Is this too in depth for the MCAT?

[PreparationIsKey]

Hey so I was wondering if the MCAT 2015 will be expecting us to know this question or a question such depth into viruses.

---Question starts here:

Some viruses can be crystallized and their structures analyzed. One such virus is Desmodium, or yellow mottle virus, which infects beans. This is a member of the tymovirus group and has a single-stranded RNA genome of ~6,300 nucleotides. Its virion is 25—30 nm in diameter, and is made up of 180 copies of a single capsid protein that self-associate to form each capsomere, which has icosahedral symmetry with 20 facets.

28) If this virus has capsomeres with 20 facets, how many proteins form each one?
A) 1
B) 5
C) ~6
D) ~20
E) ~180

---Mind you this is very extensive into the anatomy of the virus. I've read the 2015 MCAT PDF. Although it does state that we need to know viruses I wouldn't say to this extent. What do you guys say?




P.S. The answer is C.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[csx]

Not sure..
how do you get the answer for this?? is this a straight recall problem or something you derive from the question??

 

[el_duderino]

That's a terrible question. I would ignore it.

 

[PreparationIsKey]

That's a terrible question. I would ignore it.

Ignore or not. This might be on the MCAT.

 

[PreparationIsKey]

Not sure..
how do you get the answer for this?? is this a straight recall problem or something you derive from the question??

It requires knowledge of that specific virus as well as of general isohedral capsid structures.

 

[el_duderino]

Ignore or not. This might be on the MCAT.

No, I don't think anything like that would be on the MCAT.

 

[PreparationIsKey]

No, I don't think anything like that would be on the MCAT.

I'll take your word on that based on your medical school credentials.

 

[el_duderino]

I'll take your word on that based on your medical school credentials.

Hahahaha!

 

[Jumb0]

180 total proteins.
20 proteins per facet.

180 / 20 = 9 proteins per facet.

6 is closest to 9. Pick 6.

(You gotta figure that the answer is a little below the calculated value because the virus is obviously not one big capid. The "missing" proteins in this case must go towards other viral structures).

I don't see why this is so hard. It's more of a critical thinking problem than a knowledge problem.

 

[PreparationIsKey]

180 total proteins.
20 proteins per facet.

180 / 20 = 9 proteins per facet.

6 is closest to 9. Pick 6.

(You gotta figure that the answer is a little below the calculated value because the virus is obviously not one big capid. The "missing" proteins in this case must go towards other viral structures).

I don't see why this is so hard. It's more of a critical thinking problem than a knowledge problem.

Good point.