SAT II Biology for Dummies

Thanks for writing this book. This is a useful reference for preparing for SAT II Biology. The ecology section I especially liked. I also found useful, The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology: key review quesions and answers with explanations. This had really good review questions. Also I found useful,Campbell's Biology. This text was hard sometimes to read but definitely worth the effort.

It is 2005 and the Kansas Department of Higher Education is once again debating the teaching of evolution in the public schools. Boycotted by most, if not all, proponents of natural selection, the main thrust of the legislative testimony was in favor of a concept called "intelligent design." Once again, as in the famous Scopes "monkey trial" of 1921, the writings of Charles Darwin, particularly on his "The Origin of Species" are inspiring a political firestorm. (Nearly forgotten is the work of Alfred Russell Wallace, from whom Darwin lifted most, if not all, of his world-wrenching work). Intelligent design may be a hot item in Topeka, but it won't get you far on the SAT II. The Hatches approach the whole study of evolution and natural selection with an intelligent, clear focus. To quote their work: "It seems weird to think that all life on earth evolved from the same basic, simple cells so long ago. Darwin made an amazing claim when he said that all life on earth is fundamentally related, so scientists have needed some strong evidence to be convinced." From there they go into a step-by-step explanation of evolutionary thought, including an easy-to-understand comparison of Lamarck's theory of acquired characteristics, and the contrasting Darwin-Wallace work on natural selection. The treatment of evolution is typical of the clear and journalistic style of the Hatches' approach to scientific thought. The book in question is a review text called "SAT II Biology for Dummies". In contrast to the catchy title, the book is really designed for the intelligent high school student who is undertaking a systematic preparation for the Biology examination of the Scholastic Achievement Test (SATII) The reason for this volume is the emergence of a new test program, which actually is two tests based on high school biology. The two tests, named E and M, have different emphases The E test includes evolution and ecology, dealing with the environment in which organisms live and function. The M test is concerned with cells, genetics, and heredity. There is also a key biological core common to both tests. That information is helpful whichever version of the test the student picks. Part I of the book deals with test-taking strategies, how to avoid wild guesses, and how to get yourself in a good positive psyche for facing this ordeal. Part II deals with the fundamentals of biology, starting, as nature does, with the individual cell. The book then proceeds to biochemistry and molecular biology. How organisms eat and breathe is covered in the chapter entitled "Getting Energized: Respiration and Photosynthesis." From there we move to DNA and proteins, and finally the continuation of the organism through sexual and asexual reproduction. Part III, the most complex section, deals with the above-mentioned concepts of evolution, the classification of plants and animals (taxonomy--supposedly Adam's first job was to name the animals) . The cycle of life and