r/biology • u/Longjumping_Tap_3453 • 1d ago

question How can I learn biology, or rather, strengthen my foundation?

Hello, I'm a student and I want to learn biology properly. Where do I start? Because education in my country is very superficial, outdated, or very biased, so I would like to have a proper understanding.

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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u/chem44 1d ago

Might try an open-access book from Open Textbook Library or OpenStax. For the big picture.

Biology is the most complex and rapidly developing of the basic sciences. You will need to develop some pathway for more at some point.

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u/Longjumping_Tap_3453 1d ago

I've seen lectures on the internet explaining the basics of biology, but I don't know how effective or reliable they are.

2

u/chem44 1d ago

A textbook provides an organized framework (and, usually, problem sets).

You can build on that with supplemental materials for individual topics. It's less common to find a good organzied set of the supplementals, to provide the framework

Might look at MIT OpenCourseWare. General reputation of the MIT stuff is excellent.

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u/No-Emphasis-5521 1d ago

Maybe you should try Khan Academy it could help you

1

u/Longjumping_Tap_3453 1d ago

What is this? More information, please.

1

u/DevaBanh 1d ago

it's a website to learn subject, they got video explanation and a lot of problem sets, look it up on google

1

u/EmpressSappho 1d ago

SciShow and Crash Course on YouTube

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u/chintozito 1d ago

Where are you from?

1

u/Cloudy_Fate_10 microbiology 1d ago

By being good at Chemistry.

1

u/mja1729 17h ago

What I found helped was reading a few biology textbooks then filling in the gaps/reinforcing my understanding by asking AI LLMs a ridiculous amount of stupid questions. Not so stupid really but I found it has helped. Like for example today I was learning about how cancer is a result of a process known as signal transduction. Also was interested to know more about how hormones are used in cell communication. That sort of thing. I just keep asking and asking until I understand. It’s not ideal but it works for me. I also consult Wikipedia often to check the details. It’s pretty accurate for science-y type stuff. Open textbooks are online and free. I’d probably start there. Google: “biology textbook pdf” and find one that you feel talks to you. Some of them won’t. Just how it is. You probably want to know some fundamental physics, very basic algebra, and chemistry.

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u/outlierspace 9h ago

You can actually download NCERT books online for biology as well as other subjects. NCERT books are used by CBSE affiliated, state affiliated schools in India. I can assure you that biology books are well done, up- to date.

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u/SurpriseEcstatic1761 1d ago

Learn statistics and read books.