Amino Acids are very important for the MCAT🤷♀️
The 20 Amino Acids are a MUST to know for the MCAT!!! If you do not know them, DO NOT even considering sitting for the exam!!!
My notes are organized as follows:
1. They are divided into categories of amino acids to remember which amino acids fall under which category!!
2. The mnemonics represent the one letter use to represent each amino acid!
3. Notice that the “COOH” and “NH2” are constant for all amino acids but the functional “R” group differs for all, that is what makes them unique!!! I have tried to attach the functional groups in red ink so that you can notice the difference!!
4. Lastly, make sure you memorize, the names, structures, chemical formulae, one-letter, and 3-letter abbreviations for each amino acid!!!
Okay, fellow premeds, let's be real – memorizing the 20 amino acids for the MCAT can feel like a herculean task! When I was studying, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information: structures, one-letter codes, three-letter codes, classifications... it felt endless. But trust me, it's absolutely doable, and once you get them down, it unlocks so much of biochemistry and organic chemistry on the exam. If you're wondering 'what to know about amino acids for MCAT,' it's everything from their names to their unique R-groups! My personal trick, much like what you see in those helpful handwritten notes, involved using a mix of visual aids and clever mnemonics. For the non-polar amino acids, especially those with alkyl groups like Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Leucine, and Isoleucine, the mnemonic 'GAVLI' was a lifesaver. I'd visualize the 'carbon count' in their side chains to keep them straight. Glycine, as the OCR highlights, is a unique exception with just a hydrogen for its R-group, making it super simple! Then came the aromatic amino acids – Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Tryptophan. Remembering their ring systems is key, and 'Fool With You' (for Phe, Trp, Tyr) really helped. For polar amino acids (Serine, Threonine, Asparagine, Glutamine, Cysteine), 'So The Nice Queen Comes' made sense of their side chain components. These aren't just random letters; they're vital for understanding protein structure and function, which is heavily tested. Even for 'non essential amino acids,' knowing their structure is as crucial as knowing the 'essential' ones for MCAT purposes. Beyond just mnemonics, I found active recall to be invaluable. Don't just read through your Jack Westin or Kaplan chapters. Try drawing each amino acid structure from memory, focusing on the constant COOH and NH2 groups and then perfecting the specific 'R' group. Understand why Aspartic acid and Glutamic acid are acidic (negatively charged) and why Lysine, Arginine, and Histidine are basic (positively charged). This understanding helps predict how proteins behave at different pH levels – a common MCAT scenario. Many students ask, 'is biochemistry hard?' And honestly, yes, it can be! But mastering the amino acids is your first major victory. It's the foundational block upon which so much else is built. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't click immediately. Keep practicing, use those "amino acid mnemonics," and test yourself frequently. Think of the comprehensive table categorizing all 20 that you see in the notes – try to recreate it from scratch. Knowing these 20 isn't just about getting a question right; it's about building a strong foundation for your entire MCAT score and future medical studies! You've got this, future doctor!
