← Biology syllabus

WalesBiology

Unit 1: Basic Biochemistry and Cell Organisation

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

How do enzymes speed up reactions, and what changes their activity?

Enzymes as biological catalysts, the induced-fit model, the effect of temperature, pH, substrate and enzyme concentration, and the action of inhibitors.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Biology Unit 1, covering enzymes as biological catalysts, the lock-and-key and induced-fit models, activation energy, and the effects of temperature, pH, concentration and inhibitors on enzyme activity.
11 min answer →

How do cells divide for growth and for making gametes?

The cell cycle and mitosis, the significance of meiosis, and how mitosis and meiosis differ.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Biology Unit 1, covering the cell cycle, the stages of mitosis, the significance of meiosis in producing genetic variation, and the key differences between mitosis and meiosis.
11 min answer →

How is the cell membrane built, and how do substances cross it?

The fluid-mosaic model of membrane structure, and how substances cross membranes by diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport and bulk transport.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Biology Unit 1, covering the fluid-mosaic model, the roles of phospholipids, proteins and cholesterol, and transport by diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis and exocytosis.
10 min answer →

How are cells organised, and what does each organelle do?

The ultrastructure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the functions of organelles, the differences between plant and animal cells, and the levels of organisation from cells to organisms.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Biology Unit 1, covering eukaryotic and prokaryotic ultrastructure, the functions of organelles, plant versus animal cells, microscopy and magnification, and tissue and organ organisation.
10 min answer →

Which chemical elements and molecules build all living things, and how are they tested for?

The roles of inorganic ions and water, the structure of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, condensation and hydrolysis, and the biochemical tests for these molecules.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Biology Unit 1, covering water and inorganic ions, the structure of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, condensation and hydrolysis reactions, and the biochemical food tests.
11 min answer →

How is genetic information stored in DNA, and how is it copied?

The structure of DNA and RNA, the roles of ATP, semi-conservative DNA replication, and the principle of protein synthesis.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Biology Unit 1, covering the structure of DNA and RNA, nucleotides and base pairing, the role of ATP, semi-conservative DNA replication, and an overview of transcription and translation.
11 min answer →