Sam Smith
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: The Cell Cycle
To prepare for and maintain their diverse functions in the body, cells undergo the cell cycle, a highly regulated process of growth and division. It has multiple phases with their own ways of regulation to prevent mutations and damage to…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: Isomers
This episode reviews three common types of isomers that you are likely to see on the MCAT: 1) structural isomers, 2) geometric isomers, and 3) stereoisomers. I define each type of isomer, give a common example, and discuss applications that…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: BONUS: The Gut Microbiome
This bonus episode briefly covers the gut microbiome. I talk about what the gut microbiome is, what it does, and how our understanding of it can be applied to health. The gut microbiome and TMAO paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086762/ Fiber gap paper:…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: Emotion and Motivation
This podcast covers motivation and emotion. First, I cover motivation, discussing the following topics: intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, theories of motivation (evolutionary, arousal, drive-reduction, incentive, three needs, and Maslow’s hierarchy) and harmful behaviors (addiction) and motivation. Next, I talk about…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: Cardiovascular System + Fluids
This podcast covers the cardiovascular system and a bit of fluid mechanics. First, I cover cardiovascular anatomy. Then, I talk about the following topics regarding the heart: function, contraction, cell types in the heart, and its role in regulation of…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: Translational Motion
This podcast covers translation motion. First, I cover vectors. Then, I talk about position, velocity, and acceleration. The link for the example I work through in this segment is below. Last, I talk about free fall and projectile motion. Example…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: Cell Organelles
This podcast covers the cell organelles. I break these down into five categories, organelles within: 1) all cells, 2) eukaryotic cells, 3) plant and bacterial cells, 4) human and bacterial cells, 5) human cells only, 6) plant cells only. In…
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: BONUS: Polyatomic Ions and Solubility Rules
This podcast covers the polyatomic ions to know and the solubility rules. Polyatomic ions start at 2:00 and solubility rules start at 6:00. Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: [email protected] Thanks for listening!
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MCAT Basics Podcast
MCAT Basics: Kinetics and Solubility
This podcast covers chemical kinetics and solubility. First, I cover topics within kinetics including: general concept, collision theory, rate laws, and the Arrhenius equation. Then, I break down solubility. Topics in this segment include general concept, solubility product (Ksp), the…
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