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How to Study for Biology….. and anything else…..
There are proven ways to increase your understanding of any new topic, whether they are
school, job, or recreational activities. You need to break down the information you need to learn
into bite-sized units. This is called “chunking”.
Everyone has a different comfort level for the size of the chunk. Those topics you are
comfortable with will have big chunks. New or intimidating topics that make you uncomfortable
are going to have smaller chunks. You will have to define your own chunk size for each learning
situation. If you are feeling uncomfortable with what you are learning – your chunk is too big –
you need to stop, regroup, and restart with a smaller chunk.
You also need some tools, which you should build as you go along. Your primary tool should be
your notebook. The tools in your notebook should include vocabulary lists, drawings (drawing
you draw, NOT cut and paste from the computer or copy machine) and concise, not wordy,
notes. Use one of the following note formats: Cornell or Outline.
Then you need to practice, just like sports, that is what homework is about.
Notebook ready? OK, let’s start:
1. Put the notebook away for now.
2. Open the book.
3. Skim and Scan the new chapter, unit, material – whatever it is you need to learn.
So how do you do it? Let’s take Chapter 13 as an example:
A. Open the book to page 318 and read the chapter title: Genetic Engineering
Now you know what the chapter is about.
B. Flip through the chapter and read the section headings (nothing else)
13-1 is about Changing the Living World
13-2 is about Manipulating DNA
13-3 is about Cell Transformation
13-4 is about Applications of Genetic Engineering
C. Start again at the beginning of the chapter and look at every picture and read every
picture caption.
4. Now take your notebook out.
5. Start at the beginning of the chapter and open to a new, clean page and write at the top:
On the first page write:
On the second page write:
On the third page write:
On the fourth page write:
On the fifth page write:
Chapter 13 Genetic Engineering
13-1 Changing The Living World
13-2 Manipulating DNA
13-3 Cell Transformation
13-4 Applications of Genetic Engineering
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6. Return to the beginning of the chapter in the book and open your notebook to the first page
for Chapter 13.
A. Go to page 319, to the side column titled “Guide for Reading” and read the “Key
Concepts” for the section, the vocabulary words (just read them), and any other
information included. Do this for every Section in the chapter.
B. Now define the vocabulary words. Use the page labeled “Chapter 13” for the vocabulary
words for each section. Hand write each vocabulary word and definition. Alternate ways for
you to learn the vocabulary include:
 Flashcards
 Insert Vocabulary at the beginning of your notes for each section
C. Go to the page in your notebook titled “13-1 Changing the Living World” and copy the
blue headings (leave space for notes) into the left hand column for Cornell notes, or as
subcategories for outline notes. For 13-1 this will include:
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
Selective Breeding
Increasing Variation
D. Now read and take notes. Keep your notes concise – Don’t recopy the text, summarize!
E. Repeat for every section in the chapter.
7. Assessment – Did I learn it?
Your textbook CD has quizzes for each section and then mini-tests for each chapter. Use
them! These quizzes will correct themselves, you will immediately know if you entered
the right answer. Better yet, there are “Hints” that will immediately link you back to the
answers in the online textbook.
8. Other resources:
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My website has outline skeletons already prepared for each chapter. If you like
outlining – use them.
My website links you to the textbook webpages.
The textbook webpages have additional links and online quizzes
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Chapter 13 Genetic Engineering
Selective Breeding
Hybridization
Inbreeding
Polyploid
Genetic Engineering
Restriction Enzyme
Gel Electrophoresis
The breeding of only those plants or animals
which have desired characteristics, so the
characteristics are passes on to the next
generation. Example: results in different breeds of
dogs.
Cross breeding dissimilar individuals hopefully
resulting in offspring with the best traits of both
parents
Continued breeding of individual plants or
animals with similar characteristics in order to
maintain those characteristics
Germ Cells (resulting in organisms) with double
or triple the usual number of chromosomes
Man made changes in the genetic code of a living
organism
Amazingly precise enzymes that cut DNA at very
specific locations, resulting in DNA fragments
with “sticky ends”
A method of separating DNA fragments by placing
them in a porous gel and running an electric
current through the gel. The fragments are pulled
through the gel, the smaller fragments moving
faster, which separates the fragments.
Continue vocab definitions in this format
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13-1 Changing The World
Selective Breeding
Controlled breeding to enhance desired
characteristics.
 Been done for 10,000 years
 Results in breed of plants & animals
o e.g. breeds of dogs, horses, cows, etc.
Hybridization Breeding dissimilar individuals hoping to get
offspring with good or better characteristics.
 Luther Burbank – 1849-1926
o Created disease resistant potatoes
o + over 800 other hybrids useful to man
Inbreeding Breeding similar individuals to maintain desired
characteristics, e.g. breeds of dogs
 Risky
o Can result in the concentration of bad as
well as good characteristics, e.g.
 Hip displasia in German Shepards
 Hyperactivity in Irish Setters
 Blindness in Golden Retrievers
Increasing
Requires genetic diversity
Variation
 Natural
 Artificial through induced mutations using
o Radiation
o Chemicals
o Works well with bacteria
 Produced bacteria that eat oil
o Produces new species of plants
 Can happen naturally or be induced
polyploidy
 Polyploidy
 Tolerated in plants, poorly
tolerated in animals
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13-2 Manipulating DNA
Tools of Molecular
Biology
Steps in Genetic Engineering
1. DNA Extraction

Cells are broken open and DNA is separated
2. Cutting DNA
See figure 13-5 on
page 322

DNA is cut into fragments using:
o Restriction Enzymes
 Hundreds have been discovered
 Each cuts DNA differently
 Very precise
 Each end of fragment has “sticky
ends”
3. Separate Fragments
Page 322

Gel Electrophoresis
o Electric current pulls fragments thru gel
o Smaller fragments move faster
o Results in separation of fragments by size
o Can be used to locate and identify genes
Hopefully you get the idea