Biochemistry Textbook

[Tolerance]

I am taking the new MCAT 2015 in July and need to purchase a Biochemistry textbook that I can use for self-study, since I have not taken any Biochemistry courses. What textbook would be recommended? I would prefer it not be too lengthy, be easy to understand, and most importantly prepare me for what I will need to know for the MCAT. I don't want to learn things I don't need to know right now since I have very limited time.

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[hoihaie]

I don't think textbooks are the way to go... most textbooks are incredibly dense and detailed.

 

[kraskadva]

I've never seen a textbook of any variety that wasn't lengthy and dense, much less a biochem one. Agree with hoihaie that it may not be the best way to go about things.

However, if that's the route you want to take... Lehninger is the standard & Voet is also pretty good. Definitely not the "For Dummies" versions though, so don't go trying to read them straight through. Maybe start by pulling down the AAMC's topic list for Biochem, so that you at least know what it is you're supposed to know.

 

[allantois]

While not a textbook, I would highly recommend Moof University on youtube.

 

[Lucca]

Try some of be Khan academy resources and purchase the MCAT review books by your fav company (I use TPR).

...idk how successful one could be learning biochem on their own. It's a detailed and dense subject although the concepts are nothing you have not encountered in Ochem/physics/biology.

 

[Tolerance]

I have reservations about textbooks as well, especially for self-study. However, I much prefer studying from an actual book, though I will supplement it with online resources. I have the Kaplan 2015 review books. Is there any book that is more of an expanded review type book - covering the more important concepts, pathways, etc. without getting bogged down with loads of minutiae (not much more than 500 pages)? Or, would I be better off just studying the Kaplan biochemistry review book with some online sources sprinkled in?

 

[kraskadva]

I have reservations about textbooks as well, especially for self-study. However, I much prefer studying from an actual book, though I will supplement it with online resources. I have the Kaplan 2015 review books. Is there any book that is more of an expanded review type book - covering the more important concepts, pathways, etc. without getting bogged down with loads of minutiae (not much more than 500 pages)? Or, would I be better off just studying the Kaplan biochemistry review book with some online sources sprinkled in?

If you already have the Kaplan books AND you get the AAMC lists (please, really, get the AAMC topic lists), then all you're doing with the textbook is looking things up... things that are available for look-up on the internet, for free.

IDK about the med school level of review books, but I've never seen anything like that for the UG level of biochem. Basically if you're going to be tested on it in UG, then you're taking a class.
But really, all these things are on the internet. Get the topic lists, hit google, etc. Rinse, repeat.

 

[Tolerance]

Okay, I looked up the AAMC topic lists and that sounds like a great idea. Thanks.

 

[kraskadva]

YW 🙂

 

[WillburCobb]

Lippincott's its a review book for med school biochem, and about as condensed as a Kaplan MCAT review book. Its ~500 pages with tons of pictures and big text, so fairly easy to get through quickly. Also, plenty of review questions. Med school biochem really doesn't go beyond what is covered in 2 semesters of general upper level undergrad biochem, and a fair amount of information should carry over if you've taken cell bio. I used the exact same texts (Devlin and Lehninger) in both undergrad and med school and we actually covered a little more in undergrad; however that's 2 semesters in undergrad v. 5 1/2 - 6 weeks in med school.

Short and to the point - A review book like Lippincott's will be fine (and probably overkill for the biochem content on the MCAT), especially if you haven't taken biochem before.

 

[sazerac]

I am a big fan of the "For Dummies" series as a good introduction to a subject a week or two before classes start. It helps to learn what will always be important.

However the Biochem For Dummies is complete trash. I was finding errors (significant errors) in the book and I hadn't even taken the class yet. Do Not Buy.

 

[Tolerance]

Short and to the point - A review book like Lippincott's will be fine (and probably overkill for the biochem content on the MCAT), especially if you haven't taken biochem before.

Are you referring to Lippincott's Illustrated Q&A Review of Biochemistry by Lieberman and Ricer or Biochemistry (Lippincott's Illustrated Review Series) by Ferrier?

 

[WillburCobb]

Are you referring to Lippincott's Illustrated Q&A Review of Biochemistry by Lieberman and Ricer or Biochemistry (Lippincott's Illustrated Review Series) by Ferrier?

The latter. Amazon product ASIN 1451175620

 

[jjkelly3]

I have to say my biochemistry textbook is the only textbook I ever read. It wasn't too dense, and it did a phenomenal job of explaining unlike most textbooks. It was biochemistry a short course by John tymockzo. It was actually really well done.

 

[Chemistry>Physics]

Oldie but Goldie "biochemistry a clinical approach" by Rex Montgomery. Well put together book.

 

[Chemistry>Physics]

I have to say my biochemistry textbook is the only textbook I ever read. It wasn't too dense, and it did a phenomenal job of explaining unlike most textbooks. It was biochemistry a short course by John tymockzo. It was actually really well done.

How many pages and does it require fundamental knowledge of biology/organic?

 

[radiologyology]

How many pages and does it require fundamental knowledge of biology/organic?

I'm working my way through that textbook myself. I'd say it would be pretty important to have the fundamentals down, but the text does a good job of explaining things regardless.