced in the liver.
C. outnumbered by white blood cells in the
circulation.
D. made in the spleen.
E. sites of rapid protein synthesis.
25. The notochord is
A. present in all adult chordates.
B. present in all echinoderms.
C. present in chordates during embryological
development.
D. always a vestigial organ in chordates.
E. part of the nervous system of all vertebrates.
26. Mutualism is illustrated by
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

lichens.
tapeworms.
bread mold.
nematodes.
epiphytes.

KAPLAN _________________________________________________________________3

B I O L O G Y S U B J E C T T E S T 3 _________________________________________________________________________

27. The absorption of oxygen in the capillaries of the

lungs takes place in the
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

bronchi.
bronchioles.
alveoli.
pleurae.
trachea.

28. The oxygen content is greatest in the fluid in which of

the following structures?
A.
B.
C
D.
E.

Pulmonary artery
Thoracic duct
Right atrium
Left ventricle
Inferior vena cava

29. A climax community

A. consists of only one species of life.
B. is populated mainly by so-called pioneer
organisms.
C. is relatively stable within a given climate.
D. is independent of the environment.
E. consists of only dead and decaying organic
matter.
30. The rate of breathing is controlled by involuntary
centers in the
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

cerebrum.
cerebellum.
medulla oblongata.
spinal cord.
hypothalamus.

31. Bones are connected to each other by connective

tissue known as
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

sockets.
tendons.
ligaments.
synovia.
muscles.

32. Examples of environmental factors affecting the way

a gene is expressed include all of the following
EXCEPT
A. Drosophila with a given set of genes have
crooked wings at low temperatures and straight
wings at high temperatures.
B. the change in hair color of the Himalayan hare
after cooling the naturally warm portions.
C. the production of heat shock proteins in a cell
after an increase in temperature.
D. a decrease in temperature causing shivering.
E. All of the above
33. Which of the following is not a disorder of the eye?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Myopia
Hypermetropia
Glaucoma
Cataracts
All of the above are disorders of the eye

34. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the

kingdom Protista?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Members can be photosynthetic.

Members can be free-living.
Some members move via flagella.
Some members are shaped like rods and termed
bacilli.
E. Some members have part of their life cycle in
insects.
35. Which of the following is not a lipid derivative?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Waxes
Steroids
Carotenoids
Albumins
Lecithin

36. Which of the following statements about viruses is

NOT true?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The genetic material may be DNA or RNA.

The virus may replicate in a bacterial host.
The virus may replicate in a eukaryotic host.
The virus may replicate autonomously in the
absence of a host.
E. The protein coat of the virus does not enter a host
bacterial cell.

_______________________________________________________________ KAPLAN

_________________________________________________________________________

BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

37. In the kidney, blood filtered through the glomerulus

does not normally contain
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

glucose.
amino acids.
blood cells.
sodium ions.
potassium ions.

38. According to Starling's hypothesis of capillary

physiology, which of the following is true?
A. The hydrostatic pressure is lower at the arteriolar
end.
B. The osmotic pressure tends to keep fluid out of
the vessel.
C. Filtration occurs where the hydrostatic pressure
is less than the osmotic pressure.
D. The ultrafiltrate is returned to the bloodstream by
the lymphatic system.
E. None of the above
39. Renin is a polypeptide produced
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

in response to decreased blood pressure.

in response to increased blood volume.
in response to a concentrated urine.
which acts on the pituitary gland.
in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney.

40. Which statement about acetylcholine is NOT true?

A. ACH is released at the neuromuscular junction.
B. ACH binds to specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
C. In a synaptic cleft there are enzymes that degrade
ACH.
D. ACH diffuses through the pre-synaptic
membrane after its synthesis.
E. A synapse that is subjected to many action
potentials may be depleted of ACH granules.

STOP! END OF TEST.

KAPLAN _________________________________________________________________5