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

Cells and tissues form the building blocks of life, which are crucial for mastering key concepts in the MCAT’s biology and biochemistry sections.
In this episode, host Sam Smith breaks down the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, exploring animal, plant, and bacterial cell structures alongside unique cell types like erythrocytes. You’ll gain insights into the various tissue types—epithelial, muscle, connective, and nervous—along with their roles in the body. Plus, Sam highlights essential details on ribosome size, cell reproduction methods, and structural elements like vacuoles and cell walls. This episode equips you with strategies to distinguish cell and tissue types confidently, setting you up for success on exam day.
Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro 
(01:03) Cell types overview
(02:44) Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells
(09:53) Animal, plant, and Ffungi cells
(16:20) Bacteria and archaea characteristics
(19:09) Erythrocytes: Structure and function
(20:15) Tissue types intro
(23:35) Epithelial tissue types and functions
(33:17) Connective and nervous tissues

Thermodynamics is fundamental to mastering chemistry concepts and understanding the energy dynamics within biological systems crucial for the MCAT.
In this episode, host Sam Smith dives into the laws of thermodynamics, covering everything from the zeroth law to the third. You'll explore key concepts like enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs Free Energy and learn how they apply to reaction spontaneity and equilibrium. Sam also gives practical examples, including how the equilibrium constant and reaction quotient (Q vs. K) affect reactions, and covers types of heat transfer—conduction, convection, and radiation—essential for the Chem/Phys section. 

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT and use promo code PODCAST to receive a five percent discount on your first session.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(01:03) Introduction to thermodynamics
(03:58) The four laws of thermodynamics
(12:46) Thermodynamic variables: entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs Free Energy
(24:11) Phase changes in thermodynamics
(25:30) Gibbs Free Energy and spontaneity of reactions
(38:01) The three types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation

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 MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT and use promo code PODCAST to receive a five percent discount on your first session.
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

Learning and memory are foundational concepts that play a critical role in acing the MCAT, especially in the Psych/Soc section.

In this episode, host Sam Smith discusses the key concepts of learning and memory, covering the brain structures involved in memory formation, like the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as the different types of memory—explicit, implicit, and working memory. Sam also explores types of learning, including latent learning, observational learning, and the essential principles of classical and operant conditioning, and more.

Visit medschoolcoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(01:03) How brain structures support learning and memory
(02:39) The role of memory in learning processes
(03:20) How the information processing model explains memory
(16:28) Types of learning: latent, observational, and conditioning
(17:48) How observational learning works in social contexts
(18:23) Overview of classical and operant conditioning
(34:44) MCAT Advice of the Day