<p>@vitaminXD I think IBO is going to be held in Switzerland. I’ve heard that people in Switzerland are very nice. :)</p>
<p>@MedicalBoy Basically, you intensively study biology from a textbook, such as Campbell and Reece. Then, sometime in February, schools administer an exam to get past the open round. If you make the cut, then you take another exam to see if you can get into the finals. Everyone in finals goes to a week long training camp, and then four students are selected to represent the US in the International Biology Olympiad. If you can make it past the open round, it looks very good on a college app because most of the students get cut at the open round. </p>
<p>I’m going to study after I finish my homework, just like I studied some extra stuff last year.</p>
<p>@vitaminXD: You and I share that habit
Studies show that using a pen or pencil to guide you helps keep track of where you are, so you don’t accidentally read the wrong line or something.</p>
<p>Me neither! I’m so pumped about this coming year’s open!</p>
<p>@starchow - I haven’t seen Purves before, but someone I know likes that book.</p>
<p>@AspiringBioGod</p>
<p>re: Mycoplasmas. I think (I’m not sure) it might be because they’re more closely related to gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria, but I don’t know.</p>
<p>And glycocalyx is a general term for a sugary glycoprotein coating present on the outside of some cells. (glyco = sugars ; calyx = covering)</p>
<p>@Mansu007 - I’m not sure what you’re asking? Light does have to pass through the lens before it can activate cells in the retina. (There’s a few sensory cells in the iris that are used for day/night recongization (this is unimportant and you probably won’t have to deal with them)).</p>
<p>@Studious:</p>
<p>Three days is roughly how long it took me to read Alberts.</p>
<p>Stupid 14 hour layover.</p>
<p>[retension - well, quite a bit, but not the telomerase section, apparently, which showed up on the IBO]</p>
<p>@starchow</p>
<p>The AP book I know of is Campbell Biology, AP edition, by Reece and a bunch of people no one cares about. (Sorry, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain and Steven A. Wasserman)</p>
<p>@NSQ: I didn’t doubt that you could read a new text in a few days and retain quite a bit. You already have a really solid foundation and knowledge of science. But for someone just starting to study biology in-depth, it may not be the best idea to rush things.</p>
<p>Grrr…I am furious with myself because of Plant sections in C&R… I currently read few pages in Raven Plant Biology, and that book explains the concept on plant claasification and physiology a lot better than Campbell…</p>
<p>NSQ@ I think I saw the similar problem in one of IBO released test…I will et you know as soon as I can.</p>
<p>hi! I’m new here, I have campbell 8th ed., i’m just wanna try Purves or Raven Biology (not the plants), and I have no idea between both of them, I don’t know which is the best. Recommend me something? I’m a little bit confused because in IBO, Plants anatomy and Physiology is just 15% but why do you all really need Biology of Plants by Raven?? Is it just too detail to be learned? thanks anyway!</p>
<p>^ If you have Campbell, you don’t really need Purves or Raven! A lot of the content is somewhat similar and they are commonly used as alternatives for each other. That being said, if you really want one, I guess Raven’s (not plant biology) is the better choice, although you can’t go wrong with the other.
On Botany/Plant A+P: 15% could save you a lot of points, if you think about it. Anyways, imagine a textbook like Raven’s Biology of Plants (which is about 880 pgs.) and compare it to the 100 or so pages on all of plants in Campbell. For the open (and maybe even semifinal) exam, the Raven’s Plant textbook isn’t that important, but a good book to read, IMO. The USABO will probably have a few plant questions that will not be from Campbell’s. </p>
<p>By the way, this information is based on other threads (USABO 2012) and experts on this thread (not me). If you want more accurate info, I’m sure someone who has a great deal of experience will reply.</p>
<p>@MathGuy777 Okay then, thanks a lot for your comment!
I’m trying to buy Biology of Plants by Raven but I’m not sure with the edition, the newest one is really expensive, and I’m afraid the old one will be obsolete. Can I ask one question:
emm… there’s a lot of countries in the world participating for IBO. And some countries are using a lot of books like: 1) C&R 8th Ed. , 2) C&R Concepts and Connection 3) Purves 4) many others specific biology books, but when they got into IBO, they didn’t even win a gold medal ! how poor was that… and you all seem to read that only campbell as the major book and some other books and USA won 4 gold medals, don’t you think that I have to focus on that campbell 100% so I can make it into the final?</p>
<p>I have Alberts, and it is written with excruciating detail. It’s a bit thicker than Campbell’s, but the text is much smaller than Campbell’s. I would say that Alberts can be used for specific sections, such as the immune system (that’s what I used it for). It took me a month to get through just one chapter, but then again, I was in 8th grade, and I didn’t have a deadline (and I also took notes).</p>
<p>Dear Placoid,
It’s (almost) unanimous that Campbell Biology if the most important book to understand through Open and Semifinal Exams. During semifinals, I don’t know, but maybe a Raven’s Biology of Plants is good too. Once again, the other books aren’t that important (although you should read over them if you have free access to it) until you reach USABO and IBO. Some other books like Alberts is good for USABO and IBO. If you have trouble doing well on the previous USABO opens, you may want to go further into Campbell.</p>
<p>I have Raven Plant Biology, Alberts Molecular Bio of Cells, and Voets Biochem books…
I did not even dare to read Alberts and Voets (they are monstrous and making me realize how Campbell Biology is like a study guide for Biology).</p>
<p>Raven Plant Biology is really good book if you have trouble understanding Campbell Biology’s plant and biodiversity sections. Raven gives very clear explanation. But for Open and Semi, Campbell is your best choice.</p>
<p>I have a question regarding to general biology textbook for USABO. I have been firmly believed that Campbell is an essential textbook for the Bio Olympiad, but some people recommend Raven General Biology or Purves Life Science textbooks… Are they any good when compared to Campbell? What are the main differences and weaknesses?</p>
<p>@Mansu: Campbell is definitely the best. The difference is that USABO uses Campbell, not Raven, not Purves, or any other book. People who have Campbell haven’t used any other books for USABO Finals Preparation, so you won’t have to worry.</p>
<p>Hey guys, I just have one quick question. I tried looking online for the schedule of the 2013 usabo, but I couldn’t find any. But on the calender for the 2012 usabo on the CEE website said that the open exam date for 2012 was in Feb. I was just wondering if it is going to be approximately the same time this year or what? Thanks!</p>
