Biology 3U – Final Exam Review Guide

The final exam plus the lab exam will be worth 30% of your final mark. There will be multiple choice, diagrams and short answer questions.

*You will need a pencil for the multiple choice section of the exam.*

Use the following questions to focus your studies. The textbook, your class notes, exams, quizzes, and assignments are all excellent resources for exam review. Good luck!!

**Please remember to bring your textbook to the final exam.**

This is a guide. It is not a complete list of all topics, subtopics and concepts. Please use your notes AND your text in your studying.

Diversity of Life

1.Characteristics of life

2.Taxonomy / 6-kingdom system of classification/ Binomial Nomenclature

3.Phylogeny and Cladistics

4.dichotomous keys

5.Characteristics of all Kingdoms and Viruses

6.Cellular respiration and photosynthesis overview

7.Transport (diffusion, osmosis, passive vs. active transport)

Genetics

  1. Chromosomes & Chromosome numbers (diploid / haploid, trisomy/monosomy)
  2. Cell Cycles – Mitosis & Meiosis
  3. The importance of sexual reproduction – independent assortment, diversity, sex evolution hypotheses
  4. The structure of DNA (nucleotides, base-pairs, hydrogen bonds) and RNA
  5. DNA replication, Transciption & Translation (steps of protein synthesis – codons, triplets, amino acids)
  6. Mendel’s research (P, F1, F2, the Laws of Inheritance, Pea plants, dominance & recessiveness, monohybrid & dihybrid)
  7. Modern genetics (genes, alleles, homozygous, heterozygous, codominance, incomplete dominance, multiple allele traits, sex-linkage, pedigrees)
  8. Know how to do punnett squares of all varieties
  9. Examination of pedigrees and human genetics
  10. Genetic abnormalities
  11. DNA Timeline (history)

Evolution

  1. Mechanisms for Evolution
  2. Evidence for Evolution
  3. Historical Figures
  4. Speciation (not done 2012)
  5. Hardy-Weinberg (not done 2012)

Internal Systems

  1. Digestive System
  2. the digestive system diagram
  3. importance of digestion
  4. chemical vs. physical digestion
  5. structure/ function of digestive organs
  6. digestive enzymes
  7. digestive hormones (gastrin, secretin, CCK)
  8. summary table of digestion
  9. macromolecules
  10. dehydration synthesis reactions
  11. Circulatory System
  12. circulatory system diagrams
  13. components of human blood (rbc, wbc, platelets, plasma)
  14. blood vessels (veins, capillaries, arteries)
  15. mammalian heart
  16. cardiac cycle
  17. pulmonary, cardiac, and systemic circulation
  18. pulse and blood pressure
  19. initiation and control of heart beat
  20. control during exercise
  21. Respiratory System
  22. respiratory system diagrams
  23. types of respiration
  24. structure/ function of involved organs
  25. mechanism of breathing
  26. nervous control of breathing
  27. Tissues (types and functions)

Plants

  1. Evolution and Classification of Plants
  2. Monocots and Dicots
  3. Structure and Function
  4. Cells/ Tissue Types
  5. Leaves
  6. Stems
  7. Roots
  8. Vascular System
  9. Xylem – Transpiration Theory
  10. Phloem – Cohesion Theory
  11. Seed and Embryo Structure

TIPS for Studying

  1. Use the website, all notes, handouts, and articles given over the course of the semester in your studying.
  2. Reading over your notes is not enough to prepare you for the exam.
  3. Reflect on the exams you have written over the semester and how you studied for them. Chose a method of studying that has been successful in the past. Was creating flash cards, writing study notes, creating concept maps or another method the most successful for you?
  4. Try saying your notes or explaining your notes out loud to a person or pet.

Before the Exam

Approach the exam confidently. Remember to review.

Don’t “cram.” Be careful of your diet and sleep—especially as the exam draws near.

Arrive on time…and ready.

Choose a good seat. Get comfortable and relax.

Bring the complete kit of “tools” you’ll need.

Avoid sharing ideas with other students at the last minute.

Listen carefully to all directions.

During the Exam

Read all directions carefully—twice if necessary.

Do not waste time on multiple choice questions, if you do not know the answer right away come back to it later.

Pay attention to the mark allocation and marking scheme.

Look over the whole exam before answering any questions.

Start right in and stay with it. Apportion your time with an “exam budget.” Use every second effectively.

Do the easy questions first.

Read each question carefully. Make sure you understand each one before you answer. Re-read, if necessary.

Think! Avoid hurried answers. Guess intelligently.

Get all the help you can from “cue” words and phrases.

Rephrase difficult questions for yourself. Watch out for “spoilers.”

Use controlled association to see the relation of one question to another and with as many important ideas as you can develop.

Now that you’re a “cool” exam-taker, stay calm and confident throughout the exam. Don’t let anything throw you.

Edit, check, and proofread your answers.