Life & Health SciencesQ&A by dot point

AS 1 Experimental Techniques as an internally assessed portfolio: planning a fair investigation, identifying variables and risks, gathering and processing data with appropriate units and uncertainty, presenting results, and evaluating reliability and validity.

The structure of DNA and RNA, the gene as a sequence of bases coding for a protein, the genetic code, and the stages of protein synthesis (transcription and translation).

The principles of genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology), the use of restriction enzymes, ligase, vectors and the polymerase chain reaction, the applications in medicine, agriculture and gene therapy, and the ethical and safety issues.

The key genetic terms (gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous), monohybrid inheritance and genetic crosses, codominance and sex linkage, and the use of genetic diagrams to predict offspring ratios.

Gene mutations (substitution, insertion and deletion) and their effects on the protein, chromosome mutations, mutagens, examples of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle-cell anaemia, and genetic screening and counselling.

The nature of stem cells and the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells, cell differentiation and potency, the medical uses of stem cells, the principles of reproductive and therapeutic cloning, and the associated ethical issues.

Homeostasis and negative feedback, the control of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon, the control of body temperature, and how body systems are monitored using measurements such as pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature and ECG.

The components of a balanced diet and the roles of nutrients, the consequences of dietary imbalance, the assessment of body mass using BMI, and the effects of regular physical exercise on the body systems and on health.

Respiration as the release of energy from glucose, the role of ATP, an outline of aerobic respiration in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, anaerobic respiration and lactate production in humans, and the measurement of respiration and energy needs.

Structure of the heart and the cardiac cycle, control of the heartbeat, the structure and roles of arteries, veins and capillaries, the composition of blood, and the causes, risk factors and treatment of coronary heart disease.

The functions of the skeleton, the structure of a synovial joint, the role of antagonistic muscle pairs in movement, the structure of skeletal muscle and how it contracts, and common disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Structure of the human gas-exchange system, the mechanism of ventilation, gas exchange at the alveoli, lung volumes and capacities measured by spirometry, and the effects of smoking and disease on the lungs.

A2 1 Investigative Project as an internally assessed portfolio: developing a research question and hypothesis, planning and risk-assessing an extended investigation, collecting and statistically analysing data, drawing conclusions and evaluating, and referencing scientific sources.

The classification of organic compounds by functional group, homologous series and general formulae, IUPAC nomenclature, the different ways of representing organic molecules, and the meaning of structural isomerism.

The principles and uses of instrumental methods for identifying organic compounds, including mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and chromatography, and how data from these methods are interpreted to determine structure.

Structural isomerism (chain, position and functional group isomers), stereoisomerism including cis-trans (E-Z) isomerism in alkenes, the conditions needed for each, and why isomers can have different properties.

Addition polymerisation of alkenes and condensation polymerisation, the structures of the polymers formed, the differences between the two types, and the uses and environmental impact of polymers including biodegradability and disposal.

The characteristic reactions of alkanes (combustion and substitution), alkenes (addition), alcohols (oxidation, combustion and dehydration) and carboxylic acids, and the reaction types of combustion, substitution, addition and oxidation.

The Bronsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases, strong and weak acids, the pH scale and its relationship to hydrogen ion concentration, neutralisation reactions, and the use of titration to find an unknown concentration.

Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle and the effects of changing concentration, pressure and temperature, the effect of a catalyst on equilibrium, and the equilibrium constant Kc.

The Haber process and the Contact process as industrial applications of rate and equilibrium, the choice of compromise conditions of temperature, pressure and catalyst, and the economic and environmental factors in industrial chemistry.

Collision theory and the factors affecting the rate of reaction, the action of catalysts, exothermic and endothermic reactions, enthalpy changes and energy profile diagrams, and the calculation of enthalpy changes.

Oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer and oxidation numbers, redox reactions, the principles of electrolysis, and the industrial use of electrolysis to extract and purify metals.