MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) MedSchoolCoach
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- Science
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Join us as we detail MCAT exam topics. Each podcast covers several MCAT sections with lessons based on review material put out by the AAMC, such as practice tests and question banks. Sam also interviews MCAT tutors and experts who share tips on how premed students can raise their score to get into medical school.
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Kinetics and Solubility
This podcast discusses chemical kinetics and solubility. It begins with an exploration of kinetics, including the general concept, collision theory, rate laws, and the Arrhenius equation. Next, it delves into solubility, covering the general concept, solubility product (Ksp), the common ion effect, selective precipitation, and Henry’s law.
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] MCAT Tutoring from MedSchoolCoach
[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics
[01:06] Topics covered in this episode
[02:37] What is general kinetics
[08:53] Collision Theory
[11:08] Rate Laws
[21:15] Arrhenius Equation
[28:00] What is Solubility
[32:08] Solubility Product (Ksp)
[43:49] The Common Ion Effect
[45:22] Selective precipitation
[48:35] Henry’s Law
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Physiology and Perception of the Eye
This podcast focuses on the eye. It begins with a brief overview of the eye's anatomy and physiology. The discussion then shifts to rods, cones, and the phototransduction pathway. The final section addresses perception.
Key topics include visual field processing, differences between binocular and monocular cues, and feature detection (covering both Magno and Parvo pathways).
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] MCAT Tutoring from MedSchoolCoach
[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics
[01:06] Topics covered in this episode
[02:10] Anatomy & physiology of the eye
[16:02] Phototransduction pathway
[26:59] Perception
[28:13] Visual field processing
[31:34] Binocular versus monocular queues
[35:02] Visual feature detection - Gestalt principles
[38:18] Parallel Processing
[39:12] Parvo versus Magno pathways
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Adaptive Immune System
To continue our discussion on the immune system, in this episode, we will cover the second type of immune system – the adaptive immune system.
We start with covering some vocabulary that you’ll need to know to understand the immune system, then we move into the cells that make up the adaptive immune system. Then we break down the two branches of the adaptive immune system - humoral immunity including the discussion of B cells and cell-mediated immunity highlighting T cells.
Don’t miss our previous episode on the other type of immune system, the innate immune system.
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] MCAT Tutoring from MedSchoolCoach
[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics
[01:06] Topics covered in this episode
[02:01] Review on the difference between innate vs. adaptive immue system
[02:32] General Vocabulary terms for the adaptive immune system
[07:05] The cells that make up the adaptive immune system
[13:09] The humoral immune system and B cells
[26:07] Cell mediated immunity and T Cells
[34:38] Antigen activation
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Innate Immune System
The immune system is split up into two main categories - the adaptive immune system and the innate immune system.
This episode will cover the intricacies of the innate immune system beginning with an overview of its constituent cells. We will then explore three pivotal elements of the system: anatomical barriers, the general inflammatory response, and the complement system. This will show up in the bio/biochem section of the MCAT.
For additional reading on this topic, you can refer to the NIH’s Innate Immune System paper.
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] MCAT Tutoring from MedSchoolCoach
[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics
[01:06] Topics covered in this episode
[02:09] The goal of the innate immune system
[04:57] The cells that make up the innate immune system
[11:47] Anatomical barriers to the innate immune system
[19:53] General inflammatory response of the innate immune system
[42:49] Complement system
[45:33] MCAT Advice of the day - take as much time as you need to study for the MCAT
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Separation and Purification Techniques
This episode of MCAT Basics covers several separation and purification techniques you may see on the MCAT. We’ll cover these techniques in three distinct categories: small molecules, proteins, and cells.
Within the small molecule category, we’ll discuss extraction, crystallization and recrystallization, and chromatography (TLC and HPLC).
For proteins, we cover SDS-page, precipitation, soelectric focusing, and chromatography variations. Lastly, we’ll explain, within the world of cells, centrifugation, flow cytometry, and microfluidics.
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] MCAT Tutorig from MedSchoolCoach
[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics
[01:07] Topics covered in this episode
[02:24] Techniques for small molecules - extraction, crystallization and recrystallization, and chromatography (TLC and HPLC)
[28:24] Techniques for proteins - SDS-page, precipitation, isoelectric focusing, and chromatography variations
[54:47] Techniques for cells - centrifugation, flow cytometry, and microfluidics.
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Circuit Variables & Elements
This episode of MCAT Basics covers the world of circuits. We will explore electrical circuits and their fundamental principles.
We’ll start with dissecting the essential parameters that form the backbone of circuits: voltage, current, resistance, and power. These are the building blocks upon which all circuit dynamics are based.
Next, we'll explore a variety of circuit elements, from resistors to batteries, capacitors, and switches. Each of these components plays a vital role in shaping the behavior of circuits and understanding their functionality.
Finally, we'll delve into Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Law, two fundamental principles that govern circuit behavior. By grasping these laws, you'll gain essential insights into how circuits operate and how to analyze their dynamics effectively.
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] MCAT Tutorig from MedSchoolCoach
[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics
[01:07] Topics covered in this episode
[02:14] Circuit Variables - voltage, current resistance, power
[22:59] Circuit Elements - resistors, sources of voltage, capacitors, and switches
[44:28] Ohm's Law
[45:24] Kirchhoff's Law
Customer Reviews
Love the show
Love the show, but i miss the old intro. I understand that you’re wanting to plug medschoolcoach, but that intro doesn’t have that warm feeling anymore. Sam, i appreciate the content and i never miss an episode.
Super clutch !!!!
This podcast is so amazing. One of the most helpful resources to supplement my content review but also adds in additional details I may have missed. Easiest way to reinforce concepts while driving and it also helps mix up types of studying to prevent burnout :,)
Helpful!
This was perfect for commutes. He explains everything clearly and also adds some humor and interesting facts. I listened to this podcast almost every time I was in the car for the past few months. Thank you!