AAMCs OFFICIAL GUIDE PASSAGES Q&A

[G1SG2]

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I figured I'd create a thread where we can discuss the practice passages/questions in AAMC's Official Guide Passages (maybe one of the mods can put this in the sticky thread). Don't want to ruin the passages for those who haven't done them yet.

 

[G1SG2]

Bio Passage 1, question 1:

Based on the passage, which of the following best describes Gaucher disease? Gaucher disease is:

A. a heritable lysosomal storage disorder
B. a nonheritable lipid metabolism disorder

I picked B, and the answer is A. The explanation: Although Gaucher disease can correctly be described as a lipid metabolism disorder, it is caused by mutations in a specific gene, implying the disease is heritable.

The passage says that the "gene is located on chromosome 1." I thought only mutations in germ cells are heritable? The passage never said the mutation was in germ cells. How come it's heritable? Also, question 4 says the disease is autosomal recessive. Is this a contradiction or am I missing something?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

the initial, spontaneous mutation can have occured during embryonic cleavage. this would transmit this mutation throught the cell lines of this individual, and any child of this person would have a 50% chance at inheritance. don't overthink it. any chromosomal mutation is essentially inheritable except random mutations in adulthood.

 

[G1SG2]

the initial, spontaneous mutation can have occured during embryonic cleavage. this would transmit this mutation throught the cell lines of this individual, and any child of this person would have a 50% chance at inheritance. don't overthink it. any chromosomal mutation is essentially inheritable except random mutations in adulthood.

Okay, so unless the passage specifically stated that the mutation occurred sometime during adulthood, I should assume that it could've been earlier in development (especially since the passage talked about carrying 1 allele vs carrying 2 alleles and being recessive, which would render the enzyme nonfunctional)?

 

[SuperSaiyan3]

what is this thing that you are speaking of? AAMC released other material besides the practice test 3- 10?

 

[G1SG2]

what is this thing that you are speaking of? AAMC released other material besides the practice test 3- 10?

Yeah, they released their "Official Guide to the MCAT Exam." It has more than enough material to comprise 1 full length. Passages in Physics, Chem, Bio, Orgo, Verbal, tips on preparation, statistics, etc. It's definitely worth it. You can order it through the AAMC website.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Okay, so unless the passage specifically stated that the mutation occurred sometime during adulthood, I should assume that it could've been earlier in development (especially since the passage talked about carrying 1 allele vs carrying 2 alleles and being recessive, which would render the enzyme nonfunctional)?

yes. in addition, if mendellian genetics words like dominant, recessive are used, that pretty much explicitly means there's inheritance. otherwise it'd be useless jargon.

 

[G1SG2]

yes. in addition, if mendellian genetics words like dominant, recessive are used, that pretty much explicitly means there's inheritance. otherwise it'd be useless jargon.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[G1SG2]

Passage VI

30. Passage information most clearly implies that historical thinking and the scientific method are both:

A. historical development
D. pragmatic and unsystematic

I chose A, which is the correct answer (B and C were obviously wrong). My question is, can't D also be a valid answer, since the passage says history is pragmatic and unsystematic, and then says "science is a part of history?"

 

[RogueUnicorn]

scientific method =! science

 

[G1SG2]

scientific method =! science

Noo lol you have to read the passage, it throws all of that under "history."