Customer Reviews

High-Yield(TM) Cell and Molecular Biology, 2nd Edition (High-Yield(TM) Series)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My medical school mol and cell bio courses didn't emphasize the same concepts that I think the boards (Step I) cares about. I'm not sure this book is totally worth $30, but the section about mol and cell bio in First Aid was sparse (especially about diseases). A lot of these diseases come up again in organ system pathology. Nevertheless, I thought it was a nice to approach medical conditions from the angle of molecular biology. For example, it's a good review excercise to look at all the different kinds of cellular receptors and get clinical highlights (ie: associated pharmacology or diseases). I basically used it as a quick read, and I will review the sections that I am weaker at in more detail. "Upperclassmen" have stated that the boards tends to emphasize receptors and signalling pathways, and I found this book to be a good resource for those topics.

As far as learning actual mol/cell bio - this is a typical HighYield book - no frills, outline format. I think it'd be really advantageous to have familiarity with all the basic concepts before using this book. For example, it's not a good place to learn how meiosis works.

By the way, the binding is terrible. My book fell apart after I used it for less than a week (granted it was super-intense all day studying, but still!)

If you read in the front of first aid, it says that you shouldn't waste your time on textbooks when reviewing for Step 1. The reason for this is because, for example, a pharmacology book would contain dosage information when you don't need it for step 1. This book is a HORRIBLE review book. It goes into more detail in some areas than I learned in undergrad. It seems to be written from a research perspective rather than a clinically relevant perspective. Every gene location that is named in this book goes into the chromosome number, location, region, subregion, subband, and sub-subband. Yes, I learned aforementioned terminology from this book. I would suggest finding a different review book or maybe just reading the bold stuff and picking and choosing what you want to read. The high yield series really dropped the ball on this edition of this book.

I only read the first 2 chapters, but it was enough to make me turn to another molecular bio source! This book is EXTREMELY detailed. I mean, really --- do you really need to know difference between all of the different types of spinocerebellar ataxia for the boards? How about 30+ different ion transporters throughout the body? This book might work if you're good at filtering out unnecessary detail --- but doesn't that defeat the purpose of a board review book? For Step 1, I ended up using the previous edition of HY Cell and Molecular Bio, and it was perfect. A quick read, but just enough detail to get me through the molecular questions on Step 1. Good luck!

This was the perfect supplement to FA. Though it does go into greater detail than necessary sometimes, I felt like I learned every molecular biology concept that could possibly be tested on the USMLE and earned great marks on Qbank. If you have time to read it in early Spring, you should and then not worry about CMB for the rest of the study session.

I only read the first chapter so far, but it is written in a simple language and easy to follow. it was recommended by several fellow students.

This book is just simply alright. Yes I know this book goes into details that aren't traditionally covered in US schools, but we did cover all of it in Europe. So I would say that this book would be something I would use do compliment FA because it does lack Molecular.

I'm a IMG studying for step 1.So far the best tool for studying the topics for step 1 in genetics and mollecular biology.Having already taken and failed step 1 I recommend this book for everyone specially IMG as a very useful and complete material for the test.It gives you just what you need and is far more complete in this matter than First Aid(althought I love the later for review)

I haven't taken the boards, but this book really helped me with my first round of tests in med school. It pretty much took all the stuff we had learned in lecture and put it in a user-friendly format. It might be too detailed for the boards (that's what other reviewers said), but it is great for med school tests.

This is an excellent book for USMLE Step1 Preparation. I would definitely recommend it to any one preparing for the same.