FY12CE Biology study plan

Build a one-page reference sheet mapping the four macromolecule classes to their monomers, bonds, and cellular functions

Explain how the hydrophobic core of the phospholipid bilayer constrains membrane permeability, in writing, without notes

Draw and label a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell side by side, marking at least six shared and six distinguishing structures

Solve ten osmosis problems involving solute concentration, water potential, and direction of net water flow

Trace the path of a secreted protein from ribosome to plasma membrane, naming each organelle and the modification occurring at each step

Compare aerobic respiration and fermentation by writing the net ATP yield and terminal electron acceptor for each

Interpret a photosynthesis light-response or absorption-spectrum graph and state what it implies about limiting factors

Predict the effect of a single enzyme mutation on reaction rate by reasoning about active-site shape and activation energy

Predict offspring genotype and phenotype ratios from monohybrid and dihybrid crosses using Punnett squares and the product rule

Distinguish incomplete dominance, codominance, and multiple alleles by constructing one original example of each

Solve at least eight pedigree problems covering autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked recessive inheritance

Explain how crossing over and independent assortment generate genetic variation, using a two-gene diagram

Describe the events of each phase of meiosis and identify the phase in which nondisjunction produces aneuploid gametes

Compare DNA replication, transcription, and translation by template, enzyme, and product

Translate a provided DNA sequence into mRNA and then into an amino acid chain using a codon table, and predict the consequence of a single base substitution

Outline the steps of a polymerase chain reaction and state the purpose of each reagent

State the five conditions required for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and calculate allele and genotype frequencies from given population data

Distinguish directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection by sketching the before-and-after phenotype distribution for each

Compare allopatric and sympatric speciation and give one plausible mechanism for reproductive isolation in each

Construct a cladogram from a provided character matrix and identify which derived traits define each branch

Relate the structure of each of the four animal tissue types to its function and give one organ example of each

Trace blood flow through the mammalian heart and lungs, naming chambers, valves, and the direction of oxygenation at each step

Compare open and closed circulatory systems and contrast plant vascular tissue with animal transport tissue

Explain how negative feedback regulates blood glucose or body temperature, naming sensor, integrator, and effector

Distinguish population, community, and ecosystem levels by describing one measurable variable at each level

Calculate population growth using exponential and logistic models and identify carrying capacity from a growth curve

Trace energy flow and matter cycling through a food web, quantifying the approximate energy lost between trophic levels

Explain how a named human activity alters a nutrient cycle and predict two downstream ecological consequences

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions and record the score by domain

Rank your three weakest sub-topics from the practice results and re-teach each one in writing from memory

Revisit every missed question from weeks one through seven and confirm you can now solve each without notes

Build a final one-page formula and definition sheet covering genetics ratios, Hardy-Weinberg, and population growth