how to write essay questions in biology

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How to Write a Biology Essay

“The point of the essay is to change things.” – Edward Tufte

Writing a biology essay can be a complex task, requiring not only a deep understanding of the subject but also the ability to present scientific information clearly and effectively. Prepare well and exploit a structured approach to crafting a compelling and well-researched biology text. Some simple steps go from understanding the assignment and conducting detailed research to structuring your essay and incorporating credible sources so that you can reach academic excellence without any complications. For qualitative preparation check out biology essay examples on a trustworthy source and follow the expert instructions to ensure your text meets the high standards of scientific writing.

Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate your points and demonstrate how they apply to your thesis when writing in Biology.

Understand the Biological Context

You will hardly create any qualitative content unless you clearly understand what you are going to write about. Identify the biological concept or phenomenon that is to be at the center of your writing. If you have any hesitations or your assignment seems ambiguous to you, consult your professor for clarifications or any educational assistant for further directions.

What can help you dive deeper into your biological context is also a literature review. Proceed through a thorough literature review to understand the current state of research on the topic. Look up databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and institutional libraries.

Formulate a Hypothesis or Research Question

Pass on to generate a hypothesis or research question that is going to be the core of your essay. If your writing involves an experimental or observational study, formulate a clear, testable hypothesis. Develop a specific research question to guide your investigation if it’s a review or analytical essay. So, define the type of your text and formulate its central point respectively for further successful steps.

Conduct Detailed Research and Data Collection

Now that you know your context and your attitude as for the assignment it is time to back it up with the proof. Start with primary sources, covering research articles, original studies, and scientific experiments. When you have enough, pass on to secondary sources, such as review articles, meta-analyses, and books for broader context.

Additionally, biological research allows you to conduct data analysis to strengthen your essay arguments. If the step is relevant to your work, analyze raw data from experiments or existing datasets using statistical methods. Create or refer to graphs, tables, and figures to present data effectively.

Create and Follow a Structured Outline with Scientific Rigor

Sometimes it is very difficult to organize your work properly so that you can finish it on time and produce qualitative content without any delay. So the very next step is to create a structured outline with scientific rigor so that you can stick to it to write a fundamental essay.

● Abstract – if you are required to, begin with an abstract. Provide a concise summary of the essay, including the research question, methods, key findings, and conclusions.

● Introduction – the next step or the primary point when an abstract is not necessary is to write an introduction. For your introduction include detailed background information with references to key studies and findings. Explain the significance of the topic within the field of biology. And don’t forget to state your thesis or hypothesis clearly. The rest of your writing will be tied to it. Be confident you’ve singled out the central idea of your topic and the findings related.

● Methods – if necessary or stated in the assignment, dwell on the methods you’ve exploited when researching and writing. Provide a description of the experimental design, including controls, variables, and procedures. Add the list of materials and equipment used. Explain how data was collected and recorded. This part of the essay will be solid proof of your no-plagiarism work.

● Results – think of the way you are going to display the results of your research and organize them appropriately. Present data in an organizedmanner using figures, tables, and charts. Add statistical tests if used and their outcomes.

● Discussion – remember that you not only have to present the data and evidence you have collected but also analyze and show your attitude to the findings. Interpret the results in the context of the research question or hypothesis. Compare findings with previous studies and discuss similarities and differences. Be open about any limitations in your study or analysis.

● Conclusion – with the analysis of your findings ready, you should summarize your work with a proper conclusion. Dwell on how your findings support or disprove the thesis/hypothesis. Discuss the broader implications of your findings for the field of biology. Suggest areas for further research.

Make an outline and cover it step by step so that you have a logical and strong text in the end. This will help you to get everything important and finish up your essay on time. Usually with a scientific assignment, you don’t need the inspiration to guide you but should have a proper organization of the writing process to assist you. Outlining will be a crucial part of your well-organized work with the essay.

Incorporate Scientific Evidence

Your biological essay will be no more but the words compound together unless you exploit strong scientific evidence to support your arguments. Ensure all references are from peer-reviewed scientific journals or reputable academic sources. Use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and include in-text citations and a bibliography to guarantee the genuineness and trustworthiness of your sources and proofs.

Exploit direct quotations sparingly; prefer paraphrasing and summarizing with proper citations. Put the evidence in between your personal conclusions and attitude to the issue you are addressing in your writing. This will display you have processed the question under study deeply and made your own conclusions out of your findings.

Biology essays often include scientific data, diagrams, and graphs. Ensure that these elements are accurately presented and relevant to your argument

Consider Formatting and Technical Details

Scientific essay requires a relevant approach to its formatting and presentation. Use proper scientific nomenclature, italicizing genus and species names (e.g., Homo sapiens). Make sure you exploit standard units of measurement (SI units) and provide conversions if necessary. Define acronyms and abbreviations the first time they are used. Pay attention to these points when proofreading and editing or get someone to help you with a fresh look. A thorough approach and consistency in details will only add to the quality of your essay.

Spend Time on Proofreading and Peer Review

Take care your scientific essay looks appropriate and proves your level of qualification. Proofreading and thorough review will help you create a desirable image for your writing. Check for grammatical errors, scientific accuracy, and clarity. Use apps and tools to optimize and speed up the process. If possible, have your writing reviewed by a peer or mentor in the field for additional feedback. Or reach out to professionals from online services for high-end proofreading and review.

Care about Adherence to Ethical Guidelines

In the age of tolerance, you should also be confident that your essay doesn’t diminish or offend anyone’s rights and position as to your topic under study. Begin with ethical considerations. If your writing involves discussing experiments on humans or animals, ensure it adheres to ethical guidelines and includes necessary approvals. Additionally, avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources and using original language. Check your text for authenticity with the help of anti-plagiarism tools on the Internet but beware of scams for anyone to steal your work.

Biology Essay Conclusion

Writing a biology essay involves proper planning, thorough research, and attention to detail. Cover some essential measures so that you can craft a well-structured and scientifically sound text that effectively communicates your findings and arguments. Mind the assignment and formulating a hypothesis to presenting data and discussing implications since each element plays a crucial role in the overall quality of your work. Remember to adhere to ethical guidelines, properly cite all sources, and seek feedback from peers or mentors. With these tools and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to produce a high-quality biology essay that displays your knowledge and analytical skills.

How to Write a Biology Essay

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

Studying natural sciences and biology in particular, you’ll deal with essays as one of the ways to assess your knowledge and skills. Professors believe that this assignment helps students to develop their skills regardless of the major you pursue. Future biologists should organize their ideas in a structured and transparent manner, using reliable sources and persuasive examples to support your perspective. Even if you’ll work in laboratories, you will deal with written reports.

What is a Biology Essay?

Select the topic for your essay, select a research question, create an outline, essay introduction, thesis statement, essay conclusion, citation and references, look for samples, practice your writing, plan your writing process, ask for feedback, appropriate language for complexity science, writing services, editing proofreading services, what is biology as science, what is the importance of biology in our life, major concepts and topics in biology.

Don’t worry if you don’t have enough experience and doubt your ability to deliver a perfect paper. We have prepared useful tips to help you write a killer biology essay and deliver it on time.

A biology essay is a piece of student writing where you provide arguments and ideas concerning a particular biological topic.

There are various academic essay types, and you can adhere to one of them. For example, you can write a descriptive paper explaining a biological subject. Or an argumentative paper, providing evidence to support your point of view. One of the most common essay types is a cause and effect piece where you explain the reasons and the consequences of some events. You can also come up with the “how-to” instruction or a detailed analysis . The concrete type depends on your professor’s requirements and your preference.

How to Write a Good Essay in Biology

Some people consider writing an art process. However, it is a work that requires your time and effort. You should organize the whole process if you want to get the desired result. There is a step-by-step instruction to follow.

If you want to get a good grade, it is important not only to make your paper informative but also enjoyable. It depends on the topic you choose. And it is crucial to stay on something that you wish to explore. Try to find something you want to investigate.

It is not easy because you may have many ideas in your head, but once you start writing, they disappear. That’s why studying at college, you should always have a notebook at hand, to write down things that come to mind.

The most effective way to select the topic is a brainstorming technique. Let your brain provide you with 30-50 decent options, and then research to create the shortlist with the best ones.

Writing a biology essay, you should use a scientific approach. Come up with a research question you want to answer in your paper. Of course, you shouldn’t choose something too complicated that it is impossible to work through in terms of one piece. It shouldn’t be too obvious as well. Connect your research question with the topic.

Starting a paper, you should have a clear plan to follow. Most student papers have a 5-paragraph structure with specific instructions. It would be almost impossible to keep the main idea and develop good arguments if you just begin. It would help if you started with the outline to keep it in mind when writing.

Don’t worry about how it looks. Nobody will check your plan (if your professor didn’t ask you to deliver it as well). You can organize your thoughts the way you like. Sketches, paints, mind maps, and so on. Use anything you need to make your paper structured. Get rid of all ideas that don’t work for your research question, even if they seem reasonable. You may use them in another paper.

Whenever you need it, you can make some amends and correct your outline.

It is the first paragraph that is intended to attract the readers’ attention. Writing it, you should consider your target audience.

If you’re preparing a paper for newbies, you should provide some basic knowledge, interesting facts, and statistics to introduce the topic.

However, the experienced audience may find such an introduction a bit boring. They already know the main point, and they have a single question: why is this topic important? So, you should provide them with an explanation of why you have chosen this issue and which directions you see for further development.

The introduction finishes with the thesis. It is your research question or the statement you’re going to develop in the body paragraphs. In other words, you should synthesize the overall essay, meaning just in one sentence. It will explain to your readers what the paper is about and your point of view. Without a strong thesis statement, the whole piece becomes useless, given that the audience cannot understand your position.

Body paragraphs are the essay core because they are most voluminous and informative. Once you’ve grabbed the readers’ attention, you should provide them with food for thought.

In a classic 5-paragraph essay structure body takes 3 paragraphs. Each of them is intended to reveal just one idea. You need to provide a short thesis, an explanation, and an example to illustrate your point.

It would help if you were very attentive in writing the essay body because it is easy to lose your way. This is where your outline may be helpful.

Once your readers finish the paper, they have a question “So what?” If you leave them with it, you’ll fail. Your task is to provide an answer to explain how the audience can use the information you’ve written in the body.

Don’t use any new data; just conclude the thoughts you’ve already declared. Are they important in any sense? Can readers conduct their research and gain more insights? Should they be more attentive to environmental issues?

You’ve written a paper with a particular goal (except for getting a good grade), so show your readers whether you’ve achieved it.

Most academic papers require authors to provide additional information. For example, a list of references you’ve used. It is impossible to write a biology essay without data from books, websites, research papers, and so on. And if you use any journal or other source, you should cite it correctly since, in the other case, your piece would be considered plagiarism.

You should adhere to a particular citation style. When it comes to biology, the academic society uses the APA and the CSE format. Make sure you know what style your professor prefers. You also need a relevant guide with all requirements to follow.

Some Essay Tips for Successful Writing

Whatever major you pursue, you’ll deal with written assignments that affect your academic performance. That’s why you need to develop your writing skills. Here you’ll find some actionable tips to follow.

If you want to write well, you should read well. There are various modern sources where you can find many biology papers. It goes about scientific books and journals, specific web-portals. Don’t undervalue the fiction literature as well. You need to understand how other people write and to learn from them.

Once you’ve noticed something interesting that is worth your attention, write it down. You may use these notes in your future writings.

Coming up with a perfect piece, you should understand what the “perfect” stands for. Please take a look at some essays or a research paper example and analyze them.

It doesn’t mean that all samples that are published online are excellent. They have advantages and disadvantages, and you should mention them.

However, don’t copy and paste these samples. Your paper should be unique, and it goes not about paraphrasing some sentences only. The ideas and concepts you use should be fresh as well. Even if you’re just a student, without tremendous research opportunities, you may look at the issue from an interesting angle. Essay samples will show you the right direction.

You shouldn’t expect that your first paper will be outstanding. You have to submit dozens of poor essays until you succeed. It means you should use any opportunity to write something. Whether it is a note, a blog post, a lab report, or an experiment description, you should master your ability to formulate thoughts and choose the best words to convey your ideas.

Don’t leave these texts without attention since you can’t become a better writer if you don’t know your mistakes. Find a mentor who will provide you with essential tips. There are many useful resources online, and you can always hire a professional tutor who will support you.

You can’t sit and wait for the inspiration. Your professor won’t understand the excuse that you aren't in an appropriate mood to write a paper. Therefore you should be able to organize yourself and the work process.

Firstly, define stages, e.g., the research stage, the introduction writing, and so on. Think about how many times you’re going to devote to each of them and include these tasks in your calendar. You can use different strategies, starting with the most complicated part, or, vice versa, from the easiest one. It doesn’t matter if you’re able to provide a good result.

It is also important to get rid of all distractors in advance. Switch off your smartphone and make sure you have anything you need to come up with a paper. It won’t leave the space for procrastination.

People are usually biased when it goes to work. You can’t define for sure whether your biology essay deserves an A-grade. And it would be the wrong decision to wait until your professor spoils your academic performance. You can then discuss your writing with your friends, fellow students, instructors at the college club. If you think someone can provide you with professional assistance, ask for it. Feedback will show your strengths to focus on and weaknesses to work out.

Writing a research paper, you should use a language of scientific thought to explain your ideas. Think about the audience and its level of education. If your paper is full of specific terms, most readers won’t understand it. However, it should not be too simple at the same time since you’re a future biologist and should speak this language at a decent level.

It is also important to know all requirements and follow them. Each paper has its features, so make sure you understand the essay, analysis paper, or a lab report format before writing.

Get Biology Essay From Us

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It means that if you can’t cope with a bunch of tasks, you should take a pause and relax. Our professional writing service is here to help you with any assignment. Just fill in the order form and provide us with your requirements. We’ll deliver your biology essay exactly on time!

Firstly, you can hire a professional essay writer who will prepare the biology paper from scratch. We work with people who have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in natural science, as well as the writing experience. Having prepared dozens of assignments for students from different educational institutions, they know what professors expect. So, if you want to unload your head, without worsening your academic performance, rely on our authors.

The papers we deliver are always high-quality. They don’t contain any plagiarism and mistakes. If you have some objections, contact our customer support for qualified help.

If you have written the paper on yourself, you’ve covered a lot of ground. The writing process is exhausting, and sometimes there is no opportunity to read the final draft several times and make sure it is flawless. Before you deliver the paper, it is vital to get rid of all mistakes and typos. Our professional proofreaders will read the text with a keen eye and make necessary changes.

Don’t hesitate to use professional help since it is your chance to provide a fantastic result with fewer hurdles!

Biology is a science that studies our life in different ways. Students learn about organisms and living creatures that inhabit the planet, their functions, behavior, interaction, and their individual and historical development.

Modern biology covers various sub-topics, such as virology that studies viruses, botany that studies plants, the anatomy that studies the human’s body, etc. Some students choose a particular direction to work in, but all these subjects are united. It would be best if you had morphology and genetics knowledge to succeed with microbiology, and vice versa.

Writing a biology essay, you should think about their final purpose. Some papers are intended to provide people with a fresh look, e.g., when you find exciting information and want to share it with your colleagues. At the same time, you can write a paper for people who don’t have solid biology knowledge. These essays will be very different, so you need to approach this task with all responsibility.

Biology knowledge is important regardless of your career plans. Many facets point to this. First, this science is mainly studying life that is surrounding us. Second, it is important to have an understanding of how all organisms interact with each other. And the next reason that is no less important is the diversity of our life. Thanks to biology knowledge, people treat illnesses, improve food quality, and take care of the whole ecosystem.

It is the study of life that helps people shape the world and provides them with answers that explain why things happen.

Studying biology, you’ll deal with the following topics:

Cellular structure and function;
Evolution and natural selection;
Heredity and genetics;
Ecosystems and interdependence.

Many concepts are accepted by modern biology science. These are ideas and understandings that professors want you to remember. For example, all organisms share a standard set of important life processes. It goes about movement, respiration, reproduction, nutrition, and others. All organisms use the same genetic system to maintain continuity. The next essential concept is about species that arise, change, and become extinct over time. Diverse adaptations are the reason why evolution results and ensures survival.

Writing your paper, you should show your knowledge and understanding of significant biology concepts and topics. It would be an excellent platform to create powerful, evidence-based content.

And of course, if you need a website that writes an essay for you , you're on the right page! Feel free to send us your request!

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How to answer A-level Biology essay questions

The Synoptic essay question on paper 3 of the AQA A-level biology course carries 25 marks, so doing well can make a big difference to your overall grade. The essay encourages you to think across different topics (some call this “synoptic” or “holistic” thinking). This is also valuable for other areas of the exams, particularly the application questions .

Here are a few tips for tackling your A-level biology essay: (As an example, let’s use the title “ The importance of movement in cells and tissues ”)

Think broadly…

Essay titles are deliberately vague to give you the chance to show your knowledge in a variety of topics. To help you to choose what’s most relevant, look out for subjective words like “movement” and “cells”. Think of the possible alternatives. “Cells”, for example, hints that you could discuss plants, animals, single-celled organisms etc. in your essay. “Movement” could mean short distances (across a membrane) or much further (circulation or mass flow) or even the whole tissue moving (phototropism).

Visualize and catastrophize!

If you can’t think of enough topics for an “importance” essay, flip the question around – what would happen if movement in cells suddenly ground to a halt? Or if ATP suddenly vanished, or our cells were robbed of their ions? Sometimes catastrophizing in this way frees up thoughts, and helps you see what is really important. Another way is to picture every diagram in your notes or textbook that features the thing-that’s-important-in-the-question. If it’s in a diagram, it could go in your essay.

Pick your strongest topics

It’s possible to drop marks on the essay for scientific errors. With that in mind, even if you have lots of ideas for things to include, always pick the topics you can write confidently about. For bonus marks, try to order them in a way that “flows” like a story. Take care to use A-level (and not GCSE) language too.

Keep an eye on the question

While you’re writing, keep asking yourself “Where am I placing the emphasis?”. If the essay is about movement, perhaps you don’t need a whole page about nervous responses, only the bits where movement is involved – sodium ions flowing through channels, waves of depolarisation etc. Movement is the focus of the essay, after all, not neurons. Always ask yourself “Does this sentence fit with the title of the essay?”

Use outside knowledge

The top marks for the essay are reserved for displaying “evidence of reading beyond specification requirements”. Often you can drop recent scientific research or news into your writing – how vaccines tackle COVID might work in an essay about viruses, for example. I often encourage students to have a quick look at the news pages of New Scientist pages (eg https://www.newscientist.com/subject/health/ ) before paper 3 for inspiration – you don’t need to spend ages doing this, just long enough to have one or two ideas up your sleeve…

Good luck with your essay!

If you’d like to work through some A-level biology describe and explain

If you’d like to work through some example essay questions, please get in touch with me at Woolton Tutors (or Woolton Biology) and we can set up some online biology tutoring sessions.

Best wishes,

Dr John Ankers

Specialist online A-level biology tutor

www.wooltontutors.co.uk

Author: Dr John Ankers

Dr John Ankers is a tutor, coach and writer. For writing and consultancy work, please contact me at [email protected] View all posts by Dr John Ankers

Tips on How to Write a Biology Essay: Learn from the Example of Jellyfish Essay

How to Write a Biology Essay

In this article, we will guide you on how to write a perfect biology essay from scratch. You’ll find various tips to help you excel in writing your essay and creating a paper worth the highest grades. We also prepared a jellyfish essay example for you, so it can be easier to enhance all the specifics and structure of this kind of paper.

What is Biology Essay

A biology essay is a student-written work where you present arguments and ideas about a particular biological topic. The essay on biology can take different forms like argumentative, cause-and-effect, descriptive, detailed analysis, or ‘how-to’ instruction, depending on the professor’s guidelines and writer’s preferences.

A descriptive paper can explain a biological subject, while an argumentative one provides evidence to support a point of view. It’s up to you to choose which type is more suitable for the topic you’re writing about. The most common type is a cause-and-effect essay explaining an event’s reasons and consequences.

How to Craft a Perfect Essay About Biology

Writing is an art form that requires time and effort. But if you prefer someone else to write the paper for you, you can just text the experts, ‘ do my homework for me ,’ and consider it done.

Here is the step by step instruction to organize the process for desired results.

How to Craft a Perfect Essay About Biology

Choose Your Biology Essay Topic

To get a good grade:

make your paper informative and enjoyable by choosing a topic you wish to explore.
Use a brainstorming technique to generate 30-50 options for biology essay topics and research to create a shortlist.
Keep a notebook to jot down your ideas.

Choose a Question for Research

When writing a biology essay, use a scientific approach by selecting a research question related to your topic. Always avoid overly complex or apparent questions. You can also text our profs ‘ write my research paper ,’ and it can be done in a blink.

Create an Outline

Always have a clear plan when writing biology essays while starting a paper. Use a 5-paragraph structure with an outline to keep your main idea and arguments organized. Use any format that works best for you and adjust as needed. Discard any ideas that don’t fit your research question.

Use a Strong Thesis Statement

The introduction should end with a strong thesis statement synthesizing the overall essay, conveying the research question and your point of view. The paper is ineffective without a clear thesis, as readers may not understand your position.

Use Citation and References

Include a list of references in your academic papers, such as biology essays, to avoid plagiarism and provide data sources. Use the appropriate citation style, like APA or CSE, and consult a guide for requirements.

How to Structure a Biology Essay

Ensure your essay has an attention-grabbing introduction, a detailed body, and a solid conclusion with distinct sections. Use around seven paragraphs for the main body, adjusting as needed for the required word count.

Biology Essay Introduction

In the introduction of your essay about biology, showcase your expertise by providing a brief background of the topic and stating the essay’s objective. For a research paper, explain why the study is relevant. Make sure the reader understands the essence of your subject.

The body section of your essay on biology should focus on supporting and defending your thesis statement. To achieve this, make a list of essential points to cover and address each one step by step. Starting a new paragraph for each point ensures neatness and a continuous flow.

In conclusion, restate your thesis statement and summarize supporting points to solidify your arguments. Avoid introducing new concepts, and leave a lasting impression on your instructor.

Jellyfish Essay - Example of a Biology Essay About a Fascinating Creature of the Ocean

Jellyfish, also known as jellies, are incredible creatures of the ocean. They’re members of the phylum Cnidaria, including corals and sea anemones. You can find jellyfish in every ocean around the globe, from the surface to the depths of the sea.

Do you know what shape the jellyfish body has?! It’s one of their most unique features. Their bell-shaped body comprises a soft, jelly-like substance called mesoglea, found between two cellular layers. The outer layer of cells, the epidermis, is thin and flexible, while the inner layer, the gastrodermis, contains the jellyfish’s digestive system. At the bottom of the bell is the mouth, surrounded by tentacles armed with stinging cells called nematocysts.

The jellyfish tentacles consist of venom-filled sacs, which can be potentially dangerous and life-threatening. Considering the severity of its sting, researchers have gathered information on how to treat it effectively. Use thick clothing, tweezers, sticks, or gloves to alleviate the sting. It’s crucial to avoid touching the sting with bare skin since the venom can cause severe harm. Always dispose of the tool used for removing the sting to prevent re-stinging.

Jellyfish are creatures that feed on small fish and other tiny marine organisms. They capture their prey using the tentacles and bring it to their mouth. Once the food is inside the jellyfish, it’s broken down by digestive enzymes and absorbed into the gastrovascular cavity.

An exciting thing about jelly is its life cycle. They go through several stages of development, starting as a tiny, free-swimming larva and then growing into a polyp. The polyp stage is stationary, and the jellyfish attaches itself to a surface using a sticky pad. During this stage, the jellyfish reproduces asexually, creating clones of itself. These clones then break off from the polyp and develop into the familiar bell-shaped body of the adult jellyfish.

Jellyfish play an essential role in the ocean’s ecosystem too. They’re a food source for many marine creatures, including sea turtles and some fish species. They also help to control the population of tiny marine animals by feeding on them, and their waste products contribute to the nutrient cycle in the ocean.

However, jellyfish populations can sometimes explode and become a nuisance. This phenomenon mostly occurs when their natural predators are eliminated from the ecosystem or when water conditions, like temperature and salinity, are conducive for jellyfish growth. In cases where jellyfish populations reach excessive levels, they can clog fishing nets and interfere with other human activities in the ocean.

Jellyfish really are stunning creatures of the ocean. They’re diverse, with many different species, and are essential to the marine ecosystem. While they can sometimes become a nuisance, they’re vital to the ocean’s food web and nutrient cycle. Studying jellyfish can give us a greater understanding of the complex and interconnected systems that make up our oceans.

Practical Tips for Creating Perfect Academic Papers

Developing writing skills is crucial for your academic success regardless of your major. Check out these tips we provided for improving your writing. But if you aren't fond of writing, you can easily hand it to professionals by saying, ‘ do homework for me .’

Search for Samples or Examples

To improve your writing, analyze examples of well-written biology essays or research papers. Although not all online samples are perfect, they can still provide insights into what works and what doesn’t. However, avoid plagiarism and ensure your paper is original by presenting fresh ideas and a unique perspective.

Read Whenever You Can

Develop your writing skills by reading widely and extensively. Look for biology papers in scientific journals, websites, or books. Don’t forget to take notes on interesting points that you can use in your papers later.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t expect to write a perfect paper on your first try, so take every opportunity to practice your writing. Find a mentor if needed and use online resources to learn from your mistakes and improve your skills.

Always Organize Your Writing Process

Organize your work process instead of waiting for inspiration by defining stages, scheduling time for each task, and eliminating distractions. Don’t wait for mood to write an essay about biology; use different strategies to overcome writer’s block.

Proofread and Get Other Feedback

It’s hard to assess your own work accurately. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve upon. Don’t wait for your professor’s feedback to know if your biology essay is good.

Interesting Biology Essay Topics from Our Experts to Practice Your Writing

In this paragraph, we listed different biology essay topics from which you can choose your preferred one and practice writing to excel in your academic papers.

A jellyfish - my favorite creature
Facts about animal behavior
Biodiversity conservation
Chemical Ecology
Impacts of air pollution
Acid Rain’s impact on wildlife
The greenhouse effect
Causes of global warming
Effects of climate change on nature
Ways to avoid water pollution

These are interesting topics and also some of the most significant environmental problems. Choose the one you like and practice.

Final Thoughts

This article provides tips that will definitely make your writing process easier and more effective. Adjust these tips while writing your biology paper and structure it as we did in the jellyfish essay example. But if you still prefer a professional to do it for you, contact us by writing ‘ do my research paper ,’ and our experts will handle it.

Ryan Acton is an essay-writing expert with a Ph.D. in Sociology, specializing in sociological research and historical analysis. By partnering with EssayHub, he provides comprehensive support to students, helping them craft well-informed essays across a variety of topics.

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April 25, 2023
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Mastering A Level Biology Essays: Smart Tips and Unbeatable Examples

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Introduction

A Level Biology is a challenging but rewarding course that covers a wide range of topics, from DNA and genetic inheritance to ecosystems and biodiversity. The key to success in this subject lies in understanding and applying the core principles of Biology and expressing your understanding in well-structured, coherent essays. In this article, we will provide you with some essential tips for writing outstanding A Level Biology essays, as well as presenting clear examples to help you master the essay-writing process.

Understand the essay question

The first and most important step in writing an A Level Biology essay is to clearly understand the question. Break down the question into its key terms and implications, and ensure you comprehend what the examiner is asking you to discuss. Make a note of any key words or phrases that should feature in your essay, as these will help you structure your response and ensure you cover all the necessary points.

Plan your essay

Before you begin writing your essay, take the time to plan your response. Create an outline that maps out the main points you want to make, as well as the order in which you will discuss them. This will enable you to develop a logical and coherent argument that addresses all the key aspects of the question.

Include an engaging introduction

An effective introduction is crucial to grabbing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for your essay. Begin with a general statement that links to the essay question, and then narrow down your focus to present your main argument or line of inquiry. Finish your introduction with a clear thesis statement, which outlines the central points you will cover in your essay, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic.

Example: The discovery of DNA and the subsequent advancements in genetic research have proven instrumental in understanding the role of genetics ininheritance of traits and diseases. This essay will discuss the role of genetic inheritance in the development of several human diseases, namely: Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the ethical implications surrounding genetic testing and treatment.

Use specific examples to support your arguments

In A Level Biology essays, it is essential to provide examples that demonstrate your understanding of the material and support your claims. Try to include a range of examples from different areas of the subject to show that you have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the course material.

Example: Cystic Fibrosis is an example of a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, which results in thick and sticky mucus production in affected individuals. This condition can lead to respiratory and digestive complications, illustrating the significant impact of genetic inheritance on an individual’s health.

Synthesize information from multiple sources

To demonstrate a high level of understanding, A Level Biology essays should integrate information from various sources, such as class notes, textbooks, and scientific articles. Be sure to support your ideas with specific references to the source material, and use your own words to explain the concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Address counterarguments and controversies

In any scientific field, there are often debates and controversies surrounding key concepts and theories. To show a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter, be sure to address counterarguments and discuss opposing viewpoints in your essay.

Example: While genetic testing for diseases such as Huntington’s has the potential to provide valuable information for individuals at risk, there are ethical concerns about the potential misuse of genetic information by employers, insurance companies, and even government entities. Weighing the benefits of genetic testing and treatment against these ethical concerns is an ongoing debate within the scientific community.

Write a strong conclusion

To wrap up your essay, restate your main argument and summarize the key points you have made. Provide a clear and concise conclusion that demonstrates the significance of your argument and its implications for the broader field of Biology.

Example: In conclusion, the role of genetic inheritance in human diseases, as illustrated by Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, underscores the immense potential of genetic research to improve our understanding of human health. However, as we continue to advance our knowledge and develop new treatments and testing methods, it is crucial that we remain conscious of the ethical implications that come with such advancements in order to protect individuals’ rights and liberties.

Proofread and edit your essay

Finally, make sure you thoroughly proofread and edit your essay to correct any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors, and to ensure that your argument flows smoothly and logically. Consider asking a friend or peer to review your essay and provide feedback – a fresh perspective can help you identify areas for improvement that you may have overlooked.

In summary, mastering A Level Biology essays involves understanding the essay question, planning a clear and logical response, using specific examples and evidence, synthesizing information from multiple sources, addressing counterarguments and controversies, and crafting a compelling introduction and conclusion. By following these steps and using the examples provided, you will be well on your way to delivering high-quality, insightful essays that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the complex and fascinating world of Biology.

Good luck, and happy essay writing!

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49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics

August 21, 2023

In need of the perfect biology research topics—ideas that can both showcase your intellect and fuel your academic success? Lost in the boundless landscape of possible biology topics to research? And afraid you’ll never get a chance to begin writing your paper, let alone finish writing? Whether you’re a budding biologist hoping for a challenge or a novice seeking easy biology research topics to wade into, this blog offers curated and comprehensible options.

And if you’re a high school or transfer student looking for opportunities to immerse yourself in biology, consider learning more about research opportunities for high school students , top summer programs for high school students , best colleges for studying biomedical engineering , and best colleges for studying biology .

What is biology?

Well, biology explores the web of life that envelops our planet, from the teeny-tiny microbes to the big complex ecosystems. Biology investigates the molecular processes that define existence, deciphers the interplay of genes, and examines all the dynamic ways organisms interact with their environments. And through biology, you can gain not only knowledge, but a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. Pretty cool!

There are lots and lots of sub-disciplines within biology, branching out in all directions. Throughout this list, we won’t follow all of those branches, but we will follow many. And while none of these branches are truly simple or easy, some might be easier than others. Now we’ll take a look at a few various biology research topics and example questions that could pique your curiosity.

Climate change and ecosystems

The first of our potentially easy biology research topics: climate change and ecosystems. Investigate how ecosystems respond and adapt to the changing climate. And learn about shifts in species distributions , phenology , and ecological interactions .

1) How are different ecosystems responding to temperature changes and altered precipitation patterns?2) What are the implications of shifts in species distributions for ecosystem stability and functioning?

2) Or how does phenology change in response to climate shifts? And how do those changes impact species interactions?

3) Which underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms enable certain species to adapt to changing climate conditions?

4) And how do changing climate conditions affect species’ abilities to interact and form mutualistic relationships within ecosystems?

Microbiome and human health

Intrigued by the relationship between the gut and the rest of the body? Study the complex microbiome . You could learn how gut microbes influence digestion, immunity, and even mental health.

5) How do specific gut microbial communities impact nutrient absorption?

6) What are the connections between the gut microbiome, immune system development, and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases?

7) What ethical considerations need to be addressed when developing personalized microbiome-based therapies? And how can these therapies be safely and equitably integrated into clinical practice?

8) Or how do variations in the gut microbiome contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression?

9) How do changes in diet and lifestyle affect the composition and function of the gut microbiome? And what are the subsequent health implications?

Urban biodiversity conservation

Next, here’s another one of the potentially easy biology research topics. Examine the challenges and strategies for conserving biodiversity in urban environments. Consider the impact of urbanization on native species and ecosystem services. Then investigate the decline of pollinators and its implications for food security or ecosystem health.

10) How does urbanization influence the abundance and diversity of native plant and animal species in cities?

11) Or what are effective strategies for creating and maintaining green spaces that support urban biodiversity and ecosystem services?

12) How do different urban design and planning approaches impact the distribution of wildlife species and their interactions?

13) What are the best practices for engaging urban communities in biodiversity conservation efforts?

14) And how can urban agriculture and rooftop gardens contribute to urban biodiversity conservation while also addressing food security challenges?

Bioengineering

Are you a problem solver at heart? Then try approaching the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine. Delve into the field of synthetic biology , where researchers engineer biological systems to create novel organisms with useful applications.

15) How can synthetic biology be harnessed to develop new, sustainable sources of biofuels from engineered microorganisms?

16) And what ethical considerations arise when creating genetically modified organisms for bioremediation purposes?

17) Can synthetic biology techniques be used to design plants that are more efficient at withdrawing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

18) How can bioengineering create organisms capable of producing valuable pharmaceutical compounds in a controlled and sustainable manner?

19) But what are the potential risks and benefits of using engineered organisms for large-scale environmental cleanup projects?

Neurobiology

Interested in learning more about what makes creatures tick? Then this might be one of your favorite biology topics to research. Explore the neural mechanisms that underlie complex behaviors in animals and humans. Shed light on topics like decision-making, social interactions, and addiction. And investigate how brain plasticity and neurogenesis help the brain adapt to learning, injury, and aging.

20) How does the brain’s reward circuitry influence decision-making processes in situations involving risk and reward?

21) What neural mechanisms underlie empathy and social interactions in both humans and animals?

22) Or how do changes in neural plasticity contribute to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases?

23) Can insights from neurobiology inform the development of more effective treatments for addiction and substance abuse?

24) What are the neural correlates of learning and memory? And how can our understanding of these processes be applied to educational strategies?

Plant epigenomics

While this might not be one of the easy biology research topics, it will appeal to plant enthusiasts. Explore how epigenetic modifications in plants affect their ability to respond and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

25) How do epigenetic modifications influence the expression of stress-related genes in plants exposed to temperature fluctuations?

26) Or what role do epigenetic changes play in plants’ abilities to acclimate to changing levels of air pollution?

27) Can certain epigenetic modifications be used as indicators of a plant’s adaptability to new environments?

28) How do epigenetic modifications contribute to the transgenerational inheritance of traits related to stress resistance?

29) And can targeted manipulation of epigenetic marks enhance crop plants’ ability to withstand changing environmental conditions?

Conservation genomics

Motivated to save the planet? Conservation genomics stands at the forefront of modern biology, merging the power of genetics with the urgent need to protect Earth’s biodiversity. Study genetic diversity, population dynamics, and how endangered species adapt in response to environmental changes.

30) How does genetic diversity within endangered species influence their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions?

31) What genetic factors contribute to the susceptibility of certain populations to diseases, and how can this knowledge inform conservation strategies?

32) How can genomic data be used to inform captive breeding and reintroduction programs for endangered species?

33) And what are the genomic signatures of adaptation in response to human-induced environmental changes, such as habitat fragmentation and pollution?

34) Or how can genomics help identify “hotspots” of biodiversity that are particularly important for conservation efforts?

Zoonotic disease transmission

And here’s one of the biology research topics that’s been on all our minds in recent years. Investigate the factors contributing to the transmission of zoonotic diseases , like COVID-19. Then posit strategies for prevention and early detection.

35) What are the ecological and genetic factors that facilitate the spillover of zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans?

36) Or how do changes in land use, deforestation, and urbanization impact the risk of zoonotic disease emergence?

37) Can early detection and surveillance systems be developed to predict and mitigate the spread of zoonotic diseases?

38) How do social and cultural factors influence human behaviors that contribute to zoonotic disease transmission?

39) And can strategies be implemented to improve global pandemic preparedness?

Bioinformatics

Are you a data fanatic? Bioinformatics involves developing computational tools and techniques to analyze and interpret large biological datasets. This enables advancements in genomics, proteomics, and systems biology. So delve into the world of bioinformatics to learn how large-scale genomic and molecular data are revolutionizing biological research.

40) How can machine learning algorithms predict the function of genes based on their DNA sequences?

41) And what computational methods can identify potential drug targets by analyzing protein-protein interactions in large biological datasets?

42) Can bioinformatics tools be used to identify potential disease-causing mutations in human genomes and guide personalized medicine approaches?

43) What are the challenges and opportunities in analyzing “omics” data (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics) to uncover novel biological insights?

44) Or how can bioinformatics contribute to our understanding of microbial diversity, evolution, and interactions within ecosystems?

Regenerative medicine

While definitely not one of the easy biology research topics, regenerative medicine will appeal to those interested in healthcare. Research innovative approaches to stimulate tissue and organ regeneration, using stem cells, tissue engineering, and biotechnology. And while you’re at it, discover the next potential medical breakthrough.

45) How can stem cells be directed to differentiate into specific cell types for tissue regeneration, and what factors influence this process?

46) Or what are the potential applications of 3D bioprinting in creating functional tissues and organs for transplantation?

47) How can bioengineered scaffolds enhance tissue regeneration and integration with host tissues?

48) What are the ethical considerations surrounding the use of stem cells and regenerative therapies in medical treatments?

49) And can regenerative medicine approaches be used to treat neurodegenerative disorders and restore brain function?

Biology Research Topics – Final thoughts

So as you take your next steps, try not to feel overwhelmed. And instead, appreciate the vast realm of possibilities that biology research topics offer. Because the array of biology topics to research is as diverse as the ecosystems it seeks to understand. And no matter if you’re only looking for easy biology research topics, or you’re itching to unravel the mysteries of plant-microbe interactions, your exploration will continue to deepen what we know of the world around us.

High School Success

Mariya holds a BFA in Creative Writing from the Pratt Institute and is currently pursuing an MFA in writing at the University of California Davis. Mariya serves as a teaching assistant in the English department at UC Davis. She previously served as an associate editor at Carve Magazine for two years, where she managed 60 fiction writers. She is the winner of the 2015 Stony Brook Fiction Prize, and her short stories have been published in Mid-American Review , Cutbank , Sonora Review , New Orleans Review , and The Collagist , among other magazines.

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Writing Guides

How To Write A Biology Essay

Table of Contents

Content of this article

Topic choice.

Content page
Research question
Introduction
Investigation

Biology papers give us an opportunity of understanding forms that are complex in life. This, therefore, means you will have the chance to fully understand the plants as well as the animals found in the ecosystem. People are given assignments on biology so that they can fully research and have knowledge concerning the components of nature. An essay on biology also assists people in how to care for and tend to themselves. These biology papers also assist in fully understanding how the world and humanity are related. An essay on biology will, therefore, assist in answering queries and issues related to biology. The tips from our academic essay writing service may help a person to make the work professional without errors and mistakes. A primary element to keep in mind when writing biology papers is always to have a biology essay draft that will assist you all through the writing process. Biology essay topics need to be detailed so that they can be differentiated from other types of papers.

The topics of the biology papers determine the points that will be used in the article. This, therefore, means that the biology essay writing guide is dependent on the topic selected . Ensure that you fully understand what the biology essay writing expects from you and create a biology essay outline that will assist you in preparing an excellent piece. Biology essay outlining assists in the construction of detailed articles. Below are biology essay topics that one can use in biology essay writing.

Biology essay topics

Are vaccines necessary in our system?
Omnivore’s plants
How did the dinosaurs just disappear?
Did the evolution start from the monkeys?
Which are the most intelligent animals on the face of the earth?
Why do the male seahorses often carry the offspring?
How were the wolves domesticated?
The genetic mutations in plants and animals.
How the albino animals are different; is this trait also shared in plants and humans?
The process of aging in humans.

These are some of the good biology essay topics that you can use to produce an article that is standard.

Biology essay structure

The outline for a biology essay gives you clear guidelines on how to go about writing the article. The biology essay draft should go in line with the topic that the writer has chosen.

The biology essay outlining is as illustrated below:

1. The title

The title page offers clear indications of the biology essay focus.
The title should be precisely phrased and at the same time based on the hypothesis.
Avoid jargon for the title to look professional.
The title should also give the reader a quick understanding of the topic.

2. The content page

This page is located at the beginning of biology papers after the abstract and the title pages. The page shows the numbers as well as the subsections of the essay on biology.

3. The research question

The topics for a biology essay determine the research questions to be used. The research question shows what the article is trying to establish. Keep in mind that the question is not the same as the title.

The question in motion should be highlighted in the introduction. The content page will give the reader an understanding of the article.
The question should introduce new ideas as well.

4. The introduction

The biology essay introduction is the most crucial part of the article, as it will determine whether the readers will want to read more of the piece or not.

The introduction for a biology essay should illustrate what is being argued in the article.
For an introduction to be successful, the contents need to be brief and accurate.
Another professional way how to start a biology essay introduction is by illustrating how you reached the focus of the research.
The introduction should also contain the references that were accessed.
What might be revealed in the study should also be highlighted in the opening section.

5. The investigation

The study section gives you the chance of illustrating how the data was selected as well as its reliability.

You need to clearly explain, describe and justify the choice of collecting primary data.
Don’t forget to state the sources of the experiments. The method used should be detailed. Someone would want to repeat the same procedure.
Ensure that the investigations are ethical and not cruel.

6. The analysis

The body is the meat of the literature essay. The body covers most of the article. A common way how to write a biology essay body is by using at least three paragraphs.
The biology essay tips need to be relevant to the research question being discussed. The points should also give assertion to the reader.
Highlight the biology essay prompts as well. Elaborate on how the ideas have been used to support the question in the essay on biology.
For an effective essay on biology writing, discuss each point in its paragraph. This technique will give you the chance of exhausting the points.

7. The biology essay conclusion

The end of the article should be firm and sum up the whole article. The conclusion is a formal way how to conclude a biology essay. The conclusion restates the points for emphasis and makes the final argument clear. This section also gives you the chance of drawing connections between the points and questions being discussed. The conclusion for a biology essay also gives room for you to show your engagement with the essay on biology on a personal ground. The conclusion should be in a position of reformulating a new hypothesis as well as comparing the content to the secondary sources used. You can finish up the biology essay by stating the significance of the statistical tests done.

8. The references

Making citations is an essential issue in biology papers. There are quite some formatting and citation styles ranging from APA to MLA. You should, therefore, be keen on the style specified. Referencing styles depends on the academic discipline that one is in. For instance, APA is used in psychology, education, and sciences

Archetti M 2000. The origin of autumn colors by coevolution. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 205: 625–63

9. Sources for essay choice

Sources can either be secondary or primary. The primary source refers to any work that can be accessed originally. The secondary source refers to the works that have been original, but have been produced by another person. Examples of secondary sources include books , encyclopedias, and journals among other recreated works. You can use both the primary and secondary data to make your biology paper a success.

10. Finalizing the Essay

Once the essay on biology has been written, a revision is necessary to ensure the content is in order. A standard method of review is proofreading. Proofreading gives you the chance to analyze your work and correct errors that are avoidable.

160 Biology Essay Topics

For most science courses, assignments are generally lab-based and rarely require much writing. However, all of that changes in biology courses when detailed essays must be written to highlight a student’s understanding of the subject. These essays are highly technical, with specific comments required to meet the factual nature of the subject.

In addition to meeting the factual requirements needed to complete the assignment, biology essays must also be written in a writing style that is informative and authoritative rather than subjective and personal.

These detailed specifics of writing a biology essay can make completing the writing difficult from the very beginning. Fortunately, we’ve created this guide to help students learn how to write a biology essay. In addition, we’ve also included 160 biology essay topics to help inspire the creative writing process.

How to Write a Biology Essay?

Writing a biology essay starts with choosing a topic. If your teacher has not already assigned a specific topic, then students must choose one that is broad enough to find credible resources and specific enough that the research won’t overtake the writing process.

To select a suitable topic for a biology essay, consider the type of biology class you are taking, the current and previous chapters studied, and the overall context of the course. These factors will help you select a topic that is likely to be relevant to your teacher’s needs and to the passing of your course.

Once students have selected a suitable topic, it’s time to research credible resources that will support the subject. To do this successfully, students need to consider the following:

What information is already known about this topic?
What topics are related or similar to this topic?
Who are credible authors that can explain this topic?
What additional sources will provide me with the information needed to complete this assignment successfully?

For example, if you want to write a biology essay on protein synthesis and its regulation at the transcriptional level, research material would include books, articles, and other written works published by credible authors or publishers. While important, this material isn’t the only type of research that should be completed.

Students may also consider consulting medical and biology dictionaries, textbooks, online research databases such as PubMed or Medline, and professional organizations for biologists to find additional sources. Once the research has been completed, it’s time to create the first draft of the biology essay.

Biology Essay Introduction

Starting an essay is always the same. Students should open with a catchy hook statement that introduces an interesting fact, presents a unique perspective, or raises a thought-provoking question.

Once that sentence has been created, students can use the middle part of the introduction to introduce fundamental concepts and provide background details about the topic.

Once that information has been laid out, and the reader knows the necessary details to make the reading interesting and worthwhile, students should move into the final portion of the introduction that answers the question: WHY is this essay important? This question is answered in the form of a thesis statement that details the essay’s overall purpose.

Biology Essay Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of your essay will contain the bulk of your research. Be sure that each body paragraph meets the following requirements:

One clear idea represented per paragraph or section
Examples that back up the point of the paragraph
A clear and logical flow between paragraphs with transition words

Make sure that the body paragraphs only contain information pertinent to the subject or topic. Avoid fluff or filler words and phrases that don’t add any substance or value to the writing.

The number of paragraphs in the body may vary depending on the assignment parameters and the essay style. For example, an essay with a 1000 word limit won’t have as many body paragraphs as an essay with a high word count.

Additionally, a compare and contrast essay that examines the similarities and differences between two or more biology concepts may have more body paragraphs than an argumentative essay.

Biology Essay Conclusion

The final section of a biology essay is the conclusion. In this section, students need to summarize the major points of the essay and the overall purpose for writing it. The thesis should also be re-stated to recap what has been learned from the writing.

In addition to these sentences, students should include a final remark about their research and findings. This might be a thought that ties into the intro or another interesting angle that presents a new way of looking at your topic.

Once the conclusion is completed, students should edit and review their work. Make sure that the essay is free of grammar and spelling mistakes before submitting it for grading.

When it comes to choosing a biology essay topic, it is not always as easy as it seems. For students looking for help with writing a biology essay, we have compiled a list of 160 biology essay topics that will hopefully give you some great ideas.

Biology Essay Topics About Animals

What is the importance of bats in our ecosystem?
What is the difference between a domesticated cat and a wildcat?
How do animals adapt to their environments?
What are the various types of symbiotic relationships found in nature?
Which animals have been known to show altruism towards other species?
What impact does human activity have on animal behavior?
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of zoos?
How do animal brains work?
What is an animal’s anatomical structure like?
What are some symbiotic relationships between humans and animals?
What is the difference between herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and insectivores?
Why are having pets important to humans?
What are the positive and negative impacts of commercial farming on animals?
Do you think it is acceptable to keep pets in zoos? Why or why not?
What are some common misconceptions about cats, dogs, rodents, cows, sheep, horses, reptiles/fish/insects?
How do animal bones support their body structure?
What are the effects of humans on the natural habitats of animals?
What are some ways in which animal anatomy is similar to human biology?
What are some symbiotic relationships found in the animal kingdom?
Can humans and animals communicate with each other?
How do different types of animal cells function differently than human cells?
Why do some animals see better in the dark?
Explain the circulatory system of cold-blooded animals and how it differs from that of warm-blooded animals.
What are some examples of mimicry in nature?

Biology Essay Topics About Cellular Biology

How does cell theory apply to cellular biology?
What is mitosis, and where does it take place?
What are the different parts of a cell?
What is a nucleolus?
What are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
How do viruses affect our cells?
How does photosynthesis work?
Why is it important to study cellular biology as a foundation for other disciplines of biology?
What are the functions of organelles in cells?
What is anabolism and catabolism?
How do plants use photosynthesis to produce sugar while animals break down food for energy?
Describe the process of homeostasis and explain how the human body maintains its internal environment.
What are the important parts of a cell?
How do cells reproduce?
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
What is the importance of cellular research to humans?
Explain mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles in plant cells.
What are some of the problems with using stem cells in medical research?
What are the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms?
How do humans reproduce sexually?
Why is it different to clone plants than animals?
What are some important functions of membranes in cells?
What is the significance of mass spectrometry to molecular biology and genetics?
How do viruses reproduce?
What are mitochondria responsible for in eukaryotic cells?
What is the difference between a plasmid and a virus?
Do you think cloning animals should be allowed? Why or why not?
What is a cell cycle?
How do diseases affect the structure and function of cells?
What are some ethical issues with genetic engineering?
What is cell division, and how does it work?
Where does meiosis occur in the body, and what does it accomplish?
Explain the structure and function of ribosomes in eukaryotic cells.
What is a cell membrane made up of, and what are its important structural components?
How do antibiotics affect bacterial cells?
Do you think cloning humans should be allowed? Why or why not?
What makes up the cytoskeleton?
How are molecular structures related to the functions of cells?
What are some examples of biomolecules necessary for cell function and survival?
What types of molecules make up an organism’s genome?

Biology Essay Topics About the Ecosystem

What does the term food web mean?
Why is it important to study population dynamics in an ecosystem?
How do humans affect other species and their environments?
How can we prevent and control invasive species, and why are they so dangerous?
What effects does pollution have on animals and their habitats?
How do global warming and climate change affect the ecosystem?
What are the different types of animals found in ecosystems?
What happens to an ecosystem when one species becomes extinct?
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem?
How do humans feed off other species to survive?
Describe how the r-selected life strategy works.
What are some examples of symbiosis found in nature?
How does biodiversity affect the structure, function, and survival of ecosystems?
How does the stability of an ecosystem depend on biodiversity?
What are trophic levels, and how do they function to maintain the structure of ecosystems?
Why are invasive species dangerous?
How do global climate changes and human activities affect the biodiversity of ecosystems?
What types of organisms thrive in wetlands?
How do humans benefit from studying ecosystems?
What ecosystems are best suited to rapid climate change?

Biology Essay Topics About Evolution

Is evolution strictly a scientific theory, or is it also valid spiritually?
Why is research about the evolution of life important to our understanding of the past?
What are some examples of convergent evolution?
How does natural selection contribute to evolution?
Why is it important for people to understand evolution and its role in biology?
What are some benefits that humans enjoy thanks to evolution?
How do mass extinctions impact the evolution of different species?
How does a mutation affect a population’s gene pool and diversity?
Explain the core principles of Darwin’s theory of evolution.
How does an organism’s ability to respond to environmental changes contribute to its rate of evolution?
What is polyphyletic evolution?
What are some examples of vestigial traits in humans and other species?
How do eco-evolutionary dynamics play a role in evolution?
Do you think that past mass extinction events had an impact on evolution? Why or why not?
What are some benefits humans enjoy thanks to evolution by natural selection?
How could modern-day diets affect the evolutionary growth of humans?
What animals have had evolutionary changes based on threats to their diets?
What evolutionary response makes for the best camouflage?
What types of traits can be used to differentiate between closely related species?
What are the main factors that prevent a population from evolving?
How is artificial selection different from natural selection?
Why do scientists still debate about evolutionary theory despite overwhelming evidence supporting it?
What are some examples of convergent evolution in nature, and how do they function as an adaptation?
Why is research about the evolution of life important to understanding the past?

Biology Essay Topics About Genetics

What is genetic drift, and how can it lead to changes in a population over time?
How do the different parts of DNA interact with each other?
How are dominant and recessive traits identified?
What are some examples of genetic disorders?
What causes Down syndrome, and how is it diagnosed in children?
How does natural selection act on mutations to create variation in a population?
Can scientists use DNA testing to learn about our ancestors’ migratory patterns and where they lived?
How can animal migration help us to better understand genetics?
Define molecular genetics and explain how it relates to classical and Mendelian genetics.
What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and why is it important in population genetics?
Do you believe that scientists should clone human beings? Why or why not?
Why are dominant traits sometimes called masking genes?
Why is genetic diversity important for long-term species survival?
How are epigenetic changes related to evolution?
What is the difference between gene expression and gene activity with regards to genetics?
How do developmental genes affect the appearance of an organism throughout its life cycle?
How have animal and plant breeders used genetic engineering to produce certain types of hybrids?
What are the ethical implications of human cloning?
What are the latest technologies in genetic engineering?
What new technologies are needed to make human cloning a reality?
How are living organisms adapting to the presence of plastics in our environment?
Why are some individuals resistant to certain genetically programmed diseases?
What are three common misconceptions about genetic engineering?
What is transgenic technology, and how can it be used for disease prevention or treatment?
How do microorganisms impact human health and the environment?
What are some examples of a genetically modified organism?
How does natural selection impact microorganisms?
What is DNA profiling, and how can it help to solve crimes or return missing persons to their families?
Why do scientists need more research surrounding epigenetics before drawing conclusions on its effects on evolution?

Biology Essay Topics About the Human Body

What is the purpose of skeletal and respiratory systems?
How do hormones affect our body on a daily basis?
How does the endocrine system work as part of an overall regulatory system in the human body?
What are some different types of cells found in the human body?
What are the differences between exocrine and endocrine glands?
What are stem cells, and why are they important to biological research?
How do muscles work together to create movement in our bodies?
How do bones help us to maintain balance while walking, standing up straight, and running?
What are some ways that human behavior can impact our bodies?
How do foods with high sugar content affect the digestive system?
What organs are no longer necessary in the human body, and why?
What blood types offer better protection from the elements?
What are mosquitoes attracted to some humans and not to others?
What pheromones do humans give off?
What are the different types of blood cells?
How does healthy eating help to maintain digestive health?
Why do some people get migraines that others don’t seem to be bothered by?
What is the pH level of human blood, and how can it be carefully regulated?
How does altitude affect respiration in humans?
What is the most complicated system in the human body?
Explain the biological purposes of “Fight or Flight.”
What role does the immune system play in human health?
What is the difference between human anatomy and physiology?

Choosing any of these 160 biology essay topics will help students craft an informative and authoritative essay that is sure to earn them a passing grade.

140 Opinion Essay Topics
110 Synthesis Essay Topics
130 Proposal Essay Topics
110 Extended Essay Topics
160 Process Analysis Essay Topics

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Testimonials

Zoology Topics Topics: 145
Archaeology Topics Topics: 56
Charles Darwin Research Topics Topics: 51
Gene Essay Topics Topics: 77
DNA Paper Topics Topics: 113
Microbiology Paper Topics Topics: 50
Epigenetics Research Topics Topics: 54
Space Exploration Paper Topics Topics: 76
Genetic Engineering Topics Topics: 58
Atmosphere Paper Topics Topics: 50
Anatomy Essay Topics Topics: 70
Extinction Research Topics Topics: 55
Cloning Essay Topics Topics: 74
Biochemistry Topics Topics: 47
Genetics Research Topics Topics: 213

101 Biology Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on biology, ✍️ biology essay topics for college, 👍 good biology research topics & essay examples, 📌 easy biology essay topics, 🎓 most interesting biology research titles.

How Do People Use Biology in Their Everyday Life?
My Journey in Biology
Relations Between Biology and Culture
Biology and Culture of Gender Color Stereotypes
Biology as the Branch of Science
Fiji Water Quality: Biology Lab Experiment
Homologous and Analogous Structures in Biology
Human Biology and Culture Connection The paper states that it is anthroposociogenesis that explains the dichotomy between biology and culture and the connection with human evolution.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Are Fundamental to the Life Sciences Some molecules are often recognized as building blocks for cell formation, implying that they are fundamental to the physiology of humans.
Transcription and Translation in Molecular Biology The Central Dogma describes the basic principles of genetic information transfer: transcription and translation. The paper distinguishes these two processes.
Significance of Major Discoveries in Modern Biology Cloning may significantly benefit life on Earth with sufficient regulation in place and can impact people by changing the world around them.
Biology and Social Influence Genetics plays an indispensable role in facilitating inherent-acquired behaviors, while others claim the environment contributes to shaping an individual’s personality.
Cell Biology: Cell Sizes, Types, and Theories The Cell Theory propounds that all organisms are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life and all cells descend from older cells.
Scientific Investigation of Sleep: A Biology Lab According to the experiment, sleep is a critical component of human well-being. Adequate sleep refreshes a person’s mind, body, and heart, minimizing stress.
Biology Food Chain The body coordination in an organism are carried out in the central nervous system that depends entirely on the neurons conducted from the receptor sites to the effectors’ sites in the body.
Psychobiology: Biology of Behavior This report researches to what extent psychological and physiological factors influence a person’s character, reactions, and behavior using findings of psychobiology.
Cancer Risk Factors: Biology Concepts The development of cancer cells is associated with the halting of the process of cell generation and decay that may be considered one of the basic aspects of the physical health.
Biology: Comparison and Contrast of Cats and Dogs It is important to discuss the eating habits of cats and dogs. In particular, one should mention that they are mammals, and they are fed with milk during childhood.
“Genbank” Impact on Modern Molecular Biology Research GenBank is the fundamental element of Molecular biology. It is the sequence formed and stored in the database of the entire genome of life.
Conservation Biology and Preservation of the Biodiversity The Theory of Island Biogeography is the most significant contribution toward the scientific understanding of both the process and how to measure the rate of species extinction.
Discussion: Cell and Molecular Biology Colonic epithelial cells have been shown to exhibit SCFA transporters in both the lumen-facing apical membrane and the serosa-facing basolateral membrane.
Biology: The Concepts of Chemistry Knowledge of the chemical processes that occur in living things, which are necessary for maintaining life, aids in the understanding of how life works.
Organismal Biology: Succession and Its Characteristics Succession is an ecological phenomenon during which a successive change of biological communities occurs in a particular territorial area over time.
Environmental Biology: Green Energy a precise definition of green energy is manifested in its source, which must be natural, such as the sun or geothermal sources.
Atoms and Molecules as Concepts in Biology Atoms are the fundamental building block of chemical elements and the smallest unit into which matter can be divided.
Molecular Biology and Its Central Dogma The central dogma of molecular biology is a principle describing the transfer of molecular information in the Nucleus of the DNA.
The Egg White Denaturation as a Concept of Biology Denaturation is the process of breaking down the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein by external factors such as temperature.
Herbert Spencer – Scientists of Biology Herbert Spencer is one of the outstanding scientists belonging to the sphere of biology, sociology, and anthropology.
Human Biology: Genes and Genes Mutations Mutations in certain regions of DNA can cause pathological metabolic abnormalities or hereditary features realized through dysfunctional disorders.
Human Biology Review Essay of Our Body, Every Cells The collection of like cells that have an identical origin that carries out a definite function together is what I am.
Is PCR the Most Important Invention in Molecular Biology to Date? This essay provides different reasons that have made the PCR technique a significant invention in molecular biology to date.
Biology: Aspects of Fruits The paper discusses fruits. A fruit is the fleshy and sweet part of a tree or any flowering plant that contains seeds. Some fruits are poisonous while some are edible.
Crime Explanation Using Biology and Psychology A comprehensive theory of Cesare Lombroso has been discussed indicating that criminals could be picked out and determined by their physique, attributes, and appearance.
Role of Human Biology in Contemporary Criminal Justice Focus of analysis of the paper will be on theories developed to explain criminology with a special emphasis on Biological positivism theory
Cancer Biology: Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes This paper seeks to interpret the role oncogenes and tumor suppressors play in transformation during cancer formation.
Biology Lab: Why Ice Floats Ice is usually considered to be a mineral that consists of hydrogen oxide; when ice is frozen at a constant pressure of 1 atmosphere, the resultant effect.
Biology: The Definition of the Genotype The paper discusses the genotype. It is composed of a pair of alleles and it is what is manifested as the phenotype or observable characteristics of an organism.
Designing Oligonucleotide Primers in Biology Molecular biology tools include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which requires an mRNA template or a cDNA template, polymerase enzyme, and a primer.
Biology: Application of the Holobiont in Humans When it comes to the formation of a unique environmental unit, a holobiont can link an individual host to a variety of interactive microorganisms and microbiota.
Biology. Glial Cells and Their Subtypes Due to the distinctive features of some glial cells, they are divided into different subtypes, including ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, and microglia cells.
Marine Biology: Description and the Key Features Marine Biology is an open area of the coast line that is exposed to ocean currents and tides. This is a backwater area with occasional flooding of sea water.
Biology and Happiness Relationship Human beings engage in numerous activities, establish appropriate relationships, and formulate decisions that can eventually make them happy.
Biology Postgraduate Education and Its Advantages If you want to become a biologist in the future or just want to evaluate the pros of this occupation, this article may become more than useful for you.
Biology: Mechanical Signals Regulating Development The paper will highlight several control effects of mechanical forces on various cell activities, including early embryonic development, tissue morphogenesis, and organ formation.
Cultural Variations in Environment and Biology: AIDS The research studies the prevalence of AIDS among ethnic groups in the United States and suggests patient education interventions, which can be performed by nurses.
Substance Abuse: Environmental Influences and Biology Substance abuse is not a new problem the human society faces. This paper examines different ways biological and environment influences interact and affect drug taking behavior.
Concepts of Biology: HIV and AIDS The primary purpose of the paper is to examine the symptoms and the effects that HIV and AIDS have on a human being.
Happiness in Biology, Culture, Experience It isn’t easy to understand what happiness is. However, it is still possible to identify some factors that are likely to affect the degree of happiness.
Bringing Culture Into Human Biology and Biology Back Into Anthropology
The Relationship Between Evolutionary Biology and Religion
Cell Biology of Stem Cells: An Enigma of Asymmetry and Self-Renewal
An Intricate Relationship Between Biology and Art
Computing Has Changed Biology: How Biology Education Can Catch Up
Common Ground Between Anthropology and Conservation Biology
The Evolution of Molecular Biology Into Systems Biology
Scientific and Public Functions of Models in the 19th-Century Biology
Biology and Ethics: The Paradoxes of the Natural
Use, Overuse, and Misuse of Significance Tests in Evolutionary Biology
The Autonomy of Biology: The Position of Biology Among the Sciences
Joseph Gottlieb Kolreuter’s Contributions to Biology
Chemical Bridge Between Ecosystem Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The Ethics of Biological Studies With Living Organisms
Biological Function and Teleology: Implications for Biology Education
Adaptationism and the Challenge From Developmental Biology
Quality Assured Science: Managerialism in Forensic Biology
Essence and Natural Kinds in Aristotle’s Biology: Was It Sexist?
The Biological Weapons Convention: Securing Biology in the 21st Century
Molecular Biology Techniques Used in Wastewater Treatment
The Biology of Stupidity: Genetics, Eugenics, and Mental Deficiency
Existentialism and Feminism: The Rhetoric of Biology in the Second Sex
Kant, Blumenbach, and Vital Materialism in German Biology
How the Mind Grows: A Developmental Perspective on the Biology of Cognition
Biology and Society in the Age of Enlightenment
Negotiating the Place of Molecular Evolution Within Evolutionary Biology
Global Change: Increasing the Success of Biological Invaders?
On the Relations Between History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences and Biology
Civic Biology: The Origin of the School Anti-Evolution Movement
Reductionism in Biology: Prospects and Problems
Factors Shaping Ernst Mayr’s Concepts in the History of Biology
Building Simulations: Modeling and Theory in Systems Biology
The Role of Information Technology in Biology Education
What Difference Does Quantity Make: On the Epistemology of Big Data in Biology
Causality, Teleology, and Thought Experiments in Biology
Applying the Principles of Stem-Cell Biology to Cancer
The Moral Impact of Synthesizing Living Organisms: Biocentric Views on Synthetic Biology
Applying Evolutionary Biology to Address Global Challenges
Water as an Active Constituent in Cell Biology
The Importance of Feminist Critique for Contemporary Cell Biology
Marine Molecular Biology as an Emerging Field of Biological Sciences
Trends, Priorities, and Needs in Systematic and Evolutionary Biology
Development of Biology in Aristotle and Theophrastus: Theory of Spontaneous Generation
Why Values Are a Good Thing in Conservation Biology
Biology and Equality: A Perspective on Sex Differences
Recent Advances of Deep Learning in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Bioimage Informatics: A New Area of Engineering Biology
Reflecting on the History of Biology as a Field
Molecular Biology vs. Organicism: An Enduring Dispute Between Mechanism and Vitalism
The Role of Reductionism in the Development of Molecular Biology

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These essay examples and topics on Biology were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 20, 2024 .

AP® Biology

How to answer ap® biology free response questions.

The Albert Team
Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

The free response section can make or break any student’s AP® Biology exam score. If you’re wondering what the best tips and tricks for answering AP® Biology free response questions, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we extensively cover must know tips for writing effective AP® Biology FRQs, common mistakes made by students when analyzing past AP® Biology scoring guidelines, and how to use past AP® Biology free response questions to start practicing for your exam.

Read on to get the complete scoop when it comes to succeeding on your AP® Biology exam review.

What We Review

5 Steps on How to Write Effective AP® Biology Free Responses

In this section, we’ll give you a strategy to start writing AP® Biology free responses that score you points.

1. Understand how points are awarded by reviewing the AP® Biology rubrics.

The first step to crafting good AP® Biology free responses that score you points is understanding how points are distributed. The easiest way to do this is by going to the College Board’s AP® Central website and navigating to their past released exams .

From here, you’ll want to open up the scoring guidelines — these will detail what points were awarded for different parts of AP® Biology free response questions.

Here’s a screenshot from the 2019 released exam:

Source: College Board

As you can see in this first section 1 (a), students receive two points, one for properly circling the transcription on the template pathway, and another point for properly identifying the molecule.

2. Underline or circle every bolded and capitalized word.

One of the nice parts of the AP® Biology free response section is that the College Board draws attention to what they are asking you to answer. This means you need to make sure you answer it!

Bolded and capitalized words are often the easiest way to figure out the root of the question. Typically you can break down how much each question is worth from the bolded and capitalized words.

One of our best test taking tips is to make sure you check off or star next to the word after you’ve answered it in your free response. This serves as a visual checklist for you to make sure you answered all parts of the question.

3. Understand what the question is asking you and identify common AP® Biology directive words.

common AP® Biology free response directive words

One of the easiest ways students get tripped up in their AP® Biology exam review is not actually answering the question that the test makers are asking. It’s a commonly cited piece of advice from the College Board readers.

Here are nine common AP® Biology question stems (directive words) to make sure you know cold:

Calculate: This is where you’ll be asked to solve a problem. Two points are typically awarded for these parts, one for the right answer and one for showing your work.
Compare: This is where you must outline similarities between two or more things. It’s important you specifically only outline similarities; don’t get this confused with contrast!
Contrast : This is where you must show the differences between two or more things.
Discuss: This is where you’ll want to outline pros and cons on a topic, process, theory or technique.
Describe: This sort of question assesses your ability to characterize something; for example: the functions of a certain part of a cell.
Explain: This is where you need to demonstrate your ability to make something understandable.
Identify: This is where you will need to give a direct answer to the question. It’s usually closely related to reading a diagram or graphical representation.
Interpret: This is where you need to analyze something critically or explain something that isn’t clear.
Justify: This is where you must explain why something may happen. This is testing similar skills to interpret and explain.

Stems like calculate, explain, and justify are often associated with two-point problems.

Notice how some of these stems are open-ended. For example, discuss, describe, explain, and interpret are all generally pretty-open ended. Typically, this should clue you in that your answer should be thorough for this part of the problem. For example, if you’re asked to explain why a certain result may occur from an experiment — you would need to exhaustively cover the set up of the experiment, as well as what makes that particular experimental design an effective way to measure the dependent variable.

Make sure you do not make the mistake of only providing a single sentence answer when so many points are at stake!

AP® Biology students most often lose 5+ points when it comes to the first and second problems in the free response section. These are points you can’t get back, and can dramatically impact the way you score.

There are a handful of other common stems — be sure to review the past AP® Biology released exams to familiarize yourself with them.

4. Be succinct in your AP® Biology free responses.

This isn’t an AP® English Language free response essay. One of the most common mistakes AP® Biology students make when answering free response questions is thinking if they just write a lot, they can score more points. This is not true.

For example, if the question asked you to identify four properties of something and you list out nine, you will only get points for the first four you stated.

It is not the responsibility of your AP® reader to figure out what you meant. It is your responsibility as the AP® Biology test taker to communicate clearly through your writing.

A few principles to remember when writing your AP® Biology free responses:

Don’t restate the question. This is unnecessary and will not score you points.
Write in complete sentences.
If doing a calculation, make sure you clearly identify your final answer (this is most easily done by boxing your answer), AND show your work. A point is typically awarded for showing your work.
Once you answer the question, move on. One of the most common mistakes AP® Biology students make is by making a contradicting statement after they stated the right answer. If there is a contradicting statement made, you can lose out on points.
Remember the prior tip for graphing as well. If it asks you to plot, put the data points in the graph. If the question asks you to graph, draw a line or curve. Do not extend beyond the provided data unless you’re explicitly asked in the question to predict or extrapolate a result.
When graphing, make sure you follow graphing conventions. This means titling your chart, labeling your axes, scaling appropriately, and selecting the right type of graph.
Be mindful of your handwriting. While it’s not formally part of the grading process, if your AP® Reader cannot decipher your handwriting in the limited amount of time they have grading your exam, you are making it harder for them to give you points.

A final overarching principle is to make sure you practice completing your thoughts within a prompt. This has been called “closing the loop” and it is one of the most frequent mistakes students make here is when they’re asked for example to state the direction something is changing in the prompt, but then fail to do so.

5. Practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Mastering the AP® Biology free response section comes down to two things: understanding how the free response is graded, and then learning how to answer questions that fit those expectations.

Sometimes students do a great job of learning the rubrics, but don’t practice enough on actually writing sample responses or vice versa. When you’re starting your AP® Biology free response review, it’s helpful to first try out a past set of released questions, then grade yourself with the scoring guidelines.

See how long it took you to answer each question, how effective you were at answering the actual question posed, and where you missed out on points.

After a few times of doing this, you’ll begin to be more mindful of what the test makers are looking for in your responses.

Return to the Table of Contents

25 AP® Biology FRQ Tips to Scoring a 4 or 5

Now that we’ve covered how to write effective AP® Biology free responses, we’ll shift gears to cover some tips and tricks to maximizing your FRQ score.

When interpreting data, make sure you provide reasoning to support a claim. In recent years of exams, students have struggled in understanding the two-part nature of questions that ask to explain or justify something.
Interpreting and constructing models are different skills. It is not enough just to be able to create a phylogenetic tree. A student needs to understand what the model they construct actually says.
Practice applying fundamental knowledge of basic biology to giving an explanation for why you chose to present data in a certain way.
Be specific but with purpose ! Sometimes students include unnecessary specificity that doesn’t actually answer what the question is asking. Provide your reasoning — don’t just repeat something given in the prompt.
Use “claim-evidence-reasoning”. This is where you break down an argument into these parts to make your point more clear.
When asked to make a comparison, make sure to answer the before and after state of the comparison.
When reviewing commonly tested topics such as the modeling of a cell signaling pathway, make sure you are able to describe each step of the pathway and anticipate what might happen if a particular step was activated or inhibited.
Practice reading multiple types of tables, then make sure you also practice creating your own tables with data. Remember the earlier tip to follow standard graphing conventions. Students have missed points in recent years for mistakes like forgetting to have units in their axes or missing labels.
Building on the prior tip, practice creating graphs from different sources of information — for example, you may have to draw a diagram from a narrative description. You should feel comfortable with creating different types of graphs like bar, dual Y axes, line, semi-log, etc.
Practice incorporating evidence from your own knowledge of biology — this can help in thoroughly answering questions that ask you to justify or interpret something.
Always be thinking about how to apply prior things you’ve learned to a new situation — the College Board is known for asking AP® Biology questions that cover something you’ve never directly learned before, but they are often questions that require you to apply one or two concepts you have previously had exposure to. This was a common mistake made by students in the 2019 exam on question 1 when students often missed points for not applying changes in molecular processes to ecological relationships.
Remember that natural selection has two notions: survival AND reproduction. This was a commonly missed point over the course of the last few years.
When answering experimental design questions, make sure you practice being specific in stating the change that may occur in an experiment. It’s not enough just to say that a change will occur. Make direct comparisons to the control group. When you fail to explain the different parts of an experiment and how it is designed, it makes it difficult for the reader to believe that you truly understand how to build a meaningful experiment.
Questions that test you on experimental design should always have a control, a variable to test in a few ways, a hypothesis, expected results, and clear graphs.
Know the difference between a dependent variable and an independent variable. There can be several independent variables but there can only be one dependent variable in a well-constructed experiment.
Remember that hypotheses (predictions) should compare the experimental group to a control group. It is not enough just to say something like “X will change” — it is better to say “X will change by being more Y” — notice how in this latter response, we’re being intentional and specific with directionality of the change.
If you don’t remember the exact name of a concept or how to spell it, try describing it or giving your best shot at spelling it. You can sometimes earn points for defining relevant terms.
Answer the AP® Biology free responses questions any way you’d like. All you need to do is make sure you’re making clear which question you are answering. Taking this approach is a common strategy for managing your time effectively.
Keep your opinion out of your free response answer. Your AP® Bio free responses should be backed by things you learned in class and actual science.
Wear a watch when practicing and taking the actual AP® Biology exam. You need to be familiar with how to pace yourself in different parts of the FRQs. It’s common sense, but longer questions deserve more time while shorter questions should take you less time.
If you’re given a parameter, follow it…when questions ask you to state something in a sentence or two, you should not write four sentences. Follow directions!
Make sure you explain terms when you use them — assume your grader knows little about AP® Biology.
Use a black or blue ink pen. Doing so makes it easier for your AP® Biology exam to be graded.
Try every question. One of the most common pieces of advice from AP® Biology teachers is to make sure you put something down for every question. You do not lose points for getting things wrong, but you miss out entirely on points for not answering a question at all.
Know your commonly tested diagrams cold. Concepts that often have related diagrams like cell signaling pathways, or Punnett squares are topics to make sure you understand when given different forms of information. For example, with Punnett squares you should be comfortable describing all outcomes in a variety of ways (such as in percentages and ratios, as phenotypes or genotypes). You should be comfortable creating Punnett squares when given information about the parent generation, or the F1 generation.

Wrapping Things Up: How to Write AP® Biology FRQs

We’ve covered a lot of ground when it comes to answering AP® Biology free response questions. Here are a few key things to remember:

Know how AP® Biology FRQ points are rewarded.
Build the habit of identifying the sources of points in questions. Circle or underline these to figure out how valuable different parts of a question are.
Understand the question being asked — learn the directive words the College Board often uses and what they are asking for.
Master commonly tested skills such as experimental design and graphing (including interpretation of graphs).
Review commonly tested AP® Biology topics. Refer to the curriculum and exam description to see the percentage breakdown of different units.
Be specific and succinct in your responses. This is not an AP® English Language essay.
Try every question and be intentional in the order in which you answer each one. Tackle the questions you feel most confident in first.

We hope you’ve found this extensive guide helpful for your AP® Biology exam review. If you’d like additional free response or multiple choice practice, check out Albert for hundreds of original standards-aligned practice questions.

If you found this post helpful, you may also like our AP® Biology tips here or check out our AP® Biology score calculator here .

We also have an AP® Biology review guide here .

Need help preparing for your AP® Biology exam?

Albert has hundreds of AP® Biology practice questions, free response, and full-length practice tests to try out.

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Biology Extended Essay: The Complete Guide for IB Students

by Antony W

March 13, 2023

Biology Extended Essay is an assignment that requires you to explore biological issue relevant to you and your environment.

Your focus should be on a particular biological emphasis within a broader context of scientific investigation. Given that the focus is on a biological system, you’ll have to make an analytical argument as you write the essay.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know about the IB Biology Extended Essay . Our goal with this lesson is to give you the most important information about the subject so that you can get the assignment done right.

What is Biology in an IB Extended Essay?

Biology in IB Extended Essay is the examination of living organisms and their life processes. The assignment integrates biological theories and examines the nature of the subject.

While you can approach a Biology EE from varying viewpoints, the treatment of the material used in your investigation must be 100% biological.

IB Biology Extended Essay Topics

The topic you choose to explore in your IB Biology Extended Essay shouldn’t be too broad or too narrow. Make sure you choose a focused topic that’s easy to investigate and easy to explain.

Your teacher expects you to explain how you arrived at your research question, and the best way to do that is to outline the aspects you wish to consider in the essay.

You may also have to formulate one or more hypothesis based on the research question.

The EE guide on the subject recommends that you choose your topics carefully, making sure you refrain from inappropriate topics such as those that are likely to inflict pain, involve the use of dangerous substances, or linked to safety concern.

You should avoid topics whose outcome are either obvious or already well known and documented in textbooks.

Doing Research for Your IB Biology Extended Essay

You will need to do primary and secondary research for your Biology Extended Essay.

1. Primary Research

For primary research, you can collect data from fieldwork, surveys, biological drawings, and biological observations.

If you’ve picked topic that requires practical work, you may have to conduct multiple, extensive fieldwork or do lab tests. In such a case, you will have to provide a detailed explanation of the experimental research procedures sued.

2. Secondary Research

When it comes to secondary research, you get data or information from literature.

Some students restate the information they collect from secondary sources, but doing so often adds little or no value to a Biology Extended Essay.

Therefore, the right approach is to analyze the data or information in an original way to add a new dimension and value to your research and to the essay at large.

Whether you do primary research, secondary research, or a combination of both, you need to make sure you have access to enough data or information to answer your research question.

How Do You Write an IB Biology Extended Essay?

The first step to writing a comprehensive, 4,000-word essay in Biology EE is to use the right scientific techniques to analyze the data you collect during research.

You then have to present your argument or evaluation based on the analysis you’ve completed.

You can include graphs, tables, and diagrams, and make sure you point out their significance in the essay so they’re easy to understand.

As with any other EE, your Biology essay should have a good structure and demonstrate a logical progression. Feel free to use headings and subheadings in the essay because it imposes a concise structure.

Your evaluation of the research questions should demonstrate that you not only understand the results from your experiments but also can explain their significance in a wider academic context.

Since you aren’t sure about what to expect from biological experiments, you may have to account for anomalies or unexpected results in your investigation.

In such a case, you have to provide explanations for the expected outcome and give an alternative explanation for such findings.

The subject also allows you to propose slight or major changes to the hypothesis presented in the essay, in which case you will have to suggest relevant approaches to testing the new changes.

Evaluation of Your Biology EE

Writing your EE in Biology also requires that you undertake a critical evaluation of the work that you have already done.

The evaluation helps you to identify and explain the limitation of your research by a number of factors including the reliability and validity of statistics, the precision of experimenting equipment and the reliability of sources.

You also need to consider biological limitations of your research. Such limitations are likely to arise from the inability to generalize based on a single form of an organism or problems of control and repeatability when using living organisms in your research.

Biology Internal Assessment vs Biology Extended Essay

It’s important to keep in mind that a Biology Extended Essay is not an extension of the Internal Assessment in the same subject. There are a few differences that set the two assignments apart, and it’s important to know them before you start working on the essay.


The student has to analyze the aspects of Biology not covered in the syllabus	The Internal Assessment focuses on the biology aspects taught in the syllabus
In Biology EE, you have to develop a theoretical framework for the topic you choose to examine	Instead of creating a theoretical framework for the topic, you focus on the application of the methods used to solve a problem
A student can use primary sources, secondary sources, or both. This means they can base their research on already existing literature	This assignment includes data collection an analysis, which a student can’t base purely on literature review
The assignment focuses on the ability of an IB student to evaluate scientific arguments.	The assignment assesses the student’s ability to apply scientific methods to solve a biological problem

Get Extended Essay Writing Help

Do you need help with your Extended Essay in Biology? Our team of IB experts is here to help you write the 4,000-word essay, even if it’s on a complex topic. You can click here to learn more.

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Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

A title page
Contents page
Introduction
Body of the essay
References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

A check on plagiarism and malpractice
Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.


30-34	Excellent: A
25-29	Good: B
17-24	Satisfactory: C
9-16	Mediocre: D
0-8	Elementary: E

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):


A	10.1%
B	24.4%
C	40.8%
D	22.5%
E	1.4%
N (No Grade Awarded)	0.7%

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

Business Management 1
Chemistry 1
Chemistry 2
Chemistry 3
Chemistry 4
Chemistry 5
Chemistry 6
Chemistry 7
Computer Science 1
Economics 1
Design Technology 1
Design Technology 2
Environmental Systems and Societies 1
Geography 1
Geography 2
Geography 3
Geography 4
Geography 5
Geography 6
Literature and Performance 1
Mathematics 1
Mathematics 2
Mathematics 3
Mathematics 4
Mathematics 5
Philosophy 1
Philosophy 2
Philosophy 3
Philosophy 4
Philosophy 5
Psychology 1
Psychology 2
Psychology 3
Psychology 4
Psychology 5
Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
Visual Arts 1
Visual Arts 2
Visual Arts 3
Visual Arts 4
Visual Arts 5
World Religion 1
World Religion 2
World Religion 3

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September 18, 2024

Preparing to Write an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Oluwadara Adetula

In this article, share article.

So you’ve been given an assignment to write an essay, or you just want to flex the muscles of your writing skills. You may be unsure where to start at first, but with the right approach, you will soon get the hang of it. Writing an essay can be an engaging and rewarding process.

Whether you’re preparing for an assignment or an exam, following a few simple steps will help you feel confident and organised. Let’s explore how to prepare yourself before putting pen to paper.

A thoughtful boy about to write his essay

6 Steps to Write Your Essay

1. understand the topic.

Before you write an essay, take a moment to understand what the topic is asking. What is the main question or task? Are you supposed to explain, argue, or describe something? Take your time to break down the topic and make sure you know exactly what’s expected.

2. Do Your Research

Once you understand the topic, gather information. Use your textbook, class notes, and trusted online sources to get facts and ideas. Remember, the better your research, the more interesting your essay will be. Keep track of the key points you find, as these will guide your writing.

3. Create an Outline

A great essay needs a plan. Before diving into writing, outline your ideas. Start with your introduction, where you’ll present the main idea. Then, plan your body paragraphs, each focusing on one idea with supporting evidence. Finally, think about how you’ll wrap up your essay in the conclusion.

4. Organise Your Thoughts

While outlining, make sure your ideas are well-organised. Each paragraph should flow logically into the next. This structure will make your essay easier to follow. When you write an essay with clear connections, your reader will find it easier to understand your points.

5. Think About Your Voice

Your essay should sound like *you*, not someone else. Use the language you’re most comfortable with and keep it clear and simple. Don’t worry about trying to sound too fancy. What’s most important is expressing your ideas in a way that’s easy to follow and understand.

6. Stay Relaxed

Writing doesn’t have to be stressful. Pause when you need to, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stuck. The more relaxed you are, the more creative and focused your essay will be.

Preparing to write an essay is all about planning. Understand the topic, research thoroughly, create an outline, stay organised, and write. Writing becomes easier when you have a clear plan and stay true to your voice. Remember, essays are just a way to share your thoughts and ideas—so have fun with it!

In case you did not know, we have many amazing video lessons on the uLesson app that will help you improve your English skills, including writing, speaking, and reading. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, download it now , or use the web version . Enjoy 5 days of premium access when you register. But don’t let the fun stop; choose a learning plan so you have unlimited access for as long as you need!

Good luck, and happy writing!

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KCSE BIOLOGY BIOLOGY ESSAY QUESTIONS WITH MARK SCHEMES 1. Explain the various ways in which a typical cell is adapted to its functions Has a cell membrane; with pores; that regulates substances entering and leaving the cell; cytoplasm; contain sugars and salts; for maintaining its osmotic pressure; also has a liquid
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A Biological essay is a technical piece of assignment that requires careful topic selection, structure, and writing. So if your teacher hasn't given you a title for the essay, you should tread carefully when choosing topics.. In this post, we share with you a list of 50+ Biology related ideas, which you may find useful and equally interesting during the brainstorming stage.
AQA biology essays
The movement of carbon-containing substances within and between organisms. (AKA an essay from hell) Respiration. Photosynthesis. Digestion. Saprophytes. Food Chains and feeding relationships. Carbon Cycle ( No longer on the specification) The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms.
101 Biology Essay Topics & Research Titles at StudyCorgi
The paper distinguishes these two processes. Scientific Investigation of Sleep: A Biology Lab. According to the experiment, sleep is a critical component of human well-being. Adequate sleep refreshes a person's mind, body, and heart, minimizing stress. Cell Biology: Cell Sizes, Types, and Theories.
How to Answer AP® Biology Free Response Questions
Review commonly tested AP® Biology topics. Refer to the curriculum and exam description to see the percentage breakdown of different units. Be specific and succinct in your responses. This is not an AP® English Language essay. Try every question and be intentional in the order in which you answer each one.
Biology Extended Essay: The Complete Guide for IB Students
Biology in IB Extended Essay is the examination of living organisms and their life processes. The assignment integrates biological theories and examines the nature of the subject. While you can approach a Biology EE from varying viewpoints, the treatment of the material used in your investigation must be 100% biological.
The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, Ideas
Body of the essay. Conclusion. References and bibliography. Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories, or IB subject groups, which are as follows: Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature. Group 2: Language Acquisition. Group 3: Individuals and Societies. Group 4: Sciences.
Preparing to Write an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing an essay can be an engaging and rewarding process. Whether you're preparing for an assignment or an exam, following a few simple steps will help you feel confident and organised. Let's explore how to prepare yourself before putting pen to paper. A thoughtful boy about to write his essay. 6 Steps to Write Your Essay 1. Understand the ...
Opinion Essay Write-In Supports Dialogue Across Difference Initiative
Sue Mendelsohn and Aaron Ritzenberg, both senior lecturers in the Department of English and Comparative Literature, have won a Dialogue Across Difference Seed Grant for their project, Opinion Essay Write-in.. Dialogue Across Difference, an Office of the Provost initiative, aims to support new spaces for critical, difficult conversations that promote constructive dialogue with mutual respect ...

How to Write a Biology Essay

Understand the Biological Context

Formulate a Hypothesis or Research Question

Conduct Detailed Research and Data Collection

Create and Follow a Structured Outline with Scientific Rigor

Incorporate Scientific Evidence

Consider Formatting and Technical Details

Spend Time on Proofreading and Peer Review

Care about Adherence to Ethical Guidelines

Biology Essay Conclusion

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How to Write a Biology Essay

What is a Biology Essay?

How to Write a Good Essay in Biology

Some Essay Tips for Successful Writing

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How to answer A-level Biology essay questions

Think broadly…

Visualize and catastrophize!

Pick your strongest topics

Keep an eye on the question

Use outside knowledge

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Tips on How to Write a Biology Essay: Learn from the Example of Jellyfish Essay

How to Write a Biology Essay

What is Biology Essay

How to Craft a Perfect Essay About Biology

Choose Your Biology Essay Topic

Choose a Question for Research

Create an Outline

Use a Strong Thesis Statement

Use Citation and References

How to Structure a Biology Essay

Biology Essay Introduction

Jellyfish Essay - Example of a Biology Essay About a Fascinating Creature of the Ocean

Practical Tips for Creating Perfect Academic Papers

Search for Samples or Examples

Read Whenever You Can

Practice Makes Perfect

Always Organize Your Writing Process

Proofread and Get Other Feedback

Interesting Biology Essay Topics from Our Experts to Practice Your Writing

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Mastering A Level Biology Essays: Smart Tips and Unbeatable Examples

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How To Write A Biology Essay

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Biology essay topics

Biology essay structure

1. The title

2. The content page

3. The research question

4. The introduction

5. The investigation

6. The analysis

7. The biology essay conclusion

8. The references

9. Sources for essay choice

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