MCAT Notes

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Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

Foundational Concept 1: Biomolecules have unique properties that determine how they contribute to the structure and function of cells and how they participate in the processes necessary to maintain life.

1A: Structure and function of proteins and their constituent amino acids
1B: Transmission of genetic information from the gene to the protein
1C: Transmission of heritable information from generation to generation and the processes that increase genetic diversity
1D: Principles of bioenergetics and fuel molecule metabolism

Foundational Concept 2: Highly-organized assemblies of molecules, cells, and organs interact to carry out the functions of living organisms

2A: Assemblies of molecules, cells, and groups of cells within single cellular and multicellular organisms
2B: The structure, growth, physiology, and genetics of prokaryotes and viruses
2C: Processes of cell division, differentiation, and specialization

Foundational Concept 3: Complex systems of tissues and organs sense the internal and external environments of multicellular organisms, and through integrated functioning, maintain a stable internal environment within an ever-changing external environment

3A: Structure and functions of the nervous and endocrine systems and ways in which these systems coordinate the organ systems
3B: Structure and integrative functions of the main organ systems

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

Foundational Concept 4: Complex living organisms transport materials, sense their environment, process signals, and respond to changes using processes understood in terms of physical principles

4A: Translational motion, forces, work, energy, and equilibrium in living systems
4B: Importance of fluids for the circulation of blood, gas movement, and gas exchange
4C: Electrochemistry and electrical circuits and their elements
4D: How light and sound interact with matter
4E: Atoms, nuclear decay, electronic structure, and atomic chemical behavior

Foundational Concept 5: The principles that govern chemical interactions and reactions form the basis for a broader understanding of the molecular dynamics of living systems

5A: Unique nature of water and its solutions
5B: Nature of molecules and intermolecular interactions
5C: Separation and purification methods
5D: Structure, function, and reactivity of biologically-relevant molecules
5E: Principles of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Foundational Concept 6: Biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influence the ways that individuals perceive, think about, and react to the world

6A: Sensing the environment
6B: Making sense of the environment
6C: Responding to the world

Foundational Concept 7: Biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influence behavior and behavior change

7A: Individual influences on behavior
7B: Social processes that influence human behavior
7C: Attitude and behavior change

Foundational Concept 8: Psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors influence the way we think about ourselves and others, as well as how we interact with others

8A: Self-identity
8B: Social thinking
8C: Social interactions

Foundational Concept 9: Cultural and social differences influence well-being

9A: Understanding social structure
9B: Demographics characteristics and processes

Foundational Concept 10: Social stratification and access to resources influence well being

10A: Social inequality