HANDBOOK OF BIOLOGY

Name : __________________________

Class : ___________________________

My Target : _______________________

Teacher
:_________________________________

cge/smkbj/Bio SPM
How to Study Biology: 6 Study
Techniques to Master Biology
Biology is a fascinating subject but can often cause problems for students. If
this is the case for you, then read on and discover the best techniques to
improve your exam results.

Biology is the study of life and teaches us about ourselves and the natural world
around us. A good starting point when studying biology is to admire the perfection of
nature and the principles of life.

With this mindset, you’re ready to implement the study techniques outlined below.

How to Study Biology: Top 5 Study Techniques

1 Change your attitude towards biology!

Having the right attitude is really important if you want to make improvements in this
subject.

 Think about why your body can work, digestion, running, thinking, etc. These
seem to be natural phenomena, but why? Why does everything work so
perfectly? Thinking about how amazing human body may help you to change
your idea about this subject.
 If you still don't find human body amazing, think about how life begins.

Why are you here? When a sperm meets an egg, a zygote is formed. By cell division, the
number of cells increases at an exponential rate, and finally results in a human that can
run around, read, write and find biology learning a challenge. Isn't that amazing? Biology
is the study that allows you to understand these interesting and miraculous things.
Remember, to be good in something, you must first be interested in them.
2 Learn the Terminology
One of the hardest parts of studying biology is remembering the many different terms. If you
want to understand what you are studying, then you need to familiarize yourself with all these
terms first. A good method for this is to try and break down complex words to identify their
root.

Example : “Photosynthesis ” - “photo means light” , “ synthesis -from Greek means to

put together. “

It is highly recommended that whenever you encounter unfamiliar words while studying biology
you should take note of them, find it’s definition and then take the time to understand its roots.

3 From the General to the Specific

To follow a process of effective learning of biology, you must master the general concepts before
being able to tackle specific ones. For example, you need to understand what is photosynthesis
before you study the factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis.

In this sense, it is also advisable to study the processes thoroughly before advancing to the
next level. To speed up the memorization of the different processes and their relationship, Mind
Maps are an effective educational resource for students as they help organize information in a
very easy and visual way.

4 Embrace the Laboratory

Put biology theory into practice by using the laboratory whenever possible to explore your
curiosity. Once in the laboratory you can test your hypothesis and prove your theories. In terms of
learning, the act of doing will stay with you a lot longer than the act of reading.

5 Use Drawings
Drawings can help you understand a concept and remember information that would be
difficult to define in words. You should get used to drawing diagrams such as the human heart as
you can be asked to produce and label such a drawing in your biology exam.

6 Past Exam Questions

Practice sample answers to past exam questions. Biology tests can vary widely so it is
important to know how you will be evaluated to study accordingly. Practice, practice and
practice!
Want to get an A in Biology ?
You, too, can succeed in biology. The following strategies will help you get an A in
biology.

 Biology is hard work, so be aggressive. Take it as a challenge and give it your

time and your energy.

 Know and understand all your terminology. This is one of the keys to success in
any field. In biology it is extremely helpful to begin by studying your Latin and
Greek roots. This is the basis for many seemingly difficult terms. Study these
roots. Make 3" x 5" flash cards to help you memorize them and later do the same
with your terminology.

 Those concept that is discussed in the lesson, it is guaranteed that you will be
tested on it. So pay attention to whatever is discussed.

 Make it a practice to read over the topic or chapter before going to your biology
class.

 Attend all classes and be an active learner. It is important to be alert and

concentrate on what is said in class. Successful students take full and
comprehensive notes, writing down what is said in the lesson. Do not allow
yourself to miss classes and fall behind.

 After class go over the material as soon as possible and again eight hours later.
Studies have shown that you are more likely to remember the information later.
Recite important concepts in your own words.
 Always remember you have the right to ask questions before, during and after
class. See your teacher during their office hours for help. Always seek help
immediately.

 Whenever possible explain aloud to another person what you are learning. Work
with a classmate and explain terminology and concepts to each other.

 Describe in your own words the similarities and differences between the different
concepts you are learning. Do this aloud with someone else.

 Write up summary sheets of biology terminology and concepts and review often.
The more you review the more you' will remember. Also, visually picture the
terms in your mind's eye. Visualizing is a powerful technique for remembering
terms. Break words into small chunks and picture each chunk until you can recall
it. Then put the chunks together. Remember, the knowledge of roots can be
extremely helpful.

 Making up mnemonics memory techniques may be fun as well as beneficial. For

example, if you need to remember the 7 hierarchy in the classification of
organisms, you can take the first letter of each hierarchy and make up a sentence
where each word begins with the first letter of the hierarchy. [Kingdom, Phylum,
Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species→ Kent PlayChalk On Floor Get Scolded]

 Create sample tests for yourself and test yourself often.

 Give yourself timed tests similar to those you expect in class. Time yourself with
a kitchen timer or an alarm. Practice, practice, practice.

 Review the types of errors you make and types of questions that cause you
difficulty. Give yourself more practice in these areas of difficulty.

 If possible, have a friend or family member quiz you on your notes and text
information. Done regularly this commits more information to long-term memory.
Greek and Latin Roots Word for Biology

The key to learing biological terms is in learning the origins of those word
which is usually Greek or Latin.

Greek or Latin Meaning Examples

Root
A-, An- Not, absent Abiotic: without life
Anoxygenic: without oxygen
Aqua- Water Aqueous: watery

Bi- Two Bilayer: double layered

Bio- Life Biology: the study of life

-cide Kill Bacteriocidal: kills bacteria

Cyt Cell Cytoplasm: the fluid inside a cell

Di- Two Disaccharide: a carbohydrate made of two simple sugars

Endo- Inside Endocytosis: a process that brings things into a cell

Epi- Upon, over Epidermis: the uppermost layer of tissue covering an organism

Ex- Out Exocytosis: a process that puts things out of cells

Geno- Give birth, Genetics: the study of heredity

beget
Hetero- Mixed, unlike Heterozygous: a cell that has two different versions of a gene

Homo- Same Homozygous: a cell that has two identical versions of a gene

Hyper- Above Hypertonic: has a greater concentration of solutes

Hypo- Below Hypotonic: has a lower concentration of solutes

Inter- Between Interphase: the cellular phase between cell divisions

Iso- Same Isotonic: has same concentration of solutes

Macro- Big Macrophage: a large phagocyte

Micro- Small Microbiology: the study of living things too small to see with the
naked eye
Mono- One Monosaccharide: a single simple sugar

Olig- Few Oligosaccharide: a short chain of sugars

Ped-, Pod Foot Pseudopod: a "false foot" or projection of an amoeba

Phago- Eat Phagocytosis: a process where a white blood cell engulfs and destroys
bacteria and viruses
-phil Love Hydrophilic: mixes well with water

-phobia Fear Hydrophobic: doesn't mix with water

 Poly- Many Polypeptide: a chain of many amino acids

Pro- Before Prokaryotes: cells that evolved before nucleated cells

Stom- Mouth Stomates: openings in the surfaces of leaves

Zoo- Animal Zoology: the study of animals

Zygo- Join Zygote: a cell formed from the joining of sperm and egg

Find out more at the following websites :

http://quizlet.com/43457259/biology-vocab-greek-and-latin-root-words-flash-cards/

http://www.biologyjunction.com/prefixes%2520and%2520suffixes.pdf

http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453labs/Greek-Latin-Roots-Biology.pdf