Question on MCAT testing details

[AugustWind]

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Hey all,

For the past couple weeks I've been doing MCAT questions of the day from this website: mcatquestion.com

At first I was under the impression these were actual, real MCAT questions but I'm beginning to get a bit suspicious. Reason being today's question as well as yesterday's question (I believe I saw another thread for it, it was about sweating and thermoregulation and just seemed way to vague).

Here's today's question: Which of the following amino acids is most likely to be found in the transmembrane domain of a protein?


A
arginine
B
glutamic acid
C
asparagine
D
valine

Funnily enough, I think my subconscious kicked in here and remembered from bio class that valine was very hydrophobic, and I actually got the question right. But it hard to believe that the MCAT would ask such specific, detail-oriented questions. I highly doubt we would have to memorize all 20 AA, which the question kind of implies. So what do MCAT test takers have to say? Is this actually a question to be expecting on the exam? Is this website straying a bit from what MCAT questions really are (keep in mind I am only beginning MCAT prep soon)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MedPR]

Hey all,

For the past couple weeks I've been doing MCAT questions of the day from this website: mcatquestion.com

At first I was under the impression these were actual, real MCAT questions but I'm beginning to get a bit suspicious. Reason being today's question as well as yesterday's question (I believe I saw another thread for it, it was about sweating and thermoregulation and just seemed way to vague).

Here's today's question: Which of the following amino acids is most likely to be found in the transmembrane domain of a protein?


A
arginine
B
glutamic acid
C
asparagine
D
valine

Funnily enough, I think my subconscious kicked in here and remembered from bio class that valine was very hydrophobic, and I actually got the question right. But it hard to believe that the MCAT would ask such specific, detail-oriented questions. I highly doubt we would have to memorize all 20 AA, which the question kind of implies. So what do MCAT test takers have to say? Is this actually a question to be expecting on the exam? Is this website straying a bit from what MCAT questions really are (keep in mind I am only beginning MCAT prep soon)?

Thanks in advance!

Valine is the only non-polar AA answer choice. Transmembrane segment is non-polar.

All you need to know to successfully answer this question is polarity of amino acids, which is something you are expected to know for the MCAT. From there, it's just a tiny bit of critical thinking (connecting the dots) to pick the right answer.

 

[AugustWind]

Valine is the only non-polar AA answer choice. Transmembrane segment is non-polar.

All you need to know to successfully answer this question is polarity of amino acids, which is something you are expected to know for the MCAT. From there, it's just a tiny bit of critical thinking (connecting the dots) to pick the right answer.

Ah, I see. That's good to know and I'll be sure to review them. Thank you very much!

 

[mcloaf]

Yeah, that's definitely fair game for the MCAT.