How important are the details of eukaryotic DNA replication in the Kaplan books?

Question

Kaplan goes into depth discussing alpha through epsilon types of DNA Polymerase, which I'm honestly not sure I ever learned about in undergrad (chem major, but have finished all pre-reqs). Are the details important? Seems like they would be since its eukaryotic shit but I'm not sure

Answer 1

Hello!

So I would not waste too much time knowing the eukaryotic polymerases inside out because there are so many (Delta, epsilon etc). Your money will be well spent by focusing on any general relevant polymerases involved in DNA replication (even then that might be pushing it). The MCAT seems to weigh heavily on prokaryotic polymerases a little more since there are only 3 types. Absolutely know the prokaryotes but do not memorize all the eukaryotic ones.

Note: if the MCAT is going to bring up a question that is that much in depth, it is most likely going to appear in the passage.

Hope this helps!