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Concepts

• MCAT Biological Sciences

  • Biology

    • Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics

      • Cellular Processes and Functions+5 topics

        • Cell Cycle

        • Cell Signaling

        • Mitosis and Meiosis

        • Other Cell Processes

        • Photosynthesis

      • Cellular Structures and Organelles+7 topics

        • Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Body

        • Intercellular Junctions

        • Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

        • Nucleus and Nucleolus

        • Other Cell Structures

        • Plasma Membrane and Transport

        • Ribosomes and Cytoskeleton

      • DNA, RNA, and Proteins+5 topics

        • DNA and RNA Sequencing

        • DNA Replication and Repair

        • Regulation Mechanisms and Epigenetics

        • Transcription

        • Translation

      • Genetics+6 topics

        • Genes and Chromosomes

        • Genetic Abnormalities and Mutation

        • Genetic Regulation and Transcription Factors

        • Mendel and Inheritance Patterns

        • Population Genetics and Hardy-Weinberg

        • Recombination and Meiosis

    • Evolution

      • Evidence of Evolution

      • Natural Selection

      • Other Evolution Principles

      • Speciation and Phylogenetics

      • Types of Evolution and Speciation

    • Microbiology

      • Bacteria and Types of Prokaryotes

      • Fungi

      • Other Microbiology Concepts

      • Prokaryotic Genetics

      • Prokaryotic Reproduction and Physiology

      • Viral Life Cycle

      • Viruses

    • Other Biology Concepts

      • Other Concepts

    • Systems Biology and Tissue Types

      • Circulatory and Respiratory Systems+10 topics

        • Circulatory System+5 topics

          • Blood Vessels and Vasculature

          • Heart

          • Hemoglobin, Blood Cells, and Blood Proteins

          • Other Circulatory Physiology

          • Pulmonary and Systemic Circuits

        • Respiratory System+3 topics

          • Gas Exchange

          • Other Respiratory Physiology

          • Respiratory Structures and Lung Mechanics

      • Connective Tissue and Epithelium+2 topics

        • Connective Tissue Types and Properties

        • Epithelial Tissue and Integumentary System

      • Endocrine System+12 topics

        • Glands+5 topics

          • Other Endocrine Glands

          • Ovaries and Testes

          • Pancreas, Liver, and Kidney

          • Pituitary and Hypothalamus

          • Thyroid and Parathyroid

        • Hormones+5 topics

          • Endocrine Regulatory Mechanisms

          • Hormone Mechanisms and Effects

          • Hormone Origins and Targets

          • Other Hormone Physiology

          • Types of Hormones

      • Excretory and Digestive Systems+9 topics

        • Digestive System+4 topics

          • Digestive Enzymes and Cell Types

          • Other Digestive Physiology

          • Pancreas and Liver

          • Stomach and Small Intestine

        • Excretory System+3 topics

          • Excretory Regulation Mechanisms

          • Kidney and Nephron Physiology

          • Other Excretory Physiology

      • Immune and Lymphatic Systems+10 topics

        • Immune System+5 topics

          • Adaptive and Innate Immunity

          • Antibodies and Antigens

          • Immune Proteins and Signals

          • Other Immunity Principles

          • Types of Immune System Cells

        • Lymphatic System+3 topics

          • Lymph and Fluid Balance

          • Lymphoid Organs

          • Other Lymphatic Physiology

      • Musculoskeletal System and Muscle Tissue+10 topics

        • Bone+4 topics

          • Bone Development and Growth

          • Bone Marrow and Erythropoiesis

          • Other Bone Concepts

          • Types of Bone Cells

        • Muscles and Myocytes+4 topics

          • Muscle Stimulation and Contraction

          • Other Muscle Concepts

          • Sarcomeres

          • Types of Muscle Cells

      • Nervous System and Nervous Tissue+11 topics

        • Divisions of the Nervous System+5 topics

          • Brain and Central Nervous System

          • Glia

          • Sensory Organs

          • Somatic and Autonomic Divisions

          • Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions

        • Neurons and Action Potential+4 topics

          • Action Potentials and Synapse Biology

          • Neuron Structure and Types of Neurons

          • Neurotransmitters

          • Other Neural Physiology

      • Reproductive System and Development+11 topics

        • Developmental Physiology+5 topics

          • Developmental Stages and Events

          • Embryogenesis

          • Fetal Circulation

          • Gastrulation and Embryonic Germ Layers

          • Regulation of Developmental Processes

        • Reproductive System+4 topics

          • Female Reproductive Physiology

          • Male Reproductive Physiology

          • Oogenesis and Spermatogenesis

          • Other Reproductive Physiology

  • Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Metabolism

    • Biochemistry and Metabolism

      • Anaerobic Metabolic Pathways

      • Electron Transport Chain and Oxidative Phosphorylation

      • Glycolysis

      • Krebs Cycle

      • Lipids and Metabolism

      • Other Metabolic Pathways

    • Macromolecules

      • Carbohydrates+2 topics

        • Properties of Carbohydrates

        • Types of Carbohydrates

      • Lipids+2 topics

        • Properties of Lipids

        • Types of Lipids

      • Nucleic Acids+2 topics

        • Nucleotides and Nucleic Acid Dervatives

        • Structure of DNA and RNA

      • Proteins+3 topics

        • Amino Acids

        • Enzymes and Enzyme Inhibition

        • Protein Structure

    • Molecular Properties

      • Covalent Bonds and Hybrid Orbitals

      • Functional Groups and Properties

      • Intermolecular Forces

      • Isomerism and Stereoisomers

      • Other Properties of Biological Compounds

      • Properties of Hydrocarbons

    • Organic Analyses and Lab Techniques

      • Compound Identification

      • Compound Purification

      • Compound Quantification

      • Other Techniques

    • Reactions

      • Reaction Mechanisms+4 topics

        • Other Reaction Mechanisms

        • Oxidation Reactions

        • Reduction Reactions

        • Substitution and Elimination Mechanisms

      • Reaction Types+5 topics

        • Other Reactions

        • Reactions with Carboxylic Acids

        • Reactions with Hydrocarbons

        • Reactions with Ketones and Aldehydes

        • Reactions with Nitrogen Compounds

• MCAT Physical Sciences

  • Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Other Concepts

    • Enzymes

      • Classifications of Enzymes

      • Inhibition and Inhibitors

    • Macromolecules

      • Carbohydrates+1 topic

        • Disaccharides, Polysaccharides, and Glycosidic Linkages

      • Lipids+1 topic

        • Structural Lipids

      • Proteins+1 topic

        • Amino Acids and Classification

    • Physical Chemistry

      • Electrochemistry+6 topics

        • Batteries

        • Electrolytic Cells

        • Half Reactions and Reduction Potential

        • Other Electrochemical Principles

        • Oxidation-Reduction in Electrochemistry

        • Voltaic/Galvanic Cells

      • Phase Changes+3 topics

        • Phase Diagrams

        • States of Matter

        • Thermodynamics of Phase Changes

      • Reaction Kinetics+3 topics

        • Catalysts, Transition States, and Activation Energy

        • Factors Affecting Reaction Rate

        • Reaction Rate and Rate Laws

      • Thermochemistry and Energetics+9 topics

        • Endergonic and Exergonic Reactions

        • Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

        • Energetics of Biological Reactions and ATP

        • Enthalpy

        • Entropy

        • Gibbs Free Energy

        • Laws of Thermodynamics

        • Other Thermodynamic Principles

        • Thermodynamic Systems and Calorimetry

    • Purification Techniques

      • Distillation

      • Electrophoresis

      • Thin-Layer Chromatography

    • Spectroscopy

      • Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

  • General Chemistry

    • Acid-Base Chemistry

      • Acids and Bases+3 topics

        • Buffers

        • Defining/Classifying Acids and Bases

        • pH

      • Reactions and Titrations+5 topics

        • Acid-Base Equilibrium

        • Acid-Base Reactions

        • Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

        • Titration Curves

        • Titration Procedure and Indicators

    • Atoms, Elements, and the Periodic Table

      • Ions and Isotopes

      • Periodic Table Groupings

      • Periodic Trends

      • Subatomic Particles and Elemental Properties

    • Compounds, Molecules, and Bonds

      • Covalent Bonds

      • Intermolecular Forces

      • Ionic Bonds

      • Lewis Dot Structures

      • VSEPR Geometry

    • Equilibrium

      • Equilibrium Constant and Reaction Quotient

      • Le Chatelier's Principle and Common Ion Effect

    • Nuclear Chemistry and Electrons

      • Atomic Nucleus

      • Electron Configuration

      • Orbitals and Hybridization

      • Other Principles Governing Electrons

      • Quantum Numbers

      • Radioactive Decay

    • Oxidation-Reduction

      • General Principles of Oxidation-Reduction

      • Half Reactions and Balancing Equations

      • Oxidation Number

      • Reduction Potentials

    • Solution Chemistry

      • Colligative Properties+3 topics

        • Boiling Point

        • Freezing Point

        • Vapor Pressure

      • Solubility and Ions+4 topics

        • Concentration, Dilution, and Units

        • Ions in Solution

        • Solubility and Solution Equilibrium

        • Solubility Rules

    • Stoichiometry and Analytical Chemistry

      • Molecular Weight, Molecular Formula, and Moles

      • Reaction Calculations and Limiting Reagent

      • Units and Unit Conversion

  • Physics

    • Electricity and Magnetism

      • Circuits+6 topics

        • Capacitors and Dielectrics

        • Current

        • Ohm's Law

        • Resistivity

        • Resistors and Resistance

        • Voltage, Energy, and Power

      • Electrostatics and Electrical Fields+5 topics

        • Charge and Electric Force

        • Electric Fields

        • Electric Potential Energy

        • Electrostatics

        • Other Electrical Principles

      • Magnetism and Electromagnetism+4 topics

        • Induction

        • Magnetic Fields

        • Magnetic Forces and Energy

        • Right Hand Rules

    • Fluids and Gases

      • Flow+5 topics

        • Bernoulli's Equation

        • Continuity Equation

        • Other Flow Principles

        • Poiseuille Flow and Turbulence

        • Viscosity

      • Gases+6 topics

        • Gas Laws

        • Kinetic Molecular Theory

        • Other Gas Principles

        • Partial Pressure

        • Real Gases and Ideal Gases

        • Using Molar Volume

      • Submersion+4 topics

        • Buoyancy and Displacement

        • Density

        • Other Fluid Principles

        • Pressure

    • Newtonian Mechanics and Motion

      • Forces+6 topics

        • Force Equilibrium

        • Friction and Normal Force

        • Gravity and Weight

        • Newton's Second Law

        • Other Forces

        • Universal Gravitation

      • General Principles+3 topics

        • Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration

        • Newton's Laws

        • Scalar and Vector Quantities

      • Rotational, Circular, and Harmonic Motion+7 topics

        • Centripetal Force and Acceleration

        • Other Harmonic Motion Principles

        • Other Rotational Motion Principles

        • Pendulums

        • Period, Wavelength, and Frequency

        • Springs and Harmonics

        • Torque

      • Translational Motion+3 topics

        • Momentum

        • Motion in One Dimension

        • Motion in Two Dimensions

      • Work, Energy, and Power+5 topics

        • Conservation of Energy

        • Kinetic Energy

        • Potential Energy (Gravitational and Spring)

        • Power

        • Work

    • Optics

      • General Principles and Properties+4 topics

        • Reflection and Refraction

        • Snell's Law

        • Total Internal Reflection

        • Velocity and Index of Refraction

      • Mirrors and Lenses+6 topics

        • Combining Lenses

        • Focal Length

        • Magnification

        • Other Lens and Mirror Principles

        • Thin Lens Equation

        • Types of Image

    • Waves

      • General Principles and Properties+4 topics

        • Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

        • Other Wave Properties

        • Velocity and Waves

        • Wavelength, Frequency, and Period

      • Light+5 topics

        • Electromagnetic Spectrum

        • Interference and Diffraction

        • Other Light Principles

        • Photons and Photon Energy

        • Polarization

      • Sound+4 topics

        • Doppler Effect

        • Harmonics

        • Intensity and Decibels

        • Other Sound Principles

• MCAT Social and Behavioral

  • Consciousness and Thought

    • Cognition

      • Cognitive Development

      • Other Cognition Principles

    • Consciousness and Sleep

      • Pathways and Processed of Consciousness-Altering Drugs

      • Sleep Cycles and Stages of Sleep

    • Memory

      • Memory Creation and Encoding

      • Memory Disorders, Aging, and Forgetting

      • Memory Recall

      • Other Memory Principles

    • Speech and Language

      • Language and Cognition

      • Physiology of Language and the Brain

  • Environment and Sensation

    • Hearing

      • Physiology of the Ear

      • Processing and Integrating Auditory Signals

    • Other Senses and Sensation Principles

      • Principles of Sensation+5 topics

        • Detection Theory and Sensory Adaptation

        • Other Sensory Principles

        • Perceptual Concepts and Organization

        • Perceptual Processing Theories and Gestalt

        • Sensory Threshold and Weber's Law

      • Senses and Receptors+1 topic

        • Somatosensation, Receptors, and Processing

    • Vision

      • Physiology of the Eye

      • Processing and Integrating Visual Signals

      • Visual Receptors

  • Group Behavior and Sociological Phenomena

    • Attribution, Discrimination, and Stereotype

      • Development of Attributions and Perceptions of Others

      • Discrimination

      • Prejudice

    • Behavioral Phenomena Within a Group

      • Bystander Effect

      • Deindividuation

      • Group Polarization and Groupthink

    • Culture

      • Cultural Phenomena+3 topics

        • Assimilation

        • Culture Lag

        • Other Cultural Principles

      • Social Institutions and Norms+3 topics

        • Health and Illness

        • Other Social Institutions

        • Social Norms and Mores

    • Social Behaviors

      • Explaining Social Behavior

      • Other Social Behaviors

    • Social Change

      • Globalization

      • Other Aspects of Social Change

      • Social Movements

    • Social Class and Inequality

      • Inequality in Healthcare

      • Other Social Inequalities

      • Power, Privilege, and Prestige

      • Social Mobility

      • Social Stratification and Socioeconomic Class

      • Spatial Inequality

    • Sociological Foundations and Principles

      • Demographics+1 topic

        • Gender

  • Individual Behavior and Learning

    • Behavior and the Individual

      • Motivation+2 topics

        • Motivators and Influencing Motivation

        • Theories of Motivation

    • Conditioning, Learning, and Behavior Change

      • Associative Learning+3 topics

        • Classical Conditioning

        • Identifying Positive and Negative Reinforcement

        • Operative Conditioning

      • Learning and Behavior Change+4 topics

        • Elaboration Likelihood Model

        • Factors Affecting Behavior Change and Learning

        • Other Aspects of Behavior Change

        • Social Cognitive Theory

    • Identity and Self Expression

      • Identity Development

      • Self-Concept and Social Identity

      • Self-Esteem and Locus of Control

    • Physiology of Behavior

      • Brain and Nervous System+1 topic

        • Studying the Brain and Nervous System

      • Neural Physiology+1 topic

        • Neurons and Neural Physiology

      • Other Factors on Behavior+1 topic

        • Developmental Factors

  • Psychological Disorders and Anomalies

    • Biology and Treatment of Specific Disorders

      • Biology and Treatment of Other Disorders

      • Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease

      • Schizophrenia and Depression

    • Studying Psychological Disorders

      • Classifying Disorders

      • Research Approaches and Methods

    • Types of Psychological Disorders

      • Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders

      • Bipolar Disorder

      • Depressive Disorders

      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

      • Other Psychological Disorders

      • Personality Disorders

      • Schizophrenia

  • Stress and Emotion

    • Emotion

      • Other Concepts of Emotion

      • Theories of Emotional Processing

    • Stress

      • Other Stress Principles

      • Physiology and Stress

      • Responses to Stress

      • Stress Management

• MCAT Verbal Reasoning

  • Application

    • Determining implications

    • Determining the probable cause of an event

    • Making a prediction based on a passage

    • Relating general theories to a specific passage

    • Solving a problem with a passage

    • Understanding limitations of scope

  • Comprehension

    • Comparing conflicting or supporting ideas

    • Formulating useful questions

    • Identifying assumptions

    • Identifying relevant supporting information

    • Understanding an accurate paraphrase

    • Understanding the thesis

    • Understanding vocabulary from context

    • Using evidence to support the thesis

  • Evaluation

    • Determining relevance of information

    • Determining source credibility

    • Determining the logic of a conclusion

    • Determining the soundness of an argument

    • Determining the strength of evidence

    • Understanding the difference between supported and unsupported claims

  • Incorporation of Information

    • Critiquing hypothetical or theoretical conclusions

    • Modifying a conclusion

    • Understanding alternative interpretations

    • Understanding the effects of newly introduced evidence