MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this episode, host Sam Smith covers essential thermodynamics concepts for the MCAT, delving into the four laws, discussing key variables like entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs Free Energy, explaining phase changes, the spontaneity of reactions, and types of heat transfer including conduction, convection, and radiation.

January 07, 2025

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

This podcast episode explains differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, discusses animal, plant and bacterial cell structures, unique cell types like erythrocytes, various tissue types (epithelial, muscle, connective, and nervous), and highlights key characteristics such as ribosome size, reproduction methods, and structural elements.

January 02, 2025

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Understanding the kidneys' role in the body’s balance is essential for the MCAT and beyond. In this episode, host Sam Smith discusses renal physiology, covering everything from kidney anatomy to the nephron’s critical functions in filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion. You’ll explore the roles of the renal cortex and medulla, learn about the loop of Henle, and uncover the importance of ions, plasma volume, and pH regulation in kidney function. Plus, we’ll examine hormones like ADH and aldosterone and their impact on fluid balance, as well as essential measurements like glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for assessing kidney health. Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.  Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro to renal physiology (02:43) Kidney anatomy overview (08:38) Nephron structure and function (09:50) Six key functions of the kidney (12:03) Nephron Processes: Filtration (17:32) Nephron Processes: Reabsorption and secretion (22:51) The Loop of Henle (26:05) Understanding osmolarity in the Loop of Henle (26:55) Ion transport in the ascending limb (32:04) The role of the collecting duct (37:18) Hormonal regulation of the nephron (46:50) Key measurements of renal function (50:15) MCAT Advice of the Day

December 31, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Discussion on identity theories in psychosocial development, covering Erikson's stages, Freud's psychosexual stages, Piaget's cognitive framework, Kohlberg's moral growth stages, Cooley's looking-glass self, Mead's the I and the Me, and Vygotsky's social development theory. The theories are explained in relation to MCAT questions.

December 26, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this MCAT-focused episode, Sam Smith explains essential functional groups (alcohols, carbonyl-containing groups, nitrogen-containing amines and amides), their properties and biological relevance, common exam questions based on physical properties, boiling points examples, reactions, and impact on biological systems.

December 24, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Sam Smith discusses fundamental concepts of electricity and magnetism, covering static electricity, charge conservation, Coulomb's Law, electric fields, moving charges, magnetic materials, field lines, right-hand rule, forces exerted by electric and magnetic fields, and their application in MRIs. The episode also provides insights into conductors vs. insulators and the electrostatic force.

December 19, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Episode covers essential social and psychological theories applicable to human behavior and societal structures, including functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactions, social constructionism, rational choice and exchange theory, feminist theory, behaviorism, life course theory, theories of emotion, and motivational theories. Real-world scenarios such as medicine, healthcare disparities, and patient interactions are explored.

December 17, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this podcast episode, Sam Smith discusses reproductive system and development, covering male & female reproductive anatomy, spermatogenesis & oogenesis processes, menstrual cycle & ovulation, differences between sperm & egg development, implications of maternal age on Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), fertilization process, gastrulation & germ layers formation.

December 12, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Atomic chemistry is a core component of the MCAT, essential for understanding molecular behavior and periodic trends.  In this episode, host Sam Smith explores key concepts in atomic chemistry, including the intricacies of quantum theory, hybridization, and molecular geometry. You'll gain insights into electron configuration, periodic trends, and the role of quantum numbers in describing electrons. Sam also discusses the significance of nuclear decay, from alpha to beta and gamma decay, and how it impacts atomic structure. Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:48) Understanding atomic orbitals and the planetary model (04:54) Quantum theory and the wave-particle duality of electrons (06:52) Types of atomic orbitals (08:29) Electron configuration and its real-world applications (12:24) Hund’s Rule and the Pauli Exclusion Principle (17:45) The four quantum numbers (22:10) Hybridization and bond formation (26:14) Molecular geometry and its relevance (29:44) Ionic vs. covalent bonds and electronegativity (34:48) Periodic table trends: Atomic radius, electronegativity, and ionization energy (37:49) Nuclear decay: Half-life and types of decay (alpha, beta, gamma) (44:46) MCAT advice of the day

December 10, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this podcast episode, Sam Smith simplifies complex optics concepts for MCAT preparation, including light properties, the photoelectric effect, wave behavior, polarization, reflection & refraction, lenses, and ray tracing.

December 05, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Host Sam Smith discusses key concepts of learning and memory, covering brain structures like hippocampus and amygdala, types of memory (explicit, implicit, working), learning types (latent, observational, conditioning), observational learning in social contexts, classical and operant conditioning in the podcast episode.

December 03, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

This podcast discusses essentials of study design & research methods, including types of variables, relationship between correlation & causation, confounding variables, different types of studies (experimental, observational), odds ratio, validity, specificity & sensitivity in diagnostics, limitations, and biases for MCAT preparation.

November 28, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this podcast, Sam Smith discusses high-yield MCAT organic chemistry topics such as SN1/SN2 mechanisms, carbonyl substitution and addition reactions, aldol condensation, oxidation/reduction of alcohols, Fischer esterification & saponification, elimination reactions (E1/E2), and key IR/NMR values.

November 26, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Host Sam Smith discusses different types of social groups, dynamics within organizations and bureaucracy, concepts like groupthink, group polarization, and social loafing, real-world examples, and how these ideas apply to cultural groups and assimilation in the context of the MCAT.

November 21, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

Discusses inheritance patterns of sex-linked and autosomal traits, X-linked recessive diseases, Punnett square problems to understand inheritance rules, epigenetic changes, gene regulation mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, DNA repair for genetic stability maintenance, and lab techniques like PCR, blotting methods, and FISH for gene analysis.

November 19, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this podcast episode, the foundational concepts of genetics are covered including chromosomes, Mendel's laws, Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, chromosomal mutations, mitosis, meiosis, genetic factors like codominance and incomplete dominance, and how penetrance and expressivity influence gene expression.

November 14, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

This podcast covers enzyme kinetics and inhibition, essential for the MCAT Bio/Biochem section. Discussed are two enzyme-substrate models (lock-and-key, induced fit), Michaelis-Menten equation application, factors like Km, Vmax, and various types of inhibition (competitive, non-competitive, irreversible). Also explained are different types of enzymes (ligases, isomerases, hydrolases), with examples.

November 12, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

This episodeexplores biomolecule structure and function focusing on glucose and fructose, glycosidic linkages in sucrose, fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol's role in membrane fluidity, sphingolipids, eicosanoids, nucleotides, DNA structure, and ATP during cellular processes.

November 07, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

This episode explores intricate metabolism topics for MCAT preparation, including gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, ketone body generation, and glycogen synthesis & breakdown. It discusses hormonal regulation of blood glucose levels via insulin & glucagon and the differences between NADPH & NADH.

November 05, 2024

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

This podcast covers the processes of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain in the context of metabolism, explaining key enzymes, intermediates, regulation points, mnemonics, and energy production associated with these cycles.

October 31, 2024