Life and Physical Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Fundamentals
Core biology
Expect questions on cell theory, levels of organization (cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism), and homeostasis. Photosynthesis stores energy in glucose inside chloroplasts and consumes CO₂; cellular respiration releases that energy in mitochondria and produces CO₂. Genetic information flows DNA → RNA → protein. Mitosis produces two identical diploid cells; meiosis produces four genetically unique haploid gametes.
Core chemistry
Read atomic number (protons) and mass number (protons + neutrons). Predict bonding: metal plus nonmetal is generally ionic; nonmetal plus nonmetal is covalent. Balance simple equations, and be ready to calculate density, molar mass, and solution concentration.
Core physics
Know Newton's three laws, the mass/weight distinction, conservation of energy, the speed/velocity/acceleration distinctions, the wave relationship (speed = frequency × wavelength), and Ohm's law (V = IR).
Common traps
pH is logarithmic: pH 3 is 100 times more acidic than pH 5, not twice. Mass stays constant everywhere; weight changes with local gravity. Speed is a scalar, velocity a vector. In genetics, dominant means expressed, not more common. Energy and momentum are conserved under different conditions, so do not use them interchangeably.
Worked example
A block has a mass of 40 g and a volume of 8 cm³. Density = mass ÷ volume = 40 ÷ 8 = 5 g/cm³. Since 5 g/cm³ exceeds the 1 g/cm³ density of water, the block sinks. Rule of thumb: carry the units through the calculation - if they do not cancel to the unit you want, the setup is wrong.