Jack Westin MCAT Podcast

How does your brain actually detect smell and taste? And why does the MCAT care so much about the difference between flavor and taste?
In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly break down everything you need to know about olfaction and gustation for the MCAT. Building on our previous episode about GPCR signaling, we walk through how smell and taste both rely on chemoreceptors, why they use different signaling pathways, and how they combine to create your perception of flavor.

In this episode, you'll learn:
👃 How odorants bind to olfactory receptor neurons and trigger a Gs/cAMP signaling cascade
🧬 Why olfactory neurons are unique (they're actual neurons AND they regenerate throughout life)
🧠 Why smell bypasses the thalamus and goes directly to the limbic system (and why certain smells trigger strong emotional memories)
🦠 How COVID causes anosmia (loss of smell) through inflammation of the olfactory epithelium
🧪 The connection between anosmia and early Parkinson's diagnosis
👅 The 5 basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami
⚡ Why salty and sour use direct ion channels while sweet, bitter, and umami use a Gq/calcium GPCR pathway
🍕 Why hot food smells (and tastes) better than cold food
🫒 Why cilantro tastes like soap to some people (it's about receptor variants)
🍽️ The difference between taste and flavor, and a simple at-home experiment to prove it
📌 Sensation vs. perception: a preview of our next episode

This episode wraps up our full series on the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste) and sets the stage for our next deep dive into sensation vs. perception.

Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱
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💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8
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Mike and Molly just dropped a clear, test-focused breakdown of G protein coupled receptors that covers everything the AAMC expects you to know without the textbook overwhelm.Here's what we walk through:🔬 The full signaling cascade: signal → receptor → transduction → amplification → response → termination🧬 GPCR structure and how G proteins actually get activated (GDP → GTP swap)🚀 Gs pathway: adenylyl cyclase → cAMP → PKA → phosphorylation🛑 Gi pathway: how it inhibits the same cascade🧩 Gq pathway: PLC, calcium signaling, and second messengers📈 Why amplification is the whole point — small signal, massive cellular response⏱️ How your cells know when to shut it all off👁️ Plus a vision callback showing GPCRs in phototransductionWe even hit a classic passage-style example (cholera toxin) to show you how the AAMC actually tests cause-and-effect in these pathways.Next episode: smell & taste and how these senses are built on GPCR signaling 👃Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱📌 Success Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

Mike and Molly just dropped a clear, test-focused breakdown of G protein coupled receptors that covers everything the AAMC expects you to know without the textbook overwhelm.

Here's what we walk through:
🔬 The full signaling cascade: signal → receptor → transduction → amplification → response → termination
🧬 GPCR structure and how G proteins actually get activated (GDP → GTP swap)
🚀 Gs pathway: adenylyl cyclase → cAMP → PKA → phosphorylation
🛑 Gi pathway: how it inhibits the same cascade
🧩 Gq pathway: PLC, calcium signaling, and second messengers
📈 Why amplification is the whole point — small signal, massive cellular response
⏱️ How your cells know when to shut it all off
👁️ Plus a vision callback showing GPCRs in phototransduction

We even hit a classic passage-style example (cholera toxin) to show you how the AAMC actually tests cause-and-effect in these pathways.

Next episode: smell & taste and how these senses are built on GPCR signaling 👃

Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱
📌 Success Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8
📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

What do med school admissions committees actually look for after the GPA/MCAT screen? In this Jack Westin Pre-Med Admissions Podcast episode, Molly Kilty (Director of Instruction) hosts Dr. Anita Paschal (MD, double PhD, 30+ years on admissions committees) as she breaks down the CLASS framework for building a well-rounded application: Clinical, Leadership, Academic enrichment, Service, and Social.

Dr. Paschal explains why acceptance rates hover around 40–44%, why many applicants with strong stats still get rejected, and how committees review your application through categories, hours, time commitment, and evidence of core competencies.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How med schools screen applications and what happens after GPA/MCAT ✅
- The CLASS framework to assess your readiness for med school 🎓
- What “enough” clinical experience looks like (shadowing + hands-on care) 🩺
- How to diversify shadowing (primary, specialty, underserved, international) 🌍
- What strong leadership actually means beyond titles 👥
- How research + teaching/tutoring signal academic readiness 🔬📚
- What service should look like (clinical + nonclinical) and why it matters 🤝
- How hobbies/social interests can strengthen rapport and relatability 🎻🏃

🎧 More admissions episodes: AMCAS timelines, personal statements, experiences, and what adcoms really prioritize.

Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱
📌 Success Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8
📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly break down MCAT signaling cascades with a clear, test-focused walkthrough of G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). You’ll learn the core GPCR structure, how GDP → GTP activation works , why signaling pathways create amplification, and how cells shut signals off with built-in termination steps.

We cover the high-yield cAMP pathway in detail, including Gs vs Gi, adenylyl cyclase → cAMP → protein kinase A (PKA), plus the key ideas behind the Gq pathway (PLC and calcium signaling). We also connect GPCR signaling to common MCAT contexts like hormones, fast cellular responses, and a classic passage-style example (cholera toxin) to show how the AAMC tests cause-and-effect in pathways.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
🌊 What a signaling cascade is: signal → receptor → transduction → amplification → response → termination
🧬 GPCR basics (membrane receptor + G protein alpha/beta/gamma)
🔄 How GPCRs activate G proteins (GDP swapped for GTP, then subunits dissociate)
🚀 The Gs pathway: adenylyl cyclase → cAMP → PKA → phosphorylation
🛑 The Gi pathway: inhibiting adenylyl cyclase and lowering cAMP
🧩 The Gq pathway: PLC, second messengers, and calcium
📈 Why amplification matters (small signal, big cellular response)
⏱️ How signaling is shut off (GTP hydrolysis + cleanup of second messengers)
👁️ Vision callback: how GPCR-style signaling shows up in phototransduction

Next up: Smell & taste and how these senses rely heavily on GPCR signaling

Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱
📌 Success Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8
📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast
👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast