biology is love, biology is life
I may be a little biased since I’m a biology major but biology is a beautiful, beautiful subject, intricate, complex, and elegant. it’s the study of life, from the instructions for your existence knotted in each of your cells to the patterns of evolution that unfold over countless millennia.
but it can also be a pretty damn hard subject. so I’ve compiled some helpful tips and links for you all so you can love biology as much I as I do or at least pass your class.
three day study plan by @getstudyblr
how to study all day by @gracelearns
making study guides by @coffeesforstudiers
exam study pack printables by @ennui-for-me
memorization techniques by @acahdemia
tips for a productive study session by @llenyataire
tips for effective studying by @kimberlystudies
mentally prepping yourself for an exam by @eruditicn
tips for surviving ap bio class + exam
ap bio masterpost by @studyign
links for ap bio masterpost by @thlstle
resources for the ap bio exam by @studiuos
biology topics masterpost by @studyholls
biological macromolecules
prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells
the inner life of the cell
transcription + translation (2)
guide to the 20 common amino acids
the genetic code
operons examples (lac) (trp)
reproduction + development
read your book before class. seriously. you won’t understand it all the first time, but it makes the lecture much easier to follow.
many subcategories of biology are very vocabulary intensive–make flash cards early and use them often!
I tend to use lots of highlighting in my notes for color-coding and marking important concepts.
draw everything out! get a whiteboard (or paper, doesn’t matter) and some colored markers and draw all the intricate processes out. photosynthesis, the nitrogen cycle, the immune response. you’ll see the big picture and remember the details better.
there’s a youtube video for everything. if you’re having trouble with a concept, search for it on youtube, and chances are you’ll find an animation that explains it well.
teach someone else. you know you get the krebs cycle when you can explain it to your dog. and talking through things will help you understand how concepts relate to each other.
don’t neglect the basics. biology builds on itself. if you don’t understand something, don’t just forget it and move on. it will come back to bite you. some common themes I’ve noticed:
for cells, it’s all about the ratio of surface area to volume
evolution is not an intelligent process. mutations arise by chance and evolution can only respond to the current environmental conditions.
water is polar molecule and that is essential to life as we know it
structure determines function
enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy. they are not “used up” in the process.
biology is complicated but that’s what makes it beautiful. if you have any specific questions, I am more than happy to help!
germansingergirl
theartofmadeline
prguitarman
jacobvanloon
kianamaiart
