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Module 2: Foundations in biology

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why is water so important to life, and how do monosaccharides build the polysaccharides that store and structure cells?

2.1.2 Biological molecules: the properties of water and their importance to living organisms; the structure of monosaccharides, the formation of glycosidic bonds by condensation, and the structure and function of starch, glycogen and cellulose; the biochemical tests for reducing and non-reducing sugars and for starch.
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.2 dot point on water and carbohydrates. Covers the biologically important properties of water, monosaccharides and condensation, the structure and function of starch, glycogen and cellulose, and the Benedict's and iodine tests.
11 min answer →

How is a eukaryotic cell organised, and how do microscopes let us see and measure it?

2.1.1 Cell structure: the ultrastructure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the function of organelles including the role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in producing and secreting proteins; the use, calibration and resolution of light and electron microscopes.
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.1 dot point on cell structure and microscopy. Covers every required eukaryotic and prokaryotic organelle, the protein secretory pathway, the three microscopes, eyepiece-graticule calibration and the magnification equation.
12 min answer →

How is DNA copied accurately, and how does its base sequence code for proteins?

2.1.3 Nucleotides and nucleic acids: the semi-conservative replication of DNA and the roles of DNA helicase, DNA polymerase and the complementary base pairing rule; the nature of the genetic code as a triplet code that is degenerate and non-overlapping; the roles of mRNA and tRNA in protein synthesis.
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.3 dot point on DNA replication and the genetic code. Covers semi-conservative replication, the roles of DNA helicase and DNA polymerase, the Meselson-Stahl evidence, and the triplet, degenerate, non-overlapping code with transcription and translation.
12 min answer →

How do enzymes lower activation energy, and what changes their rate?

2.1.4 Enzymes: the role of enzymes as biological catalysts in metabolic reactions; the mechanism of enzyme action including the lock-and-key and induced-fit models; the effects of temperature, pH, enzyme and substrate concentration on the rate of reaction; the action of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors; the roles of cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups.
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.4 dot point on enzymes. Covers enzymes as catalysts, the lock-and-key and induced-fit models, activation energy, the effects of temperature, pH and concentration, competitive and non-competitive inhibition, and cofactors.
12 min answer →

How do the structures of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids equip them for their biological jobs?

2.1.2 Biological molecules: the structure and function of triglycerides and phospholipids; the structure of amino acids, the formation of peptide bonds and the four levels of protein structure; the structure of nucleotides, DNA and RNA; the biochemical tests for lipids (emulsion test) and proteins (biuret test).
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.2 dot point on lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Covers triglycerides and phospholipids, amino acids and the four levels of protein structure, nucleotide and DNA and RNA structure, and the emulsion and biuret tests.
12 min answer →

How does meiosis create genetic variation, and how do stem cells build organised tissues?

2.1.6 Cell division, diversity and organisation: how meiosis produces haploid gametes and generates genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment; the meaning and potential of stem cells (totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent); cell specialisation and the organisation of cells into tissues, organs and organ systems.
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.6 dot point on meiosis, stem cells and cell organisation. Covers meiosis and how it generates variation, the potency of stem cells, their uses and ethics, and the organisation of cells into tissues, organs and systems.
11 min answer →

How does a cell copy itself exactly, and what happens when that control fails?

2.1.6 Cell division: the cell cycle and its regulation by checkpoints; the main stages of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase) and cytokinesis; the significance of mitosis in growth, repair and asexual reproduction; the calculation and use of the mitotic index.
A focused answer to the OCR H420 2.1.6 dot point on the cell cycle and mitosis. Covers interphase and checkpoints, the four stages of mitosis and cytokinesis, the significance of mitosis, the link to cancer, and the mitotic-index calculation.
11 min answer →