The July has left us with good news: 2 students from BiologyForMhtcet.com forums have made it to the medical colleges(MBBS) on basis of their merit! Hearty congratulations to Azhar and me_101. Its nice to see you guyz making it there!

For the ones curious about cut offs to MBBS and BDS colleges through MHT-CET, you can find a somewhat detailed college-wise cut off list here.

Why we don’t immunize a fetus?

You probably know what immunization is and when immunization doses are administered. I have a question. Why a baby can be immunized only after birth? Isn’t the fetus susceptible to diseases when it is in the womb? Few acceptable reasons why a fetus is not immunized are:

• The passive immunity obtained from the mother could destroy the antigen much before than it could evoke an immune response
• The immediate after-effects of immunization such as fever or rashes are harmful to the fetus
• The procedure required to administer immunization shots to the fetus may be complicated, cumbersome and may even require specialized skills that cannot be made available to most people, esp, on a mass scale.

I decided to dig further and found an inconspicuous but amazing paragraph in my Physiology textbook(By Sir Guyton, 11th Ed.). If I were to explain that in lay language, here is how I:

While the thymus is developing, there is a stage in its development where the thymus is learning how to differentiate between self and non-self(foreign) antigens. Any antigen presented to thymus during that stage will be assumed by the thymus to be a self antigen. Hence, the body will never attack those antigens when they are encountered in future. If I were to inject diphtheria toxin into a fetus while its thymus was in that stage of development, the thymus would learn that the diphtheria toxin is a normal constituent of the human body and would never attack it. So when the child grows and if he suffers from diphtheria, the body would not evoke an immune response against the diphtheria toxin. Long story short, the patient dies due to diphtheria!

So do you understand now why we actually don’t immunize a foetus?

Think you can get these MCQs right?

Answer key

1. c – Mutated genes
2. b – Lymphoma
3. a – Locus

For any doubts regarding the MCQs, please use the forum.

MHT-CET 2008 results are out! I hope you have been successful in this endeavour and also wish you best luck for all your future endeavours in the career of your choice.

Few words for the 2009 batch

Dear students, I would like to bring it to your notice that MHT-CET 2008 was ‘difficult’ compared to previous years’ CETs. While physics was already difficult for many, many students have reported that they have scored ‘less than expected’ marks in biology. The root cause for most of such problems are some common mistaked. Make sure that these common mistaked won’t affect you or your ambition by following few simple practices. For physics, numerical practice is a must. Your physics professor can guide you better. Please speak to him/her. Practice chemisty on similar lines.

For biology, I personally recommend that you read all the 9 sanctioned textbooks. Please don’t scare yourself because ‘they are 9!’. Reading from 9 textbooks won’t be a difficult task if follow a simple practice given below:

1. For theory purpose, learn a chapter from the study material given to you at your coaching classes or tuitions or any other material that you prefer.
2. Read the same chapter from 9 textbooks one-by-one. Underline every unique point you come across and is not present in the study material that you used in step 1.

While reading from sanctioned textbooks, please remember that many textbooks have gone overboard the syllabus prescribed by the ‘Board’ and included stuff which you are not supposed to study. This has already created long-standing confusion between teachers and students alike. To overcome it, a Circular has been issued in the month of Jan 2008 which explains which part the textbooks have either wrongly included or missed out. We have compiled those changes for the subject of biology and they can be downloaded here. When in doubt about whether what you are studying is a part of the syllabus or not, always ask your teachers.

Not all study material that you come across is worth studying. So don’t fall making a ‘collection’ of study material, but dedicate yourself to only a few selected study material. Its a well-known marketing trick adopted by some publishers to go overboard with syllabus and include stuff that is actually not a part of your syllabus. That ‘out of syllabus’ stuff will never be asked in your exams. So better avoid such stuff and such books to if possible. Remember, all CET questions are asked only from sanctioned textbooks and no other book.

I and few students of 2008 batch have together some reference materials at out forum. You can visit them using the below links.

1. Reference material for physics and chemistry
2. Reference material for biology
3. XII v/s CET, managing them

MCQs 4 U!

Progesterone – The pregnancy hormone

Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. It has a great role in the survival of a pregnancy. Without it, pregnancy would just be impossible. Following are few of the reasons why its is dubbed as ‘The pregnancy hormone‘,

1. It prepares the uterus for implanation of the embryo.
2. It is believed to suppress the rejection of the embryo by the mother.
3. It decreases contractility of myometrial muscles and prevents expulsion of embryo and fetus.

Key to MCQs: 1) Alcoholic fermetation 2) Hallucinations 3) cretinism

More memory based questions from MHT-CET 2008(bio) here. (Contributed by Nawaf, me_101 and noor786)

Also visit MHT-CET-online.com : A companion site for online MCQ solving

The MHT-CET 2008 is finally over! Henceforth, the newsletters will primarily focus on students aspiring for MHT-CET 2009.

Dear Students of the new batch,

I would to introduce you to BiologyForMhtcet. BiologyForMhtcet.com helps students aspiring admission to medical colleges in Maharashtra through MHT-CET. Resources such as articles, podcasts(mp3 files), monthly newsletters and a discussion forum are available for the students. Since its inception on October 11, 2008, till date, we have served a total of 14,000 pages to about 6500 unique visitors. It is my most important goal to serve you with the same service as that to the 2008 batch.

Dear Students of the old batch,

It has been a great pleasure to help you. The help few students lent is also appreciative. In this aspect, I would to particularly appreciate 3 members of our forum.

1. Nawaf
2. Aniket
3. me_101

I wish you all and other students Best Luck for all your future endeavors.

MHT-CET 2008 MCQs

There are few of the MCQs that were asked at MHT-CET 2008.

Pregnancy hormone is
a) progesterone b) Estrogen c) FSH d) LH

Method of artificial vegetative propagation used for plants which do not root easily is

a) Cutting b) Budding c) Grafting d) Both ‘A’ and ‘C’

Platelets are derived from
a) Megakaryocytes b) Hemoblasts c) Myoblasts d)Anisocytes

(Answer key at bottom of this page)

Tips that proved most useful for 2008 batch students

1. For biology, reading 9 sanctioned textbooks is a must.
2. Practicing numerical problems for physics is a must. Theory questions are in general not so often ask. I remember one students exclaiming “OMG! The physics paper was full of numerical problems”. The recommended book for numerical practice is one by P.S. Bangui.
3. Numerical problems and reactions in chemistry are most reward-giving rather than dry theory.

Key to MCQs: 1) Progesterone 2) Grafting 3) Megakaryocytes

More memory based questions from MHT-CET 2008(bio) here. (Contributed by Nawaf, me_101 and noor786)

Links: Reference material for

1. Physics and Chemistry (by me_101)
2. Biology (by Rohan Shenoy)

Companion site for Online MCQ solving: MHT-CET-online.com

Dear students, the most awaited exam is just a week far. I wish you best luck for the exam.

Have you taken the survey?

Dear students, I am conducting an online survey for students appearing for MHT-CET. If you have not taken the survey yet, you can take it right now. The survey is completely anonymous and no person information is collected in the survey. Please click here to take the survey.

MCQs 4 U!

A diuretic principle is found in
a) Adathoda zeylanica and Aparagus racemosus

b) Aloe vera

c) Arjun

d) Chaulmoogra

Pollination by snails is termed as
a) Anaemophily b) Malacophily
c) Oophily d) Hydrophily

Which of these is a steroid hormone?
a) TSH b) Oxytocin c) Estrogen d) Gonadotropin

(Answer key at bottom of this page) More MCQs at MHT-CET-online.com

How HIV spreads inside the body

HIV infects cells with CD₄ receptors. Eg: Helper T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and neuroglial cells. An infected helper T cells is the site of multiplication of viral proteins. When the infected helper T cell dies, it releases all the viral proteins which inturn behave as independent virus particles and further infect other helper T cells. Thus HIV spreads inside the body

Answer key of MCQs: 1) a: Adathoda zeylanica and Aparagus racemosus 2) b: Malacophily 3) c: Estrogen

Attention: The list of sanctioned text-books for Biology has been updated with an addition.

Dear students, we hope your Board exams were great and its time to face another highly competitive exam-MHT-CET! With just 38 days left, there are some important tips for you to follow so that you utilize your time efficiently.

1. Use only a couple of books for MCQ practice: There are many MCQ practice books in the stores that boast of thousands of MCQs. But my opinion would be to practice from only a couple of them and read the sanctioned textbooks. Though you may be tempted to buy all the practice books, its not worth the money, effort and time as almost all of them contain the same MCQs. You may restrict yourself to Himalaya’s(preferred) and Target Biology.
2. Read sanctioned textbooks: Reading 9 sanctioned textbooks for Biology could be a time-consuming task if you do it wrongly. Lets look at some common speed-breakers:
   • A common mistake is reading textbooks one by one. Instead, read a chapter from all 9 books at once. That saves a lot of time and improves your memory too.
   • Use a pen or pencil to underline unique information found in one but not in other textbooks. Avoid use of fluorescent markers as it is time-consuming. Moreover, the fading of the ink is another risk.
   • If it is not possible for you alone to read all the 9 textbooks yourself, make a reading group and share the textbooks among it. Allot everyone the textbook to be read and marked by them. Decide a chapter for reading and once finished the chapter, exchange the textbooks.
3. Join a test series or buy a model papers book: Join a test-series that is near to your residence. Postal or courier test series is also preferable. Before you enroll for a test-series, get an opinion about its MCQs quality and solutions offered for the MCQs. This is very important because some rip-off model test papers from commonly available practice books and offer it as ‘their’ test series. On the other hand, some go overboard and purposely include MCQs that are beyond the scope of MHT-CET syllabus to overwhelm unsuspecting students. Be careful you don’t fall into such traps. If you still can’t find one, buy a book containing model question papers, I would recommend Navneet Publications books for this. They really offer few great MCQs.
4. Don’t rely too much of ‘Memory based‘ previous years papers: After going through memory based question papers and confirming with the students, it has come to my attention that some publishers have wrongly included questions that were never asked at the MHT-CET, and many times these question happen to be beyond our syllabus. So if you doubt if a question is within our syllabus, better confirm it with your teachers rather than wasting time reading CBSE and ICSE Board books.
5. Buy 2^nd books: This definitely comes with an ‘Conditions apply‘ that the books are in good condition and were in possession of a studious student who has marked important points. This is may reduce some work load, but on a serious note, it worth neither the risk it contains nor the benefit it offers! So better do your stuff yourself!

MCQs 4 U!

The term ‘osmoregulation‘ was coined by
a) Hober b) Hermans c) Metchnikoff d) Waldeyer

Catalytic, exergonic breakdown of food CANNOT occur in
a) Cytosol b) Mitochondria
c) Extracellular space d) None of these

The hormone believed to play an important role in flowering is
a) Florigen b) Nitragin c) Angiogin d) Gonadogen

(Answer key at bottom of this page) More MCQs at MHT-CET-online.com

Concept of chemotherapy in cancer

Cancer is a dreadful disease which can be cured if detected in early stage. Once detected, chemotherapy is usually instituted. The cytotoxic chemicals can reach places where the surgeon’s scalpel can’t. It can kill 2^o neoplasms which may be small enough and at sites where the surgeon can’t reach. Along with 2^o neoplasms, the primary tumor too is affected and usually reduces in size. Reduction in size of the primary tumour increases the chances of a successful surgery. Once the tumor is removed from the body, the remaining cancerous cells and those cells which show cancerous tendencies are destroyed by radiation.

Answer key of MCQs: 1) a: Hober 2) d: None of these 3) a: Florigen

Attention: The list of sanctioned text-books for Biology has been updated with an addition.

We wish you Best Luck for your H.S.C. Board exams.

Test-series prices may go up

First things first. Its a thanks giving time for me that many students have chosen our services.

After starting with mere 138 unique visitors in October 07, we now serve about 1000 unique visitors every month. This speaks about how you have helped us become more popular among students and our credibility. We also launched MHT-CET-online.com and created an IT system that allows us to conduct the online test series.

We tried our best to keep the overhead expenses at a minimum so that test series fees are not affected. But after much trying and consulting other knowledgeable people, it was realized that it would not be entirely possible to avoid a price increase. Assured that prices won’t increase before March 19 2008, the prices may increase by 10-12 % or more from March 20 as we will be upgrading the whole system. As promised, students who have already confirmed their enrollment won’t be affected by this price increase. For those who have placed ‘PriceLock’ valid till March 5 2008, are requested to confirm their enrollments, failing which it will lapse.

Refreshing Multiple choice questions (MCQs)

Yes I know you were waiting for this inspite of being in middle of exams. I thank you for such gratitude. Here we go!

The frequency of micturition in an anuric person is (per 24 hrs)
a) 2-3 b) 1-2 c) 10-25 d) Nil

___ water molecules must be photolysed to synthesize 1 glucose by Calvin-Beson cycle
a) 6 b) 12 c) 18 d) 1

Hormone that inhibits pregnancy during lactation is
a) Relaxin b) Estrogen c) Prolactin d) HCG

(Answer key at bottom of this page)

Avoid Aloe vera in pregnancy: WHY ?

The leaf extract of Aloe Vera(Korphad) contains an abortifacient principle. An abortifacient is one which can induce abortion and threaten pregnancy. Latest research also indicates that vasicine( from Vasaka or Adathoda zeylanica) also contain an abortifacient principle.

On the other hand, extract of Shatavari (Asaparagus racemosus) have found to act as anti-abortifacient. It also aids milk production in lactating lady and helps improve menstrual problems. For these reasons, it is commonly referred to as “Friend of women”.

Answer key of MCQs: 1) d: nil 2) b: 12 3) c: Prolactin

More MCQs at MHT-CET-online.com

• Theory exam dates declared
• Assoc. CET 2008 (AMUPMDC) dates declared
• Change of syllabus(Jan 10, 2008)

A new member in our family!

Yes, BiologyForMhtcet.com had a Father(Oh thats me) and now a younger brother too! We have named him MHT-CET-Online.com. Please feel as comfortable as BiologyForMhtcet.com with our brother!

Announcing online test-series (FREE demo)!

You have been hearing about it all these months and today you will finally be able to see and experience an unparalled feat. in MHT-CET coaching! This sytem which was developed over months has some great and unbeatable advantages over the traditional testing system. We proudly present you this unique test series for MHT-CET. Click here to experience it right now! You will have to register separately on the new site for the demo. Your forum username and passwords cannot be used.

Refreshing Multiple choice questions (MCQs)

We started from giving out 3 premium MCQs every month from Oct. 2007. From then onwards, students have always requested us to include more such MCQs as they expressed that most were unique and helpful. Hence, this time we are giving 20 MCQs! But wait, they are not in that old boring plain text form, but in the form of online demo for our unparalleled test series for MHT-CET. Simply choose a username, register and solve the MCQs!

Immunization – How it REALLY works!

When you were that cute baby, you were administered few vaccines and injections to make your body strong! Well, how did it really work? When you are administered vaccines, you are exposed to antigens of the pathogens. This helps the body evoke a primary immunity response. This response is usually slow to develop and less intense. During the entire process, your immune systems records some details about the antigen and stores it. When the same pathogen attacks subsequently, the record in your body’s memory helps recognize the antigen faster and deploy antibody and other mechanisms rapidly. Such an response constitutes a secondary immune response. Secondary immune response is faster and more intensive as compared to the primary response. Thus, when the pathogen attacks subsequently, your body deploys protective measures rapidly and thus kills the pathogens in shorter period of time. The shorter period of time ensures that the pathogen does get much time to produce a disease. Thus, they make you stronger!