Significance of Editing and Proofreading Your Biology Research Essay

A review essay for the biological sciences serves to discuss and synthesize key findings on a particular subject

Seasoned writers know that the most critical stage of writing academic papers is always editing. While editing, you catch most of the standard mistakes and polish your papers. Properly polished papers often receive much better grades than raw ones because the general neatness of your paper and correct grammar are what most attract the reviewer’s attention. 

Suppose you want to create a decent biology research essay, which is a significant paper for your academic performance. In that case, you must dedicate enough time for thorough editing and utilize some effective hacks and tips. We have gathered the most valuable advice for proper proofreading: with our guidance, you will be able to elevate your writing to the next level. If you are still not confident in your abilities to write close-to-perfect papers, contact the science essay writing service for urgent assistance. 

Why Proofreading Is So Important 

Proofreading is reviewing a work with a critical eye for typos, grammatical mistakes, and punctuation issues. A typical proofreader’s duties include making sure all citations and formatting are consistent and pointing out any instances of ambiguity or misinterpretation. Proper proofreading aids in fixing mistakes such as run-on phrases, fragmented sentences, and comma splices. Little mistakes may slip your mind while you are engrossed in your research and writing. Proofreading is a great way to catch and repair these mistakes.

To be clear, proofreading is not the same as editing. Editing and proofreading are sometimes confused for one another by researchers and PhD candidates. Keep in mind that editing is done before proofreading, and the aim is to make the research paper more explicit by fixing spelling and grammar mistakes and ensuring it is easy to read.

Tips on Proofreading Your Biology Paper

1 – Verify Your Biology Research

Proofreading and editing means not only finding typos and errors in spelling but also applies to finding logical flaws. The most essential part of your biology paper is research, and we recommend starting by rechecking each number and statement from your study. Otherwise, you risk writing the whole paper based on inaccurate facts, which can disaster your academic performance.

2 – Understand the Difference

When you edit your work, you check it for logic, coherence, structure, and argument errors.  Grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and consistency are all aspects of a paper that should be carefully examined during proofreading. Editing focuses on the overall structure, whereas proofreading is more concerned with the specifics.

3 – We Recommend Always Starting with Editing

It is standard practice to modify a document first before moving on to proofreading. Doing so can save you the trouble of going back and addressing tiny mistakes that can easily be edited out.

Before you revise your work:

1. Give it a thorough and critical read-through.

2. Make sure it has a clear objective, research question, or hypothesis.

3. Check that the journals and your field’s specific guidelines for paper format and structure are followed.

We also recommend verifying that you have adequately introduced your study topic and provided the necessary background information in your work. Also, check that your work is well-organized and clearly displays your techniques, findings, and discussion. It would also be smart to remember that you need to include credible sources to back up your statements and conclusions throughout the paper and check that the manuscript acknowledges the limitations and consequences of your research.

4 – Listen to Feedback & Use Advanced Writing Tools

When you edit your work, you risk missing typos or weak points in your argument. Because of this, you need to use editing tools and comments to improve your paper. Software or online platforms exist to assist with many aspects of document editing, such as checking for plagiarism, readability, word count, and style.  Another option to help you find typical mistakes in your writing is to utilize a grammar or spell checker. On the other hand, you shouldn’t put all your faith in these tools—they may miss inevitable subtle mistakes or details in your paper. The best way to improve your paper is to get comments from people you respect, such as classmates, bosses, or mentors. They will be able to provide you with honest, helpful criticism. Pay attention to their feedback and change your paper based on what they say.

5 – Apply Best Proofreading Techniques

When you proofread your work, you run the risk of missing typos or grammatical mistakes that you’ve grown accustomed to. Use these proofreading approaches to make your work more correct.

To catch typos or strange phrasing you would miss when reading it silently or on your computer, you could print a copy of your paper and read it out loud. Consider reading your paper backward: it will force you to concentrate on the structure and spelling of each word rather than the overall meaning or flow of the sentences. A checklist or guide can remind you what to search for and how to fix any mistakes or inconsistencies in your paper, while a ruler or finger can assist you in avoiding skipping or repeating lines or words.

6 – Double-Check Numbers, References and Symbols

Such mistakes will easily catch the attention of reviewers but can be hard to spot for an average writer. You write this number once at the start and never return to recheck it because you are sure that the stated information is absolutely correct. The standard proofreading practice is double-checking all facts and accurate information in your biology research.

7 – Focus on One Type of Error at a Time

Keep in mind that academic writing proofreading is no picnic. As you go through your text, focus on fixing one typical error type at a time. Checking for spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors could be a good place to start. This method can help you avoid accidentally missing potential mistakes. 

The Bottom Line 

Writing an excellent biology research essay requires diligence, perseverance, and proper proofreading. We recommend not only looking for spelling errors, but double-checking each number in your final draft and each fact from your study. The outstanding research paper is a balanced combination of accurate information, perfect writing, and impeccable quality, and thorough proofreading can help you guarantee all of these.

How Much of the MCAT Is Biochemistry?

MCAT Biochemistry

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “How much of the MCAT is biochemistry?” We will introduce you to each of the MCAT sections, the main concepts you will need to learn, and some tips for studying biochemistry.

How Much of the MCAT is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry comprises approximately 25% of the MCAT, with 25 to 35 questions covering biochemistry in two of the four sections of the exam.

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test administered to individuals who wish to attend medical school in the United States. Almost all American medical schools require MCAT scores from applicants interested in pursuing careers as physicians.

Therefore, the MCAT is an extremely important exam, and both schools and applicants take it seriously. Members of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine require MCAT scores from their applicants.

The history of the MCAT is quite long. MCAT Test preparation administrations began in the 1920s when standardized intelligence tests became immensely popular in the United States. Medical school administrators were concerned about the high dropout rate among medical students and decided to design a standardized test to assess readiness for medical school.

Dropout rates dropped dramatically after the implementation of this standardized test, and most medical schools adopted it as part of their admissions process.

The MCAT content assesses several areas. The first, of course, is the basic knowledge of the physical sciences and biology. The test also evaluates the applicant’s analytical and critical thinking skills, presenting various passages and arguments that the examinee must analyze during the test.

The MCAT also assesses reading comprehension and communication skills, which are vital for clinicians.

The modern MCAT is a computerized test, although it is not adaptive like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This means that examinees can return to a section once they have completed it, as the questions are set and static.

The MCAT takes around five hours to complete, including breaks, and is administered in secure testing centers so applicants have quiet, distraction-free spaces to work.

MCAT Sections

There are four sections on the MCAT. The first tests the applicant’s knowledge of the physical sciences and also challenges the applicant to use their problem-solving skills.

The Verbal Reasoning section, Part Two, provides passages for test-takers to read and analyze, followed by a series of multiple-choice questions that test the applicant’s ability to comprehend and synthesize information. For those looking for additional support, a college paper writing service can help improve writing and analytical skills. 

The third section is a writing sample, in which the applicant responds to two short prompts that assess their communication skills and logical thinking. Finally, the life sciences section covers basic topics in biology.

Chemical + Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

The first section of the MCAT focuses on the physical sciences, specifically general chemistry and physics. It covers content in the following proportions:

30% General Chemistry

25% Biochemistry

25% Physics

15% Organic Chemistry

5% Biology

This section lasts 95 minutes and includes 15 standalone questions and 10 passages, each followed by 4 to 7 questions. To prepare for the chemistry portion, examinees need a strong grasp of the periodic table, chemical processes, and molecular bonding. The physics portion requires understanding fundamental physical laws and concepts such as motion, energy, light, and atomic structure.

Critical Analysis + Reasoning Skills

The CARS section is significantly more challenging than SAT-style reading comprehension and the verbal section of the old exams. This section covers:

50% humanities

50% social science

You are not required to have any outside knowledge; everything you need to know to answer the questions will be provided in the passages. You will have a total of 90 minutes to work through nine passages with a total of 53 questions.  If you’re struggling with essay writing as part of your test preparation, a paper writing service can help you improve your skills. 

In this section, no specific factual knowledge is required. Rather, the questions are designed to test reading comprehension, critical and logical thinking, and analytical skills. In general, test takers prepare for this section of the MCAT primarily by taking practice exams.

Biological + Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

This section covers:

65% Biology

25% Biochemistry

5% General Chemistry

5% Organic Chemistry

As with the first science section, you’ll have 95 minutes to answer 15 discrete questions and 10 passages with 4 to 7 questions each. The topics in this section vary widely, from enzyme structure to evolution. Test-takers require a thorough understanding of molecular biology, including the structure and function of DNA, as well as microbiology, including the characteristics of viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic cells.

In addition, examinees should be familiar with all major biological systems of larger animals. Finally, organic chemistry topics range from covalent bonds to the characteristics of biological molecules.

MCAT Scores

Each section of the MCAT allows a student to score between a minimum of 118 points and a maximum of 132 points. For the total sum of the four sections, a student can achieve a score ranging from a minimum of 472 to a maximum of 528.

You may have heard scores like 23 or 31 mentioned in the past. However, it’s important to clarify that these scores were used before the MCAT underwent its most recent change in 2015. Currently, all students applying to medical school are doing so with the new scoring system.

What is considered a good GMAT score?

The average for the total MCAT score is 510-511.

The average total MCAT score is 510-511. However, for the most accurate estimate, you should check directly with the programs. Especially for those who must juggle the MCAT alongside other jobs, it helps to know how much effort and time to put into preparing for the exam.

Here are some important questions to consider before beginning your research.

What MCAT Scores Do You Need for Acceptance?

To determine the MCAT score you need, it’s essential to have a target score in mind. Start by contacting the admissions office of the medical schools you’re interested in to request their preferred cutoff score. If the school doesn’t provide a specific cutoff, you can find the average GPA and MCAT scores for accepted students here.

Keep in mind that some schools may use your MCAT scores for course placement or scholarship decisions. In such cases, aiming for a score higher than the minimum requirement may increase your chances of receiving additional benefits.

How can I prepare for the MCAT?

To excel on the MCAT® Biology exam, start by gathering detailed information about the test. This knowledge will help you craft an effective study plan. The MCAT is a standardized exam with primarily multiple-choice questions. Besides biology concepts, it also assesses your understanding of physical sciences, verbal reasoning skills, and writing abilities. There are many MCAT preparation courses available online and in person.

Exploring the Biochemistry Section

For specific details about the MCAT biochemistry section, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges website. The site provides a comprehensive overview of the content covered in the biology and chemistry sections of the MCAT.

Importance of Early Preparation

A high score on the MCAT can significantly enhance your chances of getting accepted into your desired medical school. Therefore, it is beneficial to begin your study preparation early. Many experts recommend starting at least three months before the exam date.

Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with other academic tasks, you might consider using an online paper writing service to help manage your workload. Dedicating substantial study time each day can ensure thorough preparation, allowing you to cover all necessary concepts and avoid last-minute cramming, which is generally ineffective for achieving a high score.

Utilizing Study Guides and Practice Tests

Consider obtaining a copy of the Official MCAT Exam Guide, available on the Association of American Medical Colleges website. This guide contains content and questions similar to those on the actual MCAT, along with answers and detailed explanations. It also offers tips for answering questions correctly and insights into how a strong MCAT score can impact medical school acceptance.

Practice tests are an essential tool for preparing for the MCAT® Biology section. The Association of American Medical Colleges website offers practice tests, and additional tests can be found on other preparatory websites and in study guides. If you opt for an MCAT® Biochemistry Prep course, practice tests, and expert commentary are often included in the package.

Preparing to Study Biology

Students entering college find themselves researching different majors: here is some general info on what you may experience getting a degree in Biology.

Many choices confront you as you move into, through, and ultimately beyond high school. When you reach this last phase, you may be torn between a number of your interests as you consider what school to attend and what majors to consider when you get there. Like you, many including myself struggled with this question and made their choices for better or worse.

Hopefully, your choice brings you closer to what you want to spend the rest of your life doing (which you probably do not even know yet), but whatever you choose, you have arrived at this article due to at least some minor interest in the science of biology. Besides it, take into account that most courses require to write a lot. Moreover, being an active essay writer, a student is more likely to succeed in his/her study. Most students comprehend and memorize material better while making notes. 

That established, let me try to tell you a little bit about this wonderful topic which has been my own chosen area of study. I’ll try to cover some areas of interest, the potential for employment, and what to expect from your classes.

General

Biology is the science of life. According to one of the most popular college-level textbooks on the subject by Campbell and Reese: “biology is a central science, and attractive to humans because of our basic curiosity about the world around us”.

Biology is the study of all living things and their interactions with each other and their environments. Biology in general is broken up into several other categories, each a completely defined science in itself. Ecology tends to deal mainly with non-human species interactions, while environmental science tends to deal with the impacts of humans on nature.

Anatomy is the study of the human body or the body of one species, while comparative zoology is the study of the similarities and differences between species. As you can see, biology encompasses and overlaps many other sciences.

The Information Explosion

Students studying anything in high school or college currently are in the midst of what is being called an “information explosion.” The information explosion is a widely used term used to refer to the fact that the human race generates new information at a nearly incomprehensible speed. For example, according to the EMC organization, which studies information and information technology, if you wanted to store all of the current information in the world on electronic media like computer memory, you would be short of enough space by about 35%.

This makes specialization within one’s field a necessity for progress. And many biologists have chosen one special area of interest, such as endocrinology, microbiology, immunology, botany, ichthyology, and genetics; to name only a fraction. This practice of specialization is likely to become more pronounced as time moves forward. As such when you get to the more advanced levels of biology you are likely to develop a favorite area of study, and professors will quickly encourage you to try and become an expert in this topic.

Some Areas You Might Get a Job

Biology in all forms is a very engaging and rewarding science to be a part of. Some of the highest paying jobs find their roots in biology, and so do many of the most perplexing scientific questions of all time. Pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, and medicine are among the most recognized in both of these areas, due to the high amount of interest in our health and wellbeing.

Environmentalism is a popular movement in our society and awareness of the human impact on the planet seems to be ever-growing. Academics and government agencies alike are working on environmental issues such as pollution, overpopulation, and irresponsible agricultural practices. Large corporations are discovering that waste and pollution are huge problems for them. Corporate green advocates, environmental public relations, and efficiency experts are all working to rectify the image of the company as the villain by default. Quite simply it is profitable to be green nowadays, and someone with an understanding of green work practices, an interest in the wellbeing of the planet, and a good sense of public image is valuable to a company.

Academic and research biology is a growing field as well. There are barely enough students to accommodate the staggering number of subjects, and new ones seem to be being created almost every month. All of the topics I have previously mentioned can represent entire degrees in and of themselves, each requiring a great number of courses to master. As for the best essay writing service reddit, academic research leads to important new directions for science including the decoding of the human genome and the now almost commonplace practice of genomics: sequencing and studying the genetic codes of humans and other organisms.

Skills You’ll Need for College

Students of biology will experience all facets of a course in a major science. Writing ability, patience with material and vocabulary, and a keen memory and attention to detail are all essential. An understanding of all other major sciences is likely to be required through general education courses by your school, or as a prerequisite for admission into the program. Most important to the science of biology, arguably, would be a good grasp of mathematics, and an excellent understanding of chemistry. My degree required four semesters of chemistry as a minimum, and many of the upper-level biology classes introduce their chemistry concepts. Expect to deal with reaction equations, practices in working safely with chemicals, an understanding of stoichiometry, and the major molecule types important to live. Math students may find an excellent use for their abilities in both ecology and genetics, which analyze populations a great deal. Any biology student should be prepared for periodic crash courses in other topics, to deal with the complexity of life on Earth.

Conclusion

In short, knowledge of biology is currently on the rise in popularity and demand. Students of biology are a valuable commodity and a proven ability to understand the concepts represented within the science is an indispensable skill, both in monetary and scholarly measurement. If your interests fall within saving the planet, making money, solving the mysteries of life, or becoming famous (for modern celebrity biologists search: Craig Venter, Joe Davis, and Tyrone Hayes to name just a few of my personal favorites), then hopefully you can be persuaded into the study of biology, to use your talents for the benefit of all life in our universe.

Oh, and feel free to quote that last line when employers ask you why you want to work for them.