Biology case studies
Biology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Biology exam is a general, multiple-choice assessment of foundational biological knowledge, organized into five weighted domains: molecular and cellular biology (25%), genetics and evolution (20%), organismal structure and function (20%), ecology and environmental biology (15%), and scientific inquiry, data analysis, and laboratory skills (20%). It is designed for candidates who need to demonstrate broad biological literacy - students preparing for further science coursework, candidates entering health or life-science training programs, and educators or technicians who want an independent check of their knowledge. The exam rewards conceptual understanding and data reasoning rather than rote recall. Expect questions that ask you to interpret a described experiment, read a table or graph in text form, predict the outcome of a cross, or explain why a physiological or ecological pattern occurs. The Biology case studies are 5 cases and about 2,042 words.
1Metabolic Compensation in Rotenone-Treated CHO Cells
Researchers study mitochondrial dysfunction in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells cultured in DMEM with 25 mM glucose and 4 mM glutamine. Cells are exposed to rotenone, a complex I inhibitor, for 24 h.
390 words, about 2 min2Carrier Frequency and Hardy-Weinberg in a Founder Population
A genetic counselor serves an isolated island population of 1,000 people with a high rate of a recessive metabolic disorder caused by a single founder variant. Over 10 years, newborn screening identifies 8 affected infants among 1,000 births.
456 words, about 2 min3Hyponatremia in an Ultramarathon Runner
A 42-year-old woman collapses after a 100-km ultramarathon in 14 h. Ambient temperature is 28°C with 70% humidity.
397 words, about 2 min4Trophic Cascade and Nutrient Loading in a Shallow Lake
A shallow lake receives runoff from agricultural fields. Summer monitoring shows total phosphorus (TP) 120 µg/L, chlorophyll a 45 µg/L, Secchi depth 0.6 m, and hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen 2 mg/L.
381 words, about 2 min5Confounded Fertilizer Trial
A student tests a new organic fertilizer on tomato plants. Twenty seedlings of the same variety are potted in identical soil.
418 words, about 2 min