Biology command words you need to know!
Word
Definition
Example
This is the simplest
Eg. State the name of the domain to which birds,
State
command term, it is asking
such as the Elf owl, belong.
you to straight-up recall a
specific word, phrase or
physical quantity.
Give a specific name, value
or other brief answer (no
supporting argument or
calculation is necessary)
Draw or
Label
Here you are asked to create
a clear image using a pencil.
The components should be in
their correct relative positions
and proportions
Arrows should identify the
different parts (you don’t
need to explain any of the
parts)
List
There’s probably no
explanation necessary for
this one.
Give a sequence of names
or other brief answers with
no elaboration, each one
clearly separated from the
others
Define
These are very specific
definitions that you need to
know word for word. It is
important that you memorize
the definitions off by heart, I
recommend using flashcards
and quizzing yourself on
these.
eg. Draw a labeled diagram of the formation of a
chiasma by crossing over.
You can find a list of all the drawings you need to
know here
`
Things that you are often asked to list include:

functions of membrane proteins

examples of monosaccharides, disaccharides,
polysaccharides

seven levels in the hierarchy of taxa

functions of proteins
You should be able to define the following:
Diffusion, Osmosis, Enzyme, Active site,
Denaturation, Cell respiration, Gene, Allele,
Genome, Gene mutation, Homologous
chromosomes, Genotype, Phenotype, Dominant
allele, Recessive allele, Locus, Homozygous,
Heterozygous, Carrier, Sex linkage, Clone,
Trophic level, Evolution, Pathogen
Give the precise meaning of
a word or phrase as
concisely as possible.
These are typically 1 mark
questions and
they always come up on
exams.
Describe
Describe is one of the
command terms that has 2
different meanings
depending on what the rest
of the question is asking.
If the “describe” is referring to
a biological process, you’re
supposed to give a detailed
account or summary.
Give a detailed account,
including all the relevant
information
Here’s an example from May 2018: Describe how
the hormone leptin helps to prevent obesity.
This is pretty straight forward as you would basically
be recalling something that you’ve (hopefully)
memorized.
Things get slightly more tricky when you’re asked to
describe a graph
Take the graph below…
Question: Describe the graph above
Don’t worry: If you are asked to summarize a graph
remember the following points:

Include numerical data points for reference

Use the terms increase/ decrease

Calculate increase or decrease to support a point

Identify any trends in the data
In the case of the above question, therefore, you
might mention the following
That there are 2 curves
That the lowest prevalence for diabetes is 4.5
while the lowest mean body weight is 4.4
That the general trend in both curves is an
increase in prevalence and mean body weight
over time
Mention that the diabetes prevalence increases
every year except ’92-’93 and ’95-’96
You can see that by breaking the graph down, you
can quickly mention quite a few points
Outline
Outline is very similar to
describe but it should be
more brief account or
summary.
You can always use
diagrams to support your
outline
Distinguish
Here you are asked to outline
the differences between
things. For example between
2 processes. It’s really
important to make it obvious
to your examiner when you
are outlining a difference.
The best way to do this is to
use words
like however or whereas, and
insert these in between the
different features.
For example, when asked to distinguish between
autotrophs and heterotrophs, you might answer:
Autotrophs obtain nutrients by
photosynthesis whereas heterotrophs obtain their
nutrition by feeding on other organisms.
Common things you will be asked to distinguish
includes
Autotrophs and heterotroph,
Consumers detritivores, saprotrophs
Bryophyta, filiconphyta, coniferophyte,
angiospermatophyta
Proferia, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida,
Mollusca, Arthropoda
Absorption, assimilation
Antigens, antibody
Ventilation, gas exchange, cell respiration
Give the differences
between two or more
different items
Calculate
Typically you will be asked
for %, % change, increase or
decrease, mean
Remember to show your
working and units!
Find an answer using
mathematical methods
(show the working unless
instructed not to do so)
Compare
Here you are asked to outline
the similarities AND
differences between things.
Again, make sure you make
it really obvious to the
examiner when you are
outlining a similarity (use
words such as similarly) or
difference (use phrases
like on the contrary)
Give an account of
similarities and differences
between two (or more)
items,
referring to both (all) of
them throughout
(comparisons can be given
using a
table)
Discuss
This command term is
important to know about as it
might seem very vague.
But… its actually really
simple; all you have to do is
provide arguments for and
against something,
concluding with some sort of
final decision based on the
importance of both sides.
Common questions involving the discuss command
term include ethical considerations of stem cell uses
and GMOs. Luckily, its really easy to prepare a list of
pros and cons for each side.
Give an account including,
where possible, a range of
arguments, assessments of
the relative importance of
various factors or
comparisons of alternative
hypotheses
Explain
This command term often
trips up students, because
when you are asked to
explain you need to:
Give a reason for what you
are observing
Describe and give a reason
for what you are observing
Eg. When explaining ventilation, you need to:
First, describe how air moves in and out during
inspiration and expiration and then you need
to explain that this is due to the antagonistic
contraction of intercostal muscles, the diaphragm,
and abdominal muscles. Describe what you are
observing
Give a clear account
including causes, reasons or
mechanisms
Suggest
Here, you are asked to
propose a hypothesis or
other possible answer to a
question
Typically, this is in part of the data based questions,
where you are asked to suggest a reason for
observation in an experiment, as seen in the example
below:
Propose a hypothesis or
other possible answer
Evaluate
Evaluate is similar to discuss
which we mentioned earlier.
However, in these questions,
there is more focus on the
final conclusion drawn from
the pros and cons presented
about a certain topic.
Therefore, you are expected
to outline the factors for and
against a certain conclusion
and then summarize all the
points into one final opinion.
Here it’s important to mention
that there isn’t always a clear
answer, it’s about supporting
your conclusion with the
evidence provided!
Assess the implications and
limitations
Suggest reasons for the observed changes
occurring in temperature difference between skin
and water during the dives in the sea (question
showed temperatures differences of skin on a
graph)
While it may be tempting to panic in these situations
because you’ve might never have learned about skin
temperature changes before, it’s important to
remember that you only need to use the knowledge
that you have learnt in the biology course. So try to
find an explanation from what you already know!
In the case of the example above the answer related
to a seal that was repeatedly diving underwater and
was therefore progressively losing more and more
heat!