Biology Exam Prep Notes (2025 Edition)
Quick Overview
These notes cover the most important exam topics in biology, written in simple language with key
points, diagrams, and definitions.
1. Taxonomy
• Definition: The science of classifying organisms.
• Levels of Classification: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
• Mnemonic: King Philip Came Over For Good Soup.
• Binomial Nomenclature: Developed by Carl Linnaeus. Every species has a two-part name:
Genus + species (e.g., Homo sapiens).
2. Bacteria
• Definition: Microscopic, single-celled prokaryotes.
• Shapes: Cocci (spherical), Bacilli (rod-shaped), Spirilla (spiral).
• Reproduction: Mainly by binary fission.
• Importance: Helpful (nitrogen fixation, decomposition, yogurt making) and harmful (cholera,
TB, pneumonia).
3. Protists
• Definition: Simple eukaryotic organisms (not plants, animals, or fungi).
• Examples: Amoeba (pseudopodia), Paramecium (cilia), Euglena (photosynthetic +
heterotrophic).
• Importance: Source of food in aquatic ecosystems; some cause diseases (Plasmodium →
malaria).
4. Cell Biology (Quick Review)
• Cell Theory: All living things are made of cells, cell is the basic unit of life, all cells come from
pre-existing cells.
• Differences: Prokaryotic (bacteria ‒ no nucleus) vs. Eukaryotic (plants, animals ‒ nucleus +
organelles).
5. Genetics Basics
• DNA: Carries genetic information.
• Genes: Segments of DNA coding for traits.
• Mendel s Laws: Law of Segregation, Law of Independent Assortment.
6. Human Biology (Exam Hotspot)
Quick Overview
These notes cover the most important exam topics in biology, written in simple language with key
points, diagrams, and definitions.
1. Taxonomy
• Definition: The science of classifying organisms.
• Levels of Classification: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
• Mnemonic: King Philip Came Over For Good Soup.
• Binomial Nomenclature: Developed by Carl Linnaeus. Every species has a two-part name:
Genus + species (e.g., Homo sapiens).
2. Bacteria
• Definition: Microscopic, single-celled prokaryotes.
• Shapes: Cocci (spherical), Bacilli (rod-shaped), Spirilla (spiral).
• Reproduction: Mainly by binary fission.
• Importance: Helpful (nitrogen fixation, decomposition, yogurt making) and harmful (cholera,
TB, pneumonia).
3. Protists
• Definition: Simple eukaryotic organisms (not plants, animals, or fungi).
• Examples: Amoeba (pseudopodia), Paramecium (cilia), Euglena (photosynthetic +
heterotrophic).
• Importance: Source of food in aquatic ecosystems; some cause diseases (Plasmodium →
malaria).
4. Cell Biology (Quick Review)
• Cell Theory: All living things are made of cells, cell is the basic unit of life, all cells come from
pre-existing cells.
• Differences: Prokaryotic (bacteria ‒ no nucleus) vs. Eukaryotic (plants, animals ‒ nucleus +
organelles).
5. Genetics Basics
• DNA: Carries genetic information.
• Genes: Segments of DNA coding for traits.
• Mendel s Laws: Law of Segregation, Law of Independent Assortment.
6. Human Biology (Exam Hotspot)
