ATI TEAS Science Cheat Sheet: Important Biology Ideas and Equations
Beginning
The ATI TEAS Science section can be a lot to handle because it covers a wide range of topics, including human anatomy, cell biology, and scientific reasoning. This cheat sheet cuts through the noise and gives you the most important biology ideas and formulas you need to know to pass the TEAS exam and get into nursing school. This guide is great for quick reviews and focused study!
Important Biology Ideas to Learn
The TEAS Science section has the most biology questions. Concentrate your memorization on these essential domains:
- The structure and function of cells
You need to know the main parts of a cell and what they do.
The mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of the cell and the place where cellular respiration (ATP production) happens.
The nucleus holds the cell’s DNA (genetic material) and controls how the cell grows and reproduces.
Ribosomes: Where proteins are made (synthesized).
Cell Membrane: The barrier that lets some things in and out of the cell.
Meiosis vs. Mitosis:
Mitosis: Makes two diploid cells that are the same ($2n$). Used to fix and grow.
Meiosis makes four different haploid cells ($n$). Utilized for sexual reproduction (gametes/sex cells).
- Genetics and Passing Down
Learn the basic rules of genetics and heredity.
Allele: A different version of a gene, like the allele for blue eyes.
Genotype: The genetic structure of an organism (e.g., $BB, Bb, bb$).
Phenotype: The physical traits that can be seen (like brown eyes).
Dominant vs. Recessive: A dominant allele hides a recessive allele.
Punnett Squares: You should be able to use a $2 \times 2$ Punnett square to figure out the chances of different genotypes and phenotypes in your children.
- Microbiology
Concentrate on the distinctions among bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Bacteria are prokaryotic, which means they don’t have a nucleus. Antibiotics were used on it.
Viruses are not alive and need a host cell to make copies of themselves. Antibiotics don’t work on it.
Pathogen: An agent that causes disease, such as a virus, bacteria, fungus, or other organism.
Important Systems of Human Anatomy and Physiology
Most of the science questions on the TEAS test your knowledge of how the body’s systems work together.
- The Heart (The Cardiovascular System)
It moves oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste from cells.
Blood Flow: Know the way: The Vena Cava $\rightarrow$ Right Atrium → Right Ventricle → Pulmonary Artery → Lungs (getting oxygen) → Pulmonary Vein to Left Atrium → Left Ventricle Aorta → Body.
Arteries: Take blood with oxygen away from the heart (except for the Pulmonary Artery).
Veins: Carry blood that doesn’t have oxygen back to the heart (except the Pulmonary Vein).
- The lungs are part of the respiratory system.
Gas exchange happens in the alveoli, which are small air sacs in the lungs.
The diaphragm contracts and moves down when you breathe in, which makes the lungs bigger.
When you breathe out, your diaphragm relaxes and moves up, and the volume of your lungs goes down.
- The endocrine system (hormones)
Find out what the main hormones are and what they do.
Insulin is made by the pancreas and lowers blood sugar.
Glucagon: Made by the pancreas; raises blood sugar.
Thyroid hormones control metabolism.
Shutterstock
Look into
Alt Text: A diagram showing how the heart, lungs, and important glands in the endocrine system are all connected.
Need to remember the hard medical terms for these systems? Here’s a tip for internal links: Read our article, “TEAS Vocabulary List: 100 Must-Know Medical and General Terms to Pass.”
Important Science Formulas and Math
You don’t have to do hard math for the TEAS, but you do need to be comfortable with these basic scientific formulas, especially in the chemistry and physics sections.
- The formula for density
Density ($\rho$) is the amount of mass ($m$) in a given volume ($V$).
$$\rho = \frac{m}{V}$$ $$
If something weighs 100 grams and has a volume of 50 cm3, its density is 2 g/cm3.
- The pH Scale
The pH scale tells you how acidic or basic something is.
Acids have a pH of less than 7 ($\text{pH} < 7$). They let out hydrogen ions, which are also called H+.
Alkaline bases have a pH of more than 7 ($\text{pH} > 7$). They let out hydroxide ions ($\text{OH}^-$).
Neutral: The pH is exactly 7, which is the same as pure water.
- Changes in Temperature
You should be able to switch between Celsius ($C$) and Fahrenheit ($F$).
Fahrenheit to Celsius:
C = (F – 32) × 5/9 $$
Celsius to Fahrenheit:
$$F = (C \times \frac{9}{5}) + 32$$
Study Tips for TEAS Science
Concentrate on Interdependence
The TEAS often asks how systems work together, like how the respiratory system gives oxygen to the circulatory system. Don’t study systems by themselves.
Learn how science works
Go over the steps of the scientific method: hypothesis, experiment, data analysis, and conclusion. Know the difference between the Independent Variable (what is changed) and the Dependent Variable (what is measured).
Use Flashcards to Learn Biology Words
There are so many words to remember (like cell parts, hormones, bones, and muscles) that flashcards are a must-have for keeping them in your head.
External Authority Link: For a full list of question types and examples, see the [official ATI TEAS website.
In conclusion
The science part of the ATI TEAS is hard, but you can handle it if you study hard. You will be well-prepared to get a high score if you focus on the most important cell functions, learn the major body systems, and are ready for simple math problems.
Call to Action: Are you ready to put your knowledge to the test? Click here to get to our full-length ATI TEAS Science practice test and find out where you need to improve the most!
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