This podcast explores cell organelles, organized into five categories: organelles found in all cells, eukaryotic cells, plant and bacterial cells, human and bacterial cells, human cells only, and plant cells only. The organelles discussed include ribosomes, vacuoles, cytoskeleton, plasma membrane, peroxisome, proteasome, nucleus, nucleolus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, cell wall, flagella, mitochondria, melanosome, and chloroplasts.

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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

[01:59] Definition of “Cell Organelles”

[03:59] Organelles found in all cells - ribosomes, vacuoles, cytoskeleton, plasma membrane, peroxisome, proteasome

[22:42] Organelles that show up in eukaryotes only - nucleus, nucleolus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome

[40:03] Orgnalles shared by plants and bacteria - cell wall and flagella

[46:40] Organelles found in human cells only - mitochondria, melanosome, and chloroplasts

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

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: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

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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: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at Prospective Doctor.

Thanks for listening!

This MCAT podcast covers the respiratory system. First, I cover the anatomy of the respiratory system. Then, I dive into its main functions:

1. Gas exchange (breathing mechanisms here too)
2. Thermoregulation
3. Particle filtration
4. pH control

Lastly I talk about how the respiratory system is controlled.

Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: MCATpodcast@medschoolcoach.com

To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at Prospective Doctor.

Thanks for listening!

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One of the most fundamental biochemical processes is the Krebs cycle. This metabolic pathway plays a critical role in both the Chem Phys and Bio/Biochem sections of the MCAT, so understanding it is key.

In this episode, our guest host, Alex Starks, walks us through the transformation of pyruvate into acetyl CoA via the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC). We’ll explore how thioester bonds help transfer energy within the cycle, how acetyl CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate, the difference between enzymes like synthetases and synthases, and how GTP is produced. We’ll also make connections to the electron transport chain and discuss how the TCA cycle influences blood pH through CO2 production.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:05) Recap of glycolysis and pyruvate

(02:45) Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC)

(03:40) Role of acetyl CoA in the Krebs cycle

(05:37) How citrate is formed

(07:17) How isocitrate is formed

(10:00) How alpha-ketoglutarate is formed

(13:42) How succinate and GTP are formed

(16:28) How succinate, fumarate and oxaloacetate are formed

(18:23) Fumarate converted to malate

(21:53) Recap of the Krebs cycle and ATP yield

(25:00) Regulation of the Krebs cycle

(26:16) Quiz

In this episode, guest host Alex Starks introduces the Metabolism series by examining glycolysis, a fundamental biochemical pathway for energy production. The discussion covers glucose digestion, the role of insulin and glucose transporters, and the step-by-step breakdown of glucose within cells. Alex also offers a detailed explanation of how glucose is processed to generate energy and outlines the key reactions involved. This episode provides a thorough overview of glycolysis offers valuable study strategies for mastering this topic on the MCAT.

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:08) Overview of metabolism and starting the series

(02:41) Digestion and absorption of glucose into the bloodstream

(04:10) The liver’s role in glucose transport and GLUT2

(05:05) The role of insulin in glucose uptake by muscles and fat cells

(07:48) Trapping glucose in the cell with glucose phosphorylation

(09:32) Glycolysis Step-by-step breakdown of glycolysis

(17:41) NADH and ATP production during glycolysis

(22:30) Pyruvate and NADH fates in anaerobic and aerobic respiration

(25:12) Quiz: Metabolism quiz and study tips for the MCAT