WikiPremed MCAT Course Syllabus - Module 12 - Coordination Chemistry- Oxidation-Reduction- Oxidation-Reduction in Organic Chemistry- Electrochemistry- Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration- Photosynthesis- Integration of Metabolism-

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Module 12 To be completed soon.

Main Progression - Coordination Chemistry, Oxidation - Reduction, Oxidation - Reduction in Organic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration, Photosynthesis optional for MCAT, and Integration of Metabolism

Review & Preview - This is the first module in which we find ourselves responsible for the outlines of all four disciplines: Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology.

Knowledge Mapping - An intense and challenging set of discussions designed to help you integrate a great deal of physics and chemistry.

Verbal Reasoning and Essay - Continuing the regimin of reading program, exercise, and writing assignment.

Main Progression

Coordination Chemistry

Videos

Assignments

Take about fifteen minutes to orient yourself to the terminology from Coordination Chemistry using your Learning System Book, your basic terms Crossword Puzzle, Solution and online drill at the Question Server

A basic understanding of Coordination Chemistry is essential, but spending a great deal of time on advanced material in this topic may not be the best idea for MCAT study. However, take some time to look through the the Coordination Chemistry external resources in the Learning Center. The Chem1 Virtual Textbook is especially excellent for a general introduction to this topic. An orientation to the basic ideas will help you better understand important material in other areas, metalloenzymes, for example.

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Goals

	Be prepared to define a coordination complex and describe its components.
	Understand what distinguishes a coordinate covalent bond.
	Be able to distinguish monodentate and polydentate ligands.
	Be familiar with chelating agents and the process of chelation.
	Have a basic sense of how the "inner-outer" hybrid model involving d orbital hybridization explaining coordination complex structure has been superseded by crystal field and ligand field theory.
	Be able to account for d-orbital splitting in ligand field theory and explain why coordination complexes are often intensely colored.
	Comprehend the importance of coordination chemistry to many biochemical processes.

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Oxidation-Reduction

Videos

Oxidation-Reduction in Organic Chemistry

Assignments

	Browse the images and study the Oxidation & Reduction vocabulary (at least through Level 3) in your Learning System Book. Use the question mask for a final drill and then test yourself on the basic terms with the Crossword Puzzle. Here is the Solution. You can also work on the vocabulary online at the Question Server.
	Read the relevant subsections on p. 36, 48-49 in Examkrackers Organic Chemistry.
	Study the set of reactions chosen from the WikiPremed Organic Mechanisms which are highlighted on the Oxidation-Reduction in Organic Chemistry Chapter Page.
	Take a review tour of the Oxidation-Reduction in Organic Chemistry resources in the Learning Center.

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Goals

	Be able to assign the oxidation number of carbon with fluent ease within the various organic functional groups.
	Understand the sequence of alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes & ketones, and carboxylic acids as a series of oxidation states.
	Recall the oxidizing and reducing agents employed in the organic chemistry laboratory and how they are used.
	Be aware of special case redox reactions such as benzylic oxidation and other cases where oxidation may result in cleavage or decarboxylization.
	Have familiarity with a few complex oxidation-reduction mechanisms such as the Wolff-Kishner reaction or Nitrile Reduction.

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Electrochemistry

Videos

Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration

Assignments

	Orient yourself to the basic terminology and conceptual space of Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration before proceeding with the rest of your assignments. Browse the terminology and images within the Bioenergetics and Respiration Chapter of your Learning System Book. Try to get the point where you can narrate the major biochemical pathways. Complete the basic terms Crossword Puzzle (Solution) and perform an online drill at the Question Server.
	Read pp. 17-22 in Examkrackers Biology. Perform the questions on p. 23.
	Take a review tour of the Bioenergetics resources in the Learning Center. Try to get one step past Biology 101 with a familiarity approaching Biochemistry level understanding.

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Goals

	Be able to narrate an overview of respiration and oxidative metabolism from glycolysis, mobilization of pyruvate, citric acid cycle, to the electron transport system and be prepared to designate their locations in the eukaryotic cell.
	Understand the bioenergetic roles of glucose, ATP, NADH and other prominent substances in respiration and metabolism.
	Be able to describe the basic steps of glycolysis, account for the ATP and NADH created, and be able to describe the role of phosphofructokinase in controlling the rate of glycolysis.
	Understand the purpose of fermentation and describe the specific fates of pyruvic acid in yeast and active muscles respectively.
	Comprehend the process of pyruvate decarboxylization.
	Be able to describe the basic steps of the citric acid cycle, account for the NADH, FADH₂, and GTP created.
	Understand how the structure of a mitochondrion supports its role in oxidative metabolism.
	Be prepared to describe in general terms the roles of the protein complexes involved in oxidative phosphorylation utilizing the electron transport chain in the mitochondrion.

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Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is an optional topic for the MCAT, although it can be useful to study for your general intuition about biochemistry. For MCAT Preparation, Photosynthesis can be seen as a relief zone for pure biochemistry reading comprehension and because photosynthesis is a field where a lot of more fundamental sciences comes into play, so it gives you an area to think about things like pigments, or internal energy change, or coordination complexes, or bioenergetics without any pressure to memorize everything.

Assignments

	Basically, Photosynthesis is just for reading comprehension for the MCAT. To give yourself a head-start, browse the terminology and images within the Photosynthesis Chapter of your Learning System Book. If you feel like it, complete the basic terms Crossword Puzzle (Solution) and perform an online drill at the Question Server.
	Read through selected materials in the Learning Center on the Photosynthesis starting HERE. Practice applying a framework of fundamental science concepts to what you are reading. This is an essential skill for the MCAT.

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Goals

	Although these learning goals are optional for the MCAT, you should be able to describe the main processes involved in the light and dark reactions in photosynthesis.
	Understand the shifts in redox potential through the intermediate steps as electrons pass from P680 to NADP⁺
	Be able to comprehend a narration of the Calvin cycle.

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Integration of Metabolism

Detailed factual knowledge of biochemical pathways beyond glycolysis and the citric acid cycle is not a prerequisite for the MCAT. While it is more test relevant than Photosynthesis, don't take a month out of your study time to memorize everything unless you feel like it (wait until Med School!).

Assignments

	Browse the terminology and images within the Integration of Metabolism Chapter of your Learning System Book. Definitely do complete the basic terms Crossword Puzzle (Solution) and perform an online drill at the Question Server.
	Read through selected materials in the Learning Center on the Integration of Metabolism starting HERE. Practice applying a framework of fundamental science concepts to what you are reading. Having a good feel for this material is a definite benefit for the MCAT, but there will not be detail oriented questions.

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Goals

	Have a good overview of the basic nomenclature and principles of regulation of metabolic pathways.
	Be able to describe in general terms the integration of the major bioenergetic pathways glycolysis and the citric acid cycle with other major pathways such as gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, or porphyrin synthesis.
	Be able to talk with at least some familiarity about protein, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, and lipid biosynthesis.

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Review & Preview

Assignments

So we are preparing for the next practice test in module 14 with in depth comprehensive study cycles. We are imagining that you have put off studying for the MCAT and you need to cram. Even though you have more time, if you can convince yourself that the test is imminent, you can give your mind to know that it is being held responsible for the entire knowledge base. In module 14, we'll have another practice test to see how things are coming. As with last week, take at least a third of your study time for preparing for this exam. This cycle, a major goal is that you really want to break through with your ExamKrackers study package in Organic Chemistry and Biology. You want that feeling you get when you are well studied and you know how every page looks. Be able to recreate the the table of contents of each book if asked. We need to get the baseline MCAT knowledge mastered early enough before the exam. You want to be able to have a bird's eye view of the comprehensive whole and ensure your knowledge base has a foundation of the fundamentals down pat. Study every conceptual chapter in Organic Chemistry and Biology this module and complete every 30 minute in-class exam in the book as you go. As with last module, this is a heck of lot of work, but make yourself suffer now and you won't have to later.

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Goals

	Hold yourself responsible for solid mastery of the fundamental principles in Organic Chemistry and Biology.
	Looking over the table of contents of ExamKrackers Organic and Biology, be able to give a clear description of the main ideas within each topic.
	Reflect on which areas seem foggiest. Give extra work to the factual knowledge in biology. Try to get the big memory challenges accomplished at this stage of the course.

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Knowledge Mapping

Assignments

Read the Coaching Discussions associated with the Main Sequence topics of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, Chemical Thermodynamics and the Equilibrium State, the States of Matter, the Physical Properties of Organic Compounds, and Chemical Kinetics. These discussions are somewhat difficult. Don't be afraid to read some of them several times. Start HERE and proceed by clicking 'Next Discussion'.

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Goals

	Be able to narrate the Carnot Cycle in terms of the concepts of Heat & Temperature, Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory, The First Law of Thermodynamics, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
	Pull together concepts of Work & Energy, the Electric Force, Heat & Temperature, Thermochemistry and the Second Law of Thermodynamics to develop a concrete, intuitive sense of the Gibbs free energy.
	Apply the concepts of Thermochemistry and Chemical Thermodynamics to understand equilibrium in important examples such as phase change, dissolving an electrolyte in water, autoprotolysis of an acid, and oxidation-reduction.
	Be prepared to distinguish reasoning based on the concepts of Chemical Thermodynamics from propositions based on Chemical Kinetics.

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Verbal Reasoning

Assignments

	Revisit the WikiPremed treatment of Verbal Reasoning on the MCAT.
	Perform Passages 21-30 in Examkrackers MCAT101 Passages in MCAT Verbal Reasoning.
	Go through the test you completed. Label every question by type in the margin: Main Idea, Author's Tone, Thematic Extension, Specific Inference, or Facts & Information. Which types seem to be giving the most problems? In the ones you missed, how do your chosen answers differ from the correct answers?

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Goals

	Remember the five main types of Verbal Reasoning questions. Main Idea Author's Tone Thematic Extension Specific Inference Facts & Information
Verbal Reasoning Tip of the Week Watch out for wrong answers designed to entice you to answer what your own opinion is instead of the author's. The question prompt will not say, 'according to you'. It will say, 'according to the author'.

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Essay

Assignments

	Read the WikiPremed guide to Writing the MCAT Essay.
	Arrange an undisturbed half hour to write an essay. Click Here for your essay topic for module seveb. Don't advance to page 2 until you are ready to begin writing.

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Goals

Focus on how to lean a bit towards either the first or the second essay task to give your essay dynamism and unity.

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MECHANICS AND WAVES		Course Modules
	Kinematics Newton's Laws Work, Energy, and Power Momentum and Impulse

*** * ***	Rotation Harmonic Motion Elastic Properties of Solids Fluid Mechanics Waves

FUNDAMENTAL FORCES
	Gravitation Electricity

THE STRUCTURE OF MATTER
	Atomic Theory Periodic Properties The Chemical Bond Intermolecular Forces

	Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry Stereochemistry

THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS
	Temperature and Heat Flow The Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory The First Law of Thermodynamics Stoichiometry Thermochemistry

	The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines Chemical Thermodynamics and the Equilibrium State The States of Matter The Physical Properties of Organic Compounds Chemical Kinetics

SOLUTIONS AND AQUEOUS SYSTEMS
	Water Solutions Acids and Bases Organic Acids and Bases

ORGANIC REACTION CHEMISTRY
	Nucleophiles and Electrophiles Intramolecular Cationic Rearrangements Reactions with Radical Intermediates Conjugated π Systems and Aromaticity Reactions of Alkanes Reactions of Alkenes Reactions of Alkynes Reactions of Alkyl Halides Reactions of Allylic and Benzylic Conjugation Reactions of Aromatic Compounds Reactions of Alcohols and Ethers Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones Reactions of Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Reactions of Amines Reactions of Organic Phosphorus Compounds Reactions of Organic Sulfur Compounds

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BIOMOLECULES
	Proteins Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids Lipids

THE CELL
	Biological Membranes The Prokaryotic Cell The Eukaryotic Cell

BIOENERGETICS AND BIOSYNTHESIS
	Coordination Chemistry Oxidation/Reduction Oxidation/Reduction in Organic Chemistry Electrochemistry Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration Photosynthesis optional for MCAT Integration of Metabolism


GENETICS & REPRODUCTION
	Gene Expression Cellular Reproduction Mendelian Genetics Recombination and Mutation The Molecular Biology Laboratory Human Genetics

DIVERSITY OF LIFE
	Viruses Monera Protista taxonomy optional for MCAT Fungi Plants optional for MCAT Animals taxonomy optional for MCAT Animal Development and Embryology

	Mammalian Tissues and Histology

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
	The Nervous System Sensory Systems The Endocrine System The Musculoskeletal System The Cardiovascular System Blood The Respiratory System The Lymphatic System and Immunity The Urinary System The Digestive System and Nutrition The Reproductive System

POPULATION BIOLOGY
	Evolution Ecology

ELECTROMAGNETISM, LIGHT, AND MODERN PHYSICS

	Electricity DC Current Magnetism Electomagnetic Induction AC Current

	The Properties of Light Geometric Optics Wave Optics

	Modern Physics relativity optional for MCAT Molecular Spectroscopy
	Molecular Spectroscopy Nuclear Physics

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The WikiPremed MCAT Course is a free comprehensive course in the undergraduate level general sciences. Undergraduate level physics, chemistry, organic chemistry and biology are presented by this course as a unified whole within a spiraling curriculum.

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