MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Syllabus

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems in MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Mechanics, Energy, and Fluids in Living Systems

   4 topics

   • Translational and Rotational Motion
     • Vectors, displacement, velocity, and acceleration
     • Kinematics and projectile motion
     • Torque, center of mass, and equilibrium
   • Force, Work, and Energy
     • Newton's laws and free-body diagrams
     • Work-energy theorem and conservation of energy
     • Kinetic, potential, and mechanical energy
   • Fluids and Gases
     • Density, pressure, and Pascal's principle
     • Buoyancy and Archimedes' principle
     • Continuity equation and Bernoulli's principle
     • Viscosity, Poiseuille flow, and blood circulation
   • Thermodynamics of Biological Systems
     • Heat, temperature, and specific heat
     • First and second laws of thermodynamics
     • Entropy and energy transfer
2. 2

   Electrostatics, Circuits, and Magnetism

   3 topics

   • Electrostatics
     • Coulomb's law and electric fields
     • Electric potential and potential energy
     • Dipoles in biological membranes
   • Circuit Elements
     • Current, voltage, and resistance (Ohm's law)
     • Capacitance and dielectrics
     • Series and parallel circuits
   • Magnetism and Bioelectricity
     • Magnetic fields and forces on charges
     • Nerve conduction and membrane potentials
3. 3

   Waves, Sound, Light, and Optics

   3 topics

   • Periodic Motion and Sound
     • Simple harmonic motion and resonance
     • Sound intensity, the decibel scale, and the Doppler effect
     • Ultrasound and hearing physiology
   • Electromagnetic Radiation and Light
     • The electromagnetic spectrum
     • Reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection
   • Geometrical and Physical Optics
     • Thin lenses, mirrors, and image formation
     • Optics of the human eye and corrective lenses
     • Diffraction, interference, and polarization
4. 4

   General Chemistry of Biological Systems

   4 topics

   • Atomic Structure and Periodicity
     • Quantum numbers and electron configuration
     • Periodic trends in reactivity
   • Bonding and Stoichiometry
     • Ionic, covalent, and intermolecular forces
     • Mole concept, balancing equations, and limiting reagents
   • Solutions and Phases
     • Solubility, concentration units, and colligative properties
     • Phase diagrams and phase changes
   • Kinetics and Equilibrium
     • Rate laws and reaction order
     • Le Chatelier's principle and equilibrium constants
5. 5

   Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry, and Acid-Base Chemistry

   3 topics

   • Chemical Thermodynamics
     • Enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy
     • Spontaneity and coupled reactions
   • Acids, Bases, and Buffers
     • pH, pKa, and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
     • Titration curves and buffer systems
     • Physiological buffering (bicarbonate system)
   • Electrochemistry
     • Oxidation states and redox reactions
     • Galvanic and electrolytic cells
     • Nernst equation and cell potentials

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems flashcards for MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

23 of 52 cards from the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the equation for displacement of an object under constant acceleration, starting from initial velocity v0?

   x = v0·t + ½at². Final velocity: v = v0 + at, and v² = v0² + 2a·x.

2. For projectile motion, how do the horizontal and vertical components of velocity behave?

   Horizontal velocity is constant (no horizontal acceleration); vertical velocity changes at g = 9.8 m/s² due to gravity. The two components are independent.

3. Define torque and give its formula.

   Torque (τ) is the rotational effect of a force: τ = r·F·sin(θ), where r is the lever arm, F the force, and θ the angle between them. Units: N·m.

4. What is the relationship between linear and angular quantities for an object moving in a circle of radius r?

   v = rω (velocity), a_t = rα (tangential acceleration). Centripetal acceleration a_c = v²/r = ω²r, directed toward the center.

5. State the condition for static equilibrium of a rigid body.

   Net force equals zero (ΣF = 0) AND net torque equals zero (Στ = 0). Both translational and rotational equilibrium must hold.

6. State Newton's three laws of motion.

   1) An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net force (inertia). 2) F = ma. 3) For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

7. Define work and give the conditions under which a force does zero work.

   Work W = F·d·cos(θ). Work is zero when force is perpendicular to displacement (θ = 90°) or when there is no displacement.

8. What is the work-energy theorem?

   The net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy: W_net = ΔKE = ½mv_f² − ½mv_i².

9. Give the formulas for kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.

   Kinetic energy KE = ½mv². Gravitational potential energy PE = mgh (near Earth's surface).

10. Define power and give two equivalent formulas.

    Power is the rate of doing work: P = W/t = F·v (for constant force along velocity). Units: watts (W = J/s).

11. What distinguishes conservative from non-conservative forces?

    Conservative forces (gravity, spring, electrostatic) do path-independent work and have an associated potential energy. Non-conservative forces (friction, drag) dissipate mechanical energy and are path-dependent.

12. State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy and when it applies.

    KE + PE = constant when only conservative forces do work. If non-conservative forces (e.g., friction) act, mechanical energy is not conserved.

13. State Pascal's principle.

    A pressure change applied to an enclosed incompressible fluid is transmitted undiminished to every part of the fluid and the container walls. Basis of hydraulic systems: F1/A1 = F2/A2.

14. State Archimedes' principle and the buoyant force formula.

    A submerged object experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid: F_b = ρ_fluid·V_displaced·g.

15. What is the continuity equation for fluid flow?

    For incompressible fluid, A1·v1 = A2·v2 (volume flow rate Q = Av is constant). Narrower cross-section means faster flow.

16. State Bernoulli's equation.

    P + ½ρv² + ρgh = constant along a streamline. Higher fluid speed corresponds to lower pressure (for constant height).

17. Define absolute (gauge vs. absolute) pressure in a static fluid at depth h.

    Absolute pressure P = P0 + ρgh, where P0 is surface (atmospheric) pressure. Gauge pressure is the part ρgh above atmospheric.

18. What is the ideal gas law and the value/units of R?

    PV = nRT. R = 8.314 J/(mol·K) = 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K). T must be in kelvin.

19. State the first law of thermodynamics.

    ΔU = Q − W, where ΔU is change in internal energy, Q is heat added to the system, and W is work done by the system. Energy is conserved.

20. State the second law of thermodynamics in terms of entropy.

    The total entropy of an isolated system never decreases; spontaneous processes increase the entropy of the universe (ΔS_universe ≥ 0).

21. Define specific heat and the heat equation for temperature change.

    Specific heat c is the heat needed to raise 1 kg (or 1 g) of substance by 1°C. Heat: Q = mcΔT (no phase change).

22. What equation governs heat exchange during a phase change?

    Q = mL, where L is the latent heat (of fusion for solid↔liquid, of vaporization for liquid↔gas). Temperature stays constant during the phase change.

23. State Coulomb's law for the force between two point charges.

    F = k·q1·q2/r², where k ≈ 8.99×10⁹ N·m²/C². Like charges repel, opposite charges attract.

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