Biology Exam Review: Genetics & Diversity

Biology Exam Review/Outline

• Exam is 30% of final mark
• Exam covers 45 multiple choice questions (45 marks), 5 short answer questions (25 marks), 25 matching questions (25 marks), and labeling diagrams (8 marks)
• Exam duration is 2 hours
• Calculators, pencils, erasers, pens, and white-out are required.

Genetics

• Cell Cycle: Includes interphase, mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis
• Genetic material includes DNA and RNA
• Errors in meiosis include nondisjunction (examples like Klinefelter's, Down's, and Turner's syndrome)
• Mendelian Genetics: Includes terms like phenotype, genotype, dominant, recessive, allele, and gene
• Monohybrid crosses are used in understanding inheritance.
• Non-Mendelian Genetics: Covers topics like incomplete dominance, codominance, and multiple alleles (e.g., blood types)
• Patterns of Inheritance: Examines x-linked and autosomal inheritance patterns and genetic diseases.

Diversity of Living Things

• Six Kingdoms: Students need to know the names of the kingdoms (e.g., Animalia, Plantae) and their characteristics (cell structure, reproduction, and nutrient acquisition). Examples include Fungi for mushrooms and Animalia for birds.
• Binomial Nomenclature: Species are named using genus and species. For example, Genus species.
• Levels of Classification: Taxonomy is covered (DKPCOFGS - Darling King Phil Came Over From German Soil as an aid)
• Dichotomous Key: Usage of these keys for identifying organisms is essential.
• Viruses: How viruses are structured and how they reproduce is an important area.
• Plants: Covers flower parts, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.

Evolution

• Evidence of Evolution: Historical concepts like Charles Darwin's contributions and other evolutionary scientists are covered.
• Natural Selection: Artificial selection, mutations (harmful, beneficial, neutral), microevolution (gene flow, genetic drift, bottleneck and founder effects) and macroevolution (sympatric and allopatric speciation, reproductive isolating mechanisms) are related concepts in evolutionary biology.

Animals: Structure and Function

• Circulatory System: Components of blood, blood types, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), heart structures, heart conduction, and circulatory systems are needed.
• Respiratory System: Organs, functions, respiratory mechanics, lung capacity, and respiratory disorders (e.g., asthma, emphysema) are highlighted.
• Digestive System: Organs, accessory organs (like the liver and pancreas), enzyme action, digestion types, absorption, mechanisms and diseases (hiatal hernia, GERD) are required.