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MCAT Key Concepts: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Behavior

25 flashcards on the concepts that appear most often in MCAT-style questions: enzymes, equilibrium, circuits, conditioning and social theory. Study material written for practice, not the official exam.

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Michaelis-Menten: what does Km mean?
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1
Michaelis-Menten: what does Km mean?
The substrate concentration at which the reaction runs at half of Vmax. A lower Km means tighter substrate binding.
2
Competitive inhibitor: effect on Km and Vmax
Km increases, Vmax unchanged (overcome with more substrate).
3
Noncompetitive inhibitor: effect on Km and Vmax
Km unchanged, Vmax decreases.
4
Uncompetitive inhibitor: effect on Km and Vmax
Both Km and Vmax decrease.
5
Rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis
Phosphofructokinase-1 (inhibited by ATP and citrate, activated by AMP and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate).
6
Net ATP from glycolysis of one glucose
2 ATP (and 2 NADH, 2 pyruvate).
7
Where is the electron transport chain?
The inner mitochondrial membrane; the final electron acceptor is oxygen.
8
Where does beta-oxidation happen?
The mitochondrial matrix, after the carnitine shuttle.
9
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]). When [A-] = [HA], pH = pKa.
10
Le Chatelier and temperature
Heating shifts an equilibrium toward the endothermic direction; for an exothermic reaction, toward the reactants.
11
Delta G equation
Delta G = delta H - T delta S. Spontaneous if delta G is negative.
12
Oxidation and reduction
Oxidation is loss of electrons (at the anode). Reduction is gain of electrons (at the cathode).
13
SN1 versus SN2
SN2: one step, backside attack, primary carbons, strong nucleophile. SN1: two steps, carbocation, tertiary carbons.
14
Carbocation stability
Tertiary > secondary > primary > methyl.
15
IR: O-H and C=O
O-H: broad band near 3300 cm-1. C=O: strong band near 1700 cm-1.
16
Newton's second law
F = ma.
17
Kinetic energy and work
KE = 1/2 mv squared. Work = force x distance x cos(theta).
18
Ohm's law and power
V = IR. P = IV = I squared R.
19
Resistors in series and in parallel
Series: R = R1 + R2. Parallel: 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2.
20
Wave speed
v = f x wavelength.
21
Photoelectric effect
Electron kinetic energy depends on the light's frequency, not its intensity: KE = hf - work function.
22
Classical versus operant conditioning
Classical: association between stimuli (Pavlov). Operant: behavior shaped by consequences (Skinner).
23
Strongest reinforcement schedule
Variable ratio: highest steady rate and the greatest resistance to extinction.
24
Piaget's four stages
Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational.
25
Erikson's crisis of adolescence
Identity versus role confusion.
26
Sociological perspectives
Functionalism (stability), conflict theory (inequality), symbolic interactionism (meaning in interaction).

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