Monday, March 3, 2008

DAT-Prepare for the BIOLOGY SECTION

How to Study the BIOLOGY SECTION OF DAT?
I have asked by few close friends to help them prepare for their DAT test by end of July. They are concerned about the BIOLOGY SECTION of the DAT. They have asked if they should just read their Intro BIO or move on into more detail stuff like upper division text book like Physiology book. Although DAT is not that advance, using a upper division text book would certainly make a lot of difference. So Do take out you Cell and Molecular upper division text, plus Physiology, Genetics, Ecology and Developmental Biology. They will certainly be your most reliable resource, in case you need to look up something. 

Here is the list of topics in case you never read about:
Action Potential/Graded Potential
Refractory Period ( Absolute vs. Relative)
Resting membrane potential
Molecular Mechanims of Synapse
Sensory Receptor
Lateral Inhibition
Adaptation of sensory receptors
Reduction in response
Receptor Field
Stimulus Intensity
Latent period
Mechanims of neurotransmitter release
Tetanus
NMJ
Sarcomere

What to do for the Genetics?
Genetics is a subject that changes almost every other year, so make sure you have the latest book so you can look up things quickly. here are some tips:
look at the Cell cycle very closely because you will see a lot of questions. Don't forget your mitosis and meiosis. please don't underestimate the power of those two words because there are almost a million possibility of making questions just on those two words. make sure you study them well. Do look over transcription, translation and Replication both in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes. Cover as many important concept as you can. look over electrophoresis and problems concerning cloning and protein recognition. The genetic portion of the biology does cover deep into genetics, as you will at least have 5-7 questions on genetics.

Here is a good source for Physiology text:
 Vander's 11th edition Principles of Human Physiology.

Another source for Genetics: From gene to genomes (Hartwell)


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