CLEP Biology - Unauthorized

1 clep Biology At a Glance Enzymes Enzyme-substrate complex Description of the Examination Roles of coenzymes The Biology examination covers material that is usually Inorganic cofactors taught in a one-year college general Biology course. Inhibition and regulation The subject matter tested covers the broad field of the biological sciences, organized into three major areas: Energy transformations molecular and cellular Biology , organismal Biology , and Glycolysis, respiration, anaerobic pathways population Biology . The examination gives approximately Photosynthesis equal weight to these three areas. The examination contains approximately 115 questions Cell division to be answered in 90 minutes. Some of these are pretest Structure of chromosomes questions that will not be scored.

2 Mitosis, meiosis and cytokinesis in plants and animals Knowledge and Skills Required Chemical nature of the gene Questions on the Biology examination require candidates to demonstrate the following abilities in the approximate Watson-Crick model of nucleic acids proportions indicated. DNA replication Knowledge of facts, principles and processes Mutations of Biology . Control of protein synthesis: transcription, Understanding the means by which information translation, posttranscriptional processing is collected, how it is interpreted, how one Structural and regulatory genes hypothesizes from available information, how one Transformation draws conclusions and makes further predictions. Viruses Understanding that science is a human endeavor with social consequences.

3 34% Organismal Biology The subject matter of the Biology examination is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the Structure and function in plants with emphasis main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam on angiosperms questions on that topic. Root, stem, leaf, flower, seed, fruit Water and mineral absorption and transport 33% Molecular and Cellular Biology Food translocation and storage Chemical composition of organisms Plant reproduction and development Simple chemical reactions and bonds Alternation of generations in ferns, conifers Properties of water and flowering plants Chemical structure of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, Gamete formation and fertilization nucleic acids Growth and development.

4 Hormonal control Origin of life Tropisms and photoperiodicity Chemical composition of organisms Structure and function of cell organelles Properties of cell membranes Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells clep Biology (Continued). Structure and function in animals with emphasis reproduction, mutation, Hardy-Weinberg on vertebrates equilibrium, speciation, punctuated equilibrium). Major systems ( , digestive, gas exchange, Adaptive radiation skeletal, nervous, circulatory, excretory, immune) Major features of plant and animal evolution Homeostatic mechanisms Concepts of homology and analogy Hormonal control in homeostasis and reproduction Convergence, extinction, balanced polymorphism, genetic drift Animal reproduction and development Classification of living organisms Gamete formation, fertilization Evolutionary history of humans Cleavage, gastrulation, germ layer formation, differentiation of organ systems Principles of behavior Experimental analysis of vertebrate development Stereotyped, learned social behavior Extraembryonic membranes of vertebrates Societies (insects, birds, primates).

5 Formation and function of the mammalian placenta Social Biology Blood circulation in the human embryo Human population growth (age composition, birth Principles of heredity and fertility rates, theory of demographic transition). Mendelian inheritance (dominance, segregation, Human intervention in the natural world independent assortment) (management of resources, environmental pollution). Chromosomal basis of inheritance Biomedical progress (control of human reproduction, Linkage, including sex linked genetic engineering). Polygenic inheritance (height, skin color). Multiple alleles (human blood groups) Study Resources Most textbooks used in Biology courses cover the topics in 33% Population Biology the outline above, but the approaches to certain topics and the emphases given to them may differ.

6 To prepare for the Principles of ecology Biology exam, it is advisable to study one or more college Energy flow and productivity in ecosystems textbooks, which can be found in most college bookstores. Biogeochemical cycles A recent survey conducted by clep found that the Population growth and regulation (natality, mortality, following textbooks are among those used by college competition, migration, density, r- and K-selection) faculty who teach the equivalent course. Most of these have companion websites with practice test questions and Community structure, growth, regulation (major other study resources. HINT: When selecting a textbook, biomes and succession). check the table of contents against the Knowledge and Habitat (biotic and abiotic factors) Skills required for this test.

7 Concept of niche Audesirk, Audesirk and Byers, Biology : Life on Earth with Island biogeography Physiology (Benjamin Cummings). Evolutionary ecology (life history strategies, altruism, Brooker, Widmaier, Graham and Stiling, Biology (McGraw-Hill). kin selection). Cain et al., Discover Biology ( Norton). Principles of evolution Campbell and Reece, Biology (Benjamin Cummings). History of evolutionary concepts Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon and Dickey, Biology : Concepts and Connections (Benjamin Cummings). Concepts of natural selection (differential clep Biology (Continued). Enger et al., Concepts in Biology (McGraw-Hill) Sample Test Questions Freeman, Biological Science (Benjamin Cummings) The following sample questions do not appear on an actual Lewis et al.)

8 , Life (McGraw-Hill) clep examination. They are intended to give potential test-takers an indication of the format and difficulty level Mader and Windelspecht, Essentials of Biology (McGraw-Hill). of the examination and to provide content for practice and Raven et al., Biology (McGraw-Hill) review. For more sample questions and info about the test, Russell, Hertz and McMillan, Biology : The Dynamic Science see the clep Official Study Guide. (Brooks/Cole). Sadava et al., Life: The Science of Biology ( Freeman) 1. Chromosomes are located in a nucleus in which Solomon et al., Biology (Brooks/Cole). of the following? Starr, Biology : Concepts and Applications (Brooks/Cole) I. Viruses Tobin and Dusheck, Asking About Life (Brooks/Cole) II.

9 Prokaryotes III. Eukaryotes In addition, the following resources, compiled by clep test development committee and staff A. I only members, may help you study for your exam. B. II only However, none of these sources are designed C. III only specifically to provide preparation for a clep exam. D. I and II only The College Board has no control over their content E. II and III only and cannot vouch for accuracy: Eastern Connecticut State University: AP Biology 2. Meiosis of a diploid cell results in Training Links A. one tetraploid cell faculty/ B. two diploid cells Estrella Mountain Community College: Online C. two haploid cells Biology Book D. four haploid cells E. four diploid cells Hippocampus: Biology 3.

10 Neurotransmitters contained in vesicles enter the synapse through A. binary fission University of Arizona: The Biology Project B. translocation University of California, Berkeley: Webcast lectures C. diffusion for Biology 1A and 1B D. exocytosis E. endocytosis Visit for additional Biology resources. You can also find suggestions for exam 4. Which of the following pairs of organisms have preparation in Chapter IV of the clep Official Study the closest evolutionary relationship? Guide. In addition, many college faculty post their course I. Bacillus thuringiensis materials on their schools' websites. II. Telmatobius peruvianus III. Bacillus cereus clep Biology (Continued). IV. Cereus peruvianus C. A room-temperature environment V.