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ScotlandBiology

Area 2: Multicellular Organisms

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

How are exchange surfaces adapted to absorb gases and nutrients efficiently?

The need for efficient exchange surfaces with a large surface area, and the adaptations of the alveoli for gas exchange in the lungs and of the villi for the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on the absorption of materials, covering the need for efficient exchange surfaces with a large surface area, and the adaptations of the alveoli for gas exchange in the lungs and of the villi for the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
8 min answer →

How do the nervous and endocrine systems control and coordinate the body?

The nervous system with the CNS and the three types of neuron and the reflex arc, the endocrine system using hormones and target tissues with receptors, and the control of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon from the pancreas.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on control and communication, covering the nervous system with the CNS and the three types of neuron and the reflex arc, the endocrine system using hormones and target tissues, and the control of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon from the pancreas.
10 min answer →

How are new cells produced, and how do cells become specialised and organised into tissues and organs?

The stages of mitosis and its role in growth, repair and maintaining the diploid chromosome number, stem cells and meristems as sources of unspecialised cells, and the specialisation of cells into tissues, organs and systems.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on producing new cells, covering the stages of mitosis and its role in growth and repair, the diploid chromosome number, stem cells and meristems as sources of unspecialised cells, and the specialisation of cells into tissues, organs and systems.
9 min answer →

How do haploid gametes combine to produce a new diploid organism?

The production of haploid gametes in animals and plants, fertilisation as the fusion of two haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote, and how this restores the diploid chromosome number.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on reproduction, covering the production of haploid gametes in animals and plants, fertilisation as the fusion of two haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote, and how fertilisation restores the diploid chromosome number.
8 min answer →

How does the circulatory system transport materials around the body?

The four-chambered heart and the pathway of blood, the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries, and the components of blood including red and white cells, platelets and plasma.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on transport systems in animals, covering the four-chambered heart and the pathway of blood, the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries, and the components of blood including red and white cells, platelets and plasma.
9 min answer →

How do plants transport water, minerals and food, and control water loss?

The structure and function of xylem and phloem, the transpiration stream and the factors affecting its rate, and the role of stomata, guard cells and root hair cells in water movement and exchange.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on transport systems in plants, covering the structure and function of xylem and phloem, the transpiration stream and the factors affecting its rate, and the role of stomata, guard cells and root hair cells.
9 min answer →

How is variation classified, and how are characteristics passed from parents to offspring?

Discrete and continuous variation and their genetic basis, the genetics terms phenotype, genotype, dominant and recessive, homozygous and heterozygous, and the use of Punnett squares to predict the outcomes of monohybrid crosses.
An SQA National 5 Biology answer on variation and inheritance, covering discrete and continuous variation and polygenic inheritance, the genetics terms phenotype, genotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous and heterozygous, and the use of Punnett squares to predict the outcomes of monohybrid crosses.
10 min answer →