Best Way to Review Cell Biology?

[MissionStanford]

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I've started doing the MCAT question of the day every day, and so far, the biology questions are the only ones I'm getting wrong. So far I've taken the following biology courses:

1) Introduction to Biology with Lab (Covered evolution, genetics/medicine and ecology)
2) Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab
3) Genetics and Evolution

I'm getting all the genetics/evolution questions right (so far). The biology questions I'm getting wrong may be partly from higher biology courses I'll be taking in the future (Molecular Biology, Human Physiology, Molecular Biochemistry I), but I think there have been biology questions I should have been able to get right, which probably relied on knowledge from Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology that I've forgotten now (I also only got a B+ in the course...Should definitely have worked harder).

Where can I get the best and most comprehensive review of cell biology so that I know and remember all the material needed to get cell biology questions right? Review book? Websites? Textbook? What should I do?

 

[MissionStanford]

Doesn't look like I'm going to get responses here. Can someone move this to MCAT Discussions?

 

[Leonardo Noto]

I've started doing the MCAT question of the day every day, and so far, the biology questions are the only ones I'm getting wrong. So far I've taken the following biology courses:

1) Introduction to Biology with Lab (Covered evolution, genetics/medicine and ecology)
2) Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab
3) Genetics and Evolution

I'm getting all the genetics/evolution questions right (so far). The biology questions I'm getting wrong may be partly from higher biology courses I'll be taking in the future (Molecular Biology, Human Physiology, Molecular Biochemistry I), but I think there have been biology questions I should have been able to get right, which probably relied on knowledge from Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology that I've forgotten now (I also only got a B+ in the course...Should definitely have worked harder).

Where can I get the best and most comprehensive review of cell biology so that I know and remember all the material needed to get cell biology questions right? Review book? Websites? Textbook? What should I do?

The best way to review Cell and Molecular Biology for the MCAT is the same way that you review for any other subject for the MCAT--work a lot of questions and read the explanations afterwards. Make sure to read the explanations of the questions that you get right in addition to the explanations for the ones that you get wrong because the explanations (especially in the Kaplan books) are full of good information and test-taking tips.

Now, if you want a review of Cell and Molecular Biology for other purposes besides the MCAT, I recommend either reading The Cell (if you have all the time in the world, which is not likely) or getting on Amazon and looking for Mark Ptashne's short books, A Genetic Switch and its sequel. You will also review a fairly significant amount of the material that is covered in most Molecular Biology courses in a good biochemistry course, which is a good course to take regardless to prepare yourself for the first year of medical school. Your planned Molecular Biology course (I saw this after my initial reply) should also refresh most everything and a Human Physiology course will likely hit many of the high points as well.

Edit: Here's a link to Mark Ptashne's books, which were very helpful for me when I was an undergrad (for my coursework, not the MCAT): http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...words=mark+ptashne&sprefix=Mark+Ptash,aps,242. I would start with Genes and Signals if you only have time for one. It can be read in 2-3 days without much trouble. I have no financial interest in Dr. Ptashne's books and I do not know him personally, btw.

Dr. Leonardo Noto
www.leonardonoto.com or follow me on Twitter @DrLeonardoNoto