Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology Subjects on the MCAT
The undergraduate courses that are reflected in the Chem/Physics section of the MCAT include introductory General Chemistry (30%), introductory Physics (25%), introductory Organic Chemistry (15%) and first-semester Biochemistry (25%). Introductory Biology (5%) is also included in this section of the test. A periodic table is available during the MCAT, but a calculator is not.
In order to study effectively for the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Living Systems section, you should thoroughly understand these topics:
Physics subjects to study for the MCAT:
- Units and Dimensional Analysis
- Kinematics
- Work and Energy
- Fluids
- Waves and Sound
- Light and Optics
- Thermodynamics
- Electrostatics
- Circuits
- Magnetism
- Atomic and Nuclear Phenomena
General Chemistry subjects to study for the MCAT:
- Atomic Structure
- The Periodic Table
- Bonding and Chemical Interactions
- Stoichiometry
- Chemical Kinetics
- Equilibrium
- Thermochemistry
- The Gas Phase Solutions
- Acids and Bases Redox Reactions
- Electrochemistry
Organic Chemistry subjects to study for the MCAT:
- Nomenclature
- Isomers Bonding
- Alcohols and Ethers
- Aldehydes and Ketones
- Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
- Nucleophiles and Electrophiles
- Redox reactions
- Nitrogen-Containing Compounds
- Phosphorus-Containing Compounds
- Spectroscopy
- Laboratory Techniques and Separations
Biochemistry & Biology subjects to study for the MCAT:
- Amino Acids
- Peptides and Proteins
- Enzymes
- Nonenzymatic proteins
- Carbohydrate structure
- Carbohydrate metabolism
- Lipids and lipid metabolism
- DNA and RNA
- Biological Membranes
- Regulation of metabolism
Macromolecules
- Amino Acids & Protein Structure
- Oxygen Transporters
- Enzymes
- Zymogens
- Connective Tissue Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Nucleic Acids
- Lipids
The Cell
- Biological Membranes
- Prokaryotes
- The Eukaryotic Cell
- Signal Transduction
Metabolism
- Glycolysis
- Citric Acid Cycle
- Oxidative Phosphorylation
- Gluconeogenesis
- Pentose Phosphate Pathway
- Glycogen Metabolism
- Fatty Acid Metabolism
- Amino Acid Degradation & the Urea Cycle
- Integration of Metabolism
Molecular Biology & Genetics
- Gene Expression
- Cellular Reproduction
- Transmission Genetics
- Recombination & Mutation
- Evolution
- Human Genetics
- Viruses & Prions
- The Molecular Biology Laboratory
Development
- Tissues & Histology
- Human Embryology
Human Physiology
- Nervous System
- Sensory Systems
- Endocrine System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Cardiovascular System
- Blood
- Respiratory System
- Lymphatic System & Immunity
- Urinary System
- Digestive System & Nutrition
- Reproductive System
