Bio 100 Chapter Zero Notes

How Humans Learn

  • Sleep is absolutely required for memory consolidation.

  • Short-term memories are stored in the hippocampus.

  • Long-term memories are stored in the cerebral cortex.

  • Deep sleep (first two hours): Short-term memories move to the cortex.

  • Middle hours of sleep: The cortex sorts information into specific areas.

  • REM sleep (last two hours): The cortex practices what it has learned.

  • Four hours is the minimum sleep required for short term memories to turn into long term memories.

How to Study

  • Take handwritten notes during video lectures and while reading the textbook.

  • Handwriting notes involves processing information and deciding what's important.

  • Take lots of notes, highlighting the most important parts.

  • Paraphrase or summarize information in your notes.

  • Revise notes as needed to clarify understanding.

How to Keep Information in Our Brains

  • Forgetting occurs quickly if information isn't processed into long-term memory.

  • Repetition is key to learning.

Tips for Reducing Forgetfulness

  • Rewrite notes and course materials.

  • Set learning goals for each chapter.

  • Quiz yourself to check understanding.

Critical Thinking Skills

  • Repeat: Review material multiple times.

  • Organize: Sort information to form a big picture.

  • Link: Connect new concepts to what you already know.

  • Connect: Make real-life connections to the world around you.

Studying to Learn

  • Cramming is not effective.

  • Humans remember beginnings and endings well.

  • Concentration decreases over long periods of studying.

  • Learning is not passive; be actively involved.

  • Break up study time into smaller sessions.

How to Use Your Textbook

  • Read section headings first.

  • Read the learning goals.

  • Read each section and take notes.

  • Use the figures to reinforce concepts.

  • Take breaks after each section.

  • Quiz yourself after each section and at the end of the chapter.

Online Resources

  • Optional text resources are available on McGraw Hill Connect.

  • Optional resources like SmartBook chapters provide interactive ways to consume the text and learn.

Closing Notes

  • Use available resources (textbook, lectures, assignments).

  • Stay organized.

  • Manage your time effectively.

  • Study with the purpose of learning.

  • Get enough sleep.