Balearic PAU Biology study plan
Balearic PAU Biology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
La base química y molecular de la vida (biomoléculas: agua, sales minerales, glúcidos, lípidos, proteínas, ácidos nucleicos) & La célula: estructura, membranas, orgánulos, ciclo celular, mitosis y meiosis
Describe the structure and properties of water and mineral salts, explaining their biological functions in cells and organisms.
Classify carbohydrates and lipids by chemical structure, and relate their structure to energy storage and membrane formation.
Explain the four levels of protein structure and how denaturation affects function, using specific examples.
Compare DNA and RNA in composition, structure, and cellular roles.
Label a diagram of a eukaryotic cell and state the function of each major organelle.
Your checkpoint
Create a one-page summary table of biomolecules (water, salts, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) with columns for monomer, bond type, functions, and one example.
La célula: estructura, membranas, orgánulos, ciclo celular, mitosis y meiosis & Metabolismo celular: catabolismo y anabolismo, respiración, fotosíntesis, enzimas
Explain the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane and distinguish passive transport, active transport, and endocytosis/exocytosis.
Describe the stages of the cell cycle, including the checkpoints and the significance of apoptosis.
Compare mitosis and meiosis in terms of chromosome behavior, genetic outcome, and purpose.
Explain how enzymes lower activation energy and describe factors affecting enzyme activity (pH, temperature, inhibitors).
Outline the main steps of cellular respiration and photosynthesis, identifying where each occurs and the net ATP yield.
Your checkpoint
Draw a flowchart of aerobic respiration and photosynthesis, labeling the location, inputs, outputs, and ATP/NADH/FADH2 produced per stage.
Metabolismo celular: catabolismo y anabolismo, respiración, fotosíntesis, enzimas & Genética mendeliana y molecular: herencia, ADN, replicación, transcripción, traducción, mutaciones
Distinguish catabolic and anabolic pathways and explain how ATP couples energy-releasing and energy-requiring reactions.
Solve genetics problems involving monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, including incomplete dominance and codominance.
Describe the process of DNA replication, including the roles of helicase, polymerase, and ligase.
Explain transcription and translation, including RNA processing and the role of ribosomes and tRNA.
Predict the effect of a point mutation (silent, missense, nonsense, frameshift) on the resulting protein.
Your checkpoint
Complete a set of 10 genetics problems (monohybrid, dihybrid, and sex-linked) with full Punnett squares and explain the expected phenotypic ratios.
Genética mendeliana y molecular: herencia, ADN, replicación, transcripción, traducción, mutaciones & Genética de poblaciones y evolución: variabilidad, selección natural, especiación
Explain the operon model (lac operon) and how gene expression can be regulated in prokaryotes.
Describe the types of chromosomal mutations (deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation) and their consequences.
Define the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and use it to calculate allele and genotype frequencies.
Explain the mechanisms that generate genetic variability (mutation, recombination, independent assortment, random fertilization).
Distinguish the types of natural selection (directional, stabilizing, disruptive) and describe how speciation can occur.
Your checkpoint
Write a 300-word explanation of how a new species could arise from a population, using the concepts of variation, selection, and isolation.
Microbiología, inmunología y biotecnología: virus, bacterias, respuesta inmunitaria, aplicaciones biotecnológicas & La herencia y la reproducción en plantas y animales: reproducción, desarrollo, fitohormonas
Compare the structure and replication of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
Describe the innate and adaptive immune responses, including the roles of B cells, T cells, and antibodies.
Explain how vaccines work and distinguish active from passive immunity.
Describe the main applications of biotechnology (e.g., recombinant DNA, PCR, CRISPR) and their ethical implications.
Compare sexual and asexual reproduction in plants and animals, and explain the role of hormones in reproduction and development.
Your checkpoint
Create a concept map linking pathogens, immune cells, antibodies, and vaccines, and annotate one biotechnological application (e.g., insulin production).
La herencia y la reproducción en plantas y animales: reproducción, desarrollo, fitohormonas & Ecología y medio ambiente: ecosistemas, ciclos biogeoquímicos, dinámica de poblaciones, impacto humano
Explain the roles of plant hormones (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ABA, ethylene) in growth and development.
Describe the main stages of embryonic development in animals (fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, organogenesis).
Explain the components of an ecosystem and the flow of energy through trophic levels.
Describe the biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) and human impacts on them.
Interpret population growth curves (exponential and logistic) and explain carrying capacity and limiting factors.
Your checkpoint
Draw and label a diagram of the carbon cycle, indicating at least four human activities that affect it and their consequences.
Ecología y medio ambiente: ecosistemas, ciclos biogeoquímicos, dinámica de poblaciones, impacto humano & Procedimientos y actitudes científicas: análisis de datos, experimentación, interpretación de gráficos y problemas biológicos
Analyze data from graphs and tables to identify trends, correlations, and anomalies in ecological contexts.
Design a controlled experiment to test a hypothesis, identifying variables, controls, and sources of error.
Interpret experimental results and draw valid conclusions, including the limitations of the data.
Evaluate the impact of human activities (pollution, deforestation, climate change) on biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
Solve problems involving population density, mark-recapture estimates, and energy transfer efficiency.
Your checkpoint
Complete a past-exam-style data-analysis question (graph interpretation and experimental design) and write a full-mark answer with justification.
La base química y molecular de la vida (biomoléculas: agua, sales minerales, glúcidos, lípidos, proteínas, ácidos nucleicos) & La célula: estructura, membranas, orgánulos, ciclo celular, mitosis y meiosis & Metabolismo celular: catabolismo y anabolismo, respiración, fotosíntesis, enzimas & Genética mendeliana y molecular: herencia, ADN, replicación, transcripción, traducción, mutaciones & Genética de poblaciones y evolución: variabilidad, selección natural, especiación & Microbiología, inmunología y biotecnología: virus, bacterias, respuesta inmunitaria, aplicaciones biotecnológicas & La herencia y la reproducción en plantas y animales: reproducción, desarrollo, fitohormonas & Ecología y medio ambiente: ecosistemas, ciclos biogeoquímicos, dinámica de poblaciones, impacto humano & Procedimientos y actitudes científicas: análisis de datos, experimentación, interpretación de gráficos y problemas biológicos
Review all domains using a self-made summary sheet of key terms and processes.
Complete a timed full-length practice exam under exam conditions.
Identify weak areas from the practice exam and re-study those specific topics.
Practice explaining biological processes in writing, using precise terminology and clear logic.
Memorize and apply key formulas (Hardy-Weinberg, chi-square, energy transfer) to solve problems accurately.
Your checkpoint
Score a full practice exam and write a reflection listing three strengths and three areas for final review, with a plan to address each.
Milestones
Week 2: Can you explain the fluid mosaic model and compare mitosis and meiosis without notes? If not, review domain 2 before moving on.
Week 4: Can you solve a dihybrid cross and a Hardy-Weinberg problem correctly in under 10 minutes each? If not, practice more genetics problems.
Week 6: Can you describe the immune response and the carbon cycle in detail? If not, revisit domains 6 and 8.
Week 8: Have you completed a timed practice exam and reviewed all errors? If not, prioritize this before exam day.