Olympiad : International Biology : Syllabus

Theoretical Part

I. Cell Biology (25 %)

Structure and function of cells
Chemical components
Organelles
Cell metabolism
Protein synthesis
Transport through membranes
Mitosis and meiosis
Microbiology
Biotechnology

II. Plant Anatomy and Physiology
(with emphasis on seed plants) (15 %)

Structure and function of tissues and organs involved in
Photosynthesis, transpiration and gas exchange
Transport of water, minerals and assimilates.
Growth and development
Reproduction (ferns and mosses included)

III. Animal anatomy and Physiology
(with emphasis on vertebrates) (15 %)

Structure and function of tissues and organs involved in
Digestion and nutrition
Respiration
Circulation
Excretion
Regulation (neural and hormonal)
Reproduction and development
Immunity

IV. Ethology (5 %)
Behavioural systems
Causes of behaviour
Conflict behaviour
Learned behaviour

V. Genetics and Evolution (15 %)
Variation: mutation and modification
Mendelian inheritance
Multiple allelism, recombination, sex linkage
Hardy-Weinberg principle
Mechanism of evolution

VI. Ecology (15 %)
Ecosystems
Food relationships
Energy flow
Bio-geochemical cycles
Succession
Population structure and dynamics
Biosphere and man

VII. Biosystematics (10 %)
Structure & function; evolutionary and ecological relationships among typical organisms in major groups
(Phyla and Classes only)

Questions concerning Principles of Scientific Reasoning and Principles of Biological Methods should be included in the above topics.

Practical Part

1. Science Process skills
   1. Observation
      
   2. Measurement
      
   3. Grouping or classification
      
   4. Relationship finding
      
   5. Calculation
      
   6. Data organization and presentation: graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, photographs
      
   7. Prediction / projection
      
   8. Hypothesis formulation
      
   9. Operational definition: scope, condition, assumption
      
   10. Variable identification and control
       
   11. Experimentation: experimental design, experimenting, result/data recording, result interpretation and drawing conclusions.
       
   12. Representing numerical results with the appropriate accuracy (correct quantity of digits)
2. Basic biological skills
   1. Observation of biological objects using magnifying glasses
      
   2. Work with a microscope (objective max. 45 x)
      
   3. Work with a stereo microscope
      
   4. Drawing of preparations (from a microscope, etc.)
      
   5. Exact description of a biological drawing using tables of biological terms marked with a numerical code
3. Biological methods
   Competitors in the IBO should know the following methods and be able to use them. If any method requires extra specific information concerning procedures which depend on special technical equipment, instruction will have to be provided.
   • Cytological methods
     1. Maceration and squash techniqu
     2. Smear method
     3. Staining of cells and slide preparation
   • Methods to study plant anatomy and physiology
     1. Dissection of plant flower and deducing of flower formula
     2. Dissection of other plant parts: roots, stems, leaves, fruits
     3. Free - hand sectioning of stems, leaves, roots
     4. Staining (for example lignin) and slide preparation of plant tissues
     5. Elementary measurement of photosynthesis
     6. Measurement of transpiration
   • Methods to study animal anatomy and physiology
     • Dissection of arthropods and annelids
     • Whole - mount slide preparation of small invertebrates
     • Elementary measurement of respiration
   • Ethological methods
     • Determination and interpretation of animal behaviour
   • Ecological and environmental methods
     • Estimation of population density
     • Estimation of biomass
     • Elementary estimation of water quality
     • Elementary estimation of air quality
   • Taxonomic methods
     • Use of dichotomous keys
     • Construction of simple dichotomous keys
     • Identification of the most common flowering-plant families
     • Identification of insect orders
     • Identification of phyla and classes of other organisms
4. Physical and chemical methods
   1. Separation techniques: chromatography, filtering, centrifugation
   2. Standard tests for monosaccharides, polysaccharides, lipids, protein (Fehling, I2 in KI(aq), biuret)
   3. Titration
   4. Measuring quantities by drip and strip methods
   5. Dilution methods
5. Statistical methods
   1. Probability and probability distributions
   2. Estimation of mean, median, percentage, variance, standard deviation, standard error, T test, chi-square
6. Handling equipment
   1. Due to differences in the equipment between participating countries, these skills can only be evaluated if the competitors have been informed beforehand about the algorithm, how the use the equipment, how to proceed with a particular experiment, etc.
   2. The specification of the biological material and work method have to be explained in advance in the corresponding Preparatory Text for the IBO.