ILTS Science: Biology (239) study plan

Map the full ILTS 239 content outline into a personal checklist of every biology subarea, marking each as strong, shaky, or unknown before studying anything

Define and write out the core vocabulary of macromolecules, enzyme kinetics, and membrane transport in your own words, including one worked example per term

Explain how water potential, osmosis, and tonicity predict cell volume changes in plant and animal cells, and solve at least three calculation-style problems

Build a one-page reference sheet of the four macromolecule classes covering monomers, bonds, functions, and one exam-style distinguishing feature each

Trace the flow of energy through glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, naming the net ATP, NADH, and FADH2 yield at each stage

Compare aerobic respiration with anaerobic pathways and fermentation, and predict products under stated oxygen conditions

Diagram photosynthesis, separating light reactions from the Calvin cycle and labeling where ATP, NADPH, and carbon fixation occur

Solve problems that require predicting the effect of an inhibitor, uncoupler, or missing enzyme on ATP output

Describe the stages of mitosis and meiosis and state the chromosome and DNA content at each checkpoint

Predict the outcomes of nondisjunction, crossing over, and independent assortment in a described cross

Work through Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance problems, including codominance, incomplete dominance, sex linkage, and epistasis

Explain the central dogma and identify where transcription, RNA processing, and translation can be regulated

Explain DNA replication, mutation types, and the mechanisms of common DNA repair pathways

Describe how operons, transcription factors, and epigenetic marks control gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Summarize the major biotechnologies tested on the exam, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, CRISPR, and plasmid transformation, and what each result shows

Connect chromosomal and gene-level mutations to observable phenotype consequences

Classify organisms across the major domains and kingdoms using defining structural and reproductive characteristics

Compare body plan innovations such as symmetry, segmentation, coeloms, and circulation across invertebrate and vertebrate groups

Explain plant anatomy and physiology, including vascular tissue, transpiration, and the alternation of generations

Interpret phylogenetic trees and distinguish homologous from analogous structures when reading a cladogram

Explain homeostasis and feedback control using at least three human body systems as examples

Describe the roles of the nervous and endocrine systems in signal transmission and regulation

Trace the flow of blood and the mechanics of gas exchange in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Explain immune response stages, including innate versus adaptive immunity and the action of vaccines

Analyze population growth models and identify density-dependent and density-independent factors in described scenarios

Explain energy flow and nutrient cycling through trophic levels, including the causes and consequences of disruption

Describe succession, biodiversity, and the major biogeochemical cycles with their key organisms and processes

Evaluate human impact topics such as climate change, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation using evidence-based reasoning

Re-audit your week-one checklist and rank remaining weak subareas by likely exam weight

Complete at least 60 timed mixed-content practice questions and log every error by subarea

Re-teach your three weakest subareas aloud or in writing without notes to confirm retention

Build a final one-page formula and vocabulary sheet for last-minute review