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WalesCombined Science

Unit 1 Biology 1: Cells and respiration

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is respiration, and how do aerobic and anaerobic respiration differ in humans and microorganisms?

Respiration as the release of energy from glucose, the word and symbol equations for aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration in muscles and in yeast (fermentation), and a comparison of the two.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 1 topic on respiration, covering respiration as energy release from glucose, the equations for aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration in muscles and yeast, and how the two processes compare.
9 min answer →

What are the parts of animal and plant cells, and how are cells organised into tissues and organs?

Animal and plant cell structure and the function of each part, the differences between plant and animal cells, and how cells are organised into tissues, organs and organ systems.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 1 topic on cells, covering the parts of animal and plant cells and what each does, the differences between plant and animal cells, and how cells build tissues, organs and organ systems.
9 min answer →

How do substances move into and out of cells by diffusion, osmosis and active transport?

Diffusion, osmosis and active transport as ways substances cross cell membranes, the factors affecting diffusion, the effect of osmosis on cells, and the osmosis required practical.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 1 topic on movement across membranes, covering diffusion and the factors affecting it, osmosis and its effect on plant and animal cells, active transport and its energy demand, and the osmosis required practical.
10 min answer →

How are cells specialised for their jobs, and how do we use a microscope to see and measure them?

How named cells are adapted to their functions, the use of a light microscope to view cells, and calculating magnification and real size using the magnification equation.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 1 topic on specialised cells and microscopy, covering how named cells are adapted to their functions, using a light microscope, and calculating magnification and real size with the magnification equation.
9 min answer →

How is the human breathing system built, and how are the alveoli adapted for gas exchange?

The structure of the human breathing system, the mechanism of ventilation, and how the alveoli are adapted for efficient gas exchange by diffusion.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 1 topic on breathing and gas exchange, covering the structure of the human breathing system, how ventilation works, and how the alveoli are adapted for efficient diffusion of gases.
9 min answer →