BiologyQ&A by dot point

The absorption of the soluble products of digestion in the small intestine, the adaptations of villi and microvilli for absorption, and the role of diffusion and active transport in taking up glucose and amino acids.

The structure and function of the sub-cellular parts of animal and plant cells, the differences between them, and the levels of organisation from cells to tissues, organs and organ systems.

Diffusion, osmosis and active transport as ways substances move across cell membranes, the factors that affect diffusion, the effect of osmosis on plant and animal cells, and the osmosis required practical.

The action of carbohydrases, proteases and lipases in digestion, the products they form, the effect of temperature and pH on enzymes, and the food tests for starch, reducing sugars, protein and lipids.

Cell differentiation and the adaptations of specialised cells, the use of a light microscope, and calculating magnification, image size and real size, including the use of scale bars and unit conversion.

The structure and function of the organs of the human digestive system, the food groups in a balanced diet, the difference between mechanical and chemical digestion, and the role of bile.

Mitosis and meiosis and their purposes, the difference between haploid and diploid cells, the nature and uses of stem cells, and uncontrolled cell division leading to cancer.

The classification of organisms into kingdoms and the hierarchy of taxonomic groups, the binomial naming system, the meaning of a species, the use of keys, and the meaning and measurement of biodiversity.

The structure of DNA, genes, chromosomes and alleles, the meaning of genotype and phenotype, monohybrid inheritance and Punnett squares, sex determination, and the inheritance of genetic disorders.

Genetic engineering as the transfer of genes between organisms, the use of restriction enzymes and vectors, examples such as insulin-producing bacteria, genetic profiling and its uses, and the issues raised.

Genetic and environmental variation, mutation as a source of new alleles, natural selection and evolution, the evidence from fossils, selective breeding, and the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

The main groups of micro-organisms and the structure of bacteria, binary fission and growth conditions, aseptic technique for culturing micro-organisms, and the use of micro-organisms in food, fermentation, antibiotics and biotechnology.

The body's non-specific defence mechanisms, the roles of phagocytes and lymphocytes, antibodies and antigens, antitoxins, and the difference between active and passive immunity.

The causes of disease, the types of pathogen and example diseases, how pathogens are spread, and the ways the spread of infectious disease can be reduced, including non-communicable diseases and their risk factors.

How vaccination produces immunity and memory cells, the use and limits of antibiotics and the rise of antibiotic resistance, the production and uses of monoclonal antibodies, and the discovery and testing of new medicines.

Feeding relationships in ecosystems, food chains and food webs, pyramids of number and biomass, the transfer of energy along a food chain and why energy is lost at each trophic level.

The effect of human activities on the environment, including pollution, eutrophication, global warming and deforestation, the meaning and importance of biodiversity, and methods of conservation.

The structure of a leaf and how it is adapted for photosynthesis, and the structure and function of the xylem and phloem in transporting water, minerals and sugars.

Photosynthesis as the process that makes glucose using light energy, its word and symbol equations, the limiting factors of light, carbon dioxide and temperature, and the required practicals.

The carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle, the roles of photosynthesis, respiration, combustion and decomposition, the types of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle, and the conditions affecting decay.

Transpiration as the loss of water vapour from a plant, the transpiration stream, the factors that affect the rate of transpiration, and the role of stomata and guard cells.

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration as the release of energy from glucose, their word equations and products, the uses of the energy released, and oxygen debt after exercise.

The components of blood and their functions, the risk factors and development of cardiovascular disease, and ways of preventing and treating it.

The structure and function of the heart, the double circulation, the pathway of blood through the heart and major vessels, and the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries.

The structure and function of the human respiratory system, the mechanism of breathing in and out, the adaptations of the alveoli for gas exchange, and the effect of exercise on breathing.

Homeostasis as the maintenance of a constant internal environment, the role of the thermoregulatory centre and skin receptors, and the mechanisms of temperature regulation including sweating, shivering, vasodilation and vasoconstriction.

Hormones as chemical messengers from glands, the main hormones and their effects, the control of blood glucose by insulin and glucagon, and the causes, symptoms and treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Plant responses to light and gravity as tropisms, phototropism and gravitropism, and the role of the plant hormone auxin in controlling the direction of growth.

The structure and function of the parts of the eye, accommodation to focus near and distant objects, and the causes and correction of long-sightedness and short-sightedness.

The role of the kidney in homeostasis and excretion, the structure of the kidney and nephron, ultrafiltration and selective reabsorption, the control of water balance by ADH, and the treatment of kidney failure by dialysis and transplant.

Stimuli, receptors and effectors, the central nervous system and neurons, the transmission of impulses, and the reflex arc as an automatic protective response.