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MCAT Modules - Review

MCAT Modules - Review

By Hamza Taj

A concise review of the Khan Academy MCAT Videos.

Ok this is really random but I just hit a thousand plays or this, so could you hmu with any critique? Email mcatstudyone@gmail.com (takes 20 seconds!)

Created by Hamza Taj
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1:5. Amino Acid Structure

MCAT Modules - ReviewJun 04, 2020

00:00
02:44
8:3. DNA Libraries and Generating cDNA

8:3. DNA Libraries and Generating cDNA

Prot —> mRNA —> cDNA —> dsDNA. (Step 2 via reverse transcriptase and step 3 via DNA Polymerase). Now the dsDNA is injected into a virus which infects bacteria to make lots of the DNA.
Aug 15, 202004:58
8:2. Polymerase Chain Reaction

8:2. Polymerase Chain Reaction

Denaturation (Heat to high temp), Primer Annealing (Cool slightly), Primer Extension via polymerase (Heat but not as much as step 1).
Aug 15, 202006:58
8:1. Gel Electrophoresis

8:1. Gel Electrophoresis

GE find us the length of a DNA Strand (how many base pairs long).
Aug 15, 202006:32
7:5. Applying the HP Equation

7:5. Applying the HP Equation

Not really sure why I did a module on this - basically you know they’re homo recessive because they have blue eyes (the recessive trait), and you know to use q BECAUSE we’re dealing with the recessive trait.
Aug 10, 202001:41
7:4. The Hardy-Weinberg Equation

7:4. The Hardy-Weinberg Equation

HP Equation gives P(allele frequencies). P^2 is probability of homo dominant, Q^2 is probability of homo recessive, 2pq is probability of heterozygous allele combo. P = frequency of dom allele, Q = frequency of recessive allele.
Aug 10, 202002:41
7:3. Worked Example: Punnett Squares

7:3. Worked Example: Punnett Squares

Discusses Dihybrid Crosses and the Law of Independent Assortment.
Aug 10, 202006:05
7:2. Co-dominance and Incomplete Dominance

7:2. Co-dominance and Incomplete Dominance

Don’t let the title fool you. This is short. Discusses complete, incomplete, and co-dominance.
Aug 10, 202000:59
7:1. An Introduction to Mendelian Genetics

7:1. An Introduction to Mendelian Genetics

Discuss genes, alleles, geno/phenotypes, and punnet squares. The Khan Academy video discusses the history (Gregor Mendel) but let’s be real, who cares.
Aug 10, 202006:48
6:5. The Effects of Mutations

6:5. The Effects of Mutations

Mutations can be good, bad, or both.
Aug 10, 202002:14
6:4. Mutagens and Carcinogens

6:4. Mutagens and Carcinogens

Define mutagens and then discuss endogenous and exogenous mutagens. (Endo: ROS); (Exo: intercalators, base analogues, carcinogens)
Aug 10, 202008:20
6:3. The Causes of Genetic Mutations

6:3. The Causes of Genetic Mutations

Small scale mutations (point: TTM; frame-shift: ID) and Large-scale mutations (translocation, inversion).
Aug 04, 202010:46
6:2. The Different Types of Mutations

6:2. The Different Types of Mutations

Point, Frame Shift, and Nonsense vs. Missense. Further divided Missense to Silent, Conservative, and Non-Conservative.
Aug 04, 202008:17
6:1. Introduction to Genetic Mutations

6:1. Introduction to Genetic Mutations

Clarifies that mutations arise at the DNA level, and from where mutations originate.
Aug 03, 202004:59
5:7. Tumor Suppressors

5:7. Tumor Suppressors

Discusses categories of tumor suppressors and then 2 examples: pRb and p53, both proteins.
Aug 03, 202009:25
5:6. Oncogenes

5:6. Oncogenes

Discusses the 3 mechanisms through which oncogenes are formed from proto-oncogenes, and types of oncogenes with examples.
Aug 03, 202021:40
5:5. Non-Coding RNA

5:5. Non-Coding RNA

I discuss ncRNAs (RNA that’s ready to perform tasks w/o becoming protein) and then move onto rRNA, tRNA, miRNA, snRNA, and snoRNA. Have fun with all these acronyms lol
Jul 26, 202013:24
5:4. Post-Transcriptional Regulation

5:4. Post-Transcriptional Regulation

Not really an important module but skip to 6:18 for new stuff (RNA Editing via the ADAR and CDAR Enzymes)
Jul 20, 202008:59
5:3. Regulation of Transcription

5:3. Regulation of Transcription

Discusses GTFs, then discusses activators/repressors and enhancers/silencers. Finally distinguishes between regulation of transcriptional euk and prok organisms.
Jul 19, 202017:28
5:2. DNA and Chromatin Regulation

5:2. DNA and Chromatin Regulation

Discusses HAT and HDAC enzymes to uncoil/coil DNA (uncoil = activate for transcription) then transitioned into DNA methylation as it relates to CpG Islands and MBB’s.
Jul 18, 202017:38
5:1. The Lac Operon - Part 2

5:1. The Lac Operon - Part 2

More terminology of the Lac Operon mechanism, refined ideas from the first part.
Jun 30, 202013:24
4:16. DNA Structure and Function (Random Info)

4:16. DNA Structure and Function (Random Info)

End of chapter random info (as I’ve done before). Although pay attention to end where I discuss donor:acceptor ratios of nucleobases.
Jun 30, 202008:16
4:15. The Jacob Monod Lac Operon

4:15. The Jacob Monod Lac Operon

Discusses why gene expression regulation occurs @ transcription level. Discusses the Jacob Monod Lac Operon’s structure (ZYA) and function (lactose metabolism) and how the repressor (@operator site) controls this process.
Jun 29, 202014:41
4:14. Protein Modification

4:14. Protein Modification

LISTEN @ 2x speed (on Apple podcasts). Discusses co- and post-translational modifications (GLUMPP) which occur for those proteins that aren’t fully ready to work even after translation finishes.
Jun 27, 202030:51
4:13. Semi-Conservative Replication

4:13. Semi-Conservative Replication

Discusses the conservative (Incorrect), dispersive(Incorrect), and Semi-Conservative (Correct) theories of replication.
Jun 26, 202002:42
4:12. DNA Repair 2 (response to Dimers) + Summary of BOTH DNA Repairs

4:12. DNA Repair 2 (response to Dimers) + Summary of BOTH DNA Repairs

Discuss endo- and exogenous factors that damage DNA, the process of Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER), and what happens when NER fails.
Jun 26, 202018:29
4:11. DNA Repair 1 (response to Mutations)

4:11. DNA Repair 1 (response to Mutations)

(This is where the modules get longer/content heavy). Discusses exo- and endonucleases as well as the Mismatch Repair Mechanism as a physiological fail safe.
Jun 24, 202019:21
4:10. Differences in translation between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

4:10. Differences in translation between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Strand structure, protection factors (proks have none), and starting A2 (proks = fmet // euks = met)
Jun 22, 202009:59
4:9. Translation

4:9. Translation

Discusses the process using the APE Sites.
Jun 21, 202007:50
4:8. Speed and Precision of DNA Replication

4:8. Speed and Precision of DNA Replication

USELESS MODULE // I didn’t think I’d actually get it to 45 seconds LOL
Jun 21, 202000:45
4:7. Transcription and mRNA Processing

4:7. Transcription and mRNA Processing

I know we talked about this in 4:1 but this has more detail. Distinguishes between eukaryotic and prokaryotic transcription and reviews eukaryotic transcription in detail (with processing).
Jun 21, 202015:03
4:6. The DNA Replication Process

4:6. The DNA Replication Process

(Yes it has a different name). The 8-step process.
Jun 20, 202004:54
4:5. Telomeres and Single Copy DNA vs. Repetitive DNA

4:5. Telomeres and Single Copy DNA vs. Repetitive DNA

Introduce telomeres as “protective caps” to ensure protection and quality replication of DNA sequences. Also discuss single copy DNA (important for genetic info) vs repetitive DNA (telomeres are an example of this).
Jun 19, 202011:36
4:4. Antiparallel Structure of DNA Strands

4:4. Antiparallel Structure of DNA Strands

The strands (each of the 2 sugar phosphate backbones) run in opposite directions. That is all.
Jun 19, 202003:39
4:3. Molecular Structure of DNA

4:3. Molecular Structure of DNA

Really just a recap of the previous module + the types of bonding that forms the Double Helix
Jun 19, 202004:02
4:2. DNA (Overview)

4:2. DNA (Overview)

Discuss DNA’s basic structure as well as the nitrogenous base pairs.
Jun 19, 202004:47
4:1. Eukaryotic gene transcription (DNA —> RNA)

4:1. Eukaryotic gene transcription (DNA —> RNA)

(Content heavy!) Transcription, Structural Differences of Nucleic Acids, mRNA Processing, and RNA Interference
Jun 16, 202018:28
3:7. The Lineweaver-Burke Plot

3:7. The Lineweaver-Burke Plot

Search up the Lineweaver-Burke Plot on your own.
Jun 15, 202001:31
3:6. Covalent Modifications to Enzynes

3:6. Covalent Modifications to Enzynes

Covalent Modifications are changes made to a protein to accomplish a variety of tasks (activate, deactivate, etc). I discuss Small Post-translational Modifications, Zymogens, and Suicide Inhibitors.
Jun 15, 202011:33
3:5. Non-enzymatic Protein Function

3:5. Non-enzymatic Protein Function

MARTI (Motor, Antibodies, Receptors, Transport, and Ion Channel) Proteins. Don’t forget LITHOL for types of enzymes.
Jun 15, 202011:19
3:4. Allosteric Regulation and Feedback Loops

3:4. Allosteric Regulation and Feedback Loops

Discuss allostery, feedback loops, and the phosphofructokinase enzyme and it how it is involved in a feedback loop. (Pretty long module)
Jun 14, 202015:23
3:3. Cooperativity (or Cooperative Binding)

3:3. Cooperativity (or Cooperative Binding)

Details positive, negative, and noncooperation binding.
Jun 11, 202008:05
3:2. Steady States and the Michaelis-Mentin Equation

3:2. Steady States and the Michaelis-Mentin Equation

Discusses the steady state assumption and its equation, the MM Equation, and the catalytic efficiency equation. Also notes Kcat and Km and their interpretations.
Jun 11, 202012:04
3:1. An Introduction to Enzymes Kinetics

3:1. An Introduction to Enzymes Kinetics

I discuss the 3 assumptions that allow for the (many) conclusions we will reach later in this season.
Jun 11, 202010:27
2:7. Enzymes and their Local Environment

2:7. Enzymes and their Local Environment

The effects of the pH and Temperature factors on catalysis.
Jun 11, 202005:06
2:6. Cofactors, Coenzymes, and Vitamins

2:6. Cofactors, Coenzymes, and Vitamins

What they are and some examples. Discuss his minerals as well.
Jun 11, 202005:56
2:5. Six Types of Enzymes

2:5. Six Types of Enzymes

LITHOL // Transferase, ligase, oxidoreductase, isomerase, hydroplane, lyase
Jun 11, 202011:52
2:4. Induced Fit Model of Enzyme Catalysis

2:4. Induced Fit Model of Enzyme Catalysis

Details active and allosteric site binding and distinguishes between reaction and regulation.
Jun 09, 202007:60
2:3. Enzymes and Activation Energy

2:3. Enzymes and Activation Energy

Details how catalysts affect a reaction.
Jun 09, 202004:59
2:2. Intro to Enzymes and Catalysts

2:2. Intro to Enzymes and Catalysts

It’s in the title.
Jun 08, 202004:53
2:1. Enzyme Structure and Function

2:1. Enzyme Structure and Function

Discusses catalytic conditions and collision theory.
Jun 08, 202001:47