Biology MCQs for USAT Pre-Medical (USAT-M): Topics and 20 Practice Questions

USAT-M biology questions come mostly from your FSc syllabus. If you know cell biology, genetics, human physiology and ecology well, you can score well in this section. Here are the key topics and 20 practice questions.

Most tested biology topics in USAT-M

• Cell biology: cell structure, organelles, cell division (mitosis and meiosis), cell transport (osmosis, diffusion, active transport)
• Genetics: Mendel's laws, DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis (transcription and translation), mutations, chromosomes
• Human physiology: digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, nervous system, excretory system
• Ecology: food chains, food webs, energy flow, population growth, biomes, nutrient cycles
• Plant biology: photosynthesis, respiration, plant hormones, transport in plants
• Classification: kingdom classification, major characteristics of each kingdom

20 practice MCQs with answers

1. Which organelle is called the powerhouse of the cell?
A) Ribosome   B) Mitochondria   C) Golgi apparatus   D) Lysosome
Answer: B

2. DNA replication takes place during which phase of the cell cycle?
A) G1 phase   B) S phase   C) G2 phase   D) M phase
Answer: B

3. The process of converting DNA to mRNA is called:
A) Translation   B) Replication   C) Transcription   D) Mutation
Answer: C

4. Mendel's law of segregation applies to:
A) Two pairs of contrasting traits   B) One pair of contrasting traits   C) Linked genes   D) Sex-linked traits
Answer: B

5. Which blood type is the universal donor?
A) A   B) B   C) AB   D) O
Answer: D

6. Photosynthesis takes place in the:
A) Mitochondria   B) Nucleus   C) Chloroplasts   D) Ribosomes
Answer: C

7. Which part of the brain controls balance and coordination?
A) Cerebrum   B) Medulla   C) Cerebellum   D) Hypothalamus
Answer: C

8. Osmosis is the movement of water from a region of:
A) High solute concentration to low   B) Low solute concentration to high   C) High temperature to low   D) Low pressure to high
Answer: B

9. The number of chromosomes in a human body cell is:
A) 23   B) 46   C) 44   D) 48
Answer: B

10. Which enzyme breaks down starch in the mouth?
A) Pepsin   B) Lipase   C) Amylase   D) Trypsin
Answer: C

11. Which gas is released during photosynthesis?
A) Carbon dioxide   B) Nitrogen   C) Oxygen   D) Hydrogen
Answer: C

12. Meiosis results in:
A) 2 diploid cells   B) 4 haploid cells   C) 2 haploid cells   D) 4 diploid cells
Answer: B

13. Which vitamin is synthesised by the skin when exposed to sunlight?
A) Vitamin A   B) Vitamin B   C) Vitamin C   D) Vitamin D
Answer: D

14. The first trophic level in a food chain is occupied by:
A) Herbivores   B) Carnivores   C) Producers   D) Decomposers
Answer: C

15. DNA is found mainly in the:
A) Cytoplasm   B) Nucleus   C) Ribosome   D) Cell membrane
Answer: B

16. Which of the following is a function of the liver?
A) Produce bile   B) Absorb water   C) Produce insulin   D) Filter blood in the kidney
Answer: A

17. Transpiration in plants mainly occurs through:
A) Roots   B) Stomata   C) Xylem   D) Phloem
Answer: B

18. The functional unit of the kidney is the:
A) Neuron   B) Alveolus   C) Nephron   D) Villus
Answer: C

19. Which hormone regulates blood sugar level?
A) Adrenaline   B) Thyroxine   C) Insulin   D) Estrogen
Answer: C

20. Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood mainly as:
A) Dissolved gas   B) Bicarbonate ions   C) Haemoglobin compound   D) Carbonic acid
Answer: B

How to use these questions

Do not just read the answers. Cover them and try each question first. When you get one wrong, go back to your FSc textbook and read that topic again. One wrong answer is worth more than 5 right ones if you understand why you got it wrong.

For full timed USAT-M practice, use our USAT pre-medical practice tests on Tayar Karo.