Biology Study Tips

Biology Study Tips Biology encompasses a broad spectrum of academic fields that address phenomena related to living organisms (biological phenomena) over a wide range of scales, from biophysics to chemistry, to statistics and ecology. So, studying for Biology is a little different than studying for the other sciences: one has to integrate the knowledge from various scientific fields. If you want to maximize your chances for success, it is important to study effectively.  This means developing good study skills. If you know your own optimum learning style, this can help you study more effectively. Learning Styles??? While there are multiple learning styles it turns out that they aren't very significant. Everyone can use all of them with minimal difference. There isn't a magic bullet to learning. To learn one has to work hard at it - just being online and seeing a good lecture won't do it. One of the most effective ways to study is to have a study partner or group where you can discuss the course material and quiz each other. Find a Study Buddy Get together with a friend or classmate and have a study session. Take turns asking and answering questions. Write your answers down in complete sentences to help you organize and express your thoughts. A Study Group: Helps to develop valuable study skill Helps in learning and reviewing the material Provides motivation to study There is more to learning Biology than memorizing vocabulary. Here are some studying tips: Biology is like a foreign language: you need to build up a vocabulary list before you can speak the language. Make flash cards just as you would if you are studying another language. Write the new term on one side of the card and its definition on the other. Flip through your flash cards every day, any time you have a few minutes to spare. Make vocabulary flash cards Learn how to create good outlines An outline helps organize information into a framework that helps you make more sense of it. Use outlines to merge information from your textbook with the information from class lectures and labs. Create an outline of the information in your textbook . Then go through your lecture and lab notes and add any information that is not in your textbook outline. Example of Outline Twenty five (25) of the 92 natural elements are known to be essential for life. Four elements—carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N)—make up 96% of living matter. Most of the remaining 4% of an organism’s weight consists of phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K). Minute quantities of trace elements are required by an organism. Some trace elements, like iron (Fe), are required by all organisms. Other trace elements are required by only some species. For example, the human thyroid gland requires a daily intake of 0.15 milligrams of iodine for normal activity. Make defining features tables Down the side of the table, list all features that apply to each concept. Across the top write the name of the concept and put a check to indicate which features go with what concept.   A defining table helps organize key features of various concepts. Example of Features Table Muscle Types Characteristic Skeletal Cardiac Smooth Nuclei Multinucleated Single nucleus Single nucleus Banding Striations: present   Actin &Myosin Striations: present Actin &Myosin Striations: Not present   Actin &Myosin Z disks Present Present Not present Make categorizing tables A categorizing table is used to sort ideas into different categories. For example, you can make a table that lists all the categories across the top of the table, then list examples of each underneath. Biomolecules Table Class Characteristics Functions Carbohydrates Monosaccharides Polysaccharides   Energy storage (starch, glycogen) Structural (cellulose, chitin) Cell recognition Lipids Fatty acids Phospholipids Sterols   Energy storage Insulation Hormones Membranes Inter- and Intra-cellular communication   Proteins Polymers of amino acids held together by peptide bonds Enzymes Hormones Antibodies Transport Buffers Structural Nucleic Acids Polymers of nucleotides (DNA & RNA) DNA: holds the genetic code RNA: different types with different functions (mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, snRNAs, miRNAs, siRNAs ) Example of Categorizing Table MAKE CONCEPT MAPS When you link facts to other facts you create a network that becomes one item in your memory. Fact #1 Fact # 2 Fact # 3 Fact # 4 Fact # 5 Fact # 6 Fact # 7 MAKE CONCEPT MAPS Write the vocabulary words on small slips of paper. Arrange them on a large sheet of paper. With a pencil, sketch lines linking vocabulary words together. On the line, write in a phrase that defines the link. One way to make a concept map is to use your vocabulary cards. MAKE CONCEPT MAPS For example, if your words are “matter,” “atoms,” “elements,” “compounds,” and “molecules,” you might connect them this way: [matter] consists of either[elements ] or [compounds]; [atoms] - linked together make up -> [molecules]. Find as many conceptual connections between the vocabulary terms as you can. MAKE CONCEPT MAPS Matter Elements Compounds Atoms Molecules consists of either Two or more combine to form combine to form Learn how to read actively Get out some paper and pen and take notes as you read. Review the Biology Text Your biology textbook is a wonderful source for finding illustrations and diagrams that will help you visualize the concepts you are learning. Be sure to reread and review the appropriate chapters and information in your textbook. You will want to make sure that you understand all key concepts and topics. Use the ACC Learning Labs The learning labs can provide a quiet place where you can meet regularly to hold study sessions or quiz each other.  Use the ACC Learning Labs The Learning Lab Web site has current information about locations, hours of operation, and the schedules for math, chemistry, and biology tutors. http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/ WHAT CAN THE TUTORS DO FOR YOU Identify the method that best works for you Understand your homework assignments Correct written assignments before you turn them in Connect new material to the big picture and key concepts Develop organizational skills and strategies for applying information in a new situation Make outlines to summarize, organize, and relate key ideas Draw diagrams and charts The tutors at the learning lab are available to help you: GOOD LUCK! Biology Study Tips Biology encompasses a broad spectrum of academic fields that address phenomena related to living organisms (biological phenomena) over a wide range of scales, from biophysics to chemistry, to statistics and ecology. So, studying for Biology is a little different than studying for the other sciences: one has to integrate the knowledge from various scientific fields. If you want to maximize your chances for success, it is important to study effectively.  This means developing good study skills. If you know your own optimum learning style, this can help you study more effectively. Learning Styles??? While there are multiple learning styles it turns out that they aren't very significant. Everyone can use all of them with minimal difference. There isn't a magic bullet to learning. To learn one has to work hard at it - just being online and seeing a good lecture won't do it. One of the most effective ways to study is to have a study partner or group where you can discuss the course material and quiz each other. Find a Study Buddy Get together with a friend or classmate and have a study session. Take turns asking and answering questions. Write your answers down in complete sentences to help you organize and express your thoughts. A Study Group: Helps to develop valuable study skill Helps in learning and reviewing the material Provides motivation to study There is more to learning Biology than memorizing vocabulary. Here are some studying tips: Biology is like a foreign language: you need to build up a vocabulary list before you can speak the language. Make flash cards just as you would if you are studying another language. Write the new term on one side of the card and its definition on the other. Flip through your flash cards every day, any time you have a few minutes to spare. Make vocabulary flash cards Learn how to create good outlines An outline helps organize information into a framework that helps you make more sense of it. Use outlines to merge information from your textbook with the information from class lectures and labs. Create an outline of the information in your textbook . Then go through your lecture and lab notes and add any information that is not in your textbook outline. Example of Outline Twenty five (25) of the 92 natural elements are known to be essential for life. Four elements—carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N)—make up 96% of living matter. Most of the remaining 4% of an organism’s weight consists of phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K). Minute quantities of trace elements are required by an organism. Some trace elements, like iron (Fe), are required by all organisms. Other trace elements are required by only some species. For example, the human thyroid gland requires a daily intake of 0.15 milligrams of iodine for normal activity. Make defining features tables Down the side of the table, list all features that apply to each concept. Across the top write the name of the concept and put a check to indicate which features go with what concept.   A defining table helps organize key features of various concepts. Example of Features Table Muscle Types Characteristic Skeletal Cardiac Smooth Nuclei Multinucleated Single nucleus Single nucleus Banding Striations: present   Actin &Myosin Striations: present Actin &Myosin Striations: Not present   Actin &Myosin Z disks Present Present Not present Make categorizing tables A categorizing table is used to sort ideas into different categories. For example, you can make a table that lists all the categories across the top of the table, then list examples of each underneath. Biomolecules Table Class Characteristics Functions Carbohydrates Monosaccharides Polysaccharides   Energy storage (starch, glycogen) Structural (cellulose, chitin) Cell recognition Lipids Fatty acids Phospholipids Sterols   Energy storage Insulation Hormones Membranes Inter- and Intra-cellular communication   Proteins Polymers of amino acids held together by peptide bonds Enzymes Hormones Antibodies Transport Buffers Structural Nucleic Acids Polymers of nucleotides (DNA & RNA) DNA: holds the genetic code RNA: different types with different functions (mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, snRNAs, miRNAs, siRNAs ) Example of Categorizing Table MAKE CONCEPT MAPS When you link facts to other facts you create a network that becomes one item in your memory. Fact #1 Fact # 2 Fact # 3 Fact # 4 Fact # 5 Fact # 6 Fact # 7 MAKE CONCEPT MAPS Write the vocabulary words on small slips of paper. Arrange them on a large sheet of paper. With a pencil, sketch lines linking vocabulary words together. On the line, write in a phrase that defines the link. One way to make a concept map is to use your vocabulary cards. MAKE CONCEPT MAPS For example, if your words are “matter,” “atoms,” “elements,” “compounds,” and “molecules,” you might connect them this way: [matter] consists of either[elements ] or [compounds]; [atoms] - linked together make up -> [molecules]. Find as many conceptual connections between the vocabulary terms as you can. MAKE CONCEPT MAPS Matter Elements Compounds Atoms Molecules consists of either Two or more combine to form combine to form Learn how to read actively Get out some paper and pen and take notes as you read. Review the Biology Text Your biology textbook is a wonderful source for finding illustrations and diagrams that will help you visualize the concepts you are learning. Be sure to reread and review the appropriate chapters and information in your textbook. You will want to make sure that you understand all key concepts and topics. Use the Learning Labs The learning labs can provide a quiet place where you can meet regularly to hold study sessions or quiz each other.  WHAT CAN THE TUTORS DO FOR YOU Identify the method that best works for you Understand your homework assignments Correct written assignments before you turn them in Connect new material to the big picture and key concepts Develop organizational skills and strategies for applying information in a new situation Make outlines to summarize, organize, and relate key ideas Draw diagrams and charts The tutors at the learning lab are available to help you: GOOD LUCK!