Biology

Course summary

WHAT YOU WILL BE TAUGHT: Biological Molecules - Monomers and polymers - Carbohydrates - Lipids - Proteins - Nucleic acids - ATP - Water - Inorganic ions Cells - Cell structure - All cells arise from other cells - Transport across membranes - Cell recognition and the immune system Organisms exchange substances with their environment - Surface area to volume ratio - Gas exchange - Digestion and absorption - Mass transport Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms - DNA, genes, and chromosomes - DNA and protein synthesis - Genetic diversity - Genetic diversity and adaptation - Species and Taxonomy - Biodiversity - Investigating diversity Energy transfers in and between organisms (A level only) - Photosynthesis - Respiration - Energy and ecosystems - Nutrient cycles Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environment (A level only) - Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response - Nervous coordination - Skeletal Muscles are stimulated to contract by nerves and act as effectors - Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A level only) - Inheritance - Populations - Evolution may lead to speciation - Populations in ecosystems The control of gene expression (A level only) - Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure of proteins - Gene expression is controlled by a number of features - Using genome projects