Biology (Biology / Basic Biology)
What the exam tests
Biology and Basic Biology cover cells, metabolism, genetics, physiology, ecology, and evolution. The exam asks for mechanism and evidence, not just vocabulary: for example, how a gradient drives ATP synthesis or how a cross produces a ratio.
Core rules
- Central dogma: DNA to RNA to protein; transcription in the nucleus, translation on ribosomes.
- Enzymes lower activation energy; activity depends on pH, temperature, and substrate concentration.
- Genetics: segregation and independent assortment; use Punnett squares and probability rules.
- Physiology: homeostasis via negative feedback; neurons use electrochemical gradients.
- Ecology: energy flows and matter cycles; population growth and species interactions.
Worked example
In double-stranded DNA, adenine is 30% of bases. By base pairing, A=T, so T=30%; the remaining 40% is G+C, and G=C, so G=20% and C=20%. Reasoning: complementary base pairing fixes the proportions, and the total must be 100%.
Traps
Confusing mitosis with meiosis; saying dominant alleles are more common; mixing transcription and translation; ignoring membrane transport direction; and treating energy pyramids as reversible. In ecology, do not confuse population density with growth rate. In genetics, check whether the question asks for genotype or phenotype ratio.