MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)
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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Circuit Variables & Elements
05/07/2024
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 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
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DNA Replication and Central Dogma
05/02/2024
DNA Replication and Central Dogma
DNA replication and the central dogma are fundamental concepts in molecular biology, and breaking down the different replication methods and the processes of transcription and translation is crucial for understanding how genetic information is expressed and passed on in cells. In the first part of our episode, we'll break down DNA replication, exploring the concepts of conservative, semi-conservative, and dispersive replication, unraveling the mechanisms that drive this fundamental process. Later, we'll focus on transcription and translation, delving into the nuances between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. We'll uncover the mechanisms by which genetic information is transcribed from DNA to RNA and then translated into proteins, all while considering the diverse cellular locations where these processes take place. Visit for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: [01:07] Episode Overview [01:54] DNA replication explanation [05:53] Three phases of replication - initiation, elongation, and termination [25:12] Central Dogma description [25:50] Transcription Process [36:31] The differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic transcription [37:58] Translation Process
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Thermodynamics
04/30/2024
Thermodynamics
This podcast covers thermodynamics. First, I discuss the four laws of thermodynamics, as well as their application on the MCAT. Then, I break down enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and entropy (briefly). Lastly, I cover the three types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. CORRECTION: First Law of Thermodynamics is U =Q - W, I said 'U = Q + W'. For U = Q - W, W (work) is defined as work done BY the system on its surroundings. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Cell and Tissue Types
04/25/2024
Cell and Tissue Types
This podcast covers cell and tissue types. First, I discuss the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. I further break down these categories and talk about the differences between animal, plant, fungi, protozoa, archaea, and bacterial cells. Next, I talk about each of the four main tissue types: epithelial, muscle, connective, and nervous. The bulk of this section covers epithelial tissue. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Renal Physiology
04/23/2024
Renal Physiology
This podcast covers renal physiology. I start with a brief introduction to renal anatomy, then discuss in detail renal physiology. Next, I introduce three hormones (ADH, aldosterone, and ANP) that effect the kidneys and discuss their effects on the nephron. Lastly, I talk about measurements of renal function. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Psychosocial Development and Identity
04/18/2024
Psychosocial Development and Identity
This podcast covers identity and psychosocial development. First, I will define a few terms you may see on the MCAT regarding identity. Next, I will breakdown the following theories of identity development: Erickson’s psychosocial development theory, Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, Paiget’s development theory, Kohlberg’s moral development theory, George Herbert Mead’s the I and the me, Cooley’s looking glass self, and Vygotsky’s social development theory. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Functional Groups: Physical and Chemical Properties
04/16/2024
Functional Groups: Physical and Chemical Properties
This podcast covers the main functional groups you will see on the MCAT. First, I will cover different physical properties (boiling point and solubility) of compounds containing the 8 most common functional groups: alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, and amides. I then mention the difference in reactivities of different carboxylic acid derivatives. Last, I’ll introduce a few less common functional groups that you may see on the MCAT. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Electromagnetism
04/11/2024
Electromagnetism
This podcast covers topics within electromagnetism. First, I will talk about charge and electric fields. This will include discussions on static charge, the amber effect, and electric potential. Then, I will introduce magnetism. I will discuss the concept of magnetism, force applied by a magnetic field, the right hand rule, and the magnetic characterization of different materials. *Corrections*: Electrostatic force is INVERSELY proportional to the distance between charges squared Amperes = Coulombs/Second I say that magnetic field lines travel in the same direction that Santa goes when he is done delivering presents. This assumes he lives on the South Pole. (i.e. he goes north to south when he is done delivering presents) Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Psychology and Sociology Theories
04/09/2024
Psychology and Sociology Theories
This podcast covers the most important psych/soc theories on the MCAT. First, I will discuss social theories: functionalism, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, social constructionism. Next, I will talk about theories of emotion: James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter-Singer, Lazarus. Last, I will discuss a few different theories of motivation including: Drive-Reduction, Incentive, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and more. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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The Reproductive System
04/04/2024
The Reproductive System
This podcast covers a few topics within the reproductive system and development. I will discuss the following topics: spermatogenesis/oogenesis, the menstrual cycle, and development (from fertilization to birth). Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Atomic Chemistry
04/02/2024
Atomic Chemistry
This lecture covers basic quantum theory, quantum numbers, hybridization, types of bonds, and nuclear decay. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Light and Optics
03/28/2024
Light and Optics
This lecture covers light and optics. It is a physics heavy podcast. I talk first about photons. This includes an introduction to the photoelectric effect and the work function. Next, I briefly talk about waves. Last, I discuss some of the physics applications of light: polarization, diffraction/reflection, and lenses. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Learning and Memory
03/26/2024
Learning and Memory
This lecture covers learning and memory. I will discuss: the different types of memory (short term, working, and long term), the structures in the brain related to memory, and learning. My discussion on learning will mostly focus on conditioning. I will talk about both operant conditioning and classical conditioning in detail. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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The Endocrine System
03/21/2024
The Endocrine System
This lecture covers the endocrine system. I go over types of hormones and their function, describe different structures within the endocrine system, and briefly discuss a few endocrine system disorders. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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BONUS: HIV Cure?
03/19/2024
BONUS: HIV Cure?
This bonus episode covers the recent news regarding the 3rd patient ever cured of HIV - technically considered a sustained remission. I will discuss some background on HIV-1 necessary to understand how the cure works. Then, I will discuss the paper detailing the cure and talk about its implications. CORRECTION: HIV-1 Viruses can be dual tropic. Viruses that are dual tropic can use both coreceptors. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Study Types and Research Design
03/14/2024
Study Types and Research Design
This lecture covers study variables and types. I discuss different study variables: independent variable, dependent variable, correlation variable, confounding variable, odds ratio, and more. Next, I talk about different types of studies: experimental, observational, case-control, cross-sectional, cohort, and more. Lastly, I discuss different types of bias that influence the results of an experiment. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Organic Chemistry Mechanisms to Know
03/12/2024
Organic Chemistry Mechanisms to Know
This episode briefly covers the highest yield organic chemistry mechanisms and reactions on the MCAT. I will talk about: SN1/SN2, Carbonyl Addition/Substitution, Aldol Condensation, Oxidation/Reduction of Oxygen Containing Species, Fischer Esterification/Saponification, and E1/E2. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Social Groups
03/07/2024
Social Groups
This lecture covers social groups. I will discuss the different types of social groups, social networks, organizations, interactions within groups, and cultural groups (assimilation, integration, marginalization, and separation). Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Genetics: Gene Expression
03/05/2024
Genetics: Gene Expression
This podcast is the second in a series of lectures that cover genetics. This podcast is mainly focused on gene expression. I also cover patterns of inheritance and genetics laboratory techniques (PCR, qPCR, Blotting, etc.). Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Genetics: Chromosomes, Meiosis and Mitosis, and Inheritance Patterns
02/29/2024
Genetics: Chromosomes, Meiosis and Mitosis, and Inheritance Patterns
This podcast is the first in a series of lectures covering genetics. I cover the following topics: brief history of basic genetic principals, evolution, chromosomal theory (including mutations), mitosis and meiosis, and inheritance patterns. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Enzyme Kinetics, Inhibition, and Categorization
02/27/2024
Enzyme Kinetics, Inhibition, and Categorization
This podcast covers enzyme kinetics, inhibition, and categorization. I will cover the different types of enzymes that are likely to show up on the MCAT. This includes a review of international categorization (oxioreductase, hydrolase, lyase, etc.) and biologically categorization (phosphorylase, synthase, synthetase, etc.) of enzymes. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Biomolecule Structure, Naming, and Function
02/22/2024
Biomolecule Structure, Naming, and Function
This lesson covers biomolecule structure, naming, and function. I talk about steroids, nucleotides and nucleosides, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and more. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Metabolism: Gluconeogenesis, Pentose Phosphate Pathway, and More
02/20/2024
Metabolism: Gluconeogenesis, Pentose Phosphate Pathway, and More
This lesson takes a further look into metabolism. It covers Gluconeogenesis, Glucose Homeostasis, the Pentose Phosphate Pathway, and Ketosis. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Metabolism: Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain
02/15/2024
Metabolism: Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain
This podcast covers glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. I cover each process in detail and cover what you should memorize. This is a very information-dense podcast. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Acids and Bases
02/13/2024
Acids and Bases
This episode covers acids and bases. The following topics are covered: definitions, pH calculations, quick logarithm calculations, titrations, buffers, and the blood buffer system. Some of the material is very basic, but it is all-important for the MCAT. Correction: A lewis acid is an electrophile - accepts e pair A lewis base is a nucleophile - donates an e pair (Thanks for the correction, David) Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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The Nervous System
02/08/2024
The Nervous System
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Amino Acids
02/06/2024
Amino Acids
In this episode, Sam Smith covers the broad topic of amino acids. Sam covers the following topics within the podcast: charge and net charge, substrate pocket binding, structure, hydrophobic hydrophilic, abbreviations, protein folding and protein stability, mutational notation. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Gluconeogenesis
02/01/2024
Gluconeogenesis
The MCAT Basics Podcast continues the series on Metabolism, and in today's episode, Alex Starks talks about gluconeogenesis. This episode covers the processes of gluconeogenesis, why it's important, the sources of noncarbohydrate precursors, and the amount of ATP used during gluconeogenesis. [01:38] The Process of Gluconeogenesis [04:10] Sources of Noncarbohydrate Material [07:55] The Key Steps in Gluconeogenesis [15:24] Hormonal Control of Gluconeogenesis [16:30] Gluconeogenesis and the Amount of ATP Used [18:02] Quiz and Important Takeaways Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Highlight# 20 - Stereotype Threat
01/30/2024
Highlight# 20 - Stereotype Threat
This clip is from the social stratification podcast and covers stereotype threat. Enjoy! Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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Highlight #19 - SDS Page
01/25/2024
Highlight #19 - SDS Page
This clip is from the Separation and Purification Techniques podcast. Enjoy! Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at . Thanks for listening!
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