Main description:

Comprehensive Preparation for GAMSAT Section 3: Biology
Molecular, cellular and systems GAMSAT Biology: From the introductory level up to GAMSAT level
Clear teaching with more content as compared to previous editions with new diagrams, illustrations and practice questions in the book.
The book contains foundational (basic understanding) multiple-choice questions (MCQs) followed by GAMSAT-level MCQs completely updated to reflect the most current exam trends.

Contents:

Introduction.............................................................................................................BIO-04
THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
1. Generalised Eukaryotic Cell................................................................................ BIO-31
1.1 Plasma Membrane: Structure and Functions................................................. BIO-32
1.1.1 Simple Diffusion................................................................................. BIO-34
1.1.2 Carrier-mediated Transport................................................................ BIO-35
1.1.3 Endo/Exocytosis................................................................................ BIO-36
1.2 The Interior of a Eukaryotic Cell..................................................................... BIO-37
1.2.1 Membrane Bound Organelles............................................................ BIO-39
1.2.2 DNA: The Cell's Architect..................................................................BIO-42
1.3 The Cell Cycle............................................................................................... BIO-46
1.4 Cell Junctions ............................................................................................... BIO-49
1.4.1 Types of Cell Junctions...................................................................... BIO-49
1.5 Microscopy..................................................................................................... BIO-51
1.5.1 Fluorescent Microscopy and Immunofluorescence............................ BIO-53
2. Microbiology....................................................................................................... BIO-61
2.1 Viruses...........................................................................................................BIO-62
2.1.1 Retroviruses.......................................................................................BIO-64
2.2 Prokaryotes....................................................................................................BIO-64
2.2.1 Operons............................................................................................. BIO-68
2.3 Fungi.............................................................................................................. BIO-69
2.4 Vectors........................................................................................................... BIO-70
2.5 The Scientific Method.................................................................................... BIO-70
2.5.1 The Experiment...................................................................................BIO-71
3. Protein Synthesis................................................................................................ BIO-77
3.1 Building Proteins............................................................................................ BIO-78
3.1.1 DNA Transcription.............................................................................. BIO-78
3.1.2 RNA Translation................................................................................. BIO-80
3.1.3 Key Points.......................................................................................... BIO-83
3.2 One Gene, One Enzyme, and the Biosynthetic Pathway............................... BIO-83
4. Enzymes and Cellular Metabolism..................................................................... BIO-91
4.1 Overview of Enzymes.................................................................................... BIO-92
4.2 Enzyme Kinetics and Inhibition...................................................................... BIO-94
4.3 Regulation of Enzyme Activity....................................................................... BIO-95
4.4 Bioenergetics................................................................................................. BIO-96
4.5 Glycolysis....................................................................................................... BIO-97
-vi4.6
Glycolysis: A Negative Perspective............................................................... BIO-99
4.7 Krebs Citric Acid Cycle.................................................................................. BIO-99
4.8 Oxidative Phosphorylation........................................................................... BIO-100
4.9 Electron Transport Chain (ETC)....................................................................BIO-101
4.10 Summary of Energy Production....................................................................BIO-102
5. Specialised Eukaryotic Cells and Tissues........................................................ BIO-109
5.1 Neural Cells and Tissues..............................................................................BIO-110
5.1.1 The Membrane Potential...................................................................BIO-112
5.1.2 Action Potential.................................................................................BIO-112
5.1.3 Action Potential: A Positive Perspective............................................BIO-113
5.2 Contractile Cells and Tissues.......................................................................BIO-114
5.3 Epithelial Cells and Tissues..........................................................................BIO-117
5.4 Connective Cells and Tissues......................................................................BIO-118
5.4.1 Loose Connective Tissue..................................................................BIO-118
5.4.2 Dense Connective Tissue.................................................................BIO-119
5.4.3 Cartilage............................................................................................BIO-119
5.4.4 Bone..................................................................................................BIO-120
6. Nervous and Endocrine Systems......................................................................BIO-129
6.1 Organisation of the Vertebrate Nervous System..........................................BIO-130
6.1.1 The Sensory Receptors....................................................................BIO-133
6.1.2 The Effector Receptors.....................................................................BIO-133
6.1.3 Reflex Arc..........................................................................................BIO-133
6.1.4 Autonomic Nervous System..............................................................BIO-134
6.1.5 Autonomic Nerve Fibers...................................................................BIO-135
6.2 Sensory Reception and Processing..............................................................BIO-136
6.2.1 Olfaction............................................................................................BIO-136
6.2.2 Taste.................................................................................................BIO-136
6.2.3 Ears: Structure and Function............................................................BIO-137
6.2.4 Vision: Eye Structure and Function...................................................BIO-139
6.3 The Endocrine System..................................................................................BIO-141
6.3.1 Pituitary Hormones...........................................................................BIO-142
6.3.2 Adrenocortical Hormones.................................................................BIO-145
6.3.3 Thyroid Hormones............................................................................BIO-146
6.3.4 Pancreatic Hormones.......................................................................BIO-147
6.3.5 Kidney Hormones.............................................................................BIO-148
6.3.6 A Negative Feedback Loop...............................................................BIO-148
6.3.7 A Positive Feedback Loop.................................................................BIO-149
7. The Circulatory System......................................................................................BIO-157
7.1 Generalities...................................................................................................BIO-158
7.2 The Heart......................................................................................................BIO-158
GOLD STANDARD GAMSAT BIO-01
7.3 Blood Vessels.............................................................................................. BIO-160
7.4 Blood Pressure.............................................................................................BIO-161
7.5 Blood Composition........................................................................................BIO-162
7.5.1 Hemoglobin...................................................................................... BIO-164
7.5.2 Capillaries: A Closer Look................................................................ BIO-166
7.6 Introduction to the Lymphatic System...........................................................BIO-167
8. The Immune System..........................................................................................BIO-175
8.1 Overview.......................................................................................................BIO-176
8.2 Cells of the Immune System.........................................................................BIO-176
8.3 Tissues of the Immune System.....................................................................BIO-178
8.4 Advanced Topic: ELISA................................................................................BIO-180
9. The Digestive System........................................................................................BIO-187
9.1 Overview.......................................................................................................BIO-188
9.2 The Oral Cavity and Esophagus...................................................................BIO-188
9.3 The Stomach................................................................................................BIO-191
9.4 The Exocrine Roles of the Liver and Pancreas.............................................BIO-192
9.4.1 The Liver...........................................................................................BIO-192
9.4.2 The Pancreas....................................................................................BIO-192
9.5 The Intestines...............................................................................................BIO-193
9.5.1 The Large Intestine...........................................................................BIO-195
10. The Excretory System.................................................................................... BIO-203
10.1 Overview......................................................................................................BIO-204
10.2 Kidney Structure..........................................................................................BIO-204
10.3 The Nephron: Filter, Reabsorb, Secrete, Excrete........................................ BIO-205
10.4 The Bladder................................................................................................. BIO-209
11. The Musculoskeletal System............................................................................BIO-217
11.1 Overview...................................................................................................... BIO-218
11.2 Muscle......................................................................................................... BIO-218
11.3 The Skeletal System.................................................................................... BIO-220
11.3.1 Bone Structure and Development.................................................... BIO-220
11.3.2 Joint Structure..................................................................................BIO-222
11.3.3 Cartilage...........................................................................................BIO-222
12. The Respiratory System................................................................................. BIO-227
12.1 Overview...................................................................................................... BIO-228
12.2 The Upper Respiratory Tract........................................................................ BIO-228
12.3 The Lower Respiratory Tract........................................................................ BIO-228
12.4 Breathing: Structures and Mechanisms....................................................... BIO-230
12.4.1 Control of Breathing......................................................................... BIO-231
12.4.2 Henry's Law, Pop and The Bends.................................................... BIO-231
BIO-02 INTRODUCTION TO GAMSAT BIOLOGY
13. The Skin as an Organ System........................................................................ BIO-239
13.1 Overview...................................................................................................... BIO-240
13.2 The Structure of Skin................................................................................... BIO-240
13.3 Skin Appendages..........................................................................................BIO-241
13.3.1 Nails, Calluses................................................................................. BIO-242
14. Reproduction and Development..................................................................... BIO-247
14.1 Organs of the Reproductive System............................................................ BIO-248
14.2 Gametogenesis............................................................................................ BIO-248
14.3 The Menstrual Cycle.................................................................................... BIO-252
14.4 The Reproductive Sequence....................................................................... BIO-252
14.5 Embryogenesis............................................................................................ BIO-253
14.5.1 Mechanisms of Development........................................................... BIO-255
14.6 The Placenta................................................................................................ BIO-256
14.7 Fetal Circulation........................................................................................... BIO-256
14.8 Fetal Sexual Development........................................................................... BIO-257
15. Genetics.......................................................................................................... BIO-267
15.1 Background Information............................................................................... BIO-268
15.2 ABO Blood Types........................................................................................ BIO-269
15.3 Mendelian Genetics..................................................................................... BIO-271
15.3.1 A Word about Probability................................................................. BIO-273
15.4 The Hardy-Weinberg Law............................................................................ BIO-273
15.4.1 Back Cross, Test Cross.................................................................... BIO-275
15.5 Genetic Variability........................................................................................ BIO-275
15.6 Genetics and Heredity: A Closer Look ........................................................ BIO-276
15.6.1 Mitochondrial DNA........................................................................... BIO-278
15.7 DNA Recombination and Genetic Technology............................................. BIO-278
16. Evolution......................................................................................................... BIO-289
16.1 Overview......................................................................................................BIO-290
16.2 Natural Selection......................................................................................... BIO-290
16.3 Species and Speciation............................................................................... BIO-291
16.4 Origin of Life................................................................................................ BIO-292
16.5 Comparative Anatomy................................................................................. BIO-293
16.6 Patterns of Evolution....................................................................................BIO-294
16.6.1 Macroevolution.................................................................................BIO-294
16.6.2 Basic Patterns for Changes in Macroevolution................................ BIO-295
16.6.3 Eukaryotic Evolution ........................................................................BIO-296
16.6.4 The Six-Kingdom, Three-Domain System....................................... BIO-296
GOLD STANDARD GAMSAT BIO-03