3.1.2 - The digestive
system provides an
interface with the
environment. Digestion
involves enzymic
hydrolysis producing
smaller molecules that
can be absorbed and
assimilated
The digestive system
Proteins
Enzyme
action
Enzyme
properties
Carbohydrate
digestion
3.1.1 - Disease may be caused by infectious pathogens or may reflect the effects of lifestyle
Pathogens
Lifestyle
3.1.3 - Substances are exchanged
between organisms and their
environment by passive or active
transport across exchanged surfaces.
The structure of plasma membrane
enables control of the passage of
substances across exchange surfaces.
Cells
Plasma membranes
Diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
Cholera
3.1.4. - The lungs of a mammal act as
an interface with the environment. Lung
function may be affected by pathogens
and by factors relating to lifestyle
Lung
Function
The biological basis of lung disease
3.1.5 - The functioning of the heart plays a central
role in the circulation of blood and relates to the
level of activity of an individual. Heart disease may
link to factors affecting lifestyle
Heart
structure
and
function
The biological basis of heart disease
3.1.6 - Mammalian blood
possesses a number o'
defensive functions
Principles of
immunology
Unit 2 - The variety
of living organisms
3.2.1 - Living
organisms
vary and this
variation is
influenced by
genetic and
environmental
factors
Investigating
variation
Caused of
variation
3.2.2 - DNA is an
information -carrying
molecule. Its
sequence of bases
determines the
structure of proteins,
including enzymes
Structure
of DNA
Genes and
polypeptides
DNA and
Chromosomes
Meiosis
3.2.3 -
Similarities
and
differences
in DNA
result in
genetic
diversity
Genetic
diversity
3.2.4 - The
variety of life
is extensive
and this
reflected in
similarities
and
differences in
its
biochemical
basis and
cellular
organisation
Haemoglobin
Carbohydrates
Cells
3.2.5 -
During the
cell cycle,
genetic
information
is copied
and passed
to
genetically
identical
daughter
cells
Replication
of DNA
Mitosis
Cell
Cycle
3.2.6 - In
complex
multicellular
organisms,
cells are
organised
into tissues,
tissues into
organs and
organs into
systems
Cell
differentiation
3.2.7 - Factors
such as size
and metabolic
rate affect the
requirements of
organisms and
this gives rise
to adaptations
such as
specialised
exchange
surfaces an
mass transport
systems
Size and
surface
area
Gas
Exchange
The
Blood
system
The passage
of water
through a plant
Mass
Transport
3.2.8 - Classification is a
means of organising the
variety of life based on
relationships between
organisms and is built round
the concept of species
Principles of taxonomy
3.2.9 - Originally, classification
systems were based on observable
features but more recent approaches
draw on a wider range of evidence to
clarify relationships between
organisms
Genetic
Comparisons
DNA
Proteins
Behaviour
3.2.10 - Adaptation and
selection are major
components of evolution
and make a significant
contribution to the diversity
of living organisms
Antibiotics
Genetic variation in
bacteria
3.2.11 -
Biodiversity
may be
measured
within a
habitat
Species
diversity
Index of
diversity
Unit 3 -
Internal
Assessment
Investigate
and practical
skills in AS
3.3.1 - Investigating biological problems involves changing a specific
factor, the independent variable, and measuring the changes in the
dependent variable that result
3.3.2 - Implementing
involves the ability to
work methodically and
safely, demonstrating
competence in the
required manipulative
skills and efficiency in
managing time. Raw data
should be methodically
collected and recorded
during the course of the
investigation
3.3.3 - Raw data may
require processing.
Processed data should
be used to plot graphs
that illustrate patterns
and trends from which
appropriate conclusions
may be drawn. Scientific
knowledge from the AS
specification should be
used to explain these
conclusions.
3.3.4 - Limitations are inherent in the material and apparatus used,
and procedures adopted. These limitations should be identified and
methods of overcoming them suggested.
Unit 4 -
Populations
and
environment
3.4.1 - The dynamic
equilibrium of
populations is affected
by a number of factors
Population
and
ecosystems
Investigating
populations
Variation in
population size
Human
populations
3.4.2 - ATP provides
the immediate source
of energy for
biological processes
ATP
3.4.3 - In
photosynthesis,
energy is
transferred to ATP
in the
light-dependent
reaction and the
ATP I utilised in the
light - independent
reaction
Photosynthesis
Light dependant
reaction
Limiting factors
3.4.4 - In respiration,
glycolysis takes place in the
cytoplasm of the remaining
steps in the mitochondria.
ATP synthesis is associated
with the electron transfer
chain in the membranes of
mitochondria
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration
3.4.5 - Energy
is transferred
through
ecosystems
and the
efficiency of
transfer can
be measured
Energy
transfer
Energy
and food
production
3.4.6 - Chemical elements are recycled
in ecosystems. Microorganisms play a
key role in recycling these elements
Nutrient cycles
Carbon
Nitrogen
3.4.7 - Ecosystems
are dynamic
systems, usually
moving from
colonisation to
climax communities
in the process of
succession
Succession
3.4.8 - Genetic
variation within a
species and
geographic
isolation lead to the
accumulation of
different genetic
information in
populations and the
potential formation
of new species
Inheritance
The Hardy
-Weinberg
principle
Selection
Speciation
Unit 5 -
Control in
cells and in
organisms
3.5.1 - Stimuli, both internal and external,
are detected and lead to response
Survival
and
response
Control
of heart
rate
Receptors
3.5.2 -
Coordination
may be
chemical or
electrical in
nature
Principles
Nerve
impulses
Synaptic
transmission
3.5.3 - Skeletal
muscles are
stimulated to contract
by nerves and act as
effectors
The
sliding
filament
theory of
muscle
contraction
Muscle
effectors
3.5.4 - Homeostasis is the maintenance
of a constant internal environment
Principles
Temperature control
Control of blood glucose concentration
3.5.5 - Negative feedback
helps maintain an optimal
internal state in the context of a
dynamic equilibrium. Positive
Feedback also occurs
Principles
Control of
mammalian
oestrus
3.5.6 - The sequence of
bases in DNA
determines the structure
of proteins, including
enzymes
The
genetic
code
Polypeptide
synethesis
Gene
mutation
3.5.7 - Gene expression is controlled by
a number of features
Most of a
cell's DNA is
not translated
Regulation of
transcription
and translation
3.5.8 - Gene cloning
technologies allow study and
alternation of gene function in
order to better understand
organism function and to design
new industrial and medical
processes.
Gene cloning and tranfer
Gene therapy
Medical diagnosis
Genetic fingerprinting
Unit 6 -
Internal
Assessment
Investigative
and
practical
skills in A2
3.6.1 - Investigating biological problems involves changing a specific factor, the
independent variable, and measuring the changes in the dependant variable that result
3.6.2 - Implementing
involves the ability to work
methodically and safely,
demonstrating
competence in the
required manipulative
skills and efficiency in
managing time. Raw data
should be methodically
collected and recorded
during the course of the
investigation
3.6.3 - Data should be
analysed by means of
appropriate statistical test.
This allows calculation of
the probability of an event
being due to chance.
Appropiate conclusions
should be drawn and
scientific knowledge from
the A level specification
should be used to explain
these conclusion
3.6.4 - Limitations are inherent in the material and apparatus used and procedures
adopted. These limitations should be identified, evaluated and methods of
overcoming them suggested.