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Northern IrelandBiology

Cells and Life Processes

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are the parts of animal and plant cells, how are cells specialised, and how do we measure them under a microscope?

Animal and plant cell structures and their functions, examples of specialised cells and their adaptations, the levels of organisation from cell to organism, and using a light microscope including magnification calculations.
A focused CCEA GCSE Biology answer on cell structure, covering the parts of animal and plant cells and their functions, specialised cells and their adaptations, levels of organisation, and using a light microscope with magnification calculations.
8 min answer →

What are enzymes, how do they work, and how do temperature and pH affect them?

Enzymes as biological catalysts, the lock and key model and the active site, how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity including denaturing, and investigating enzyme activity experimentally.
A focused CCEA GCSE Biology answer on enzymes, covering how they act as biological catalysts, the lock and key model and active site, the effects of temperature and pH including denaturing, and how to investigate enzyme activity.
8 min answer →

How is a leaf adapted for photosynthesis and gas exchange, and how do stomata control it?

The structure of a leaf and how its tissues are adapted for photosynthesis and gas exchange, the role of stomata and guard cells, and how gases diffuse into and out of the leaf.
A focused CCEA GCSE Biology answer on leaf structure, covering how each leaf tissue is adapted for photosynthesis and gas exchange, the role of stomata and guard cells, and how gases diffuse into and out of the leaf.
7 min answer →

What makes up a balanced diet, and how do we test food for the main nutrients?

The components of a balanced diet and their sources and functions, the consequences of an unbalanced diet, the energy content of food, and the chemical food tests for starch, reducing sugar, protein and fat.
A focused CCEA GCSE Biology answer on nutrition, covering the components of a balanced diet and their functions, the effects of an unbalanced diet, energy content of food, and the food tests for starch, reducing sugar, protein and fat.
8 min answer →

How do plants make food by photosynthesis, and what affects the rate at which they do it?

The word and symbol equations for photosynthesis, the role of chlorophyll and chloroplasts, the limiting factors of light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature, and experiments to investigate the rate of photosynthesis.
A focused CCEA GCSE Biology answer on photosynthesis, covering the word and symbol equations, the role of chlorophyll and chloroplasts, the limiting factors of light, carbon dioxide and temperature, and how to investigate the rate.
8 min answer →

How does the digestive system break down food and absorb it into the blood?

The organs of the digestive system and their functions, the digestive enzymes amylase, protease and lipase with their substrates and products, the role of bile, and absorption in the villi of the small intestine.
A focused CCEA GCSE Biology answer on digestion, covering the organs of the digestive system, the enzymes amylase, protease and lipase with their substrates and products, the role of bile, and absorption by the villi.
8 min answer →