Of all the science questions on the MCAT, those covering organic chemistry are the least abundant. A strong foundation in general chemistry is critical to understanding many of the basics of organic chemistry. It's these basics of organic chemistry that are most often tested on the MCAT. Most students can be successful on the exam after only a single semester's coursework because there is generally little emphasis on memorization of reagents, mechanisms, and details of electron-pushing.
You should be comfortable with the following topics in organic chemistry for the MCAT:. Carbon Bonding.
Stereochemistry. Hydrocarbons.
5B: We can’t always see molecules, but we can always simplify and draw depictions of them with simply pen and paper. It is the language of chemistry that we want you to get acquainted with. You will learn to draw Lewis dot structures and resonance structures, assign formal charges, and analyze the geometry of molecules and ions.
Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers. Aldehydes and Ketones. Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives. Amines, Amino Acids, and Proteins.
Carbohydrates. Separation and Identification of Organic CompoundsNote that since the MCAT is a critical thinking and application test, the core content tested is often relatively superficial, with the focus being on applying the material.
2Q:A particular molecule exists in both an (R) and (S) configuration. A mixture of these two is found to rotate light +30 degrees. It can be assumed thatAthe number of (R) molecules is greater than the number of (S) moleculesBthe number of (S) molecules is greater than the number of (R) moleculesCthe number of (S) molecules is greater than the number of (R) molcules OR the number of (R) molecules is greater than the number of (S) moleculesDwe are unable to discern the relationships between the number of (R) and (S) molecules.
3Q:Half-Passage: Glucose and fructose are both hexoses. One is a ketose while the other is an aldose. The ketose carbonyl is at the C2 position.
When both molecules cyclize, C5 hydroxyl reacts with the carbonyl carbon. The hydroxyl oxygen thus joins the two ends of the cyclized molecule. When glucose is the cyclized, it forms a six-membered ring with an oxygen included in the ring. When fructose is cyclized, it forms a five-membered ring with an oxygen included in the ring.Question 2: When the C5 hydroxyl reacts with the carbonyl carbon, which of the following is happening to the carbonyl carbon?AOxidationBReductionCPeroxidationDNone of the above.
4Q:During atomic absorption spetroscopy, the concentration of certain atoms can be measured in very low concentrations. The absorption is tuned to the optimal absorption wavelength of individual metals. Will atomic absorption spectroscopy be useful for the measurement of ethanol in pure water?AYes because a mixture of ethanol and water does not have metal ionsBYes because ethanol and water mixtures contain metal ionsCNo because a mixture of ethanol and water does not have metal ionsDNo because ethanol and water mixtures contain metal ions.