The Official 3/23/13 MCAT Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Redpancreas

Redpancreas

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
5,052
Reaction score
6,084
Members do not see this ad.
Figured I'd start this one out. I'll be registering for the MCAT first thing tomorrow. Who else is taking it on this date? How do you all plan on studying over the school year?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
EphemeralRose3 said:
Thanks! I never took neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, so I'm a bit hazy on what the difference is between pre-ganglion and post-ganglionic neurons of either the sympathetic or the parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems.
Click to expand...

Okay I got you! I will write you out a response soon, I promise. I'm a bit backed up right at the moment hah.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You guys rock!!! And i just finished metabolic pathways NOT USING TBR lol

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ah! I'm didn't foresee this happening at all but when I tried to register for May 23 this past Friday I realized there were NO seats in my area, not even the surrounding area. 🙁

I feel kind of silly that I missed the date. But I didn't realize that seats would be gone in my area so quickly because last year I noticed that there were open slots month before test dates for august (my original day before I postponed).

Damn. The date that I registered for is may 30th 🙁! Because the only other available time in April is literally on the days I have finals. Sigh! I'm going to create the May 30 thread. I guess I will be using up all the TBR/ TPRH science workbook passages...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
kimicurtis said:
Damn. The date that I registered for is may 30th 🙁! Because the only other available time in April is literally on the days I have finals. Sigh! I'm going to create the May 30 thread. I guess I will be using up all the TBR/ TPRH science workbook passages...
Click to expand...

I salute you and wish you luck!
5waB7.gif
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Soooo is anybody else bombing these BR bio passages??? Idk if its just a weak background in biochem (haven't taken it yet) or if its just me not reading the detailed BR passages. I read TPR cellular respiration passages and supplemented it with TBR a little and I felt really good about it. I know the MCAT is a test of scientific intuition to an extent...so idk what's going on...

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
kimicurtis said:
snip .
Click to expand...

Good luck to you! Don't stop posting here all together, after all, we're all in this together.

Jr MD said:
Soooo is anybody else bombing these BR bio passages??? Idk if its just a weak background in biochem (haven't taken it yet) or if its just me not reading the detailed BR passages. I read TPR cellular respiration passages and supplemented it with TBR a little and I felt really good about it. I know the MCAT is a test of scientific intuition to an extent...so idk what's going on...
Click to expand...

Yea, I find the BR Bio to be difficult as well, especially the second book. I am also using TPR bio book for content review and doing BR + TPR workbook for passages. Don't you find the TPR passages to be much easier than BR?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ScoobyDooo said:
Good luck to you! Don't stop posting here all together, after all, we're all in this together.



Yea, I find the BR Bio to be difficult as well, especially the second book. I am also using TPR bio book for content review and doing BR + TPR workbook for passages. Don't you find the TPR passages to be much easier than BR?
Click to expand...

Definitely. I think the BR covers extra content not on the MCAT and tests over it...so when I'm doing passages I'm like whaaa??? Lol But reviewing them really helps me...

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jr MD said:
Soooo is anybody else bombing these BR bio passages??? Idk if its just a weak background in biochem (haven't taken it yet) or if its just me not reading the detailed BR passages. I read TPR cellular respiration passages and supplemented it with TBR a little and I felt really good about it. I know the MCAT is a test of scientific intuition to an extent...so idk what's going on...

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...

That's most of it. I aced many of the biochem related passages but only because I've taken it. I honestly think it's unfair for tbr to be throwing so much biochem on there when most people haven't even taken it. It's not even a prereq for some schools! So... don't worry you'll be fine. The real deal won't that much biochem. Don't know about genetics tho...:scared:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
kimicurtis said:
Ah! I'm didn't foresee this happening at all but when I tried to register for May 23 this past Friday I realized there were NO seats in my area, not even the surrounding area. 🙁

I feel kind of silly that I missed the date. But I didn't realize that seats would be gone in my area so quickly because last year I noticed that there were open slots month before test dates for august (my original day before I postponed).

Damn. The date that I registered for is may 30th 🙁! Because the only other available time in April is literally on the days I have finals. Sigh! I'm going to create the May 30 thread. I guess I will be using up all the TBR/ TPRH science workbook passages...
Click to expand...

Good luck! Same thing happened to me a while back...registered for April 4th 😳
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EphemeralRose3 said:
Thanks! I never took neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, so I'm a bit hazy on what the difference is between pre-ganglion and post-ganglionic neurons of either the sympathetic or the parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems.
Click to expand...

I don't know what level of detail you are looking for, but a simplistic answer is that pre-ganglionic neurons originate in the spinal cord and then synapse with a post-ganglionic neuron. This post-ganglionic neuron then goes on to act on the organ.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
See yesterday's Fact here

Today's fact concerns carbohydrates!

Cyclic monosaccharides can exist as either of two diastereomers, referred to as anomers. To determine alpha or beta configuration of the anomer, compare the anomeric and reference carbons.

On one side of the ring oxygen, the reference carbon (C5 or C6) has a methoxy group in either up or down orientation. On the other side of the ring oxygen, the anomeric carbon (C1) has a hydroxyl group in either up or down orientation.

If the anomeric hydroxyl is in the same orientation as the reference methoxy, the hydroxyl is beside the methoxy on the same side of the ring and the anomer is in beta configuration. Hydroxyl beside methoxy = beta.

If the anomeric hydroxyl is in the opposite orientation as the reference methoxy, the hydroxyl is across the ring from the methoxy and the anomer is in alpha configuration. Hydroxyl across from methoxy = alpha.

Remember:

Hydroxyl beside methoxy = beta.
Hydroxyl across from methoxy = alpha.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EphemeralRose3 said:
Thanks! I never took neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, so I'm a bit hazy on what the difference is between pre-ganglion and post-ganglionic neurons of either the sympathetic or the parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems.
Click to expand...

Renaissance Man said:
I don't know what level of detail you are looking for, but a simplistic answer is that pre-ganglionic neurons originate in the spinal cord and then synapse with a post-ganglionic neuron. This post-ganglionic neuron then goes on to act on the organ.
Click to expand...

Exactly!

Ganglia, masses of neural cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system, serve as junctions between fibers originating in the CNS and those that synapse with the effectors (either glands or muscles). Preganglionic and postganglionic refer to the location of neurons relative to the synapse at a given ganglion. Since all autonomic nervous signals originate in the CNS, the preganglionic neurons of both the sympathic and parasympathic divisions have their cell bodies located in either the brain or spinal cord. These cell bodies extend axons out to their respective ganglia and synapse with the postganglionic neurons. Since the synapsis actually occurs in the ganglion itself, the postganglionic neurons have their cell bodies within the ganglia, and their axons conduct the signal beyond. These postganglionic neurons are true PNS cells.

Now, what are the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways? The two major differences are in location and neurotransmitters used.

Let's address location first: Between the symp. and parasymp. divisions there are differences in the locations within the brain and spinal cord from which the preganglionic signal originates, but let's ignore those for the sake of focus on ganglionic transmission.

Put simply, the sympathetic ganglia are settled close to the CNS and far from the effectors, closest to the spinal cord in the paravertebral region.
In contrast, the parasympathetic ganglia are near to or even inside their effectors.

On to neurotransmitters, as a guideline, the parasympathetic division uses acetylcholine exclusively. Both preganglionic and postganglionic parasympathetic neurons are cholinergic.

As another guideline, all preganglionic neurons use acetylcholine. This means that preganglionic sympathetic neurons use acetylcholine just as the parasympathetic do. However, in the sympathetic nervous system, postganglionic neurons use epinephrine or norepinephrine (adrenaline or noradrenaline) as neurotransmitters instead of acetylcholine. Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons and the receptors they release neurotransmitters onto are referred to as adrenergic.

The final distinction worth making relates to acetylcholine receptors. Remember how all preganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter? Well, this means there are acetylcholine receptors in all of the ganglia (specifically, in the postsynaptic cell membrane at the ganglionic synapse, meaning the receptors are proteins that belong to the postganglionic cell). There are two main types of acetylcholine receptors, and it turns out that, just as all preganglionic neurons transmit acetylcholine, all postganglionic neurons tend to have the same type of receptor. This type of ACh receptor can also bind nicotine as a ligand, and is thus referred to as a nicotinic ACh receptor.
Since only the parasympathetic postganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, the second type of receptor can only be found at the synapse between these neurons and their effectors. This ACh receptor can also bind a compound called muscarine as a ligand, and is thus termed a muscarinic ACh receptor.


In summary:

All Autonomic

Preganglionic neuron cell bodies lie in the CNS, and they synapse at ganglia by releasing acetylcholine to nicotinic receptors.

Sympathetic

Ganglia are close to CNS, postganglionic neurons synapse at effectors by releasing epinephrine or norepinephrine onto adrenergic receptors.

Parasympathetic

Ganglia are close to or inside effectors, postganglionic neurons synapse at effectors by releasing acetylcholine onto muscarinic receptors.

*Note: There are exceptions to these guidelines, but they would be given in a passage. For the most part, these hold.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gettheleadout said:
Exactly!

Ganglia, masses of neural cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system, serve as junctions between fibers originating in the CNS and those that synapse with the effectors (either glands or muscles). Preganglionic and postganglionic refer to the location of neurons relative to the synapse at a given ganglion. Since all autonomic nervous signals originate in the CNS, the preganglionic neurons of both the sympathic and parasympathic divisions have their cell bodies located in either the brain or spinal cord. These cell bodies extend axons out to their respective ganglia and synapse with the postganglionic neurons. Since the synapsis actually occurs in the ganglion itself, the postganglionic neurons have their cell bodies within the ganglia, and their axons conduct the signal beyond. These postganglionic neurons are true PNS cells.

Now, what are the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways? The two major differences are in location and neurotransmitters used.

Let's address location first: Between the symp. and parasymp. divisions there are differences in the locations within the brain and spinal cord from which the preganglionic signal originates, but let's ignore those for the sake of focus on ganglionic transmission.

Put simply, the sympathetic ganglia are settled close to the CNS and far from the effectors, closest to the spinal cord in the paravertebral region.
In contrast, the parasympathetic ganglia are near to or even inside their effectors.

On to neurotransmitters, as a guideline, the parasympathetic division uses acetylcholine exclusively. Both preganglionic and postganglionic parasympathetic neurons are cholinergic.

As another guideline, all preganglionic neurons use acetylcholine. This means that preganglionic sympathetic neurons use acetylcholine just as the parasympathetic do. However, in the sympathetic nervous system, postganglionic neurons use epinephrine or norepinephrine (adrenaline or noradrenaline) as neurotransmitters instead of acetylcholine. Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons and the receptors they release neurotransmitters onto are referred to as adrenergic.

The final distinction worth making relates to acetylcholine receptors. Remember how all preganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter? Well, this means there are acetylcholine receptors in all of the ganglia (specifically, in the postsynaptic cell membrane at the ganglionic synapse, meaning the receptors are proteins that belong to the postganglionic cell). There are two main types of acetylcholine receptors, and it turns out that, just as all preganglionic neurons transmit acetylcholine, all postganglionic neurons tend to have the same type of receptor. This type of ACh receptor can also bind nicotine as a ligand, and is thus referred to as a nicotinic ACh receptor.
Since only the parasympathetic postganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, the second type of receptor can only be found at the synapse between these neurons and their effectors. This ACh receptor can also bind a compound called muscarine as a ligand, and is thus termed a muscarinic ACh receptor.


In summary:

All Autonomic

Preganglionic neuron cell bodies lie in the CNS, and they synapse at ganglia by releasing acetylcholine to nicotinic receptors.

Sympathetic

Ganglia are close to CNS, postganglionic neurons synapse at effectors by releasing epinephrine or norepinephrine onto adrenergic receptors.

Parasympathetic

Ganglia are close to or inside effectors, postganglionic neurons synapse at effectors by releasing acetylcholine onto muscarinic receptors.

*Note: There are exceptions to these guidelines, but they would be given in a passage. For the most part, these hold.
Click to expand...

Beautiful summary 😍 Thanks much
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gettheleadout said:
I'll see what I can do. 😉

I owe you guys another one later today actually cause I missed yesterday haha.
Click to expand...

haha your write ups are very good, please dont remove from your study time, i'm trying to be funny and compliment you at the same time. get a good score on this test or i will be upset! 👍
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Entadus said:
Beautiful summary 😍 Thanks much
Click to expand...
Glad I can help! 🙂
NuttyEngDude said:
haha your write ups are very good, please dont remove from your study time, i'm trying to be funny and compliment you at the same time. get a good score on this test or i will be upset! 👍
Click to expand...

Oh no no haha don't worry at all, I'm trying to hold myself to doing these daily because it's helpful for me too. I gotcha. 😀
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gettheleadout said:
Exactly!

Ganglia, masses of neural cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system, serve as junctions between fibers originating in the CNS and those that synapse with the effectors (either glands or muscles). Preganglionic and postganglionic refer to the location of neurons relative to the synapse at a given ganglion. Since all autonomic nervous signals originate in the CNS, the preganglionic neurons of both the sympathic and parasympathic divisions have their cell bodies located in either the brain or spinal cord. These cell bodies extend axons out to their respective ganglia and synapse with the postganglionic neurons. Since the synapsis actually occurs in the ganglion itself, the postganglionic neurons have their cell bodies within the ganglia, and their axons conduct the signal beyond. These postganglionic neurons are true PNS cells.

Now, what are the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways? The two major differences are in location and neurotransmitters used.

Let's address location first: Between the symp. and parasymp. divisions there are differences in the locations within the brain and spinal cord from which the preganglionic signal originates, but let's ignore those for the sake of focus on ganglionic transmission.

Put simply, the sympathetic ganglia are settled close to the CNS and far from the effectors, closest to the spinal cord in the paravertebral region.
In contrast, the parasympathetic ganglia are near to or even inside their effectors.

On to neurotransmitters, as a guideline, the parasympathetic division uses acetylcholine exclusively. Both preganglionic and postganglionic parasympathetic neurons are cholinergic.

As another guideline, all preganglionic neurons use acetylcholine. This means that preganglionic sympathetic neurons use acetylcholine just as the parasympathetic do. However, in the sympathetic nervous system, postganglionic neurons use epinephrine or norepinephrine (adrenaline or noradrenaline) as neurotransmitters instead of acetylcholine. Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons and the receptors they release neurotransmitters onto are referred to as adrenergic.

The final distinction worth making relates to acetylcholine receptors. Remember how all preganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter? Well, this means there are acetylcholine receptors in all of the ganglia (specifically, in the postsynaptic cell membrane at the ganglionic synapse, meaning the receptors are proteins that belong to the postganglionic cell). There are two main types of acetylcholine receptors, and it turns out that, just as all preganglionic neurons transmit acetylcholine, all postganglionic neurons tend to have the same type of receptor. This type of ACh receptor can also bind nicotine as a ligand, and is thus referred to as a nicotinic ACh receptor.
Since only the parasympathetic postganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, the second type of receptor can only be found at the synapse between these neurons and their effectors. This ACh receptor can also bind a compound called muscarine as a ligand, and is thus termed a muscarinic ACh receptor.


In summary:

All Autonomic

Preganglionic neuron cell bodies lie in the CNS, and they synapse at ganglia by releasing acetylcholine to nicotinic receptors.

Sympathetic

Ganglia are close to CNS, postganglionic neurons synapse at effectors by releasing epinephrine or norepinephrine onto adrenergic receptors.

Parasympathetic

Ganglia are close to or inside effectors, postganglionic neurons synapse at effectors by releasing acetylcholine onto muscarinic receptors.

*Note: There are exceptions to these guidelines, but they would be given in a passage. For the most part, these hold.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much, GTLO! 🙂
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Can anyone please describe to me the difference between a prosthetic group and a cofactor??? Thanks in advance!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jr MD said:
Can anyone please describe to me the difference between a prosthetic group and a cofactor??? Thanks in advance!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...

I was curious about this a few weeks ago and couldn't find any consistent or concrete answer. I don't think any distinction, if it exists, is important for the MCAT.

I would be glad to hear others' input as well.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Prosthetic groups are NON-PROTEIN (often are vitamins) molecule that binds covalently to the enzyme's active site. So there is a physical attachment of the prosthetic group to the enzyme.

Whereas...

Co-factors are organic or inorganic substances that are necessary for enzyme function, but they DO NOT react with it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ScoobyDooo said:
Prosthetic groups are NON-PROTEIN (often are vitamins) molecule that binds covalently to the enzyme's active site. So there is a physical attachment of the prosthetic group to the enzyme.

Whereas...

Co-factors are organic or inorganic substances that are necessary for enzyme function, but they DO NOT react with it.
Click to expand...

Okay, I was thinking of co-enzymes vs prosthetic groups. Coenzymes and prosthetic groups are both kinds of cofactors. The distinction is rather vague and relates to how tightly it binds to the enzyme
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
After looking at calendar today and seeing the thread, I just realized we have 2 months and a little over a week. Safe to say my bad memories from my previous test and being behind are leading to many panic attacks.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ScoobyDooo said:
Prosthetic groups are NON-PROTEIN (often are vitamins) molecule that binds covalently to the enzyme's active site. So there is a physical attachment of the prosthetic group to the enzyme.

Whereas...

Co-factors are organic or inorganic substances that are necessary for enzyme function, but they DO NOT react with it.
Click to expand...
This isn't what EK says...

EK Biology said:
In order to reach their optimal activity, many enzymes requires a non-protein component called a cofactor. Cofactors can be coenzymes or metal ions. Coenzymes are divided into two types: cosubstrates and prosthetic groups. Both types are organic molecules. Cosubstrates reversibly bind to a specific enzyme, and transfer some chemical group to another substrate. The cosubstrate is then reverted to its original form by another enzymatic reaction. This reversion to original form is what distinguishes a cosubstrate from normal substrate [e.g. ATP]. Prosthetic groups, on the other hand, remain covalently bound to the enzyme throughout the reaction, and, like the enzyme, emerge from the reaction unchanged. Coenzymes are often vitamins or vitamin derivatives. [...] Metal ions are the second type of cofactor. Metal ions can act alone or with a prosthetic group.
Click to expand...

Okay, so that says that everything is a cofactor, and is either a lone metal ion (which may be part of a prosthetic group like heme) or a coenzyme. Coenzymes are all organic molecules, and are either cosubstrates like ATP, or prosthetic groups bound to the enzyme like heme.

So EK is saying that prosthetic groups are cofactors because everything not part of the enzyme's polypeptide sequence is classified as a cofactor. Specifically, prosthetic groups are a type of coenzyme.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thanks. Sparked a nice debate lol but how are you all doing on the physics passages? I did well in physics last semester and feel like i understand it after reading the chapter but when it comes top those passages idk what's going on sometimes...how could i supplement my physics "curriculum"

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Anyone else find that they do consistently worse on phase 2? I'm not sure what to make of that.

Edit: I'm doing the br phases, not every third passage like sn2ed suggests.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jr MD said:
Thanks. Sparked a nice debate lol but how are you all doing on the physics passages? I did well in physics last semester and feel like i understand it after reading the chapter but when it comes top those passages idk what's going on sometimes...how could i supplement my physics "curriculum"
Click to expand...

I'm doing ok. I'm weaker at some things than others. What is giving you a hard time?


slz1900 said:
Anyone else find that they do consistently worse on phase 2? I'm not sure what to make of that.

Edit: I'm doing the br phases, not every third passage like sn2ed suggests.
Click to expand...

it depends, sometimes the phase 2 passages cover an experiment or something I'm not familiar with or content that I'm pretty weak at that wasn't in phase 1, so I do worse on those.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
@GTLO

The information I posted above is directly from TPR Biology Review, page 38. Looking back at it now, this part was not all to clear.

I went and dusted off the Campbell Reece Biology book and it says:

"Many enzymes require nonprotein helpers for catalytic activity. These adjuncts, called cofactors, may be bound tightly to the enzyme as permanent residents, or they may bind loosely and reversibly along with the substrates. The cofactors of some enzymes are inorganic, such as metal atoms zinc, iron, and copper in ionic form. If the cofactor is an organic molecule, it is more specifically called coenzyme. Most vitamins are coenzymes or raw materials from which coenzymes are made."

So cofactor is the broad classification for nonprotein molecules that are needed for an enzyme's catalytic activity. If the cofactor is an organic molecule, it is called coenzyme (vitamins). And I guess from EK bio, coenzymes are further divided into prosthetic group and cosubstrates. I guess the key difference between these two is that prosthetic groups remain attached to the enzyme throughout the reaction and is unchanged.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ScoobyDooo said:
@GTLO

The information I posted above is directly from TPR Biology Review, page 38. Looking back at it now, this part was not all to clear.

I went and dusted off the Campbell Reece Biology book and it says:

"Many enzymes require nonprotein helpers for catalytic activity. These adjuncts, called cofactors, may be bound tightly to the enzyme as permanent residents, or they may bind loosely and reversibly along with the substrates. The cofactors of some enzymes are inorganic, such as metal atoms zinc, iron, and copper in ionic form. If the cofactor is an organic molecule, it is more specifically called coenzyme. Most vitamins are coenzymes or raw materials from which coenzymes are made."

So cofactor is the broad classification for nonprotein molecules that are needed for an enzyme's catalytic activity. If the cofactor is an organic molecule, it is called coenzyme (vitamins). And I guess from EK bio, coenzymes are further divided into prosthetic group and cosubstrates. I guess the key difference between these two is that prosthetic groups remain attached to the enzyme throughout the reaction and is unchanged.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. For prosthetic groups I always think of heme, which obviously contains iron but is more than just a lone metal ion, and we know that hemoglobin requires the heme group to function and that the heme group stays bound within hemoglobin as long as it is in holoenzyme form, even if it isn't actively binding O2/CO2 at any given instant.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Well I understand the concepts...its just the way the question asks it. My rpofessor said that the answer to a physics question is always what you think its not lol ..translational motion and work and energy are giving me a hard time

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
What the...

Can someone tell me why EK Bio says recapitulation theory is correct?

Page 177, it straight up says "You should be aware that ontogeny reapitulates [sic] phylogeny."

This is most definitely not true (source: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIC6aOntogeny.shtml)

Really, EK? :caution:

Edit: This can be today's fact!

Ontogeny does not recapitulate phylogeny.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
So I'm using the 3 month Schedule for the most part and doing some Bio Passages now , Bio EK for content and TBR for passages ........... did anyone do all of those passages listed in The schedule there are at least 11 Passages or did only a few and moved on?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gettheleadout said:
What the...

Can someone tell me why EK Bio says recapitulation theory is correct?

Page 177, it straight up says "You should be aware that ontogeny reapitulates [sic] phylogeny."

This is most definitely not true (source: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIC6aOntogeny.shtml)

Really, EK? :caution:

Edit: This can be today's fact!

Ontogeny does not recapitulate phylogeny.
Click to expand...


Please be aware of EK's errata forums:
http://examkrackers.com/mcat/Forum/Forum.aspx?f=250


your topic directly:
http://examkrackers.com/mcat/Forum/topics.aspx?f=365&t=19326&tt=Page #177

On page 177 of biology, the statement "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" is misleading, and is actually the way that Haeckel's refuted recapitulation theory is often stated.

"Haeckel's recapitulation theory claims that the development of advanced species passes through stages represented by adult organisms of more primitive species."

Reference:
Wikipedia contributors. "Recapitulation theory." [i:4351ead9ff]Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia[/i:4351ead9ff]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 21 May. 2010. Web. 25 May. 2010.

Instead, the statement should be as follows: "The early embryonic stage of an organism is often similar to the same embryonic stage of related species, but is not necessarily similar to the adult stages of these species. In other words, species which have an evolutionary relationship typically share the early stages of embryonal development and differ in later stages."
Click to expand...


😛
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
whoknows87 said:
So I'm using the 3 month Schedule for the most part and doing some Bio Passages now , Bio EK for content and TBR for passages ........... did anyone do all of those passages listed in The schedule there are at least 11 Passages or did only a few and moved on?
Click to expand...

you are doing them in thirds right?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Upvote 0 Downvote
Believe it or not LOL I was just following the list I've done like 7 straight I guess I'll call it a night for Bio and start physics , I noticed some of TBR passage tests things I haven't reviewed yet, a bit of organic chemistry that I need a refresher on so I will come back to some of those passages once I go over the appropriate topics

Thanks again for the reminder
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
So tired. I keep trying to catch up but it's not working, I'll have to push the schedule out a few days. That's ok because i've still got a lot of time after I've completed content review.

how's everyone else doing, when do you guys plan to finish content review?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
NuttyEngDude said:
So tired. I keep trying to catch up but it's not working, I'll have to push the schedule out a few days. That's ok because i've still got a lot of time after I've completed content review.

how's everyone else doing, when do you guys plan to finish content review?
Click to expand...

Crazy tired myself. I spent more time in January installing a ceramic tile floor in my kitchen/laundry room/bathroom and on my fireplace than studying for the MCAT. Fortunately I finished mortaring last night so all I've to do is grout, sealing, baseboards and thresholds... I keep punting on studying, hope it works out. By the time I get out of work I'm just fried, so when you add in class, volunteering, and these pesky floors motivation drops like a lead bottomed brick. But it's gotta get done.

My CR's done, and I'm set to take my 10th practice exam tomorrow evening (if I can finish grouting in time). So I'm using my days between exams to post-game, work verbal, and study weakish areas.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
NuttyEngDude said:
Yeah I cant wait to finish CR assuming I dont gloss over my weakspots. how are your practice tests going? which practice tests are you using?
Click to expand...

First you hate them. Then you get used to them. Then you start to like them. I'll tell you how I really feel after the real one, which will be #27 if I use all of what I have available 🙂

I'm using gold standard right now but their verbal is crap, so I'm doing the cbt sciences with a full ek verbal in between. I'm seeing linear improvement, with my last two tests the same at 11/10/11. I'm convinced I'm leaving points on the table with calculation and goofball errors so I'm adjusting my strategy to correct. Plan is to insert an aamc this week and see how I do on a more realistic test.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

LMAGZ
Is 05/23/25 a good MCAT date?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
M
Should I retake the MCAT?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Dral
Dral
User05252022
Is it worth to postpone MCAT from 5/15 to 5/23 or 5/31 but decrease primary writing time?
Replies
13
Views
3K
polymerization
polymerization
S
Should I retake the MCAT?
Replies
4
Views
3K
babySimba
B
L
Do NOT take the Blueprint MCAT course
Replies
1
Views
5K
ClashRoyaleKing
ClashRoyaleKing
Top