HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE BIOLOGY EOC??
The Biology EOC make-up test will be administered to last year’s sophomores on January 14th.
For this year’s sophomores, the Biology EOC will be administered in your Biology class in late May
or early June.
(Dates yet to be announced).
You should spend some time preparing for this state assessment!! Make sure you at least touch on
the topics below.
PASSING THIS END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENT IS A STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT!!!
CONTINUE TO CHECK OUT THE “EOC REVIEW” WEBSITE FOR UPDATED REVIEW MATERIALS!
 Investigative Design
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Make sure you review how to design and analyze a scientific investigation. You should be
familiar with terms such as manipulated variable, responding variable, controlled variables
and experimental control.
o
You should be able to write an appropriate testable question (make sure you are clear as to
what is being tested).
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You should be able to write a proper if, then, because hypothesis. “If” reflects the MV;
“then” reflects the RV. Make sure your prediction reason (the “because”) is reasonable.
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Your investigation needs multiple levels of the manipulated variable. (ex: if you are testing
the impact of temperature on yeast growth, then test at least 3 different temperatures)
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Your investigation must be repeated (multiple trials). This increases reliability.
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A valid investigation includes and identifies validity measures (such as rinsing out the test
tube between trials), clear and easy to follow procedural steps and multiple controlled
variables (such as the same type of test tube used, the same type and amount of yeast,
etc.)
 Data
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Never make up data.
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Always calculate the average for your repeated trials.
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Graph the average.
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Use the proper graph: line graphs are for continuous data (growth rates, etc.); bar graphs
are for discrete data (comparisons between groups, etc.)
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Label your x and y axis……shows the units of measurement!! In general, MV goes on the x
and RV goes on the Y.
 Conclusion
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Have an introductory statement such as “In this investigation, we studied…….” You don’t
necessarily need to restate the hypothesis.
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Include DATA!!! Include DATA!! Include DATA!!! Don’t forget unit of measurement!
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Make sure to refer to the RANGE of data (high and low)
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Discuss the TREND in the data.
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Explain the TREND in the data as best you can with a reasonable scientific explanation.
For this year’s sophomores: Look over CH 1 and the bacteria lab (or soil amendment lab for GA). Look
over “A Clean Design” also from CH 1. Review the CH 11 test question about testing Pipe Lake water.
Review your “Changing Populations” (yeast) lab procedure. Look at “How To Do Science Well”.
For this year’s EnvBio students, we will do a review lab activity right before the test.
 BIOLOGY STUFF
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You should do a quick review of basic cell parts and what they do. (see uploaded document
and Jeopardy! Game review)
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Do you remember cell membrane stuff like diffusion and osmosis? No? Review it!
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Review the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
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Review the difference between plant and animal cells.
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Do a brush up on photosynthesis and cellular respiration (what, who, why). You should
familiarize yourself with the chemical equations for each process. (See uploaded
document on this!)
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Review cell division…..mitosis and meiosis (what, why, how)
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Sophomores should feel pretty confident with evolution, genetics, cell division, DNA, amino
acids and protein synthesis as we spent a lot of time on those topics this year. EnvBio
juniors….spend quality time reviewing these topics!!
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Ecosystems: remember food webs, populations, etc.?
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Biomolecules (see uploaded document)
 SYSTEMS
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Remember what we’ve learned about positive and negative feedback.
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Think about stakeholders and trade-offs when designing solutions for problems.
(stakeholders are those who are affected by your solution; a trade-off is something you
give up to get something you want)