How Enzyme Kinetic Heavy was the MCAT?

[NeuroPA]

Can any MCAT 2015 war veterans elaborate on the major points? I am assuming inhibition is a main point. But how about deriving Vmax, Kcat, Km, and the other equations?

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[Kpw101]

Vmax, Km are intertwined with inhibition. I would understand the MM equation as well as the Lineweaver Burk Plot. I haven't taken the MCAT yet but the practice tests I've taken usually have a couple of questions about it.

 

[aldol16]

It depends on the MCAT version you get. Some have a lot of enzyme kinetics on it and some are much more biology-focused.

 

[alpha-GTP]

It's definitely a high yield topic, so I would make sure it's one of the ones I know pretty well. Just going off of my experiences with ~10 practice exams and the MCAT, you are pretty much guaranteed to see it in a passage.

 

[NeuroPA]

Thank you all for your input.

 

[NeuroPA]

@alpha-GTP and @Kpw101 are you memorizing each enzyme involved in metabolic biochemical mechanisms? (e.g glycolysis)

 

[alpha-GTP]

@alpha-GTP and @Kpw101 are you memorizing each enzyme involved in metabolic biochemical mechanisms? (e.g glycolysis)

I didn't do that because it was an inefficient use of my limited study time. I just made sure to know the major concepts (2 NADH+2ATP, "investment" and "payoff phase", 3 irreversible reactions, different ways the pathway is regulated, etc.). There was one time (in the question bank, I think) that I had to know what a random PPP enzyme did. However, I think you have a really small chance of being asked about a specific enzyme and reaction. Sufficient info will most likely be given in the passage.

 

[Kpw101]

@alpha-GTP and @Kpw101 are you memorizing each enzyme involved in metabolic biochemical mechanisms? (e.g glycolysis)

+1 to what @alpha-GTP said. Memorizing enzymes in pathways is very, very low yield and I'd be surprised if it showed up on the exam and was not provided in the passage.

 

[Roayer]

Some can have a lot, some dont. Its very high yield for both CP and BB and is very important to learn imo. I wouldnt chance it on this particular topic.

 

[eve.zdrakov]

It's a high yield topic, make sure you know it.

 

[NeuroPA]

Can someone order these from MOST important to LEAST important? or tell me what needs to known in depth? THANK YOU!!!

Below is my entire biochemistry course and what I learned. I saved my lecture videos and am going to go back and relearn some material I may have forgotten.

Enzyme Kinetics
Glycolysis
Enzyme Catalysis and Regulation
TCA Cycle
oxidative phosphorylation
Photosynthesis
Gluconeogenesis
Lipid Metabolism
Amino Acid Metabolism
Regulation of Metabolism
Amine/Nucleotide Metabolism
DNA Structure
DNA Replication
RNA Synthesis
Translation
Gene Regulation

 

[Kpw101]

Can someone order these from MOST important to LEAST important? or tell me what needs to known in depth? THANK YOU!!!

Below is my entire biochemistry course and what I learned. I saved my lecture videos and am going to go back and relearn some material I may have forgotten.

Enzyme Kinetics
Glycolysis
Enzyme Catalysis and Regulation
TCA Cycle
oxidative phosphorylation
Photosynthesis
Gluconeogenesis
Lipid Metabolism
Amino Acid Metabolism
Regulation of Metabolism
Amine/Nucleotide Metabolism
DNA Structure
DNA Replication
RNA Synthesis
Translation
Gene Regulation

Cross reference the AAMC official guide outline. On the AAMC guide outline I believe they go in depth of what you need to know for each thing I believe.

https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...a-4c00-83dd-c17cee034c47/mcat2015-content.pdf

 

[alpha-GTP]

Can someone order these from MOST important to LEAST important? or tell me what needs to known in depth? THANK YOU!!!

Below is my entire biochemistry course and what I learned. I saved my lecture videos and am going to go back and relearn some material I may have forgotten.

*Enzyme Kinetics
*Glycolysis
*Enzyme Catalysis and Regulation
*TCA Cycle
*oxidative phosphorylation
Photosynthesis
Gluconeogenesis
Lipid Metabolism
Amino Acid Metabolism
*Regulation of Metabolism
Amine/Nucleotide Metabolism
*DNA Structure
*DNA Replication
*RNA Synthesis
*Translation
*Gene Regulation

Didn't prioritize but focus on asterisks

 

[NeuroPA]

I found Anki to be one of the best ways to retain the information (soooooooo MANY ENZYMES!) when relearning the content. I got an A in biochem but I zombie moded my study habits and never truly "learned" or "understood" the material. Its biting my ass right now, especially after I got raped by some of the biochem practice tests.

Does anyone have any recommendations on improvement of data analysis and interpretation skills? This is killing me....

 

[Poppin]

Can someone order these from MOST important to LEAST important? or tell me what needs to known in depth? THANK YOU!!!

Below is my entire biochemistry course and what I learned. I saved my lecture videos and am going to go back and relearn some material I may have forgotten.

Enzyme Kinetics
Glycolysis
Enzyme Catalysis and Regulation
TCA Cycle
oxidative phosphorylation
Photosynthesis
Gluconeogenesis
Lipid Metabolism
Amino Acid Metabolism
Regulation of Metabolism
Amine/Nucleotide Metabolism
DNA Structure
DNA Replication
RNA Synthesis
Translation
Gene Regulation

I hate memorizing things and I think I suffered a point or two in the Biology section because of this. I also did not really get to Amino Acid/Lipid Metabolism in my Biochemistry class so there is that. Personally I didn't make any flashcards or anything, but I think they could help if you have a time to focus on the metabolic pathways. With that said, I still believe they are extremely low yield. You included some broad categories like Regulation of Metabolism and Enzyme Catalysis and Regulation. If you understand those, I'd imagine you would know a reasonable amount about the various metabolic pathways as well.

 

[NeuroPA]

Ended up with a 521 on the July MCAT. (130/132/128/131)
I hate memorizing things and I think I suffered a point or two in the Biology section because of this. I also did not really get to Amino Acid/Lipid Metabolism in my Biochemistry class so there is that. Personally I didn't make any flashcards or anything, but I think they could help if you have a time to focus on the metabolic pathways. With that said, I still believe they are extremely low yield. You included some broad categories like Regulation of Metabolism and Enzyme Catalysis and Regulation. If you understand those, I'd imagine you would know a reasonable amount about the various metabolic pathways as well.

What were some of the high yield biology if I may ask??