Cell Biology

Overview
Cell Biology is an event dealing with everything concerning eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. According to the rulebook, questions will include the following material: cell structure, function and classification, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, DNA replication, RNA synthesis, viral structure and function, molecular genetics, DNA sequencing and analysis, DNA fingerprinting, and immunology. The test is given in a series of stations, which may include anything from demonstrations to actual specimens.

Strategy
The most important factor in having success, besides knowing the material, is working well with your partner. Trusting your partner can be the difference when it comes to the rankings. When taking the test, don't get frustrated. Trust your partner, disagreeing on an answer could cause you and your partner to lose valuable time on the test. If you come to a station where neither you nor your partner knows the answer, just move on. Don't get hung up about past stations, it may hurt you when trying to think of the answers to the rest of the test. The main strategy that you and your partner can use is obvious. Learn the material! Study, study, study. Know things like the Krebs Cycle and protein synthesis like the back of your hand. Come up with pneumonic devices to help you remember complicated biology terms. For example, CKSMO (see-kay-smo) can be used to remember the key enzymes in the Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid, Ketogluteric Acid, Succinic Acid, Malic Acid, and Oxalocetic Acid). Learning techniques like this can allow you to spit out the information when needed during the test. One more technique that can be used during the test is to remember or write down questions that you were unable to answer. On most tests, there is usually a rest station or tiebreaker station. Instead of answering the tiebreaker questions, you can go back to the previous questions that you were unable to answer, which are far more important than the tiebreaker questions. Overall, know the material and gain trust and confidence in your partner.

Resources and Study Materials

 * Any AP Biology or College Biology Textbook. Usually it is only the first 7-10 chapters that contain the pertinent information.
 * Your AP Biology teacher. Ask him or her any specific questions that you have or ask them to explain concepts that you don't understand.
 * AP Biology CD. Most AP Biology teachers have an interactive CD that comes with the textbook that they use. Ask them to use it, it helps a lot.
 * Cliff's AP Biology Book. This is probably the most useful book that you can use to refresh yourself on the major points of each subject area.
 * Also, Barron's AP Bio book goes into many of the specifics. (Read this book after you get a basic understanding of the topics in biology.)
 * Old tests. Ask your coach for old tests from previous invitationals. Most invitationals provide you with the test and answers after the competition is over.
 * Your partner. Work with your partner whenever possible. Trusting each other is the key to success.

Links

 * CELLS alive!
 * Harvard Dept of MCB - Biology Links
 * UW Department of Pathology Cytogenetics Image Gallery
 * The Biology Project