📖 Quick Reference Guide¶

Last-Minute Revision Sheet

Use this page for quick revision before the exam!

🛡️ Immunity Quick Facts¶

Types of Immunity¶

Type	Characteristics
Innate	Present at birth, non-specific, no memory
Adaptive	Develops after exposure, specific, has memory

Antibody Types¶

Type	Function	Location
IgG	Most abundant (70-75%), main blood antibody	Blood
IgM	First response antibody	Blood
IgA	Mucosal protection	Mucous membranes
IgD	B cell activation	B cell surface
IgE	Allergic reactions	Mast cells

Immune System Components¶

White blood cells (WBCs)
Antibodies
Complement system
Lymphatic system
Spleen & Thymus
Bone marrow
Lymph nodes

Vaccine Types¶

Whole-inactivated
Live-attenuated
mRNA
Viral vector
Protein subunit
DNA vaccines

🧠 BCI Quick Facts¶

Brain Parts¶

Part	Function
Cerebrum	Thinking, memory, decision-making
Cerebellum	Balance, coordination
Brain Stem	Basic life functions

Neuron Types¶

By Poles	By Function
Unipolar	Sensory (afferent)
Bipolar	Motor (efferent)
Multipolar	Interneurons

BCI Components¶

Brain activity measurement device
Computer for processing
Application/device to control

🗄️ Biological Databases Quick Facts¶

Database Types¶

Type	Description	Example
Primary	Raw data	GenBank, PDB
Secondary	Processed/curated	Swiss-Prot, PIR
Specialized	Specific interest	Flybase

BLAST Types¶

Type	Query → Database
BLASTn	Nucleotide → Nucleotide
BLASTp	Protein → Protein
BLASTx	Translated nt → Protein

Phylogenetic Tree Types¶

Type	Features
Cladogram	Branching only, no branch length
Phylogram	Branch length = genetic change
Ultrametric	Time-scaled

🔄 System & Synthetic Biology Quick Facts¶

Network Types¶

Network	Nodes	Edges
Metabolic	Metabolites	Reactions
Gene Regulatory	Genes, TFs	Regulatory links
Signaling	Receptors	Signal transmission

Feedback Loops¶

Type	Effect	Example
Positive	Amplifies	Childbirth (oxytocin)
Negative	Stabilizes	Blood glucose (insulin)

CRISPR-Cas9 Steps¶

sgRNA directs Cas9 to target
Cas9 cuts DNA
Cell repairs (delete/correct/insert)

DBTL Cycle¶

Design → Build → Test → Learn → (Repeat)

🔬 Structural Biology Quick Facts¶

Protein Structure Levels¶

Level	Description	Bonds
Primary	Amino acid sequence	Peptide
Secondary	α-helix, β-sheet	Hydrogen
Tertiary	3D fold	Multiple
Quaternary	Multiple chains	Protein-protein

Experimental Methods¶

Method	Used For
Cryo-EM	Large complexes, native state
NMR	Small proteins, dynamics
X-ray	High-resolution crystals

Macromolecules¶

Type	Monomer	Linkage
Proteins	Amino acids	Peptide bonds
Carbohydrates	Monosaccharides	Glycosidic bonds
Lipids	Fatty acids	Ester bonds
Nucleic acids	Nucleotides	Phosphodiester bonds

🧬 Key Formulas & Calculations¶

DNA Length¶

Length = Number of bp × 0.34 nm

PCR Amplification¶

Copies after n cycles = 2ⁿ

Gel Electrophoresis¶

DNA is negatively charged
Moves toward positive electrode
Smaller fragments move faster

📝 Common Exam Questions Patterns¶

Definition Questions (1-2 marks)¶

"Define X"
"What is Y?"
"Name the components of Z"

Comparison Questions (2-4 marks)¶

"Differentiate between X and Y"
"Compare innate and adaptive immunity"
"Food web vs food chain"

Diagram Questions (3-5 marks)¶

"Draw and label..."
"Give a pictorial view..."
"Sketch the process of..."

Application Questions (4-5 marks)¶

"Explain with example..."
"Apply your knowledge to..."
"Design a solution for..."

⚡ Last-Minute Tips¶

!!! danger "Don't Forget!" 1. Always draw diagrams with labels 2. Complete complementary strand before rDNA problems 3. Negative feedback = stabilizes (most common) 4. Positive feedback = amplifies (rare) 5. IgG = most abundant antibody 6. 16S rRNA for bacterial identification 7. DNA more stable than RNA

Good Luck!

You've got this! 🎯