Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS)

Introduction to the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Concepts

The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Concepts section of the MCAT® emphasizes the fundamental principles of chemistry and physics as they apply to living systems. This section tests your understanding of the processes that drive biological mechanisms, including molecular interactions, energy transformations, and the structural organization of cells.

Key topics covered include:

• General Chemistry: Atomic structure, chemical bonding, reaction rates, and thermodynamics.

• Organic Chemistry: Functional groups, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and biomolecules.

• Physics: Kinematics, forces, energy, fluids, electrostatics, and circuits as applied to biological systems.

• Biochemistry: Enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, and molecular biology concepts.

• Biology: Macromolecules, cell structure, and cellular processes relevant to chemical and physical foundations.