Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

The Human Digestive System: An Introduction

The digestive system transfers organic nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and water from the foods we eat to the internal environment. Upon entering the body, food moves through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the nutrients are absorbed and transported to the circulatory system where they are utilized.

Net Gain to the Body

Food and air are the primary sources of net gain to the body.

Distribution within the Body

Nutrients and substances are distributed throughout the body via the GI tract, lungs, storage deposits, and metabolism.

Net Loss from the Body

Excretion from the body occurs via the lungs, GI tract, kidneys, and skin.

Epithelial Cells

Epithelial cells separate compartments and are crucial in the digestive... Continue reading "Human Digestion and Metabolic Regulation" »

Mastering English Grammar and Vocabulary

Grammar and Sentence Practice

1. Peter was looking forward to escaping from Auschwitz with Mary.
2. In spite of women having a professional life, they still have to do most of the housework.
3. Peter and Mary were given two different books in the afternoon.
4. He isn't attracted by the wages and the working conditions.
5. Mary has pushed the table into the corner.
6. Mary, whose purse has been stolen, was very upset.
7. If Peter tried harder, he could find a job.
8. If he hadn't arrived so late, he would have seen the famous writer.
9. Mary doesn't mind working hard for the organization.
10. The teacher asked the students to stop those attacks.
11. They used to live in peace when they were children.
12. Unless you return my trainers, I will tell the teacher.

General Formal Letter Template

Dear [Title + Surname] (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Mr. Smith),

I am writing to you regarding/concerning [briefly state the topic or issue]. I would like to [express your purpose: suggest, complain, request, express concern, etc.].

Firstly, [present your first main point – describe the situation or give background information]. This is important because [give a reason or example].

Secondly, [give another reason, suggestion, or concern]. This could help [explain the benefit or consequence].

Furthermore/In addition/Moreover, I believe that [add a final thought or broader benefit].

I hope you will take my [suggestion/request/concern] into consideration. I would be grateful if you could let me know your thoughts on this... Continue reading "Effective Formal Letter Writing Techniques" »

Mastering English Grammar and Workplace Vocabulary

This document provides a concise collection of examples and exercises focusing on essential English grammar concepts, including relative clauses and pronouns, alongside practical workplace vocabulary. Enhance your understanding of formal and informal language usage and expand your professional lexicon.

Essential Workplace Vocabulary

• The deadline is tomorrow, not a day later.
• The perks include a company car.
• He first started working here as a clerk.
• That’s nonsense. It’s just not true.
• She’s been promoted to a new position.
• I’m not a slave. I don’t work for free.
• This week I’m working the early shift.
• I need help. This task requires teamwork.

Common Relative Pronouns and Prepositions

Here is... Continue reading "Mastering English Grammar: Clauses, Pronouns & Workplace Terms" »

C printf Function: Format Specifiers Explained

The printf function in C is used to display formatted output to the standard output (usually the console). It allows programmers to control how data is presented by using **format specifiers**. Format specifiers are placeholders that define the type of data being printed and how it should be formatted. They begin with a % symbol, followed by a character that specifies the data type.

Role of Format Specifiers

Format specifiers serve two main purposes:

1. Data Type Identification: They inform the printf function about the type of data being passed as an argument. For example, %d is used for integers, while %f is used for floating-point numbers.
2. Formatting Control: They allow customization of how the data

Nervous System Anatomy

• Functions:

  • Controls perception (sight, touch, hearing, taste).
  • Maintains homeostasis (e.g., blood pressure, body temperature).

• Divisions:

  • Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain & spinal cord (processes information and sends responses).
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Motor & sensory neurons connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.

• PNS Subdivisions:

  • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movement (e.g., moving hands).
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate).
    • Sympathetic Division (Fight or Flight): Increases alertness, heart rate, etc.
    • Parasympathetic Division (Rest & Digest): Slows heart rate, promotes digestion, etc.

• Structural Differences (Autonomic):

  • Parasympathetic: Long preganglionic

Essential English Vocabulary and Phrasal Verbs

Look back on

Recordar

Look down on

Menospreciar

Stand up for

Defender

Go through

Pasar por

Miss out on

Perderse algo

Keep up with

Mantener el ritmo

Come up against

Enfrentarse a algo

Get on with

Ponerse a ello

To keep a close watch on

Vigilar de cerca

It turns out that

Resulta que

A common sight

Muy habitual

On a leash

Con correa

To make way for

Hacer espacio

Be scrap

Sobrar

To fight for scraps

Luchar por las sobras

To perch on

Posarse en

Turning point

Un cambio decisivo

To seek ways to improve

Buscar maneras para mejorar

To overcome

Superar

To achieve

Alcanzar

Adjectives for Describing Change and Quality

• Remarkable: Notable
• Dramatic: Importante
• Far-reaching: De gran alcance
• Refreshing: Fresco
• Subtle: Sutil
• Appealing: Atractivo
• Affordable: Económico
• Effortless:

Essential English Vocabulary

Personality Vocabulary (English to Spanish)

• Innocence → Inocencia
• Sensitivity → Sensibilidad
• Shy → Tímido/a
• Self-conscious → Cohibido/a
• Confident → Seguro/a de sí mismo/a
• Frustration → Frustración
• Assertive → Asertivo/a
• Nervous → Nervioso/a
• Defensive → A la defensiva
• Openness → Apertura
• Aggressive → Agresivo/a
• Impatient → Impaciente

Actions and Gestures Vocabulary

• Wave → Saludar con la mano / Agitar la mano
• Catch their eye → Llamar su atención / Cruzar miradas
• Hold hands → Tomarse de la mano / Agarrarse de la mano
• Interrupt → Interrumpir
• Apologize → Disculparse / Pedir perdón
• Answer your mobile phone → Contestar el móvil / teléfono
• Kiss → Besar
• Touch → Tocar
• Shaking hands → Dar la mano

Subjectivity, Objectivity, and Bias in History

• Objectivity

  • The goal of history.
  • But historians say that objectivity is not possible as history is based on interpretation, and hence subjectivity is bound to come.

• Bias

  • Something that is done deliberately.
  • For propaganda.
  • Vested interest, to prove something.
  • This is known as pattern writing.

• Why Subjectivity Enters Historical Writing

  • Social Animal

    • Everyone goes through the process of social interactions.
    • The personality that evolves through social interaction also lies within the historian.

  • Ideology

    • Ideas people incorporate with them.

  • Area of Research

    • When a historian chooses their area for investigation, the moment they choose it out of their own inherent interest, subjectivity obviously enters.

  • Religion

    • For example,