Mnemonics for the Biochemistry Section of the MCAT

June 25, 2024

minute read

There are so many strategies and techniques available for MCAT preparation. Determining the best method to approach studying can be very complex with such vast possibilities. 

Fortunately, there are specific proven MCAT approaches that you may utilize to structure and use the time you have before the test. One of these is the use of mnemonics to aid in the retention of information in your brain. 

If you want to know the different MCAT biochemistry mnemonics to make studying for the MCAT less challenging, this page is for you!

What Do I Need to Memorize for the MCAT Biochemistry Section?

Both the MCAT Chemistry and Physics (Chem-Phys)  and MCAT Bio and Biochem (Bio-Biochem) sections cover 25% of first-semester biochemistry topics. 

This implies that you need to exert your time and effort familiarizing yourself with the different terms and formulas in biochemistry to achieve a great MCAT score. 

The following are the MCAT biochemistry topics you should devote yourself to as you prepare for the MCAT. 

What are Mnemonics?

A method developed to help with memory is known as a mnemonic. This method connects newly learned material to previously learned knowledge using visual and auditory cues. Basic mnemonic strategies emphasize the use of abbreviations, keywords, or rhymes.

Techniques like mnemonics can be modified to fit a variety of subject matters. This method supports better learning retention and helps remember challenging phrases or ideas.

Do Mnemonics Work on the MCAT?

As mentioned previously, biochemistry topics are included in two sections of the MCAT. 

This implies that memorization is necessary for remembering chemical structures and equations. 

The good news is that each of these details (stored in long-term memory) may already have been instantly perceived and encoded due to the structure of our brain.

Using MCAT mnemonics makes it easier to remember bigger amounts of information, especially when it is presented in lists like attributes, steps, stages, components, phases, etc. 

The MCAT Chemistry and Physics and MCAT Bio and Biochem sections both have many concepts, structures, and terms that need to be remembered, so mnemonics can be very beneficial.

How Can I Best Utilize Mnemonics for the MCAT?

By coming up with MCAT mnemonics, you can enhance your memorization skills. Without mnemonics, you might have to spend more time trying to remember important information. 

Mnemonics help you retain information and go through tests more quickly, increasing your MCAT score.

Here are some guidelines for using MCAT mnemonics effectively.

  • Create unique mnemonics that reflect your personality. Make sure it is easy to remember.
  • Be naughty, personal, outrageous, or any combination of these. Personal details and emotional connections are simpler to remember.
  • Instead of using someone else's mnemonic, make one that is more likely to stick with you by drawing on your relationships with personal experiences, family and friends, or beloved films.
  • Recite your mnemonic aloud to other people. Hearing oneself pronounce a phrase or word helps one remember it more quickly.
  • You might use flashcards in your usual MCAT preparation to assist you in memorizing MCAT mnemonics.
  • Among the equations and study tools you can jot down during the instruction time leading up to the MCAT, list your mnemonics.

Mnemonics for the Biochemistry Section of the MCAT

The biochemistry concepts covered on the MCAT, along with other MCAT concepts, require a great deal of memorization. 

One technique proven to effectively recall information are mnemonics. 

The following are some MCAT biochemistry mnemonics to help you study for this portion of the MCAT!

Topics

Sub-topics

Mnemonics

Non-polar amino acids 

Glycine (G)

Alanine (Ala)

Leucine (Leu)

Isoleucine (Ile)

Methionine (Met)

Valine (Val)

Proline (Pro)

Tryptophan (Trp)

Phenylalanine (Phe)

Good

Aunt

Lisa

Idolizes

My

Very

Perfect and

Terrific

Parents

Polar uncharged amino acids 

Glutamine (Gln)

Serine (Ser)

Threonine (Thr)

Cysteine (Cys)

Asparagine (Asn)

Grandma 

Says

Take

Care

Always

Electric amino acids 

Glutamic acid (Glu, E

Aspartic acid (Asp, D

Lysine (Lys, K)

Arginine (Arg, R)

Histidine (His, H)

Eccentric

Ralph

Helps

Kill

Dragons

Positive amino acids 

Histidine

Lysine

Arginine

Harry

Looks

Amazing

Aromatic amino acids

Tyrosine

Tryptophan

Phenylalanine

Three

Tall

Policemen

Hydrophobic alkyl side chains

Valine

Phenylalanine (the one-letter abbreviation is F, not P)

Alanine

Isoleucine

Leucine

V – F A I L

Molecules in the TCA cycle

Citrate

I

Ketoglutarate

Succinyl

Succinate

Fumarate

Malate

Oxaloacetate

Can

I

Keep

Sending

Sweets

For

Mother,

Officer?

Enzymes in the TCA cycle

Citrate synthase

Cis-aconitase

Isocitrate dehydrogenase

A-α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase Succinyl CoA synthetase

Succinate dehydrogenase

Fumarase

Malate dehydrogenase

Collared

Central

Intelligence

Agent

Spoke

Slander

For

Money

TCA cycle products

Net of 3 NADH, 1 GTP, 1 FADH2


GTP produced in between Succinyl-CoA & Succinate


FADH2 produced in between Succinate & Fumarate

3 New Good Friends  


Good Samaritan Saves 


Feel Safe and Fly

Molecules in glycolysis

Glucose

Glucose-6-phosphate

Fructose-6-phosphate

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate

DHAP

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

B-1, 3-bisphosphoglycerate

P-3-phosphoglycerate

P-2-phosphoglycerate, PEP

Pyruvate

Good

God

Father

Frank

Did

Go

Buy

Pricey

Pumpkin

Pies

Enzymes in irreversible steps

Hexokinase

Glucokinase

PFK-1

Pyruvate

Kinase

Harry

Gladly

Plays

Paintball with

Ken

Hydrophilic AAs

Glutamate

Aspartate

Glutamine (the one-letter abbreviation is Q, not G)

Asparagine (the one-letter abbreviation is N, not A)

Lysine (abbreviation is K)

Arginine (R)

Histidine

G A G A goes L A H

Three stop codons

UAA

UGA

UAG

U Are Annoying

U Go Away

U Are Gone

Different kinds of blots

Southern blot = DNA

Northern blot =  RNA

O                      O

Western blot =   Proteins

S    D

N    R

O    O

W    P

Remember that the goal of these MCAT biochemistry mnemonics is to help you memorize critical concepts for the exam. You can always use your imagination to tailor them to your needs.

Additional FAQs – Mnemonics for the Biochemistry Section of the MCAT

How many Questions About Biochemistry are there in the MCAT?

Both the MCAT Chemistry and Physics and MCAT Bio and Biochem sections comprise 25% of biochemistry topics. That means there are about 15 (out of 59) questions for each. Most of these questions focus on chemical terms and structures.

Is MCAT Biochemistry Hard?

The MCAT biochemistry, being part of the MCAT, is indeed challenging. It requires a great and deep understanding of the different chemicals and how they are structured. 

There are a lot of technical aspects to it. Thus, as you prepare for the MCAT, you must devote a significant portion of your time to studying for the MCAT biochemistry.

Can I make my Own Mnemonics in the MCAT?

Yes, you can always make your own mnemonics for the MCAT. 

For some candidates, utilizing mnemonics has made it easier because it is more personal. It is up to you which mnemonics to use, depending on which you think is more effective. 

Remember, however, that when you create your own mnemonics, they should be simple, unique, and easier to memorize.

Your MCAT Success Mentors

About the Author

We're a team of future doctors passionate about giving back and mentoring other future doctors! All mentors on the team are top MCAT scorers and we all are committed to seeing you succeed in achieving your physician dreams ???? To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these Live MCAT Courses and are also available for 1:1 private tutoring!

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
Free Full Length MCAT Practice Exam + Free Top Scorer MCAT Strategy Course!

Sign up once and unlock these plus dozens of other free resources - all created by your MedLife Mentors!

free MCAT practice exam by MedLife vector
The Free Top Scorer MCAT Strategy Video Course 1

Trusted by 2,800+ students since 2019

200+ 5  ⭐️ reviews on TrustPilot

>
Success message!
Warning message!
Error message!