PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) Biological Processes Syllabus

Biological Processes syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Biological Processes in PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   General Biology and Cell Biology

   4 topics

   • Cell Structure and Organelles
     • Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells
     • Plasma membrane structure and fluid mosaic model
     • Nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum
     • Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes
     • Cytoskeleton and cell motility
   • Membrane Transport
     • Passive diffusion and osmosis
     • Facilitated diffusion and carrier proteins
     • Active transport and ion pumps
     • Endocytosis and exocytosis
   • Cellular Energetics and Metabolism
     • Glycolysis and the citric acid cycle
     • Oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain
     • Photosynthesis fundamentals
     • Enzyme kinetics and regulation
   • Cell Cycle and Division
     • Phases of mitosis and cytokinesis
     • Meiosis and genetic recombination
     • Cell cycle checkpoints and regulation
     • Apoptosis and cell death
2. 2

   Microbiology

   4 topics

   • Bacterial Structure and Function
     • Cell wall, Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative
     • Bacterial reproduction and binary fission
     • Plasmids and horizontal gene transfer
   • Viruses and Pathogenesis
     • Viral structure and replication cycles
     • Lytic and lysogenic cycles
     • Mechanisms of microbial pathogenicity
   • Fungi, Protozoa, and Parasites
   • Antimicrobial Concepts
     • Mechanisms of antibiotic action
     • Antibiotic resistance development
3. 3

   Human Anatomy and Physiology

   5 topics

   • Nervous System
     • Neuron structure and action potentials
     • Synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters
     • Central and peripheral nervous systems
     • Autonomic nervous system
   • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
     • Cardiac cycle and electrical conduction
     • Blood composition and hemostasis
     • Gas exchange and respiratory mechanics
   • Endocrine System
     • Hormone types and signaling mechanisms
     • Hypothalamic-pituitary axis
     • Glucose regulation and feedback loops
   • Digestive and Renal Systems
     • Digestion, absorption, and accessory organs
     • Nephron function and urine formation
     • Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
   • Immune and Musculoskeletal Systems
     • Innate and adaptive immunity
     • Antibodies and antigen recognition
     • Muscle contraction and sliding filament model
4. 4

   Genetics and Molecular Biology

   4 topics

   • Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Inheritance
     • Dominant, recessive, and codominant traits
     • Sex-linked inheritance and pedigrees
     • Polygenic and epistatic interactions
   • DNA Replication and Repair
     • Semiconservative replication mechanism
     • DNA polymerases and replication machinery
     • Mutation types and DNA repair pathways
   • Transcription and Translation
     • RNA synthesis and processing
     • Genetic code and ribosomal translation
     • Regulation of gene expression
   • Biotechnology Techniques
     • PCR and gel electrophoresis
     • Recombinant DNA and cloning
     • CRISPR and gene editing basics

Biological Processes flashcards for PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)

18 of 52 cards from the Biological Processes deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the three core components of the cell theory?

   (1) All living organisms are composed of one or more cells; (2) the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms; (3) all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

2. Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration (ATP production), and what feature distinguishes it structurally?

   The mitochondrion. It has a double membrane, with the inner membrane folded into cristae (housing the electron transport chain) and a matrix containing its own circular DNA and ribosomes.

3. Compare the functions of rough ER and smooth ER.

   Rough ER is studded with ribosomes and synthesizes/folds proteins destined for secretion or membranes. Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and handles lipid/steroid synthesis, detoxification, and $\ce{Ca^2+}$ storage.

4. What is the role of the Golgi apparatus, and what are its cis and trans faces?

   The Golgi modifies, sorts, and packages proteins/lipids into vesicles. The cis face receives vesicles from the ER; the trans face packages and ships them toward the membrane or lysosomes.

5. What distinguishes lysosomes from peroxisomes?

   Lysosomes contain acidic hydrolytic enzymes (optimal $\text{pH} \approx 5$) for intracellular digestion. Peroxisomes break down very-long-chain fatty acids and detoxify substances, producing and degrading $\ce{H2O2}$ via catalase.

6. List the three main types of membrane transport that do NOT require ATP.

   Simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion (via channels/carriers), and osmosis (diffusion of water). All move solutes down their concentration/electrochemical gradient.

7. How does the $\ce{Na+/K+}$-ATPase pump work, and why is it primary active transport?

   It uses ATP hydrolysis to pump 3 $\ce{Na+}$ out and 2 $\ce{K+}$ in per cycle, against their gradients. It is primary active transport because energy comes directly from ATP.

8. Define hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions relative to a cell.

   Hypertonic: higher solute outside, water leaves, cell shrinks (crenates). Hypotonic: lower solute outside, water enters, cell swells/lyses. Isotonic: equal solute, no net water movement.

9. What is the difference between primary and secondary active transport?

   Primary active transport uses ATP directly (e.g., $\ce{Na+/K+}$-ATPase). Secondary active transport (symport/antiport) uses the electrochemical gradient established by primary transport to move a second solute, without directly using ATP.

10. State the net ATP, NADH, and pyruvate yield of glycolysis per glucose molecule.

    Per glucose: net $2$ ATP (4 made, 2 invested), $2$ NADH, and $2$ pyruvate. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and is anaerobic.

11. What is the overall theoretical ATP yield from complete aerobic oxidation of one glucose molecule?

    Approximately $30$–$32$ ATP total (glycolysis + pyruvate oxidation + citric acid cycle + oxidative phosphorylation).

12. In the electron transport chain, what is the final electron acceptor and what is the product?

    Molecular oxygen ($\ce{O2}$) is the final electron acceptor, combining with electrons and protons to form water: $\ce{O2 + 4H+ + 4e- -> 2H2O}$.

13. Write the net balanced equation for cellular respiration.

    $$\ce{C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy(ATP)}$$

14. Compare the products of lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation.

    Lactic acid fermentation: pyruvate $\to$ lactate, regenerating $\ce{NAD+}$ (in muscle/bacteria). Alcoholic fermentation: pyruvate $\to$ ethanol $+ \ce{CO2}$, regenerating $\ce{NAD+}$ (in yeast).

15. List the phases of the cell cycle in order.

    $\text{G}_1$ (growth), $\text{S}$ (DNA synthesis/replication), $\text{G}_2$ (growth/preparation), and $\text{M}$ (mitosis + cytokinesis). $\text{G}_1$, $\text{S}$, $\text{G}_2$ together form interphase.

16. Name the four stages of mitosis in order and one key event of each.

    Prophase (chromosomes condense, spindle forms), Metaphase (chromosomes align at metaphase plate), Anaphase (sister chromatids separate to poles), Telophase (nuclear envelopes reform).

17. How does meiosis differ from mitosis in outcome?

    Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical diploid ($2n$) cells. Meiosis produces 4 genetically distinct haploid ($n$) gametes via two divisions, with crossing over and independent assortment generating variation.

18. What occurs at the $\text{G}_1$/S checkpoint and which protein guards it?

    The $\text{G}_1$/S (restriction) checkpoint verifies cell size, nutrients, and DNA integrity before committing to replication. The tumor suppressor $p53$ can halt the cycle for repair or trigger apoptosis if DNA is damaged.

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