MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

In this episode, we focus on the structure and role of key social institutions for the MCAT Psych/Soc section. We'll break down the five major institutions—health and medicine, education, family, religion, and government—and explain how each shapes societal norms and individual behavior.

You’ll learn about concepts like medicalization, the sick role, and how healthcare is delivered, as well as the hidden curriculum and educational segregation. We’ll also cover family structures, kinship types, and how religion influences social change. Lastly, we’ll touch on political systems and the difference between power and authority, all of which are important for the MCAT.

By the end, you’ll be equipped to understand how these institutions impact society and approach related MCAT questions with confidence.

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:03) Introduction to Social Institutions

(01:54) Definition of Social Institutions

(04:24) Formal vs. Informal Institutions

(05:03) Health and Medicine: Structure and Function

(07:49) Medicalization and the Sick Role

(09:56) Delivery of Healthcare

(12:18) Illness Experience

(13:59) Social Epidemiology

(17:05) Education: Structure and Function

(19:37) Educational Segregation and Stratification

(24:03) Teacher Expectancy

(25:06) Family: Structure and Function

(28:46) Violence in the Family

(29:26) Religion: Structure and Function

(32:25) Religion and Social Change

(35:43) Government and Economy: Structure and Function

(37:11) Power vs. Authority

(38:23) Types of Political Systems

(41:06) Division of Labor

In this episode, we cover the respiratory system, an important topic for the MCAT Bio/Biochem section. We'll go over the anatomy of the respiratory system, highlighting key structures such as the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli, and explain how they contribute to respiratory functions.

You'll also learn about the main roles of the respiratory system, including gas exchange, thermoregulation, particle filtration, and maintaining blood pH. We’ll break down the mechanics of breathing, including the role of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, and how pressure changes drive air into and out of the lungs. We also cover the importance of pulmonary surfactant in preventing alveolar collapse and how partial pressures influence gas movement.

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:02) Overview: Functions of the respiratory system

(01:28) Main Functions: Gas exchange, thermal regulation, particle filtration, pH control

(02:20) Upper Respiratory Tract: Nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, larynx, trachea

(05:00) Lower Respiratory Tract: Lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli

(09:28) Airflow Pathway: How air travels through the respiratory system

(10:23) Gas Exchange: Oxygenation and CO2 removal

(11:27) Breathing Mechanics: Diaphragm and intercostal muscles

(13:04) Pressure Differentials: How pressure changes drive airflow

(15:01) Surface Tension in Alveoli: Importance of pulmonary surfactant

(18:17) Lung Compliance and Elasticity: How lung tissue stretches and returns to shape

(21:48) Gas Exchange Process: Partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide

(24:59) Partial Pressure Explained: Role in moving gases during respiration

(30:31) Thermoregulation: Maintaining body temperature through respiration

(35:59) Particle Filtration: Nasal hairs and mucous cilia system

(39:44) pH Regulation: How breathing controls blood pH

(41:18) Respiratory Control: Involuntary and voluntary mechanisms, brainstem functions

To continue our discussion on the immune system, in this episode, we will cover the second type of immune system – the adaptive immune system.

We start with covering some vocabulary that you’ll need to know to understand the immune system, then we move into the cells that make up the adaptive immune system. Then we break down the two branches of the adaptive immune system - humoral immunity including the discussion of B cells and cell-mediated immunity highlighting T cells.

Don’t miss our previous episode on the other type of immune system, the innate immune system.

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] MCAT Tutoring from MedSchoolCoach

[00:34] Welcome to MCAT Basics

[01:06] Topics covered in this episode

[02:01] Review on the difference between innate vs. adaptive immue system

[02:32] General Vocabulary terms for the adaptive immune system

[07:05] The cells that make up the adaptive immune system

[13:09] The humoral immune system and B cells

[26:07] Cell mediated immunity and T Cells

[34:38] Antigen activation

This podcast covers renal physiology. I start with a brief introduction to renal anatomy, then discuss in detail renal physiology. Next, I introduce three hormones (ADH, aldosterone, and ANP) that effect the kidneys and discuss their effects on the nephron. Lastly, I talk about measurements of renal function.

Please email me if you have any comments or concerns: [email protected]

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Thanks for listening!