BiologyQ&A by dot point

Application of reproduction and genetics: recombinant DNA technology; PCR; gel electrophoresis; DNA profiling and sequencing; genetic screening; and the ethical issues raised.

Classification and biodiversity: the three domains and the taxonomic hierarchy; phylogeny; the species concept; measuring biodiversity using the index of diversity; and genetic diversity.

Inheritance: monohybrid and dihybrid crosses; codominance and multiple alleles; sex linkage; epistasis; the use of genetic diagrams; and the chi-squared test.

Sexual reproduction in humans: gametogenesis (spermatogenesis and oogenesis); the structure of the gametes; fertilisation; and the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle.

Sexual reproduction in plants: the structure of an insect-pollinated flower; gamete formation; pollination and double fertilisation; seed and fruit formation; and adaptations promoting cross-pollination.

Variation and evolution: the sources of genetic variation; natural selection and types of selection; the Hardy-Weinberg principle; genetic drift; and speciation.

Biological compounds: the roles of water and inorganic ions; the structure of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; condensation and hydrolysis; and the biochemical tests for these molecules.

Cell division: the cell cycle and its control; mitosis and its role in growth and repair; meiosis and the production of genetic variation; and the mitotic index.

Cell membranes and transport: the fluid-mosaic model; diffusion and facilitated diffusion; osmosis and water potential; active transport; bulk transport by endocytosis and exocytosis; and the factors affecting the rate of movement.

Cell structure and organisation: the ultrastructure and functions of eukaryotic organelles; the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; microscopy and magnification; and the organisation of cells into tissues, organs and systems.

Enzymes: their role as biological catalysts; the lock-and-key and induced-fit models; the formation of enzyme-substrate complexes; the effects of temperature, pH, substrate concentration and enzyme concentration; and competitive and non-competitive inhibition.

Nucleic acids and protein synthesis: the structure of DNA and RNA; semi-conservative replication; the genetic code; transcription and translation; and the role of ATP.

Human impact on the environment: the effects of deforestation, agriculture and pollution; eutrophication; the loss of biodiversity; climate change; and conservation and sustainability.

The importance of ATP: its structure; its hydrolysis to ADP and inorganic phosphate; why it is a suitable immediate energy currency; and how it is resynthesised by phosphorylation.

Microbiology: the culturing of microorganisms; aseptic technique; the bacterial growth curve; methods of measuring population growth; and the action of antibiotics.

Photosynthesis: chloroplast structure; the light-dependent stage (photolysis of water, photophosphorylation and the reduction of NADP); the light-independent stage (the Calvin cycle); and the effect of limiting factors.

Population size and ecosystems: factors limiting population size; sampling techniques; succession; the flow of energy through trophic levels; and the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Respiration: glycolysis, the link reaction, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation; the role of NAD and FAD; anaerobic respiration; and respiratory substrates.

Option B Human musculoskeletal anatomy: the structure of the skeleton and joints; antagonistic muscle action; the structure of skeletal muscle; the sliding filament theory of contraction; and musculoskeletal injuries.

Option A Immunology and disease: pathogens and disease transmission; non-specific defences; the specific immune response; antibodies; active and passive immunity; vaccination; and antibiotics.

Option C Neurobiology and behaviour: the structure and functions of the human brain; methods of studying the brain; innate and learned behaviour; types of learning; and the role of behaviour in survival.

Experimental design and statistics: variables, controls, validity and reliability; types of error and uncertainty; the chi-squared test; correlation and causation; and choosing an appropriate statistical test.

Mathematical skills: magnification and scale; surface-area-to-volume ratio; percentages and percentage change; standard form and units; the index of diversity; the Hardy-Weinberg equation; and rates from graphs.

The Practical Endorsement: the specified practicals and core techniques (microscopy, the biochemical tests, enzyme and membrane investigations, dissection, sampling and respirometry); and how practical skills are assessed on paper.

The Eduqas exams: the three components and their structure; the assessment objectives and their weightings; the command words; and how to answer the levels-of-response Quality of Extended Response (QER) question.

Adaptations for gas exchange: the features of an efficient exchange surface; surface-area-to-volume ratio; gas exchange in mammals, fish (counter-current flow), insects and plants; and ventilation.

Adaptations for nutrition: autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition; the human digestive system; the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids; and adaptations of the small intestine for absorption.

Adaptations for transport: the mammalian heart and the cardiac cycle; blood vessels and tissue fluid; haemoglobin and the oxygen dissociation curve; and transport in plants (xylem and phloem).

Homeostasis and the kidney: the principle of negative feedback; the structure of the nephron; ultrafiltration and selective reabsorption; the role of the loop of Henle; and osmoregulation by ADH.

The nervous system: the structure of neurones; the resting and action potentials; the propagation of the nerve impulse; saltatory conduction; synaptic transmission; and the reflex arc.