Fat and Protein Metabolism

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

MedSchoolCoach

Science

4.6 • 612 Ratings

🗓️ 1 May 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, we’ll nail down all that is needed for the MCATB in relation to fat and protein metabolism. Two critical processes for gaining energy and maintaining cellular functions in the body. We'll learn about the intricate details of beta-oxidation, where fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondrial matrix to produce energy-rich molecules like NADH, FADH2, and acetyl CoA.

From protein catabolism, where proteins are broken down into amino acids that feed into gluconeogenesis and ketosis pathways, to protein anabolism, where these amino acids are incorporated into new proteins. You'll get insights into the role of amino acids in synthesizing other compounds like serotonin and nucleotides.

Visit MedSchoolCoach.com for more help with the MCAT.

Jump into the conversation:

00:00 Introduction to MCAT Basics

01:25 Fat metabolism

02:00 Fat absorption

06:45 Breakdown of fats

08:30 Lipolysis

10:15 Transport of fatty acids

11:20 Beta oxidation pathway

13:40 Energy yield from beta-oxidation

16:00 Odd-chain and unsaturated fatty acids in beta-oxidation

20:00 Differences in energy production and pathways.

22:29 Fatty acid synthesis

25:15 Ketone body formation and usage

28:00 Protein breakdown (catabolism)

31:45 Glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids

35:00 Protein synthesis (anabolism)

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to MCAT Basics, your ultimate guide to the essential topics you need to master for the MCAT,
0:07.0	brought to you by the physicians at Med School Coach.
0:10.0	Every week, Sam Smith breaks down high-yield MCAT topics, ensuring you're primed for success on test day.
0:17.0	Join Sam as we explore the most crucial subjects outlined by the AAMC, pulled from official practice materials and third-party resources.
0:24.9	Get ready to elevate your MCAT game with topics tailored to maximize your score potential.
0:31.6	Hello, I'm Sam Smith.
0:34.0	The goal of this podcast is to cover the highest yield topics on the MCAT and provide you with some sort of insight into the questions that the MCAT really likes to ask.
0:43.9	This podcast covers fat and protein metabolism.
0:47.2	I'll talk first about fat metabolism or breakdown,
0:50.3	and this is going to include lipolisis and beta oxidation.
0:55.8	Then I'll get into fatty acid synthesis,
1:01.9	which is basically the reverse of beta oxidation with a few caveats. Next, I'll talk about protein breakdown, which is going to include deamination in glucogenic versus ketogenic amino acids.
1:08.2	And then lastly, I'll touch briefly on protein enabalism or synthesis. And in that
1:13.7	segment, I'll talk about dietary protein absorption and its overlap with central dogma.
1:20.1	And this material is going to show up on two of the four MCAT sections. That's going to be the
1:24.1	BioBiochem and Chemphiz sections. So I hope you find this podcast helpful in your studies,
1:30.4	and good luck as you get ready for the MCAT.
1:38.7	So I want to start with fatty acid metabolism.
1:41.9	And I'll talk about catabolism or breakdown of fatty acids and
1:46.2	anabolism or build up of fatty acids separately. And I'll start with fat catabolism, which again
1:51.9	is just the breakdown of fats to produce energy. And I want to start with a review on fat
1:57.1	absorption in the lymphatic system. So when we eat fats, they travel from our mouth,
	...

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