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MCATBros AAMC Content Review Checklist
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You should utilize this checklist to keep track of concepts you have studied throughout your prep to help you ensure that you have studied every topic that can be tested on the MCAT by the time your test date comes around. Many prep companies focus on high yield vs. low yield, but here at MCATBros, we emphasize that EVERYTHING that the AAMC mentions in their outline is FAIR GAME for test day. Never assume that because something may be categorized as "low yield" that it be rarely tested, because this is unfortunately not true. In terms of prep, you should always err on the side of caution and be prepared for the hardest exam to be thrown your way. We have made this checklist by using ALL of the information provided by the AAMC outlinem, including descriptions of each foundational concept and categories.
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CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCESFOUNDATIONAL CONCEPT 4FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPT 5
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Complex living organisms transport materials, sense their environment, process signals, and respond to changes using processes that can be understood in terms of physical principles.

The processes that take place within organisms follow the laws of physics. They can be quantified with equations that model the behavior at a fundamental level. For example, the principles of electromagnetic radiation, and its interactions with matter, can be exploited to generate structural information about molecules or to generate images of the human body. So, too, can atomic structure be used to predict the physical and chemical properties of atoms, including the amount of electromagnetic energy required to cause ionization.

With these building blocks, medical students will be able to utilize core principles of physics to learn about the physiological functions of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems in health and disease.
The principles that govern chemical interactions and reactions form the basis for a broader understanding of the molecular dynamics of living systems.

The chemical processes that take place within organisms are readily understood within the framework of the behavior of solutions, thermodynamics, molecular structure, intermolecular interactions, molecular dynamics, and molecular reactivity.

With these building blocks, medical students will be able to utilize core principles of human chemistry to learn about molecular and cellular functions in health and disease.
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Chemical & Physical Content Category 4A = Translational motion, forces, work, energy and equilibrium in living systems Chemical & Physical Content Category 4B = Importance of fluids for the circulation of blood, gas movement, and gas exchangeChemical & Physical Content Category 4C = Electrochemistry and electrical circuits and their elementsChemical & Physical Content Category 4D = How light and sound interact with matterChemical & Physical Content Category 4E = Atoms, nuclear decay, electronic structure, and atomic chemical behaviorChemical & Physical Content Category 5A = Unique nature of water and its solutionsChemical & Physical Content Category 5B = Nature of molecules and intermolecular interactionsChemical & Physical Content Category 5C = Separation and purification methodsChemical & Physical Content Category 5D = Structure, function, and reactivity of biologically-relevant moleculesChemical & Physical Content Category 5E = Principles of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics
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The motion of any object can be described in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Objects accelerate when subjected to external forces and are at equilibrium when the net force and the net torque acting upon them are zero. Many aspects of motion can be calculated with the knowledge that energy is conserved, even though it may be converted into different forms. In a living system, the energy for motion comes from the metabolism of fuel molecules, but the energetic requirements remain subject to the same physical principles.Fluids are featured in several physiologically important processes, including the circulation of blood, gas movement into and out of the lungs, and gas exchange with the blood. The energetic requirements of fluid dynamics can be modeled using physical equations. A thorough understanding of fluids is necessary to understand the origins of numerous forms of disease.Charged particles can be set in motion by the action of an applied electrical field, and can be used to transmit energy or information over long distances. The energy released during certain chemical reactions can be converted to electrical energy, which can be harnessed to perform other reactions or work.

Physiologically, a concentration gradient of charged particles is set up across the cell membrane of neurons at considerable energetic expense. This allows for the rapid transmission of signals using electrical impulses — changes in the electrical voltage across the membrane — under the action of some external stimulus.
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation — waves of electric and magnetic fields that transmit energy. The behavior of light depends on its frequency (or wavelength). The properties of light are exploited in the optical elements of the eye to focus rays of light on sensory elements. When light interacts with matter, spectroscopic changes occur that can be used to identify the material on an atomic or molecular level. Differential absorption of electromagnetic radiation can be used to generate images useful in diagnostic medicine. Interference and diffraction of light waves are used in many analytical and diagnostic techniques. The photon model of light explains why electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths interacts differently with matter.

When mechanical energy is transmitted through solids, liquids, and gases, oscillating pressure waves known as “sound” are generated. Sound waves are audible if the sensory elements of the ear vibrate in response to exposure to these vibrations. The detection of reflected sound waves is utilized in ultrasound imaging. This non-invasive technique readily locates dense subcutaneous structures, such as bone and cartilage, and is very useful in diagnostic medicine.
Atoms are classified by their atomic number: the number of protons in the atomic nucleus, which also includes neutrons. Chemical interactions between atoms are the result of electrostatic forces involving the electrons and the nuclei. Because neutrons are uncharged, they do not dramatically affect the chemistry of any particular type of atom, but do affect the stability of the nucleus itself.

When a nucleus is unstable, decay results from one of several different processes, which are random, but occur at well-characterized average rates. The products of nuclear decay (alpha, beta, and gamma rays) can interact with living tissue, breaking chemical bonds and ionizing atoms and molecules in the process.

The electronic structure of an atom is responsible for its chemical and physical properties. Only discrete energy levels are allowed for electrons. These levels are described individually by quantum numbers. Since the outermost, or valence, electrons are responsible for the strongest chemical interactions, a description of these electrons alone is a good first approximation to describe the behavior of any particular type of atom.

Mass spectrometry is an analytical tool that allows characterization of atoms or molecules, based on well recognized fragmentation patterns and the charge to mass ratio (m/z) of ions generated in the gas phase.
In order to fully understand the complex and dynamic nature of living systems, it is first necessary to understand the unique nature of water and its solutions. The unique properties of water allow it to strongly interact with and mobilize many types of solutes, including ions. Water is also unique in its ability to absorb energy and buffer living systems from the chemical changes necessary to sustain life.Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms. If the result of such interactions is not a network solid, then the covalently bonded substance will be discrete and molecular.


The shape of molecules can be predicted based on electrostatic principles and quantum mechanics since only two electrons can occupy the same orbital. Bond polarity (both direction and magnitude) can be predicted based on knowledge of the valence electron structure of the constituent atoms. The strength of intermolecular interactions depends on molecular shape and the polarity of the covalent bonds present. The solubility and other physical properties of molecular substances depend on the strength of intermolecular interactions.
Analysis of complex mixtures of substances ― especially biologically relevant materials ― typically requires separation of the components. Many methods have been developed to accomplish this task, and the method used is dependent on the types of substances which comprise the mixture. All of these methods rely on the magnification of potential differences in the strength of intermolecular interactions.The structure of biological molecules forms the basis of their chemical reactions including oligomerization and polymerization. Unique aspects of each type of biological molecule dictate their role in living systems, whether providing structure or information storage, or serving as fuel and catalysts.The processes that occur in living systems are dynamic, and they follow the principles of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics. The position of chemical equilibrium is dictated by the relative energies of products and reactants. The rate at which chemical equilibrium is attained is dictated by a variety of factors: concentration of reactants, temperature, and the amount of catalyst (if any).

Biological systems have evolved to harness energy, and utilize it in very efficient ways to support all processes of life, including homeostasis and anabolism. Biological catalysts, known as enzymes, have evolved to allow all of the relevant chemical reactions required to sustain life to occur both rapidly and efficiently, and under the narrow set of conditions required.
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Translational Motion (PHY)Fluids (PHY)Electrostatics (PHY)Sound (PHY)Atomic Nucleus (PHY,GC)Acid/Base Equilibria (GC, BC)Covalent Bond (GC)Separations and Purification (OC, BC)Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (BC, BIO)Enzymes (BC, BIO)
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Units and dimension
Vectors, components
Vector addition
Speed, velocity
Acceleration
Density, specific gravity
Buoyancy, Archimedes’ Principle
Hydrostatic pressure
Pascal’s Law
Hydrostatic pressure; P = ρgh (pressure vs. depth)
Viscosity: Poiseuille Flow
Continuity equation (A⋅v = constant)
Concept of turbulence at high velocities
Surface tension
Bernoulli’s equation
Venturi effect, pitot tube
Charge, conductors, charge conservation
Insulators
Coulomb’s Law
Electric field E
Field lines
Field due to charge distribution
Electrostatic energy, electric potential at a point in space
Production of sound
Relative speed of sound in solids, liquids, and gases
Intensity of sound, decibel units, log scale
Attenuation (Damping)
Doppler Effect: moving sound source or observer, reflection of sound from a moving object
Pitch
Resonance in pipes and strings
Ultrasound
Shock waves
Atomic number, atomic weight
Neutrons, protons, isotopes
Nuclear forces, binding energy
Radioactive decay
α, β, γ decay
Half-life, exponential decay, semi-log plots
Mass spectrometer
Brønsted–Lowry definition of acid, base
Ionization of water
Kw, its approximate value (Kw = [H+][OH−] = 10−14 at 25°C, 1 atm)
Definition of pH: pH of pure water
Conjugate acids and bases (e.g., NH4+ and NH3)
Strong acids and bases (e.g., nitric, sulfuric)
Weak acids and bases (e.g., acetic, benzoic)
Dissociation of weak acids and bases with or without added salt
Hydrolysis of salts of weak acids or bases
Calculation of pH of solutions of salts of weak acids or bases
Equilibrium constants Ka and Kb: pKa, pKb
Buffers
Definition and concepts (common buffer systems)
Influence on titration curves
Lewis Electron Dot formulas
Resonance structures
Formal charge
Lewis acids and bases
Partial ionic character
Role of electronegativity in determining charge distribution
Dipole Moment
σ and π bonds
Hybrid orbitals: sp3, sp2, sp and respective geometries
Valence shell electron pair repulsion and the prediction of shapes of molecules (e.g., NH3, H2O, CO2)
Structural formulas for molecules involving H, C, N, O, F, S, P, Si, Cl
Delocalized electrons and resonance in ions and molecules
Multiple bonding
Effect on bond length and bond energies
Rigidity in molecular structure
Stereochemistry of covalently bonded molecules (OC)
Isomers
Structural isomers
Stereoisomers (e.g., diastereomers, enantiomers, cis/trans isomers)
Conformational isomers
Polarization of light, specific rotation
Absolute and relative configuration
Conventions for writing R and S forms
Conventions for writing E and Z forms
Extraction: distribution of solute between two immiscible solvents
Distillation
Chromatography: Basic principles involved in separation process
Column chromatography
Gas-liquid chromatography
High pressure liquid chromatography
Paper chromatography
Thin-layer chromatography
Separation and purification of peptides and proteins (BC)
Electrophoresis
Quantitative analysis
Chromatography
Size-exclusion
Ion-exchange
Affinity
Racemic mixtures, separation of enantiomers (OC)
Nucleotides and nucleosides: composition
Sugar phosphate backbone
Pyrimidine, purine residues
Deoxyribonucleic acid: DNA; double helix
Chemistry (BC)
Other functions (BC)
Classification by reaction type
Mechanism
Substrates and enzyme specificity
Active site model
Induced-fit model
Cofactors, coenzymes, and vitamins
Kinetics
General (catalysis)
Michaelis–Menten
Cooperativity
Effects of local conditions on enzyme activity
Inhibition
Regulatory enzymes
Allosteric
Covalently modified
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Force (PHY)Circulatory System (BIO)Circuit Elements (PHY)Light, Electromagnetic Radiation (PHY)Electronic Structure (PHY, GC)Ions in Solutions (GC, BC)Liquid Phase- Intermolecular Forces (GC)Amino Acids, Peptides, Proteins (OC, BC)Principles of Bioenergenetics (BC)
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Newton's 1st law, inertia
Newton's 2nd law
Newton's 3rd law
Friction, static and kinetic
Center of Mass
Arterial and venous systems; pressure and flow characteristicsCurrent I = ΔQ/Δt, sign conventions, units
Electromotive force, voltage
Resistance
Ohm’s Law: I = V/R
Resistors in series
Resistors in parallel
Resistivity: ρ = R⋅A / L
Capacitance
Parallel plate capacitor
Energy of charged capacitor
Capacitors in series
Capacitors in parallel
Dielectrics
Conductivity
Metallic
Electrolytic
Meters
Concept of Interference; Young Double-slit Experiment
Thin films, diffraction grating, single-slit diffraction
Other diffraction phenomena, X-ray diffraction
Polarization of light: linear and circular
Properties of electromagnetic radiation
Velocity equals constant c, in vacuo
Electromagnetic radiation consists of perpendicularly oscillating electric and magnetic fields; direction of propagation is perpendicular to both
Classification of electromagnetic spectrum, photon energy E = hf
Visual spectrum, color
Orbital structure of hydrogen atom, principal quantum number n, number of electrons per orbital (GC)
Ground state, excited states
Absorption and emission line spectra
Use of Pauli Exclusion Principle
Paramagnetism and diamagnetism
Conventional notation for electronic structure (GC)
Bohr atom
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Effective nuclear charge (GC)
Photoelectric effect
Anion, cation: common names, formulas and charges for familiar ions (e.g., NH4+ ammonium, PO43− phosphate, SO42− sulfate)
Hydration, the hydronium ion
Hydrogen bonding
Dipole Interactions
Van der Waals’ Forces (London dispersion forces)
Amino acids: description
Absolute configuration at the α position
Dipolar ions
Classification
Acidic or basic
Hydrophilic or hydrophobic
Synthesis of α-amino acids (OC)
Strecker Synthesis
Gabriel Synthesis
Peptides and proteins: reactions
Sulfur linkage for cysteine and cystine
Peptide linkage: polypeptides and proteins
Hydrolysis (BC)
General Principles
Primary structure of proteins
Secondary structure of proteins
Tertiary structure of proteins
Isoelectric point
Bioenergetics/thermodynamics
Free energy/Keq
Concentration
Phosphorylation/ATP
ATP hydrolysis ΔG << 0
ATP group transfers
Biological oxidation–reduction
Half-reactions
Soluble electron carriers
Flavoproteins
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Equilibrium (PHY)Gas Phase (GC, PHY)Magnetism (PHY)Molecular Structure and Absorption Spectra (OC)Periodic Table- Classification of Elements into Groups by Electronic Structure (GC)Solubility (GC)The Three Dimensional Protein Structure (BC)Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions- Thermochemistry and Thermodynamics (GC, PHY)
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Vector analysis of forces acting on a point object
Torque, lever arms
"Absolute temperature, (K) Kelvin Scale
Pressure, simple mercury barometer
Molar volume at 0°C and 1 atm = 22.4 L/mol
Ideal gas
Definition
Ideal Gas Law: PV = nRT
Boyle’s Law: PV = constant
Charles’ Law: V/T = constant
Avogadro’s Law: V/n = constant
Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases
Heat capacity at constant volume and at constant pressure (PHY)
Boltzmann’s Constant (PHY)
Deviation of real gas behavior from Ideal Gas Law
Qualitative
Quantitative (Van der Waals’ Equation)
Partial pressure, mole fraction
Dalton’s Law relating partial pressure to composition"
Definition of magnetic field B
Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields; Lorentz force
Infrared region
Intramolecular vibrations and rotations
Recognizing common characteristic group absorptions, fingerprint region
Visible region (GC)
Absorption in visible region gives complementary color (e.g., carotene)
Effect of structural changes on absorption (e.g., indicators)
Ultraviolet region
π-Electron and non-bonding electron transitions
Conjugated systems
NMR spectroscopy
Protons in a magnetic field; equivalent protons
Spin-spin splitting
Alkali metals
Alkaline earth metals: their chemical characteristics
Halogens: their chemical characteristics
Noble gases: their physical and chemical characteristics
Transition metals
Representative elements
Metals and non-metals
Oxygen group
Units of concentration (e.g., molarity)
Solubility product constant; the equilibrium expression Ksp
Common-ion effect, its use in laboratory separations
Complex ion formation
Complex ions and solubility
Solubility and pH
Conformational stability
Hydrophobic interactions
Solvation layer (entropy)
Quaternary structure
Denaturing and Folding
Thermodynamic system – state function
Zeroth Law – concept of temperature
First Law - conservation of energy in thermodynamic processes
PV diagram: work done = area under or enclosed by curve (PHY)
Second Law – concept of entropy
Entropy as a measure of “disorder”
Relative entropy for gas, liquid, and crystal states
Measurement of heat changes (calorimetry), heat capacity, specific heat
Heat transfer – conduction, convection, radiation (PHY)
Endothermic/exothermic reactions (GC)
Enthalpy, H, and standard heats of reaction and formation
Hess’ Law of Heat Summation
Bond dissociation energy as related to heats of formation (GC)
Free energy: G (GC)
Spontaneous reactions and ΔG° (GC)
Coefficient of expansion (PHY)
Heat of fusion, heat of vaporization
Phase diagram: pressure and temperature
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Work (PHY)Electrochemistry (GC)Geometrical Optics (PHY)Periodic Table- Variations of Chemical Properties with Group and Row (GC)Titration (GC)Non-Enzymatic Protein Function (BC)Rate Processes in Chemical Reactions- Kinetics & Equilibrium (GC)
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Work done by a constant force: W = Fd cosθ
Mechanical advantage
Work Kinetic Energy Theorem
Conservative forces
Electrolytic cell
Electrolysis
Anode, cathode
Electrolyte
Faraday’s Law relating amount of elements deposited (or gas liberated) at an electrode to current
Electron flow; oxidation, and reduction at the electrodes
Galvanic or Voltaic cells
Half-reactions
Reduction potentials; cell potential
Direction of electron flow
Concentration cell
Batteries
Electromotive force, Voltage
Lead-storage batteries
Nickel-cadmium batteries
Reflection from plane surface: angle of incidence equals angle of reflection
Refraction, refractive index n; Snell’s law: n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2
Dispersion, change of index of refraction with wavelength
Conditions for total internal reflection
Spherical mirrors
Center of curvature
Focal length
Real and virtual images
Thin lenses
Converging and diverging lenses
Use of formula 1/p + 1/q = 1/f, with sign conventions
Lens strength, diopters
Combination of lenses
Lens aberration
Optical Instruments, including the human eye
Valence electrons
First and second ionization energy
Definition
Prediction from electronic structure for elements in different groups or rows
Electron affinity
Definition
Variation with group and row
Electronegativity
Definition
Comparative values for some representative elements and important groups
Electron shells and the sizes of atoms
Electron shells and the sizes of ions
Indicators
Neutralization
Interpretation of the titration curves
Redox titration
Binding
Immune system
Motor
Reaction rate
Dependence of reaction rate on concentration of reactants
Rate law, rate constant
Reaction order
Rate-determining step
Dependence of reaction rate upon temperature
Activation energy
Activated complex or transition state
Interpretation of energy profiles showing energies of reactants, products, activation energy, and ΔH for the reaction
Use of the Arrhenius Equation
Kinetic control versus thermodynamic control of a reaction
Catalysts
Equilibrium in reversible chemical reactions
Law of Mass Action
Equilibrium Constant
Application of Le Châtelier’s Principle
Relationship of the equilibrium constant and ΔG°
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Energy of Point Object System (PHY)Specialized Cell- Nerve Cell (BIO)Stoichiometry (GC)Lipids (BC, OC)
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Kinetic Energy: KE = ½ mv2; units
Potential Energy
PE = mgh (gravitational, local)
PE = ½ kx2 (spring)
Conservation of energy
Power, units
Myelin sheath, Schwann cells, insulation of axon
Nodes of Ranvier: propagation of nerve impulse along axon
Molecular weight
Empirical versus molecular formula
Metric units commonly used in the context of chemistry
Description of composition by percent mass
Mole concept, Avogadro’s number NA
Definition of density
Oxidation number
Common oxidizing and reducing agents
Disproportionation reactions
Description of reactions by chemical equations
Conventions for writing chemical equations
Balancing equations, including redox equations
Limiting reactants
Theoretical yields
Description, Types
Storage
Triacyl glycerols
Free fatty acids: saponification
Structural
Phospholipids and phosphatids
Sphingolipids (BC)
Waxes
Signals/cofactors
Fat-soluble vitamins
Steroids
Prostaglandins (BC)
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Periodic Motion (PHY)Carbohydrates (OC)
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"Amplitude, frequency, phase
Transverse and longitudinal waves: wavelength and propagation speed"
Description
Nomenclature and classification, common names
Absolute configuration
Cyclic structure and conformations of hexoses
Epimers and anomers
Hydrolysis of the glycoside linkage
Keto-enol tautomerism of monosaccharides
Disaccharides (BC)
Polysaccharides (BC)
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Aldehydes and Ketones (OC)
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Description
Nomenclature
Physical properties
Important reactions
Nucleophilic addition reactions at C=O bond
Acetal, hemiacetal
Imine, enamine
Hydride reagents
Cyanohydrin
Oxidation of aldehydes
Reactions at adjacent positions: enolate chemistry
Keto-enol tautomerism (α-racemization)
Aldol condensation, retro-aldol
Kinetic versus thermodynamic enolate
General principles
Effect of substituents on reactivity of C=O; steric hindrance
Acidity of α-H; carbanions
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Alcohols (OC)
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Description
Nomenclature
Physical properties (acidity, hydrogen bonding)
Important reactions
Oxidation
Substitution reactions: SN1 or SN2
Protection of alcohols
Preparation of mesylates and tosylates
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Carboxylic Acids (OC)
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Description
Nomenclature
Physical properties
Important reactions
Carboxyl group reactions
Amides (and lactam), esters (and lactone), anhydride formation
Reduction
Decarboxylation
Reactions at 2-position, substitution
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Acids Derivatives (Anhydrides, Amides, Esters) (OC)
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Description
Nomenclature
Physical properties
Important reactions
Nucleophilic substitution
Transesterification
Hydrolysis of amides
General principles
Relative reactivity of acid derivatives
Steric effects
Electronic effects
Strain (e.g., β-lactams)
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Phenols (OC, BC)
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Oxidation and reduction (e.g., hydroquinones, ubiquinones): biological 2e− redox centers
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Polycyclic and Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds (OC, BC)
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Biological aromatic heterocycles
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