MCAT Basics

In this episode of MCAT Basics, we’ll cover Electrochemistry. We start with the role of salt bridges in electrochemical cells and cover the intricacies of cell notation. We’ll also discuss how ions maintain charge balance, the importance of reduction and oxidation potentials, and how these elements come together in galvanic and electrolytic cells. We’ll also take a closer look at concentration cells and the critical Nernst equation, which helps us understand cell potentials under non-standard conditions.
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Jump into the Conversation:
[00:00] Introduction to MCAT Basics
[01:09} Introduction to Electrochemistry
[03:20] Concentration cell: same metal, different ion concentrations
[13:05] Visualizing galvanic cells using royal analogy
[22:19] Reduction potential, oxidation potential, cell potential explained
[30:47] Electrochemical cells, Gibbs free energy, and Nernst equation
[41:16] Electroplating and electric current to coat metals
[45:40] Electrochemistry in Nanobiology: measuring oxidation of molecules

In this episode, we'll break down the intricate processes of nutrient digestion and absorption, from the mechanical and chemical digestion in the stomach to the vital role of the small and large intestines. We'll also discuss the regulatory mechanisms involving hormones and nervous innervation and the essential structures like the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. And don't forget, this episode is packed with tips on everything you need to know about this high-yield topic for the MCAT.
So grab your notes, get comfortable, and let's embark on this fascinating journey through the digestive system. Stay tuned for a deep dive into how our bodies turn food into the vital nutrients we need to thrive.
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Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] Introduction to the MCAT Basics
[05:11] Digestive system involves mechanical and chemical processes.
[06:55] Food travels through digestive system over time.
[10:48] Small intestines: duodenum, jejunum, ileum, enterocytes crucial.
[14:38] Sphincters in digestive system control food movement.
[16:26] Podcast discusses physiology of digestive system structures.
[20:57] Salivary enzyme breaks down starch into glucose.
[23:46] Muscle contractions propel food through digestive system.
[27:40] Lipase enzyme breaks down fats in stomach.
[29:11] Stomach doesn't absorb nutrients, protects itself.
[32:55] Enzymes linked to cells for carbohydrate breakdown.
[38:05] Bile emulsifies fat, chylomicrons enter lymphatic system.
[41:35] Gut bacteria metabolize cellulose, form fatty acids.
[45:02] Living without large intestine; regulation of digestion.
[46:50] CCK stimulates pancreatic juice release, important digestion.
[49:57] Prepare for MCAT and excel with us!

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). 
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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

In this episode, we focus on the physiology of sound and hearing.
We begin by exploring sound-related concepts, including sound waves, pitch, ultrasound, and the decibel system. Next, we delve into the anatomy and physiology of the ear, providing a clear understanding of how we perceive sound. This material will appear in two of the four MCAT sections: the Bio/Biochem and Physics/Chemistry sections.
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[00:00] Introduction
[01:50] Physics of sound waves
[06:07] Wavelength and frequency equation
[08:08] Equation for the speed of sound
[11:01] Overall takeaway for the MCAT
[11:15] Ultrasound imaging
[14:23] The decibel system
[18:05] Anatomy and physiology of the ear

Redox reactions or reduction and oxidation are reactions in which electrons are simultaneously transferred from one chemical species to another. This episode begins with exploring this concept, including an in-depth look at oxidizing and reducing agents and the factors determining a compound's effectiveness as an oxidizing agent. 
It also covers the oxidation states of molecules and functional groups, common redox reagents in organic chemistry, and the role of redox in biological systems. The episode also addresses numerical concepts from general chemistry related to redox, such as determining oxidation numbers and understanding electrochemical cells.
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[00:00] Introduction
[01:09] What is the conceptual definition of redox
[06:22] What is an oxidizing agent, and what is a reducing agent?
[08:50] What makes a molecule better than another at being an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent?
[13:58] Which oxidation reduction reagents should you know and what do they
[21:44] Redox in biological systems
[35:01] How to determine the oxidation state
[41:16] The application of oxidation-reduction in electrochemical cells